I have right now Both the citizen and the MEtro versions of their messenger bag line. I couldnt decide which I liked better so I got both with intention to return the one I didnt like. So, If anyone else cant decide I will be keeping them both for a few days and will take pictures if you want. Just reply to this thread with what you carry daily and Ill see if I can load up the bags with those items. I have a digicam So I can take pictures

I hope this helps someone else out there

I'd really like to see a Timbuk2 size Meduim bag inside them. It's what I've got now and I'm starting to think I need a second larger bag for hauling even more crap.

Unfortunatly I dont have a Timbuk2 bag to stuff inside of it, A quick test fit allowed me to put a binder (big, hefty 3 ring one) along with a laptop, a hoodie, and a pair of Size 15 shoe's into the metro and I could put it on comftorably.




I dont know If those Pics help you but the top one is a picture of a standard helmut ontop of the Metro bag and the second pic is the citizen ontop of the metro

Thanx!

Timbuk2 medium will just barely fit a 50lb box of copy paper in it in the box, the loose reams fit much better but still fill the bag.Th emedium sized Chrome is about the same size as a medium timbuk2.

Ive had a timbuk2(still have it actually), a chrome, and a baileyworks.After the Chromebag experience I will never use anything else, they are worth every penny.

Im car free and ride for a living, they dont make a bag big enough, even the 3300cu in monster I have isnt big enough sometimes.

You don't think the monster Bailey Bag is big enough? Shoot I could fit a pony keg in this thing. But you found the Chrome bags to be that much better, what were some of the big differences?

The monster baileyworks and the chrome I have now are the same size, slightly different dimensions, same volume, and sometimes, no it isnt big enough.But ive got one of the special order chrome bags from the NY company that went belly up a couple years ago, I think normally they top out at 3000 cubic inches which is a little smaller than the XL baileyworks.

The strap/pad on the chrome is tough to beat, its an integrated part and its very wide and gets narrower as it crosses your chest, most comfortable bag with a load ive ever found.It also seems to ride better without the load stabilizing strap buckled where most other bags you prettymuch have to use the stabilizing strap or the bag wants to ride in front on its own.

I think its more durable than the timbuks but about the same as the baileyworks, and its an issue for me, once they start leaking in the rain I get a new one, thats about every 16-18 months.

The double bag arrangement and being able to put stuff between the liner and the outer bag like a rain jacket and the way the pockets are arranged works as well or better than any other Ive tried.

You really cant go wrong with either bag really, baileyworks makes a damn fine bag.One thing the baileyworks has that I do wish chrome did, thats making the flap straps and buckles so you can attach a roll of blueprints to it that way, Matt Steinke from here in columbus got baileyworks to start doing that, its a nice touch.

You haul 50lb in a bag over your shoulder on that fixie of yours?

....just when I thought I'd seen it all, but then it is the legendary Pedex we're talking about here so I shouldn't be surprised

For a short distance sure.Ive seen guys haul more than that.

Usually weight isnt the problem, its volume, these bags can only handle something so big, but if it does fit inside, its usually not too uncomfortable even if it is heavy, ever backpacked anywhere?On backpacking trips for 4-5 days my pack starts out at around 60lbs if Im carrying the tent, you get used to it.

here's what it looks like with nine 2 liter bottles in it(id put more in but I ran out of bottles):

One of my customers is a court reporting agency, they have this habit of dumping a stack of depositions on me sometimes thats stack of paper about 2-3 ft high on occasion.Then there's grocery shopping, trust me, these bags just arent big enough somedays.

I've got a Timbuk2 medium and a small, I'm not a large person. I use them both, will load one up and come home, drop it off and grab the smaller one and head out for more cruising around, errends, shopping etc. If I were carrying serious papers etc I'd wish for the medium at all times at least, or the large and to be a lerger person too lol.

Cheap wine inspiraration (I can't ****ing spell with this stuff on board but I do come up with some neat ideas) something I'd call a "spider", something really slick 'n' quick to latch into a standard uuuuugly Blackburn type rack, easy to load up and carry that way but easy to grab and take up into the office building etc with you so no stealie. Maybe I'm just thinking of something that's easily done with a well designed pannier and yes the hardcore commuters around here I'm in awe of are often seen with one pannier. Hic. I'm not sure I trust this stuff with that plastic cork.

I have the chrome backbone, I get a lot of comments on how big it is, but you explain to teenagers that you don't drive so you need something big.

