Yah, bad poll! Bad! [/swats poll with newspaper]

Besides most folks just vote for what they bought, good or bad. With no other frame of reference it's what we do, same with polls for frames/pedals/condoms etc polls are no good for products. The only way to test products is to have one of each otherwise it's a poll to see who produced more. Cannondale vs Vitus anyone? The title of the poll is "...the best bag company" Well, Biggest is Timbuk, followed by Chrome, then ReLoad and lastly Dank, which is no longer. "Other" is comprised of companies larger than Timbuk and smaller than REload and everywhere in between. As far as people go, it'd probably be REload that wins in the list provided. As for yadda yadda yadda..You see what I mean. With the Poll feature having 10 slots available it was clearly your intention to "catch flak" or "troll" as some might say :D cold busted

pac, but i can't afford one. so i have a bagaboo.

Under The Weather - tough, good-looking, and a bargain to boot. My old PAC was hideous, expensive and stupidly heavy, but it was built like a brick ****house, so it gets points too.

reload is the ultrajam

I have had a PAC for 7 years and it is still going strong....I really like the Bailey Works as well...as well as their old brochure with all the naked Blackouts with bags and the carrying capacity shown in cans of beer. Finally a caacity rating we can all understand. Reloads seem a bit pricey but a good bag none the less. The bag least worthy of a poll placing...Timbuk! They are not in the same league with the others on the list.

I have already worn out a timbuk2 and a crumpler. Both were pieces of sh*t. I will never ever buy a bag again that has plastic hardware on it, or that takes two hands to adjust strap length, or that's made in taiwan.

I looooove my new Under the Weather. It's awesome, really solid and well-built. I think my friends and I all agree that it kicks reload's ass, is far more stable and sturdy.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...nh/newbag1.jpg

Ahhhhh, now it makes sense! If only I went for the 300 Republic Credit add-on!

Another vote for Reload.

Pac to the n-th degree.

Worn almost everyday for eight years, and not a single hole, tear, leak, frayed edge or broken clip.
Every other bag I've seen has at least on of the above mentioned problems within five years.

I think the ballot needs to be reset to include a lot of other manufacturers.

i dunno, chimblysweep...

i am no messenger, and i dont know that i ride as hard as you do (cant build no wheels, dont bunnyhop, etc), but i use my little crumpler for EVERYTHING, and it has done me good, real good. i had crumplers for other stuff before too and they can take a serious beating. your bee bag looks nice though

i havent got one of the other bags like reload, bailey etc to try, but maybe the dcc can help me with that....

This is an interesting piece about bags. For those that, er, like knowing the history of such things.

http://www.messengers.org/resources/history/bags.html

Jason,

You can buy a shoulder cushion thingy. If it's very uncomfortable you're wearing it wrong. I've been doing 40 mile rides with it and it doesn't hurt one bit.

i'm sorry but this is a lame thread. why not just search through the endless number of posts about bags to figure out what people like.

lame threads seem to be a theme lately. we need a FAQ section.

Ditto. Or make messenger bags a sticky. And while you're at it, make skiddable pedals a sticky. Make everything a sticky!!

zo. and a roach backpack style.

I'm in the minority, I guess, but I'm looking to get rid of a lightly-used Chrome (Metropolis, blue with white liner) for a Bailey Works. Send me a message if you want it...

what SamHouston said.

i have a chrome i bought from the factory store that was discounted 'cause someone returned it, and i like it a lot. i put a piece of closed-cell foam between the bag and the liner to keep pokey things from digging into my spine, and it works great.

but it's the only bag i've ever ridden with, so i have no idea if it's the best or not.

Bailey Works, after wearing out two Timbuks.

Jan Sport

I've got a roughly 19 year old Demartini/Globe Canvas mini that fits wonderfully while riding, but has rotted through to the lining (and all the way through in some areas) but I can't bring myself to part with it. That's part of the appeal of the bags -- they break in nicely.

I've owned a few Timbuk2s, and had two die when the buckle broke. Screw plastic.

I had a Bailey Wheelworks in college which was good sized, but felt flimsy. Never liked it enough.

I got a ReLoad a few years back, and I absolutely love it. The newest production is definitely better made -- I've got some serious fraying issues on mine, and the trim areas/pockets seem to be designed better and more durably now -- but it's by far the nicest bag I've had in total. Great to ride with, generally durable, looks cool, etc.

So, out of what I've used/owned, if I were getting a new cycling bag for large loads, I'd get another ReLoad. For riding to work with a few things, I'm taking the Demartini.

Overly wordy explanation for my vote ;)

-s

eh, the poll was just to see what would happen.... those were the four names i kept seeing.

i was trying to see what would be a good option for my next bag. i made the poll with the idea that if everyone used a certain brand, it must be a good brand. while in some cases this is definitley true, in other cases it's obviously not -- more the result of advertising/mass marketing, etc. so yes, this thread has major flaws.

but the poll served me, at least: I had no idea that PAC was that admired by that many people, and as a matter o fact I think I'm gonna get one.

thanks, and/or sorry to have clogged up your topic list.

Color me confused. You don't *ride* around town?

-Trevor

What do you guys do to wear out these bags? Are you messenger?

I'm no messenger, but my timbuk2 has a *lot* of miles on it. It's pretty much my do everything, go anywhere bag on and off the bike, and has been for probably 5 years or more. It's still going strong. It's my carry-on bag any time I fly anywhere, serves as my overnight/weekend luggage, carries groceries, and and anything else I pick up around town (beer) on the bike.

I've heard reports of buckles breaking, no problems with that yet. Is that more of an issue with people who use them in the cold (not an issue in SoCal) climates?

I almost wish it would wear out 'cause I've heard other bags are much more comfortable and I'm looking for an excuse to upgrade. Short of dragging it behind a car, I can't seem to kill it, so it's kinda hard to justify the purchase of a new one.

-Trevor

I've had a Timbuk2 bag since about 1995. I've never had a problem with it. Only recently has it developed a tiny rip in the outer flap. I recently ordered a Pac Designs bag since I felt like I needed a little more space and more flexibility with carrying odd ball sized things (like wheels). I can safely say (and I'm sure other Pac bag owners will agree) this thing is incredible. It has so many different options for strapping stuff to the outside, the multiple straps, the nice d-rings, collapsable divider, x-strap?!, zipper pocket, etc, etc. Granted I paid an arm and a leg for it but, I have no problem spending that kind of loot if I know the stuff is handmade by real people who care. And I know that if *anything* fails on this bag I could send it back for a full repair, no questions asked. Ok, I'm drunk, that's it.

amen to that. especially to the second part. i still think all messenger bag talk belongs in foo, or maybe "commuting" -- but talking about them here in FG/SS only serves to perpetuate the hipster mythos. I'm as guilty of it as anyone, cause i love my bags and talk them up, but at the same time, let's see if we can't cut down on the lameness round here.