Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

Durable AND attractive commuter bag

Search
Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

Durable AND attractive commuter bag

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-01-13 | 08:43 AM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: New York
Durable AND attractive commuter bag

I'm having trouble deciding on a backpack that is durable and good looking. Apparently you can only choose one


Otherwise, I'm looking at this roll top road runner bag, couple of people in California making bags for cyclists. Wonder if anyone has experience with them?

Also please post any durable AND attractive backpacks

Also also, I lug around a fahgettaboutit u lock


PS I'm 24, dorky dad bags not welcome here.
wobbooze is offline  
Reply
Old 03-01-13 | 08:46 AM
  #2  
Banned
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,543
Likes: 41
From: England / CPH

Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS

Arc'teryx Spear 20
acidfast7 is offline  
Reply
Old 03-01-13 | 09:21 AM
  #3  
hubcap's Avatar
One Man Fast Brick
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 0
From: Chicagoland

Bikes: Specialized Langster, Bianchi San Jose, early 90s GT Karakoram, Yuba Mundo, Mercier Nano (mini velo), Nashbar Steel Commuter, KHS Tandemania Sport

What do you consider unattractive?
hubcap is offline  
Reply
Old 03-01-13 | 09:23 AM
  #4  
Yo Spiff's Avatar
Carpe Velo
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,519
Likes: 18
From: Fort Worth, Texas

Bikes: 2000 Bianchi Veloce, '88 Schwinn Prologue, '90 Bianchi Volpe,'94 Yokota Grizzly Peak, Yokota Enterprise, '16 Diamondback Haanjo, '91 Bianchi Boardwalk, Ellsworth cruiser

Timbuk2 makes some attractive bags that are designed for cyclists. I see a lot of people using them, most of them under 40. Us 40+ geezers tend to like rack trunks and panniers.
Yo Spiff is offline  
Reply
Old 03-01-13 | 11:39 AM
  #5  
FenderTL5's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 794
Likes: 0
From: Nashville TN

Bikes: Trek 7.3FX, Diamondback Edgewood hybrid, KHS Montana

Originally Posted by Yo Spiff
Us 40+ geezers tend to like rack trunks and panniers.
+1

IMHO, there's no such thing as an attractive back-pack (a backpack residing on a beauty of the fairer gender excepted).
FenderTL5 is offline  
Reply
Old 03-01-13 | 12:18 PM
  #6  
Vlaam4ever's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 802
Likes: 0
From: Lake Claire, GA

Bikes: 2008 Giant TCR Advanced

I just ordered this guy from REI. A bit pricey but seems to carry my 'puter and a change of clothes. I think it will work well as a carry on when I go business trips and a day pack when hiking.

It a lot to ask of a bag, but if it does 2 of the 3 I'll be happy. I betting on the reputation of Osprey as I've fared well with my 42L backpacking bag.

https://www.rei.com/product/813371/os...muter-backpack

Edit: I order the Carbide color in 26 and 34 L. I'll pick a winner at the store. I dont think a 34L pack can function well on a bike. To floppy I think.

I'd like hear comment from the OP what he considers as key features of functionality.

Last edited by Vlaam4ever; 03-01-13 at 12:22 PM. Reason: color
Vlaam4ever is offline  
Reply
Old 03-01-13 | 12:24 PM
  #7  
agent pombero's Avatar
Mmm hm!
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 0
From: Portland, Oregon
Originally Posted by FenderTL5
+1

IMHO, there's no such thing as an attractive back-pack (a backpack residing on a beauty of the fairer gender excepted).
"fairer gender"?

Here is a North St bag. It also functions as a pannier.

agent pombero is offline  
Reply
Old 03-01-13 | 12:26 PM
  #8  
Vlaam4ever's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 802
Likes: 0
From: Lake Claire, GA

Bikes: 2008 Giant TCR Advanced

Originally Posted by acidfast7
Arc'teryx Spear 20
I agree this is a sharp bag and is on my list if I feel the 26L Osprey is too big. REI closeout for <$70 https://www.rei.com/product/855089/ar...-2012-closeout
Vlaam4ever is offline  
Reply
Old 03-01-13 | 12:58 PM
  #9  
globie's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis

Bikes: 2011 Surly LHT, 2007 Specialized Roubaix, 2004 Giant Cypress, 1990 Simoncini Super Professional

Originally Posted by Yo Spiff
Timbuk2 makes some attractive bags that are designed for cyclists.
+1
You can choose fabric and trim combinations for a fully customized bag, so it can be attractive as you are creative. And they are very high quality. I got one for my wife to use on her scooter, and I borrow it sometimes when I need to take a rackless bike to work. Very comfortable and practical.
globie is offline  
Reply
Old 03-01-13 | 01:01 PM
  #10  
modernjess's Avatar
ride for a change
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,221
Likes: 2
From: Minneapolis, MN

Bikes: Surly Cross-check & Moonlander, Pivot Mach 429, Ted Wojcik Sof-Trac, Ridley Orion. Santa Cruz Stigmata

Durable IS attractive. Okay, I'm a dorky dad.
modernjess is offline  
Reply
Old 03-01-13 | 01:19 PM
  #11  
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: New York
Not bad Portland guy.

