Guys, maybe I wasn't clear. I'm not directing this to messengers. Just to those that think that a messenger bag goes with a fixed gear.

I started this thread in response to all of the threads about "I need a laptop sleeve for my messenger bag" and "Which bag is best for my commute to school/work?" type threads. This is aimed at non-messengers as opposed to messengers. Sorry for the confusion.

I assume that messengers use messenger bags for the reasons stated above. But, us non-messenger types (like the majority on this board), might not really need 3,500 cubic inches (at least that's what my girl tells me to make me feel better), so a backpack will do just fine.

My first choice is panniers. I hate the hot spots on my back. Cyclists need air to circulate away the sweat. Between back packs and messenger bags, I'd choose messenger bags. Mine has extra straps to secure them at a side angle lower in the back, giving the cyclist a smaller hot spot.

This thread did quickly devolve into macho-piss-douching-contest. I thought the original post was pretty good though.

Why is it that the vast majority of your posts are some sort of negative comment? What are you trying to acheive by posting negative reactions to postive, helpful posts or simple questons?

I've been rocking the same reload bag for the last 7 or 8 years. On the bike, I find it more comfortable than a backpack.

so when you're off the clock, you use a different style bag, right?

messenger bags are designed to carry items while riding a bike. you do not get to judge which items, nor which bike. furthermore, i know it must suck to have the only thing going for you (a pathetic self rightesous attachment to a fashion trend) slowly stripped away, but learn to accept it bro. you'll be much happier in the end.

i love my big as all hell chrome bag. here in portland, if it's not water proof you are screwed. i haven't come across too many back packs that are as durable and have the quality of my bag for a cheaper price. i also really don't want to give my money to jansport or some other Target backpack company. i'm sure that places like REI have super comfy backpacks that are the same price as my mess. bag but i really am happy with it. i wouldn't mind trying out an ortlieb or maybe a reload back back(they are super $$) but for now, i know what i'll stick with

And remember, kids: track bicycles are for the track. Not for the street.

Also, Levi's denim trousers are for herding cattle while on horseback, so don't let me catch any of you art school types wearing them at the coffee shop.

Personly I think it is a tool for the job. I have lots of bags for diffrentt jobs and diffrent bikes. I like a backpack on a BMX as it moves around less and you are upright when cycling, and panniers of good when going on very long rides but horrible for weaving in and out of traffic. I like a messenger bag over a backpack around town because I feel my messenger bag (well it's not a proper messenger bag but a large shoulder bag which I have added lotts of straps and paddng to) is a bit cooler but mainly both my backpacks obscure my vision when I look over my shoulder but I can posision a messenger bag so that I have a clean line of sight when changing lanes. Also for some reason I find my backpacks pull more on my shoulders when cycling I seem to be able to possion my messenger bag better on my back. So in general I think FOR ME it boils down to flexability on possitions and use. This may be though because my backpacks are standard and great for walking around but I have customised my messenger bag to make it comfy and secure for biking.

+infinity

The ortlieb backpacks are awesome. Totally waterproof, comfortable, rounded corners on the backpack so you can see over both shoulders... lovely.

I just shelled out for a Reload today. I dont wanna hear this. Anyway I was using a back pack before and I couldnt get into the drops comfy, with the messenger bag its comfy as.

Oh yeah I think someone mentioned backpacks coming with hydration packs. Ever heard of a bottle cage?

I don't use a backpack because it hurts my shoulders. Maybe I just had a crappy backpack, but the straps always seemed to be digging into my arms, especially when I'm in the drops. +What everyone else said about being able to see in traffic, and being able to wear it up high on my back.

I've been waiting patiently for my new ReLoad for a month now...

When I was a courier, getting the mess bag off one shoulder wasted enough time. Getting 2 shoulders out of a backpack either took too long or drove me nucking futs, depending on temp and deadline. The backpack experiment lasted half a day, and the courier stylee stays with me to this day, be it singlespeed commuting, motorcycling or nipping to the bottle-o

Ok, I've just switched from a day-pack (with internal stays and lots of load securing straps) to panniers. I don't quite know what to make of the panniers yet though.

IN general, the daypack has lower lumbar support, which felt wierd when bent over the handlebars. Other than that I could carry ANYTHING on it, inclulding bikes. I've never tried a mess bag.

