Ortlieb Messenger Classic VS Chrome Citizen
 

I know I know, the classic BP vs messenger bag debate.

I have come down to these two products. Both durable, waterproof.

Can I get sort of reviews of these two bags, for those who have them?

My luggage usually consists of having a textbook, small book, notebook.
gym clothes, a regular change of clothes, an extra jacket
lunch,
quick errands, My helmet
and wherever else. My commutes range from 3 - 13 miles one way depending on what I'm doing that day. I'm usually riding quickly so I'm never riding for longer than 45 min-1hr.
I ride Day/Nights and I usually carry a light load . around 10-15 lbs.
I should also note that I deliver newspapers. (In a truck though, around 2500) during the graveyard and every two weeks I make collections of bills at various vendors. I am planning to do this on bike very soon. (the collecting money part) so stopping and going often.

I am mainly concerned with the comfort of a messenger bag, I just do not want back/neck problems. I've read that messenger bags are big on delivering these problems, although I feel like the higher end brands would help eliminate this problem? this would be my first messenger bag if I were to purchase the chrome.
Also what shoulder would I have the strap on? I write with my right, play sports with my left.

The ortlieb I'm considering because its very simple and can carry a lot. Although sometimes I feel it might be too plain..
Looking at the red ortlieb and the night series chrome, thanks.

I've got the chrome bag. it's okay but I wouldn't believe all of those 5 star ratings they have on their site. you can put a lot of stuff in it, but it mangled a loaf of bread like I've never seen before. I wish I would have gotten one off of CL for half the price. it doesn't matter what side the bag is on it centers well enough with the little strap. it also has a 'secret' pocket for secret things, that i'm too old for anymore. it will last forever though, it's well made. I just wish I could afford all the groceries I can fit into it.

If you are going to wear the load on your body, then you really should consider a set-up that transfers as much weight as possible to your hips.

That being said, if you still want to explore the mess bag, opt for the Seagull Black Bag in Medium. Slightly bigger, yet cheaper.

Did you ever have problems with the shoulder strap? or was it pretty minimal


Is this brand common? I like to try them on in store.
They remind me of reload bags ha.

Seagull is based in Columbus OH and that's where they make and sell them from. They have a good rep. However, apparently not for you, unless you happen to find someone local to you who has one.

I've used both messenger bags and backpacks as well as panniers. I've never used the Chrome, but I almost bought the Ortlieb.

I was a messenger bag user for many years until I trashed my shoulder while snow boarding. The shoulder was about 80% healed within a week or two but was still bugging me after a couple of months. So I thought I'd ditch the messenger bag for awhile and try panniers.

Before long my shoulder felt good again. I knew that panniers weren't quite for me (at least for commuting), but I was worried my shoulder trouble would just come back if I started using the mess bag again. So I started shopping around. I considered a better mess bag like the Chrome but figured that spreading the load over two shoulders by using a backpack would be less of gamble.

REI had the Ortlieb on sale but after trying it on in the store I just didn't like it. Roll-top bags like the Ortlieb tend to form these little wings that interfere with your rear vision. You'll notice it in the video you posted in the other thread. The other thing I didn't like about the Classic was that the organizer pouch wasn't included. I think it is in the Pro version of the bag (I can't remember if it's actually called "Pro" or something else). The classic is just one big bag and nothing else. Having to purchase the pouch separately struck me as kind of stingy given the money your spending on a bag like that. Maybe they don't charge extra for it anymore.

What I ended up getting was a Banjo Bros backpack. The advantages it had over the Ortlieb were:

1. a few extra pockets, pouches, etc.
2. a roll top design that minimized the wings
3. a really handy side pocket that you can reach with the bag on.

Now the Banjo Bros. bag won't match the quality of the Ortlieb and I'm not trying to sell you on it, but it helps highlight what I didn't like about the Ortlieb.

Since you're debating between a backpack and a mess bag, I'll leave you with a few thoughts about the pros and cons of both.

One big advantage of the mess bag is that you have easy access to your stuff without taking the bag off. You just slip the bag around to the front, open that massive flap and grab what you want. Backpacks need to be removed and even then getting to something at the bottom often means unpacking a bunch of other stuff.

The advantage of the backpack is better weight distribution across your shoulders, potentially more padding, and potentially better ventilation.