I have yet to not have enough room.

To test the space I loaded it with everything I could think of ever needing for school:

Trumpet with Case
Change of Clothes
Change of Size 11 shoes
1 Quart water jug (ice only)
1 3 ring Binder
Other misc stuff

It was big enoguh to haul it all, just had to stuff it in a certain order.

Another testimony is when I went out of town for a weddingm just took my bag, had 4 days worth of clothes plus like 8 pounds of jerky with me and it felt empty (the clothes took up one compartment but still had the PVC one and the other one.

Elvish

8 lbs of jerky??!! I wish to join the legion. Tell me where to sign.

Sorry for bringing up a stupid old thread but..which one did you decide to keep Jerb? How tall are you? I just bought a metro and it seems too big for me. Im about 5'8" and when I put it on I feel like a turtle.

I am hoping to get a new bag around Christmas time. I am torn between the Ortlieb waterproof messenger bag (which I have not seen) and the Chrome Metropolis (which I have seen). I lean toward the Chrome because of the coolness factor and because one can take stuff out of it without taking the bag off and fussing with the roll-top closure. There are two features of the Chrome that make me wonder.

1. I see that the main flap has a little "sub flap" at each corner to cover up the ends of the main compartment, to keep out water. But because the bag is an open main compartment with a large flap covering it, it is not water "proof" but only "resistant." I am wondering how it would perform in a pouring rain. The bag hangs on the back at an angle, the main compartment is held shut only as tightly as the main flap is fastened down. It seems that on a day with wind and rain, some rain would get in.

2. The main compartment has nothing like a zipper to close it so that one can be absolutely sure nothing can fall out. It is just an open bag with a large flap over the top. It is sealed up only as tightly as that main flap is cranked down. When in use, it hangs over the back at an angle. Isn't there some remote possibility that something could fall out of it? Of course one can guard against that by carrying "sub bags," that is, putting small stuff in something larger so that the bag contains only large items.

Thank you for any insights.

Most traditional messenger bags are only a compartment with a flap. I have a Jandd Hurricane Iniki that actually has an internal drawcord that might put your mind at rest. It's also a big bag at about 2400 in^3. It's hard to describe, but the water would flow downhill OUT of the interior at that corner. I rode for about 25 miles in real cats-and-dogs type rain and there was absolutely no leakage. I, too, had been concerned about that corner of the flap where it meets the bag popping open a bit (especially the side that lies "High" on my back), that little opening that you can see, but there were no problems and it put my mind at ease.

Along a similar line of thought, I think you'd have to be a complete idiot to lose items out of the bag. My experience is limited to that particular Jandd bag, but I think those general principles apply accross the board.

By the way, I'm a big fan of my Jandd Bag. I've been routinely carrying 60-70 lbs of stuff in it without any troubles. I expect it to hold out water for decades.

edit: This is what I have, in Olive w/ Bone. I think Jandd should definitely use better photos on the website.... https://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FINIKI-CO

I've got the metropolis and its fine for basic everyday use. But if I go grocery shopping or laundry run, I wish I had the kremlin, but I still think that would be too small.

What he said.

The Mini and Citizen are good if you only carry a set amount of stuff every day.

If you need to carry groceries or other stuff, picked up along the way, they are too small.

The Metro is about right for everyday use with a bit of room left over for anything additional you need to add in the course of daily events.

An over stuffed messenger bag is not all that comfortable on the back. It's better to have some extra bag so that it conforms to your back comfortably, instead of riding like a bag full of bowling balls.

I have alwaysed used a 'backpack' style bag. What are the pros of the messanger bag over the backpack bag.

Thanks,
Dave

I too have always used a backpack. I have noticed recently that I like to stop maybe at the bank on the way home, or at the grocery store for just some little item, and it is a bit of a nuisance to stand in a line, get into the backpack, get out some money (which I COULD carry in my pocket), etc. while holding the backpack, maybe the helmet, maybe some other item. I am thinking that with a messenger bag I could swing it around to the front, do my fussing, and swing it back. I do not know of my own personal experience if that would be the case.

One of my primary requirements is to be able to ride in pouring rain and stay dry. That is why I mentioned in a previous note my concern for leaking around the base of the flap, and why I also am considering the Ortlieb "messenger" bag which is a backpack style.

So I also would be interested in hearing from regular users of messenger bags.

I find the up side to messenger bags is that my back is not covered up as much as it is when wearing a backpack, so it is more comfortable in hot weather.

