Bike Forums - Messenger Bags

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Quote:

Originally Posted by blickblocks (Post 5172520)

God just buy a mess bag. Who the hell uses panniers to ride to class?

I do...well, I did. The new bike's chain stays are too short and I've got no classes this semester.

My panniers have two d-rings on the back-top and I just clip on a shoulder strap from an old duffle and carry it to class. Worked great and much nicer on the bike when it was hot out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bonechilling (Post 5173264)

This guy will show you how to make them yourself:
http://www.bicycletouring101.com/BikeDIYPanniers.htm

Ah, I see the secret: http://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/acc...es/hookkit.asp. But $40 just for the hooks? Sheesh.

4 miles is nothing. Get a messenger bag so you can actually carry your stuff to class or around campus if you see some friends.

Quote:

Originally Posted by huerro (Post 5173436)

Didnt see this post. That's a pretty sweet pannier setup.

I load my mess bag with 3 or 4 books, 17" laptop, tools/lock and a 120 oz. camelback (yes, I have a camelback-backpack inside my mess bag) everyday and can still have room to go grocery shopping and no matter how heavy it's ALWAYS more comfortable than a backpack. I've done many, many miles with 30 or more pounds in the mess. No matter how big or how small the load, I can snug it down and fits me like a glove, I love it. If you get a mess bag you can pick up a neoprene laptop sleeve to use as a back-pad to keep the corners of your books from poking you in the back.

Quote:

Originally Posted by abortionpunch (Post 5174029)

What bag is this?

R.E.Load courier. Compression straps are awesome!

Worth the investment in your opinion I suppose? I'll probably just stick with the osprey for now.... longer rides are honestly usually done wearing a pack.

Definitely worth it, both for comfort and versatility.

Quote:

Originally Posted by asymptotic (Post 5172641)

Hijacking this topic, are there any super-simple, sturdy, cheap panniers out there? I'm thinking along the lines of a huge waterproof sack with nothing but a flap over its gaping maw, hooks for a rack, and one semirigid side so it's not sucked into my wheel.

Swiss Army bread bags from a surplus store can be easily made into a decent pannier.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrCjolsen (Post 5172892)

I've used them all. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of each:

Messenger bag: Good for bulky things that are not too heavy or if the trip is short. On my fourteen mile commute, if it's just clothes no problem. Add a lock, or some tools, and it gets unpleasant. A laptop is OK if it's nothing else. What's best about a messenger bag is that you can get in and out of it easily and not have to remove it from the bike. If you make a lot of stops or go multi-modal, then it's probably a good choice.

Backpack: Better than a messenger bag for heavy things. But it must be removed if you want anything from it. Can be a pain if that's where you keep your lock and it's raining. Best if you are riding long distances on your Bianchi Pista.

Panniers: Easy to remove from the bike if you get the right kind. Low center of gravity. Not real aerodynamic. Hard to get into when attached to the bike. Best if you need to carry a lot of very heavy stuff for a long distance. Next best thing to a trailer.

Trunk bag: Easier to get into while the bag is on the bike. More aerodnamic than panniers. Can't carry a lot of bulky, large things. High center of gravity. Hard to get off the bike quickly. Good if you like to roll your clothes into a ball or use your bike for burger runs. Also good if you like to travel with all of your bike tools, four extra tubes and a few extra tires.

typical panniers are like 1000-1200 cubic inches

typical backpack run up to around 2000 cubic inches

messenger bags up to around 3300 cubic inches

sorry, but bug heavy bulky items won't even fit in a pannier or backpack, my messenger bag will carry two panniers inside with room to spare, most will

just like backpacking as in hiking trails and camping, you wanna carry heavy stuff distances then it takes time to get used to carrying a load, messenger bags and heavy items are no different