With a mess bag, it's more important to learn how to pack it properly so you don't end up with something digging into you.

Just one final thought about No1mad's comment regarding supporting the weight on your hips. That's very important in a backpack used for hiking. I'm not sure about cycling, especially if you ride using an aggressive body position. A substantial hip strap of the variety used in hiking backpacks might be uncomfortable on a bike.

sterling post mr. TJ, very well said. OP I'd lean towards to the mess bag because it sounds like you'll need it for the chaos factor. no1mad's seagull option looks like a good one. I can't tell you much about the strap because it's the only bag like it I've ever used. it's different than a backback, but it's not a backback. It's better than those one strap backpacks by a mile. I notice the seagull has a corner that sticks up a little. if your were in a tuck and looked behind you all you would see is the corner of your bag. if you get one, the right shoulder option my be best, for that blind spot alone.

Thanks everyone so far, TJ helped with the ortlieb alot. I am trying to pack to my necessities and be as light as possible if I would go with a MB. Good luck with the shoulder in the future btw.

I am leaning more towards trying out a messenger bag just to try it out. Ill have to look into the seagull some more. But one of the reasons why I am siding more with the chrome is because they are at LBS and I'm able to try them out. Also, Does anyone have an opinion on the night series? I really like the idea of the stealthy reflectors although do you guys think this is a feature worth having? Or is it more just for looks rather than function..

Oh and I think one thing that will help you decide between backpack and messenger bag is riding position. The more upright you ride, the better off you'd be with a backpack. The less upright you are, the less the load is on your shoulders.

A lot of people don't wear messenger bags correctly. They should be worn high and not dangling down. If the bag is worn high and your riding position is more leaning forward, then the load is spread across your back, - not hanging from your shoulder.

My opinion is Chrome SUCKS!! they came out with that night bag 1 month after I got mine! it is very cool and smart for low light and night riding. but seriously they suck for waiting 4 weeks to announce it.

Woah that makes sense, thanks for that tip I wouldn't have thought of that.
I currently have bullhorns and plan on getting some drops in the future to switch out every now and then. So I'd be more leaning.

Has anyone used a messenger bag outside of biking? like when youre walking around town....or as a daypack at a theme park. Or is that not ideal
Just curious.

Awh man thats too bad I hate when stuff like that happens. What color did you go with though?

Are you worried about reliability of the Chrome strap, or straps in general? Messenger and bike-culture types around here like Chrome messenger bags for quality and reliability, especially the clasp. I have a basic Timbuk2 which makes a decent briefcase in the car and on brief walks. The detachable cross-strap has a spring loaded clasp for the attachment at the low end of the bag, and that failed after about a dozen uses. I haven't replaced it because I haven't been using it as an on-bike cargo bag. Until now I've only needed to carry very light loads, and I've used an ancient Eddie Bauer daypack for that, just a triangular rucksack.

+1000 on the Seagull. I have a Large Black and use it daily for everything, not just cycling. For my commute, it usually carries a change of clothes, my laptop, a pair of shoes, lunch, coffee cup, water cup, tool bag, and cleanup kit (wipes, deodorant, body spray). Now my wife owns one that she uses as her purse, both of my kids have one that they use for school. Great product, and great people running the company.

I was narrowminded at first. But thanks to you and no1mad for showing Me this brand. The prices for the "black bags" are outstanding. I was in my mind set at a chrome night, which is about 160. So seeing prices at 105/125 is great.

I must ask, how is the large sized seagulls? Do they feel too bulky or big at times? I am 6'1 and about 152 lbs. My body frame is about a medium sized or a tad on the smaller. I would carry about the same load as you mentioned

Im 6'4" and 245. I dont even realize I have mine on until I try to get through a door sideways. I do see it sometimes when Im looking at traffic behind me (depending on how full it is)

I've got a Chrome Citizen. The bag is absolutely rock solid, but I wouldn't want to carry more than a 5 to 8 pound load in it for an hour of riding.

Your load looks to be far more than 5 to 8 pounds:

• textbook
• small book
• notebook
• gym clothes
• regular change of clothes
• an extra jacket
• lunch
• quick errands
• My helmet
• wherever else

I don't even think that the Citizen has enough volume to carry that much stuff. I think your load calls for more of a Metropolis sized bag.

what does your load usually consist of?

