What kinda bag do you use?
#1
alec
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Eugene, OR
Posts: 3
Bikes: I dunno but it's ugly
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
What kinda bag do you use?
I'm looking to invest in a messanger bag or otherwise waterproof bag. I'm moving to Eugene, OR and expect to be commuting in rain for much of the fall/winter. I need a bag that's big enough to carry several text books at once. Any advice/ recommendations? I have a fellow that wants to sell me a Sidetrak Messanger bag- anyone familiar with this bag? It's a steal, but don't know if it will suit me needs. thanks in advance!
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Baltimore/DC
Posts: 2,930
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 170 Post(s)
Liked 156 Times
in
99 Posts
Hey i hated the messenger bags. I think they are only good if you have to get on and off your bike often. I ride with a Deuter backpack. It's from Germany(via Vietnam), has a rain cover, nicely vented back and narrower than the average daypack. Many different sizes, mine is 1700CI. They haven't caught on in the US yet so you can snatch 'em cheap with a lot of looking. I think I paid 40.0 for an 80.00 bag at Livetoplay Charlie
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 1,511
Bikes: Surly Pacer/Cutter/Viking
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Chrome makes excellent messenger bags and messenger backpacks. Lifetime warranty and guaranteed to last. www.chromebags.com
#4
The Spider
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 417
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I use a timbuk2 messenger bag. It's called the deedog. It is water-proof, bomb-proof. I use it almost everyday. It holds alot. You should get what you can afford. Check out a few bags before you buy one, then you'll find the one you really want.
Thanks.
Thanks.
#5
Newbie
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 1
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
i'm not familiar with the sidetrak bag, i've used timbuk 2 and chrome bags; the chrome with the seat belt buckle is my fav for fit and overall usability. the timbuks have served me well, too and work better with larger more unusually shaped loads, i.e. groceries. regardless, I'd buy a bag made by a company that has it's bags used by actual messengers. goto www.messengers.org. there's a good section there on bags if memory serves...
#6
misses the city
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Rockville, MD
Posts: 207
Bikes: 2004 Bianchi Pista
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have the largest timbuk2 and I love it to pieces. It has held up for years, biking and not biking, and is big enough that it wraps around the sides of my body when not full and can carry a gallon of milk, a big box of cereal and other assorted groceries. It's enormous.
(It only looks a little ridiculous on 5'3" me.)
(It only looks a little ridiculous on 5'3" me.)
#7
The Rabbi
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,123
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
I have a Jandd Hurricane series bag. Amazing quality and a decent price. The 1950 cu. in. model is cavernous. I can hold all the books, notebooks and anything I need for an entire week in the bag. I paid cost so that makes it worth a bit more to me, but at retail its still worth checking out.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 1,511
Bikes: Surly Pacer/Cutter/Viking
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I should mention that although I recommended Chrome above, if you are interested in a backpack style bag you should look into a camelback or hydrapak. My wife is ready to commute to work but needed a bag to hold her scrubs and lunch in. After she had looked at several bags (chrome being the fav) I had her look at the hydration system bags. She choose a hydrapak snowstorm with 100 fl oz bladder and 1500 cu in. of space. The pack was chosen because it:
a. served as a backpack
b. doubled as convenient hydration
c. safety device if you happen to land on your back. don't laugh, there is a recent thread supporting this.
a. served as a backpack
b. doubled as convenient hydration
c. safety device if you happen to land on your back. don't laugh, there is a recent thread supporting this.
#9
Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Hyde Park
Posts: 28
Bikes: Old blue Univega road bike (women's) with an aerobar. Just got a single speed fixed gear SR Silver (men's) conversion.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
my girlfriend calls me late last night saying, "i'm sick - come home." which was sucky 'cause i hadn't gotten any work done yet. worse... it was 10:30pm... worse... Chicago was getting rain worse than any hurricane down south... worse... i needed to take my lab's 200 GB hard drive home with me to finish work there.
But my CHROME bag held in and did the trick. After a couple miles in the most drenching rain, I crawled into her place, opened up my bag to find it absolutely dry... not a single visible sign of moisture. That's good too... cause had anything happened to the hard drive, my ass would've been canned today.
Chrome Bags... https://www.chromebags.com/
But my CHROME bag held in and did the trick. After a couple miles in the most drenching rain, I crawled into her place, opened up my bag to find it absolutely dry... not a single visible sign of moisture. That's good too... cause had anything happened to the hard drive, my ass would've been canned today.
Chrome Bags... https://www.chromebags.com/
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 1,511
Bikes: Surly Pacer/Cutter/Viking
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Here are pics of hers and mine. mine is the yellowish one and also has 100 fl oz bladder but only 500 cu in. space.
#11
Rebel Thousandaire
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Hartford, CT
Posts: 733
Bikes: Public D8, Yuba Mundo (cargo), Novara Buzz (1-speed, soon to be 2-speed w/ a kickback hub), Xootr 1-speed folder
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I use a BaileyWorks, which is great and well-made and waterproof and all that, but if you're going a good distance and carrying some textbooks, you might want to think about panniers: two or three good-sized books + lunch + rain gear + tools + whatever other random thing you migh have that day = backache, sweaty back, etc. When I had to carry big law books and a laptop, I went with a rack and panniers to ward off the scoliosis.
