Bushman

is'nt the velcro on the main strap for easy replacment of the strap?

cc700

i use it to hold things like u-lock, caribeaner, helmet strap... i'm sure it could be used for a radio or such.

kemmer

No, the strap is sewn at the bottom of the velcro section.

Also, is this a backside bag at the Mpls critical mass "riot"?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nVMM...elated&search=

Chrysiptera

OK.. I am officially loving this bag.... I have a smaller bag that I used to use but I have been just using the BS instead since it is more comfortable for me. Also it carries a lot of ish. Trips back from the grocery store are a billion times more enjoyable

I got my hair cut yesterday at a barber and this regular guy said "hey that is a pretty neat bag". Yeah, I dig it.

Oh, I used the secret pocket too... I felt sneaky

sixfive

any update on when bags were recently sent out? I paid last tuesday (Aug. 28th)- thanks.. looking forward to retiring my backpack.

zoeglassjd

I will through in my $.02. I have been using the bag for about three weeks now. Here is my report:

First, as for Kemmer's service. I think I ordered before his huge rush, but re: my experience with him it: was fabulous! Fast shipping and great email communication.

Secondly, the strengths of the bags for the price are amazing. The design (knockoff or not) is spot on (thanks chrome). The large is a great size, enough pockets to manage my OCD and the waterproof lining is bomber. I did ride in a downpour with the MacBook inside with no condensation.

The not-so-strengths:
As people have said: the webbing is THE low point on these. BUT, as someone mentioned above try not to be always sliding the buckles around this will help (although I am always adjusting the fit on my bags according to what I have in them). If you are considering the bag I think it is important to realize that the webbing will certainly work. They are not going to break. Just may become a bit of a pain in the arse.

Finally, I have one spot on the front of my bag where the stitching (and this is where I start to use real seamstressy tech jargon) on the edgethingy misses the vinyl stuff on the front of the bag for about an inch (i.e. a bad machine stitch that went off-track so not all the edging is stitch down appropriately).
This isn't a huge deal. I will probably stitch it up or throw a dab of silicone sealer on it.

I should also say I have been into outdoor activities for years. I have seen lots and lots of buckles, and frankly I am not as skeptical about the buckles as others. I have seen some nightmares (even from more reputable companies). These don't seem too bad. I have had some huge weight in the bag and never once (yet) have I had an unintentional unsnapping.

kemmer

Hey guys, I've been sick since I rode my bike into a skanky pond during critical mass so I'm a little behind on the shipping. I believe the last batch I sent out had me caught up to the 26th. I stayed home from work today, so I'll probably mail a few out. Sorry for the delays.

PunctualAlex

I've been using an LL Bean shoulder bag for all my bag-related needs for years and I always thought it was great, especially for bike use. Maybe this is true of all "real" mess bags, but this one is a thousand times better for biking than any other bag I've used. I guess the fact that it's purpose-designed for biking might have something to do with it... On the other hand, It's really not that awesome to walk very far with this bag because there's no room for my arms to hang by my side, and it just doesn't sit right while I'm walking. No biggie, now I have a walking bag and a biking bag.
Also, people keep commenting on my gigantic new bag. It's like a vinyl suitcase I wear on my back.
Thanks, kemmer.

kemmer

Shipping update: If you paid by the 31st your bag is in the mail!

kemmer

Shipping update: all bags paid for by the 9th are in transit!

Stock update: I just bought 40 more bags, I hope you guys don't suddenly decide to stop sending me money cause I just spent enough to buy a nice Italian track bike.

Chrysiptera

You should try selling some on ebay and see what the free market will give you for a price. I'll bet you can beat what you are getting here by 10-15 bucks.. Make sure to include some of our testimonials about the bag as comments in your auction so ppl feel the sense of quality.

jer

sixfive

good call, but keep the prices low on here for us bf people.

kemmer

I did that, but I put "chrome copy" in the title and it got shut down. I should relist it, but the demand for them here has been so high I haven't needed to. I'm just glad everyone is happy with them!

kemmer

For sure! I am building an entire bike (including the frame) out of parts from BF! I think the only non BF parts on the bike will be the stem, innertubes and bottom bracket. I've had some really sweet hookups and I totally owe you guys!

Chrysiptera

ebay is weird that way.. tons of ads read like the following as they don't have a problem:

"Bike Messenger Bag (Chrome, Bailyworks, Pedros)"

I'd try listing it with a couple different titles, and see how it goes.

kemmer

That's no good, they'll cancel it if they see it.

cc700

yeah they're weird about stuff like that. if it's not a trademark, like "NJS" it won't be shut down
, even if its not njs... but if it's a trademark it's a no go.

it's not so much the accuracy, but the legality of the listing name/info.

kemmer

Yeah, I figured "chrome copy" might be ok, but I guess not.

knucks

kemmer I PM'd you bout a bag..you still have em right? I'm payPal ready

kemmer

Plenty of both!

knucks

Got my bag yesterday. It's awesome. I'm getting used to is still..it kind of falls off my left shoulder at times..

I made my first grocery trip with it today. It was hard to have something fairly heavy on my back going up hills, but I am glad I could fit so much in it:

4lbs of chicken breasts, orange juice, 4pack of colablak, 10 yogurts, 8 clif bars, franks red hot 12oz.

metaljim

i can't wait to get mine. i need to go grocery shopping so bad, and my little manhttan portage bag (worthless in my book; good for carrying stuff, but not good for riding) just can't handle the load.

just one question for all you guys: i've never had anything shipped by USPS before. a box won't fit in my mail slot (duh), so do you think they mail guy will leave it under the chair on my doorstep, or take it back to the post office and just leave me a slip?

blickblocks

You guys might think this is interesting, I started to modify the strap system. I don't have a better buckle at the moment, so I added a 1" redundant emergency buckle (if the big one breaks, the little one should hold long enough for me to stop my bike and take off the bag). Also, I bypassed the main buckle's adjusting system and added a really nice standalone adjuster from a Schroth racing harness. I'm trying to figure out what I want to do with all the spare strap, but right now it just has a carabiner sewn into the end so it clips mostly out of the way.

As soon as my girlfriend comes home, I'll post pictures (she's a photographer).

knucks

Looking forward to the pics! The extra strap is annoying,

kemmer

You could give the extra strap to someone who ordered a small. A couple people have complained that the strap is too short on the small.

I do exactly what blickblocks said with my chrome. I have a carabiner and I hook it to the bag. I'm also interested in your adjuster, I don't like the chrome one very much. I actually like the buckle on the backside bags cause they are easier to adjust than my chrome. I don't think anyone has had problems with the stock hardware, but I am definatly thinking about some cooler/better stuff for mine.