Hey. I am 6'3" and 190. I have the Seagull large black bag and it is very large. Nice if you want to carry something big but it can be cumbersome off the bike. The medium might suit you well. They seem to run a bit bigger than the chrome medium and large. So look at the citizen and metropolis at your LBS and see how they suit you to help determine the size you need. I would guess you would want a medium, though you would have to strap the helmet outside. A large loaded with heavy objects can weigh down on your shoulder pretty hard just walking to your bike. So if you also travel by foot a backpack may be a good idea.
I bought the seagull never having seen one, and am very glad I did. It is well madeand looks great. I have a smaller bag for simpler trips though.
If was mainly recommendations from this forum that convinced me to get it.


To Hendricks, how does your wife's work as a purse? I assume she has the small. Is it a little large for that or does she find it a good size?

She loves it. It is the small, and like most women manages to fill it up even with as large as it is. When she cleans it out, I have to change the trash bag because of how much comes out of it. Ive used my sons (also a small) a few times and actually prefer to use my large black even for smaller loads.

I should also note that if you look at the measurements on the website, The "black" bags are almost a size larger than the next one up in their regular bags. i.e. my large black is almost as big as the XL regular

A quick question, do you guys have any advice to if there's a difference between a left and right shoulder strap? Or is it just preference.

Also does anyone know if the black bag from seagull has the side strap for better stabilization?

typically, right handed people use the left shoulder.
Yes, the Seagull bags do have the anti-sway straps

I agree that typically right handed people get the left shoulder so that they can rummage around with the right hand. But if you are reasonably comfortable using your left hand then the right shoulder bag will leave no obstruction when looking over your shoulder at traffic.
The people at seagull are also really good at answering questions so if you have any issues that don't get answered here just ask them. Ortlieb probably has good support too. Though they wouldn't be as helpful for inter company comparisons like we are discussing.

I have the Chrome Citizen, special nite series (black with reflectivity). I paid $180 for it and liked it so much i bought another one for my brother. I use it every day on or off the bike. I take it to work with me as a briefcase. I find it to be very comfortable to ride around with this sort of stuff-- 2 tubes, couple of cliff bars, minitool, sweatshirt, gloves, sunblock, couple of eyeglasses/sunglasses,bike lights i can take on and off the bike easily, a planet bike rear light i can use on the bag itself, antiperspirant, tooth brush, toothpaste, floss, construction vest, some misc papers etc, paperback, newspaper. This all weighs maybe 4-5 pounds at most plus the bag. Id estimate total weight maybe 8-9 pounds. This is no problem at all. It is no burden to carry around. I do it all the time. What is too much for comfort is my 13" laptop computer and case and power supply added to the messenger bag. I have ridden 40 miles with this stuff on my back and its just about 8 pounds too much for comfort. So i recently got a rear rack installed on a bike, and ziptied a milk crate to the back and i put the Chrome bag in there. And i added a holder for a Big Gulp from 711 (in addition to 2 water bottle holders on the bike.) I am much happier with the weight off my back and in the crate when i have the laptop with me and i like to take that around to stop at wifi locations around town. I also like to be able to stop at 711's and get a refill on my Big gulp and stick it in my milk crate in the drink holder.

I dont think you could get any bag or backpack that is more comfortable or better at carrying weight than the Chrome Citizen. Chrome has 20 years experience improving this bag and it has excellent featuers and weight distribution. I was amazed how much more comfortable it is than my old laptop computer backpack that was sold by Sony. I have also walked around nyc with this chrome bag on my back with my laptop computer in it, and it isnt that bad. I can use it as an overnight bag or airplane /train carry on bag with my laptop computer it it and a small amount of other stuff, like a change of casual clothing.

But as many other people have said once you get in the area of 8-10 pounds of stuff in a bag then it is more comfortable to get it off your back and onto a bike rack or basket or crate. That is what i have learned over time. I was resistant getting a rack because i didnt know what to get, too many options with racks and panniers, and not cheap, and i have a few bikes so i didnt want to outfit them all so i stayed with my messenger bag too long with too much weight. I only got into a rack/milk crate by accident after buying n+1 bikes that came with a decent rack installed and i immediately zip tied a milk crate to it, so i can take my laptop around town off my back.