Simple, stylish messenger and pannier bag... does it exist?
 

Really looking for a well-designed pannier/messenger bag to use for light commuting. Hoping to carry a laptop, sketchbook, U-Lock a mile or so to classes/errands etc.

I see lots of pannier/briefcase/messenger style bags, but in general they're too ridiculous looking to use as a messenger bag when walking. I love the simplicity behind the Timbuk2 Pannier and the Garneau Black Box, but they look ridiculous when they're off the bike. On the ones that have a simple style, they have ridiculous mounting systems (Arkel or Ortlieb).

I'd be happy with something that's styled simple, with a basic pannier setup. Black/Tan canvas would be fine, no colors, no reflectivity. I just want a messenger/briefcase style bag that I can carry on my back when I'm walking, and when I hop on my bike(70s era Raleigh 10 speed), I can clip onto my rear rack and roll away. Have found a few that can do this, but nothing I love.

Any advice?

As an owner of a pair of yellow Ortlieb Classic Back Rollers I have to agree: they kind of fit in when they're on the bike, but on shoulder they look awful. Mine have accumulated their share of scratches and marks during the years, which isn't exactly helping.

Saddle manufacturer Brooks make stylish panniers too, but they're really, really expensive.

Carradice make cotton duck panniers in various designs that might fit the bill. My limited experience with their Camper saddlebag suggests their quality is good and material is quite waterproof. Speaking of saddlebags, your gear would fit easily in many of their designs, but they're not so convenient to carry when off the bike.

--J

If you Bought a Brompton, they have a number of bags
the C bag is sewn, and looks nice off the bike as a shoulder bag.

this year they got a bag from Ortlieb Made for them, and a leather briefcase , that use the head tube mounted clip..

Nashbar has a backpack/ pannier, zip covers the hooks .. lots cheaper, [sewn in China of course]
one color red/black/gray

I've seen the Minnehaha bags around, but I don't own any, so I can't speak to their quality. Classic looks, and cheaper than Brooks, though.

I don't know if you found your stylish pannier. Here's mine. It's not too cheap since it's custom-made with fine leather and weather-resistant materials (what you see in black). It fits pretty much all the accessories you mention. The quality is excellent. You can PM me if you need more details.

Dimensions: 12" (length) x 5.5" (expanded width) x 17" (height)
http://a.imageshack.us/img375/2071/img00142k.jpg
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Pannier attached to the rack
http://a.imageshack.us/img442/594/img00143g.jpg
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Laptop and jacket inside the pannier - notice that inside the flap is all leather covered weather resistant materials on the outside.
http://a.imageshack.us/img409/7038/img00148.jpg
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Jacket can also be carried outside
http://a.imageshack.us/img21/853/img00146mq.jpg
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Notice the quality work in the back. It's very easy to attach/dettach to the rack with the hooks. Adjustable straps increase the safety on the road.
http://a.imageshack.us/img442/9510/img00151q.jpg
Uploaded with ImageShack.us

When not in use, the pannier lies flat (less than an inch)
http://a.imageshack.us/img714/6490/img00152h.jpg
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Posh gear .. :beer:

Fabulous Bike Pannier Messenger Bag
 

I was having the same problem. Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions but none solved my needs which are essentially the same as the original posters:

> Needs to fit my MacBook Pro, large sketchbook and large U-Lock
> Must look fantastic off my bike. I'm a consultant and style counts. I can't wear anything nylon or sports-style. No colors, no reflectivity. No one should be able to tell its a bike bag. I prefer leather messenger bags for my work attire.
> The mounting system must be secure but get out of the way when its off my bike
> I also wanted it to ship from the US and, preferably, be made in the USA. I've had troubles with customs and bags made in China

Then, I found this bag. Its gorgeous. Exactly the kind of bag I would buy even if it wasn't also a pannier.

Check it out: Lane Leather Bicycle Pannier Messenger Bag

http://lanebags.com/wp-content/theme...le-bag-300.png
http://lanebags.com/wp-content/theme...senger-300.png

Holy Crimeny! That is gorgeous... so want...

PS - Philosophy Bags makes a nice pannier / office bag

http://www.philosophybags.com/media/...grey_angle.jpg

By no means cheap, but these may fit the bill:

http://www.arkel-od.com/us/all-categ...e-pannier.html

Especially the Briefcase model.

-Warr

Thanks guys. I looked at Philosophy and Arkel before purchasing from Lane. Philosophy is nice but not the aesthetic that works for my workplace. I can't wear that into a law firm. I would wear it if my workplace was more flexible on my fashion choices though. Its pretty funky cool.

