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Originally Posted by spock
(Post 11167060)
Maybe you should try professional fitting. ;)
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Originally Posted by slvoid
(Post 11166388)
In the past decade, I've gone through 2 timbuk2 bags, 2 chrome bags, a crumpler bag, and a marmot backpack over... 30-40000 miles of riding? I think one year I rode like 15k, more than my first car.
In my experience, the messenger bags are best if you have to open and close your bag frequently. The chrome bags fit better on the bike while the timbuk2 fits better off. The crumpler bag fit horribly but the back was some really tough material that tore up my jerseys like sandpaper but kept it from moving around too much. Like the others say, they have to be cinched real tight and ride pretty far up your back in order to fit well and be stable. Best bag I ever used was the marmot. It's basically a backpack with a suspension that lifted almost the entire pack off your bag. Once cinched up, it hugged my body and everything stayed tight while at the same time allowing my back to breathe. Your mileage may vary... |
Originally Posted by adlai
(Post 11169485)
What was the exact marmot? I might be in the market for a new backpack, esp. seeing how often my current backpack gets soaked through :(
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ghlight=marmot Someone else recommended the osprey stratos, very similar design. http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ht=marmot+mesh In hindsight I should've gotten the osprey, it packs down a lot better and is more aerodynamic. |
I dig the Osprey.
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Originally Posted by slvoid
(Post 11169549)
Marmot zephyr.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ghlight=marmot Someone else recommended the osprey stratos, very similar design. http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ht=marmot+mesh In hindsight I should've gotten the osprey, it packs down a lot better and is more aerodynamic. http://www.ospreypacks.com/Packs/RaptorSeries/ |
The raptor's nice but it's still just foam (with ridges in it and mesh on top) touching your back. The marmot (and i think the other osprey, though I haven't tried it) actually has a suspension with aluminium stays that keeps most of the pack completely off your back so air can circulate even when cinched down. Plus it has more storage, I'm not sure if even the largest raptor pack is large enough for a commuter at only 18 liters.
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i know right. i got one for christmas a couple years ago. the thing is hell on my back. recently i went into a bike shop and the guy was like o you have a trek bag, i didn't know, i knew that it said trek on it but he said that it was also their logo. the thing was obviously meant for riding and it sucks big ones.
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I had one messenger bag that was absolutely horrible as it would never stay on my back and fully loaded the fold over flap would not close properly and just flap in the wind. I now have a 70s style messenger bag which is perfect in every regard for what I need from it. Needless to say all bags are not created equal.
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I sniped a Trager messenger bag off e-bay for 10 dollars. I like it okay, fits good and is pretty handy. I also have an Ultimate Direction backpack. Very comfortable, more than the messenger, and holds more, but not near as handy. When i'm goin downtown doing some shopping or going to the bookstore I take the messenger. When I am doing heavier hauls and am on and off the bike I use the backpack.
The summer in Bakersfield, California changes everything though. At over 100 degrees Fahrenheit during my commute I dislike anything on my back. I use my Axiom Lasalle panniers for everything. Not as handy as the messenger but my back stays alot cooler! |
Originally Posted by fredward
(Post 11170849)
i know right. i got one for christmas a couple years ago. the thing is hell on my back. recently i went into a bike shop and the guy was like o you have a trek bag, i didn't know, i knew that it said trek on it but he said that it was also their logo. the thing was obviously meant for riding and it sucks big ones.
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Well, ordered a marmot alpha 25 backpack. My current backpack is almost...ten years old now, and too often when it rains the insides get wet.
I use my messenger bag basically as a grocery-getter, since it's easier to have a separate bag for groceries, with grocery bags in them, than it is to empty out my backpack every time. |
KJ,
Do you know which UltDir pack you use? I love their bags but have never used any of mine for cycling. Just curious as to which one you use, as it seems to work well for you. Mine are older and somewhat overbuilt for cycling, but some of their newer packs look like they might work great (like the Stinger). |
Originally Posted by spock
(Post 11167060)
Maybe you should try professional fitting. ;)
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Originally Posted by adlai
(Post 11171892)
Well, ordered a marmot alpha 25 backpack. My current backpack is almost...ten years old now, and too often when it rains the insides get wet.
I use my messenger bag basically as a grocery-getter, [B]since it's easier to have a separate bag for groceries, with grocery bags in them, than it is to empty out my backpack every time. loosen cam-buckle, loosen flap, stuff or remove x items, clip flap, tighten cambuckle and then get on with it. The only thing easier is tossing stuff in a basket or pannier. |
Originally Posted by MK313
(Post 11172108)
KJ,
Do you know which UltDir pack you use? I love their bags but have never used any of mine for cycling. Just curious as to which one you use, as it seems to work well for you. Mine are older and somewhat overbuilt for cycling, but some of their newer packs look like they might work great (like the Stinger). |
Originally Posted by electrik
(Post 11173983)
Yeah, find some guy w/ really tight jeans, a fixed gear and some narrow brake-less handle-bars.... he'll set you up with a killer deal from the same place he had his bag fitted at!
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I have a backpack, panniers, and a messenger bag. I like them all. The messenger bag I wear lower down than most are suggesting, so that my back is cooler (my least favourite thing about the backpack is sweaty back), and it covers perhaps a 3rd the amount of my back that the backpack does. It's comfortable, easy to swing round and get into, but when the stabiliser is done up it stays in place, even worn low. It's ok if you dont like them though.
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I love my messenger bag but I have to admit, my front rack is better.
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Originally Posted by CB HI
(Post 11175039)
You missed the context of spock's post. It was a good joke in response to my fine sarcasm.
Originally Posted by kaseri
(Post 11175645)
I love my messenger bag but I have to admit, my front rack is better.
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:roflmao::roflmao:
Originally Posted by kaseri
(Post 11175645)
I love my messenger bag but I have to admit, my front rack is better.
Originally Posted by electrik
(Post 11177965)
Ah...
You don't say... Do you have any pictures of your front rack? :innocent: |
messenger bag hierarchy: REload > baily works > chrome > timbuk2> whatever crap you bought. if you actually want a decent, comfortable messenger bag, you should expect to pay $150+ for it.
p.s. REload or gtfo. |
Originally Posted by vegenaise
(Post 11181980)
messenger bag hierarchy: REload > baily works > chrome > timbuk2> whatever crap you bought. if you actually want a decent, comfortable messenger bag, you should expect to pay $150+ for it.
p.s. REload or gtfo. |
Originally Posted by adlai
(Post 11182155)
that's complete crap. The first messenger bags were like $20 affairs.
Second, you already proved to yourself that a cheap mess bag sucks and is uncomfortable. What I would like to know though is what makes REload $100 better than Chrome. I took a look at their website and you can't tell by the pics. |
Originally Posted by kj6cec
(Post 11174093)
you know i sure dont know the model. I bought it about 7 years ago at a LBS, tri-shop. I never see it when i search for it online. It is long and storage is square shaped tube. it is set up for a hydration bladder in the main compartment but i dont use one. it also has small pockets for quick access to keys and wallet. i should wash it and take a pic to put up here for you.
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Originally Posted by adlai
(Post 11182155)
that's complete crap.
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