The panniers make the rear wheel VERY heavy, since the 25+ lbs that was on my back is now behind the rear axle (needs to be that far back to clear my heels). I can't skid anymore, but my resisiting can slow me down faster. When standing up on the pedals, the front wheel seems more wobbly, and the weight in back seems to want to push me straight ahead. ALSO I find it harder to trackstand, which seems counterintuitive, since all that weight is now so much closer to the ground.

I was wondering if anyone (zealot?) had similar funky feeling rides when just swithcing to panniers, and if this will all seem natural in a week, like picking up fixed riding.

did you not see the post i made about 6 lines below that one? i clarified myself. I was referring to the kids that buy new reload bags and complain about the strap being too stiff. It's not going to break in with the use that an student is (more than likely) going to put it through) and I don't care what peole do. and I rarely wear a bag when i'm on my bike. it gets old. and I also don't put all too much stock in aesthetics. I just don't enough to be that cool. I used to. I grew up. just ride the bike. If a jansport does what you want it to, rock it. who the hell cares.

-jason

Huh? How does the same weight pulling on a single strap work better? Really curious cuz I'm thinking about getting a Bagaboo but I'm scared that it'll cut my left shoulder in half. My shoulders are tiny as it is, so I can't afford that I tested a bagaboo for a day, liked it overall, but my shoulder didn't.

If you ride in a position that puts most of the bag weight on your shoulders a messenger bag is not for you. If you ride in a position where most of the weight is balanced on your back then it's better.
If you walk around alot yet still ride with lowered bars your ****ed.

I use a messenger bag... my mom uses a backpack. Both are probably the correct choice for our riding positions.

The backpack is much tighter to my body and therefore I sweat a lot more. I used to hate carrying anything with me before I saw couriers using satchels and then I got one and the problem was solved. This was in the mid-80s, don't hate.

rocks in head I use pannier but not in town unless I have loads to carry. Even though the weight is lower with panniers it is harder to trackstand because you know have to move your body more to correct the balence. Consider balencing a pool cue on your hand. If you balence it on the tip it is more unstable but when you deviate from the balence point to move the same amount of weight over to send the cue back up right requires less of a moment than if you had the tip up in the air. A tight rope walker with a long pole with weights on the end only has to tweek the pole to gain some balence becuase the torque is length times force. If he has less length or less force he has to make bigger adjustments. Your weight is now closer to your pivit point (and more spred out) so require moore movment to gain the same torque to twist you upright.

Th the reasons you stated above plus catching the panniers on cars when going through gaps is the reason I don't like pannier in town.

I'm a tall mother****er and I like my bars low... 7 inches lower than my saddle. But that doesn't mean there's no weight on my shoulders. Also, even if you ride with your ass pointing to the sky, the mess bag will not be more gentle on your shoulders than a backpack. Whatever weight there is will be distributed to two spots by a backpack.

I think the straps on my backpack were too wide...The straps would dig into the sides of my arms, and they just never sat well on my shoulders when I was riding. Now with a mess bag most of the weight sits on my back, instead of on my shoulders, and I'm a happy girl.

No but with only a fraction of the weight on your shoulder it shouldn't matter. Each shoulder would be supporting more weight then that if you were walking with the backpack anyway. If it's a pressure issue most bags spread the pressure with a wide strap/pad about about as much as a backpack anyway.

If it is truly a weight on the shoulder issue and you don;t have stability issues with your backpack then you should probably keep it.

I see. Not to with backpack vs messbag, just that particular pack...


BTW, I don't get all this sits high on my back...sits low on my back... no weight on my shoulder etc. stuff.

Both backpacks and mess bags sit whatever way you adjust them, and I didn't feel much difference. The centre of gravity of a messbag is more than likely lower than a backpack (BTW, the 90° rotated position is the biggest plus of messenger bags imho... you can get into them from the wide side as opposed to having to dig to the bottom of a backpack). But that doesn't mean that they work all that different form a backpack.
But then what do I know.

Seconding the waterproofing thing. Most backpacks leak through the zippers unless you start spending big money.

Also I've yet to meet any backpacks that are really durable as a proper "messenger bag" that cost less. That goes for stitching, materials, etc.

After carrying one for around 10 years now day in, day out, I feel naked without it. I'm pretty comfortable with any/all the short comings of the bag.

i dont wear a backpack cause backpacks remind me of ******** little white kids in those sweatpants wiith the severe elastic at the bottom that bunch up above their socks, running around with runny noses and bowl haircuts, constantly checking their watch to see if they're late for class. i suppose it's just me that carries around that image of them, but whatever.