Also, I can move the bag around so it is not just resting on my spine. I find backpacks to be uncomfortable when stretched out on the bike. A messenger bag is in contact with much less of the back. I can choose what part of the back it is in contact with as well as move it around to vary where it sits more easily.

When I use a backpack I always end up loosening one strap and slinging it off one side or the other, basically trying to get the least contact with my back and spine.

I have not had any leakage issues or anything falling out of the bag.

You do have to make sure you have it closed up enough to contain whatever you are carrying however.

It's also nice to be able to put something oversized in the bag - a box or whatever - and be able to transport it where ever it needs to go. In this application you can just leave the flap open or use the flap and straps to hold the box or parcel in place on the outside of the bag. I've carried some very bizarre items in this fashion.

I find messenger bags somewhat easier to rummage in while still attached to the body than backpacks.

The downside is in carrying really heavy loads. Quite allot of pressure can be put on the shoulder carrying the load.

May I ask what may be a silly question? How do you keep a messenger style bag from swinging around while you're riding? Are they more stable than I'm imagining?

Thanks for the clarification!

Most have a stabilizing strap that ties the main strap to the opposite corner of the bag so it cant swing around, with a properly cinched main strap though with most bags it isnt needed much.

Y'all have given great Q and A here. Just the stuff I'm looking for. I'm considering a Chrome bag and have not yet decided on the size. My concern is waterproofness. However, I also commute in the winter (I use studded tires then) and wonder if there is a safety/control advantage to using a removable saddlebag(s) on the rear as compared to using a messenger bag. Any thoughts? I used to just strap things down on my uuuuugly Blackburn rack but now I need to haul files, books and laptop.

I've been using a Chrome Citizen bag for a few months and love it. I normally just carry a laptop and a shirt, underwear, and socks when I'm commuting on the bike. (I leave shoes and pants at work.) It's a perfect size for that. I also use it for all kinds of other off-bike purposes now, too.

I don't use the stabilizing strap at all. I tried it once, but I actually like being able to reach back and shift the bag around a bit from time to time. It barely moves at all on its own, so the stabilizer strap seems rather unnecessary most of the time.

The bag does get a little uncomfortable if you're carry a very large volume of stuff. When overloaded, the bag tends to become more spherical than flat, and ends up pressing against my back over a smaller area, creating more pressure. It also tries to move ("roll") around more, and the stabilizer strap becomes more useful. You might be able to stuff a piece of stiff cardboard or other material in there to keep an overloaded bag flat, but I haven't bothered to try. If I have to carry pants and shoes in addition to the stuff listed above, the bag is just slightly uncomfortable. The Metro bag would be a good idea if you're carrying more than the essentials.

I love the way the bag looks, and it's really comfortable when not overloaded. I tried using a backpack for a bit before I bought the Chrome bag, but I didn't like how the backpack kept the weight on my upper back. When wearing the Chrome, the weight is right in the center of my back.

The bag is very easy to swivel around and rummage through while standing. I do this all the time to get at my keys or light-rail tickets.

I hardly ever use the trademark Chrome seat-belt buckle. It seems just as easy to lift it over my head, and unbuckling has a couple of disadvantages. First, when unbuckled, it's hard to grip the bag. There's no other handle of any kind on it, so you only have two options: carry it by the strap, or just bear-hug it. If the strap is unbuckled, you can't really use it. You can grip the thick padded part of the shoulder strap, but that doesn't feel very secure when you're carrying something heavy and valuable. Second, when unbuckled, the lower end of the seat-belt buckle flails around pretty well, banging into everything and making a ruckus.

I haven't had a chance to test its water-handling capability (it doesn't rain for nine months here). Everyone says messenger bags only remain waterproof for 18 months or so. I'm not sure what about the bag changes over that time, though. If you're carrying important papers, you can always put them inside a plastic document folder or other container, adding an extra level of protection. Most other items -- laptops, clothes, etc. -- won't be damaged by a few drops of water anyway.

The pockets on the front of the bag are a bit small and hard to use for my taste. Ideally, I'd want to be able to shove my wallet, keys, work ID, gum, cell phone, chapstick, and all that kinda crap into a "man purse" compartment which is expandable, easy to get into, and has a zipper. The only zippered pocket on the Chrome bag is very low-volume and remains flat, making it hard to fish things out quickly. I am considering buying a, uh, "man purse," which I'll put into the main compartment, for this purpose.

- Warren