And Minneapolis is even better.

If only we could have an attitude like this guy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5czk...eature=related

Thanks
 

Those vids were the best 1/2 hour I've spend on the internet in a long time. Beats blowing money on eBay any day.:thumb:

ugh... are you serious??

Some of my favorite times to ride are in the late evening/early morning. It's quiet, cooler, the air is cleaner and there's far less traffic/pedestrians. Personal prefference counts for a lot though I admit.

I like my crumpled bag as well with a few caveats.

1) The backpack models such as I have aren't messenger bags.
2) They carry alot and are strong and waterproof and well designed in terms of cargo space, but with heavy loads even using the cross strap to secure it to my chest it has a tendency to slide off my back and to my side when I'm in the drops.

Maybe one of the "messenger" type bags addresses this. All told I'm still happy with the backpack

+1.

if you can get your hands on one, some of the SAG backpacks are really awesome and around the same price range as a chrome backpack.

******baggery aside, why aren't you considering the ortlieb? it's waterproof, huge, durable, incredibly visible to drivers...

Deuter makes an excellent line of cycling specific backpacks. They are very well built and designed, and have wonderful back cooling properties.

Why wouldn't even a casual bike rider not want a bag, or any other gear, designed from input from or used by people who consider themselves 'professional' bike riders?

+10

i am considering it. the likely plan is to search craigslist for the next 2-3 weeks, to see if i can find a used ortlieb backpack or crumpler famous wine bag... both seem like solid options.

The thing with messenger bags is that alot of what they're designed for carries over to non messenge cyclists but not everything. Rainproof and secure straps are useful, but for instance the ability to be able to quickly reach into your bag to remove a package without having to take the bag off is something messenger specific that is not useful to your average cyclist. Personally, this is why I prefer backpacks over messenger bags, since I'm not delivering packages, I prefer the added stability of a backpack.

True. Camelbak...

Right now I'm looking for a decent backpack, as my current army surplus one-strap affair is doing a real number on my shoulder, but I have to say, as someone who carries my bag around with me nearly all the time, I do find that ability useful.

Just being able to toss my bag around onto my lap in one quick twist and pull a book out easily makes it handy to enough to have that I'm thinking twice about a backpack, but between carrying all the weight on one shoulder all the time and clicking my mouse 8 hours a day with the same arm, my shoulder is ****ing killing me.

And before you say it, I just can't toss it over my other shoulder. It feels...wrong...

i know that the SAG bags are sort of expensive and hard to find, but ive got an Airforce 1 and love it. Its got a ton of space, roll top, and a side zipper so you can sling it around without taking it off to get at contents inside.

1 word. Yoga.

For serious.


But I know what you mean, carrying my camera bag around one shoulder for a few hours does the same thing, I couldn't imagine carrying the amount of **** I carry in a backpack on just one shoulder. Usually after a cross city ride I have soreness in both shoulders if I'm carrying my roller derby (reffing) gear, one shoulder would be hellish.

someone mentioned Chrome Roll-Top packs earlier in this thread. Has anyone tried one? They seem really expensive at 150ish but they also look pretty durable. I'm no serious messenger, but I do want to invest in a well built weatherproof backpack that I can do some decent riding with. So is the Pawn worth it?

edit: also it needs to be able to hold a laptop, a couple text books, daily essentials, and maybe a shirt/pair of pants.

Front basket, like the A.N.T. bikes. Get a big, flat, porteur-style rack and you are golden.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2362/...2113d13d_m.jpg

You will kill your back with that kind of volume being supported while riding.

After 40, all of the impact and strain sins of your life come back to haunt you...