Less dad bags please
wobbooze is offline  
Reply
Old 03-01-13 | 02:15 PM
  #12  
agent pombero's Avatar
Mmm hm!
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 0
From: Portland, Oregon
What are dad bags?
agent pombero is offline  
Reply
Old 03-01-13 | 02:21 PM
  #13  
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: New York
Technically I'm not even sure

I'm just really selective
wobbooze is offline  
Reply
Old 03-01-13 | 02:50 PM
  #14  
Banned
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast

Bikes: 8

Hire one sewn Custom, then you dictate all perimeters.


or get a Haute Couture bag * altered to have back pack strap fixtures added |
D rings are good, and unobtrusive so you can pop-off the straps (Snap Hooks)
and put them in the bag when you go into the upper echelon establishments.

*Charity shop Scores?

Big drawstring bag with the top drawstring tied to the bottom corners , are simple..

Last edited by fietsbob; 03-03-13 at 12:20 AM.
fietsbob is offline  
Reply
Old 03-01-13 | 03:06 PM
  #15  
gunner65's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
From: Lexington KY

Bikes: Salsa Casseroll for Street and Airborne Hobgoblin for dirt

Theres a nice TimBuk2 in the market area with a desperate seller.
gunner65 is offline  
Reply
Old 03-01-13 | 03:13 PM
  #16  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 875
Likes: 0
From: New York City
https://www.tombihn.com/backpacks/TB0104.html

Expensive, but will last forever, is extremely comfortable, carries a lifetime warranty and if you're willing to spend for the accessories the bag is very flexible for different uses. I used mine for carrying (2) laptops, as a carry on, camera gear, and grocery shopping.

The only reason I stop using it for biking is because the bag can fit so much that it started to affect my center of gravity too much. I use to load it up with close to 15-20 pounds consistently.
ratdog is offline  
Reply
Old 03-01-13 | 03:29 PM
  #17  
modernjess's Avatar
ride for a change
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,221
Likes: 2
From: Minneapolis, MN

Bikes: Surly Cross-check & Moonlander, Pivot Mach 429, Ted Wojcik Sof-Trac, Ridley Orion. Santa Cruz Stigmata

Originally Posted by wobbooze

Less dad bags please
I've got a Dad bag for ya.....
modernjess is offline  
Reply
Old 03-01-13 | 10:09 PM
  #18  
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: New York
might go with this

Attached Images
File Type: jpg
rucksack-sanction-black.jpg (35.8 KB, 4 views)
wobbooze is offline  
Reply
Old 03-01-13 | 10:59 PM
  #19  
no1mad's Avatar
Thunder Whisperer
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,841
Likes: 7
From: NE OK

Bikes: '06 Kona Smoke

I was wondering when you'd get around to posting either a pic or a link to what you considered 'attractive'....

Dunno about how much that one you posted is, or your budget, but here's a few to take a gander at.

-Banjo Brothers Commuter- Pick your size, pick your color. I had the large one in the original black. It was bombproof; traded for a rack trunk, which in turn got traded for a jersey and two blinkies. Man, do I regret that initial trade...

-All City Captain Phil- Addresses my main gripe of the Banjo Brothers bag and it should, seeing as how it is a modified BB.

-T6 Back Sack- Another modified BB with an artistic flair.
no1mad is offline  
Reply
Old 03-02-13 | 11:33 AM
  #20  
PatrickGSR94's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 7,391
Likes: 13
From: Memphis TN area

Bikes: 2011 Felt Z85 (road/commuter), 2006 Marin Pine Mountain (utility/commuter E-bike), 1995 KHS Alite 1000 (gravel grinder)

Originally Posted by modernjess
I've got a Dad bag for ya.....
What does that even mean? Sounds like you need/want a hipster messenger bag instead. I'm looking for one myself.
PatrickGSR94 is offline  
Reply
Old 03-02-13 | 12:13 PM
  #21  
megalowmatt's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,664
Likes: 0
From: North County San Diego
I'm a dad and I'd use that bag, so there you go sonny. "dad bag"

Originally Posted by wobbooze
might go with this

megalowmatt is offline  
Reply
Old 03-02-13 | 12:22 PM
  #22  
jyl's Avatar
jyl
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,643
Likes: 68
From: Portland OR

Bikes: 61 Bianchi Specialissima 71 Peugeot G50 7? P'geot PX10 74 Raleigh GranSport 75 P'geot UO8 78? Raleigh Team Pro 82 P'geot PSV 86 P'geot PX 91 Bridgestone MB0 92 B'stone XO1 97 Rans VRex 92 Cannondale R1000 94 B'stone MB5 97 Vitus 997

U
Originally Posted by wobbooze
might go with this

That looks pretty dorky to me, completely boring black rectangle with common plastic buckles is interesting/cool? Also pretty invisible, zero reflectivity, so fails the function test too.
jyl is offline  
Reply
Old 03-02-13 | 12:29 PM
  #23  
Miles2go's Avatar
Zen Master
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 999
Likes: 89
From: Tucson, AZ

Bikes: Cervelo R5 - SuperSix



$180ish.

The OP's Bag OP wants to be hip, like the guy in the photo.
__________________
Ron - Tucson, AZ
Miles2go is offline  
Reply
Old 03-02-13 | 12:33 PM
  #24  
alan s's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,977
Likes: 191
From: Washington, DC
Rivendell probably has something for you. I don't shop there, though.
alan s is offline  
Reply
Old 03-02-13 | 01:03 PM
  #25  
PatrickGSR94's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 7,391
Likes: 13
From: Memphis TN area

Bikes: 2011 Felt Z85 (road/commuter), 2006 Marin Pine Mountain (utility/commuter E-bike), 1995 KHS Alite 1000 (gravel grinder)

Originally Posted by Miles2go


$180ish.

OP wants to be hip, like the guy in the photo.
A young Dave Grohl?
PatrickGSR94 is offline  
Reply


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.