I know Arkel is a venerated maker of panniers but honestly, those are beyond hideous. Just awful ugly. I've seen riders with the commuter and briefcase models and they are even uglier in person. Big shiny yellow Ortlieb roll tops look more professional than those. Also, their website images are all scratchy and the site design is just... gross. I should note here I'm a lady. Maybe male aesthetics are different. I know that none of my male colleagues would ever wear one of those. It may seem women professionals have more flexibility than men in the workplace, and we do, but never looking cheap is the cardinal rule. And, those look cheap.

I'd rather invest in something that ages with grace. The nylon on Arkels just feels cheap. Lane had a whole section on how their bike panniers are made with full-grain leather here. That was definitely a selling point.

I don't get why the American cycling commuting is relegated to nylon and spandex. I spent a couple summers in Amsterdam and cycling is elegant. Maybe its because they don't really look at it as a sport activity. I'll stick with my gorgeous leather. Thanks for the input guys. Hopefully, other people who end up here will have all the options available and decide for themselves.

I think the real problem is that the needs of a pannier and the needs of a messenger bag are simply incompatible. A pannier needs (at least in my mind) to sit firmly on my bike, but still be able to be quickly removed and it needs a stiff back and decent support to keep it from flopping around and hitting the wheel.

A messenger bag needs to sit comfortably and have good stability when on my back.

I've tried an awful lot of different things trying to get these two factors to play well together, and it just never happens; the mounting hardware of the pannier gets in the way, or the rigid backing starts to jab me in the back, the straps needed to make it into a shoulder bag get in the way when in pannier mode, or else if they are detachable, don't provide the support needed to keep the bag stable.

I've gotten to the point where if I need a simple and stylish bag for off the bike, I just take my simple and stylish bag and strap it to my rack. It's much quicker and easier that way

Yeah, that Lane is hot. My post on Philosophy was more for the OP.

Speaking of which, I should have posted the Black / Tan pic instead of the grey/black.

Yeah, I wear office clothes when I ride to work. Just take it a bit slower...

I typically wear a cardigan, tailored shift dress with compact ballet flats and just strap my pumps to the top of the rack. I switch them out when I get wear I'm going. I have definitely cycled in wedges before when going to BBQs and the like. In winter, I add a couple layers of leggings, two gloves, balaclava, boots and a jacket that has a bit of flex but works for the office. Its Chicago, its SO cold. In summer, I wear non-visible bike shorts when riding my track bike. On my dutch-style, its less necessary. I've got it down to a system that works for me. Its interesting to see different strategies.

I've got one CEO who rides in from Hyde Park to Skokie ~25 miles a couple times a week as a training ride. He's full spandex and showers once he arrives. It all depends on your lifestyle but I must say Chicago is a great cycling city. I say that despite being hit by cars twice. Hopefully Rahm keeps it that way. I hear Active Transportation Alliance is on his transition team.

I went with the Carradice Bike Bureau. The aesthetic is good for my workplace and it easily holds my office clothes, shoes, and shaving kit. The clincher for me was that it's made of waterproof cotton duck and comes with a laptop insert. It also comes with a shoulder strap that works great when the bag isn't overly full. Different story when it's packed with clothes and gear....it gets bulky and uncomfortable (but still works great as a pannier).

http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php...&product_id=64

Do you keep a blog? Your riding outfit + the mention of chicago (I think) reminds me of a blog I have subscribed in my Google Reader feeds... can't remember the name at the moment, though...

Knog Bags. I have one of these and it fits the description. I works just fine as a messenger bag, it has a padded laptop pocket, and it also has an easily attached and removed device to turn it into a pannier. It even has a pull over rain jacket to keep it dry. With the bicycle attachment off nobody knows it is also a pannier. I've been using it much more as a bag than a pannier, and I work in a very corporate type office and don't feel in the least out-of-place with it. (Mine is black, the color that comes up on the link is fugly.)

I looked at the Ortlieb bags, the Arkel, and a few others, and they all looked too much like panniers. This one doesn't.

Is Knog still putting the rique graphics under the flaps?

The things with these leather or leather looking panniers is the belt buckle design. I hate it. It will either be too tight or too loose. I'd take functional Velcro over stylish Belt Buckles any day. BTW, can anyone recommend me a nice Velcro Belt for my pants??? I'm losing massive amounts of weight here.

Not velro, but Wheelmen & Co's belt are super adjustable...

I have an Arkel bag but have to agree that in dress clothes it would look completely out of place. It has been super durable but it's not exactly a good looking bag.

I'm not sure what options there are that will securely mount to the bike while being able to hide the mounting hardware. I have to agree with the poster above that the buckle mounting system on the leather bag would be frustrating and wobble around, but the bag itself looks beautiful.

doesnt look too shabby ..

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=198050

Louis Garneau Cambridge Bag
$42+shipping&handling
http://www.departmentofgoods.com/lou...-cambridge-bag

Yep, just keep the flap closed. It is just a cartoon in any case.