Gyeswho

I don't think the strap hanging would loosen it, but see if this vid will help out

puppypilgrim

Rode to work today after the snow on the weekend. The roads were still wet with odd patches of snow in the bike lanes.

The bag held up very well as a large messenger bag. Loads of space for my change of clothes, tools and personal belongings. Since my road bike does not have fenders, it caught a little spray off the back wheel. Even so, it was cleaner than the panniers would have been on my other fendered bicycle. The material is water resistant so I just wiped it off with a paper towel.

So far, so good.

puppypilgrim

Here is the one month review of a PAC Design Ultimate (https://pacdesigns.com/feb11/pro.html)

On Monday, I had in the bag:
- tire pump
- undersaddle bag with bike tools
- 1 650c tire tube
- 1 boxing head guard\protector (helmet for the head)
- 1 pair Twins 16 oz. boxing gloves (these are huge)
- 1 mouth guard
- 1 pair hand wraps
- 1 face towel
- 3 x t-shirts
- 1 pair scissors
- 1 gauze tape
- 1 water bottle
- wallet, coin purse and miscellaneous personal items
- 1 mobile phone
- 1 multitool Leatherman-like
- small notebook + some pens

Its pretty impressive. Using the X-strap, I was able to achieve a good fastening of the load. The bag simply does NOT move when I'm on the bike. Its secure and HIGHLY adjustable so you can achieve a comfortable position. My commute is just under an hour each way.

Downsides?

Carrying a load on your back whether it be a backpack or messenger bag is less stable than panniers when climbing out of the saddle. For best comfort, panniers are superior than anything carried on the back.

Having said that, I find that cars treat me better when they see the Canadian Flag sewn as the back flap of the bag. The Pac bag is not cheap and I sometimes wonder if I would have gotten a similar utility by buying a large roll top backpack-style bag which comes in around half the price.

However, I have the satisfaction of buying a top notch product from a cottage industry in Canada - and that was important to me. The quality of the bag is simply superb and I can foresee it lasting me 10 years or more. I'll be taking it on a trip to South East Asia later this year.

puppypilgrim

The reason the bag was initially slipping was the main clip was installed incorrectly. The rough side of the clip should be facing upwards to grip the strap to prevent it from loosing under friction load. I took close up photos and emailed them to Pat. They immediately shipped out a replacement strap. I was able to use the bag as intended after the replacement strap arrived.

After you load the bag and wear it, you'll need some practice tightening all the various straps to adjust the load for best comfort. Once that's done, extra lengths of different straps should be tucked away snug to prevent them from flapping in the wind when riding hard.

adriano 

that price is ludicrous.

puppypilgrim

Value is in the eye of the beholder. Look at Gyeswho's photos and try to find another bag using equivalent materials or better, with that capacity and functionality for the same price.

Why buy a $3000 bike when a $300 one from bikesdirect.com will do?

Maddox

This is the essence of the argument, and it's a good one. I haven't seen anyone who can do, with their chrome/timbuktu/chicago wig/blicks/whatever, what Gyes can do with the PAC Ultimate.

Yeah you can find cheaper, that doesn't mean it's made as well. PAC's bags are all made by hand in a place that isn't an overseas sweat shop, and they're made darn well. I think they're probably worth every penny.

I can't afford one, but that doesn't keep me from giving them (PAC Designs) the respect they deserve.

adriano 

im spoiled by my $7 30 liter waterproof roll top





and $382 of china white and ladies of the night.

puppypilgrim

Hey, I might be interested in a $7 30 liter waterproof roll top. Link? (I'm serious, not mocking).

Gyeswho

Not if it's useful. Think about it:

Let a person who doesn't ride a bike ask you how much you've spent on yours and what will they say to you? I guarantee you will support your purchase despite them not understanding why someone would spend more than $200 on a bike.

josr

Choosing for Ultimate or Ultimate Oversized?

Can someone give any opinion about choosing for PAC Designs Ultimate or the Ultimate OS Edition?

When using the X-Strap, are you wearing the bag vertically (like a traditional backpack) or more horizontal (like a messenger/shoulder bag).

When you wear this with X-strap horizontally, the OS version will be (much) larger than typical male body width?! (which is annoying when walking or cycling, because you can hit objects with it)

puppypilgrim

josr, please PM me as your settings does not allow me to reply your email.

puppypilgrim

Hi Josr,

For your reference, I about 5'6 and 143 lbs.

1) Size - it depends on what you need to carry on a regular basis. I commute about 40 km roundtrip each day - sometimes with side excursions. I carry a change of clothes, a water bottle, repair kit, pump, wallets, etc. I'm not a courier so I don't need to carry huge stacks of envelopes or recycling like Gyeswho. The bag is big enough to bundle 2 bicycle wheels and so forth. I am happy with the Ultimate size. Any larger and I would be tempted to carry too much making the load heavier. Whether you need the O.S. depends on how often you need to carry more items. The Ultimate can easily fit a 6-pack and groceries.

2) X-Strap - does not change the orientation of the bag. It stays in place like a messenger bag. You don't need the waist strap unless carrying VERY heavy things often. The X-strap is enough. For light loads, the xstrap is not necessary as the main strap and anti-sway are PLENTY secure.

I emphasize the bag DOES NOT MOVE when adjusted correctly even when I am pedaling aggressively. Very comforting for me as a cyclist.

The bag was not cheap but as I ride more and more these days, it enables me to switch between my fleet of bikes without thought. I can also have spur-of-moment purchases without needing my car or cargo bike to carry stuff home.

This may sound strange, but cars give me a wider berth (except the stupid ones!) with the Canadian flag on the bag - I'm in Vancouver, BC. Having a culturally friendly logo for your area on the big flap can be helpful.

I will be travelling to Asia later this year and plan to use it as the carry on bag for the airplane.

Its not cheap but its better to buy once and be satisfied one has the right tool for the job. Ortlieb makes a large waterproof roll top backpack that is half the price but that type of bag means you have to unload the whole bag to get at things at the bottom of the bag each time. Pros and cons for everything.

Cheers,
Victor

Gyeswho

I'm 5'11" and though the bag is still big on me, it kind of wraps a little. It's not like your going to be taking out everything in your path though. I haven't found the bag is too large for me, but it varies. If you think you won't need the max amount of space, get the Ultimate.

Bag sits like a regular mess bag with the x-strap

xmessenger

Got a Pac and am loving it. This post was helpful in my decision.

redpear

We will probably never know because it happened ALMOST A YEAR AGO.

Gyeswho

As expected, this bag still rocks on for me!

Gyeswho

The heaviest load I've done with this bag at 53 lbs. I was laughing at myself for even trying this out, but yet again this bag did the job well. The adjustments are really phenomenal

xmessenger

Damn, thats a whole lotta stuff! I gotta get me a set of those extension straps.

hairnet

If you're going to carrying that much stuff then why not look for an alternative mode? I see you have a trailer, but what about an Extracycle for things that are bag-able? I have carried a lot of crap on my back with my bag and I surely dont want to do it very often

eustachio

It's been a year and a half since your last update , care to post another?

(Awesome review BTW, this has helped a lot in my research/decision to get a PAC)

Leukybear 

I don't think there's a need to ask.... his bag is legendary around these parts.

eustachio

Yep, I just like reading about it, wanted to see where it's at 6 years later.