#12
dc pirate, 4evah.
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: seattle
Posts: 3,193
Bikes: several. blue. fun.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I am on my second Timbuk2, this one is about two years old, and the company is just pissing me off lately. I wanted to replace it since it's torn to shreds, but apparently they don't make waxed canvas bags any more. (Hmm... they make schmancy graphics bags now, but no waxed canvas? Says something.) I've also found they tend to get scraped up and torn somewhat easily, and that they lose their waterproofability. In all honesty, I was only looking to replace it since so many of my friends identify me on the street by my bag colors.
My next bag will be a Chrome.
My next bag will be a Chrome.
#13
Commuting monkey
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Aberdeen, UK
Posts: 52
Bikes: Pace (square section, eternally butted) MTB. Custom 26" wheel R531 tourer. R631 26" wheel commuter with Project 2 forks.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Ortlieb. Ortlieb. Ortlieb. 100% Waterproof, welded seams, roll-top closures. I've had a messenger bag of theirs for nearly 10 years, used on a daily commute for 7 years til I moved to panniers, and still it's in good-as-new condition.
#14
MTWThFMuter
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: SFOBayArea, CA
Posts: 457
Bikes: schwinn, raleigh, 'dale, litespeed, bianchi, surly, novara, brompton
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Carrying textbooks in a backpack on your back while riding might not be good. I would suggest going for a pannier that doubles as a backpack. Available, as of this posting, at bikenashbar.com.
#17
YATTA!!!
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Vegas Baby Vegas
Posts: 182
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Chrome bags get the job done! I bought one because of recomendations from other roadies. These things are 100% water proof and durable with lots of functional pockets for storing stuff. I can store wet stuff in my bag and keep it from getting other items wet.
www.chromebags.com
they are pricey,but you will not need another bag. Give them a call, they always have a few factory seconds on hand, I got a 130 bag for 93 bucks, nothign wrong with it at all. I use it every day when commuting and its great for traveling.
Ride on!
adam
www.chromebags.com
they are pricey,but you will not need another bag. Give them a call, they always have a few factory seconds on hand, I got a 130 bag for 93 bucks, nothign wrong with it at all. I use it every day when commuting and its great for traveling.
Ride on!
adam
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: SuckaFree City
Posts: 338
Bikes: chopper, Team Fuji, Velo Orange Polyvalent
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yeah I stood out in a downpour for more than an hour Saturday with my Chrome bag on. Everything inside was completely dry.
#19
2-Cyl, 1/2 HP @ 90 RPM
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 15,762
Bikes: 04' Specialized Hardrock Sport, 03' Giant OCR2 (SOLD!), 04' Litespeed Firenze, 04' Giant OCR Touring, 07' Specialized Langster Comp
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
Don't get a messenger bag unless you need remove it and put it on a lot. The best pack I've used so far is an old lowe alpine running pack, it forms an aerodynamic tear drop shape on my back and straps on tight and is comfortable. Unfortunately, I have carpal tunnel in my right hand and a strap on my right shoulder cuts off circulation pretty easy so I use a messenger bag across my left shoulders.
I've also stood outside in a hurricane with my lowe alpine pack full of holes and the contents of my bag inside a black plastic trash bag, contents also remained completely dry.
I've also stood outside in a hurricane with my lowe alpine pack full of holes and the contents of my bag inside a black plastic trash bag, contents also remained completely dry.
#20
Vermonticus Outdoorsus
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Burlington, VT
Posts: 308
Bikes: Specialized Rockhopper circa 1993
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Jeprox
Carrying textbooks in a backpack on your back while riding might not be good. I would suggest going for a pannier that doubles as a backpack. Available, as of this posting, at bikenashbar.com.
#21
Vermonticus Outdoorsus
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Burlington, VT
Posts: 308
Bikes: Specialized Rockhopper circa 1993
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Just called Nashbar, and they gave me a refund for the difference, how cool is that!
#22
for drinking
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 942
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
1 Post
I rode home with my new timbuk2 and I dont like it that much. felt way too thing. I was carrying books, a hoodie, bike lock, and some other random ****. It still felt like it was going to fold in half on my back.
#23
VegetarianBikeRider
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: NYC, man.
Posts: 200
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have a timbuk2. It's a real solid bag, I bungee it to my rear rack, though, I don't use it as a shoulder bag--it kept slipping around in front of me (pain in the butt).
It's got a lot of pockets though, and I can fit a ton of stuff in it.
It's got a lot of pockets though, and I can fit a ton of stuff in it.
#24
Arizona Dessert
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: AZ
Posts: 15,030
Bikes: Cannondale SuperSix, Lemond Poprad. Retired: Jamis Sputnik, Centurion LeMans Fixed, Diamond Back ascent ex
Mentioned: 76 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5345 Post(s)
Liked 2,169 Times
in
1,288 Posts
I use a timbuk2 laptop bag. I got it because it has a nice padded slot for a laptop and when in the office its looks like and can be used as a briefcase. It is very comfortable for me for my 9mi commute. A backpack would probably be a bit more comfortable, but would fit less in the office.
Al
Al