(messenger) backpack recommendation.
 

hey folks-

having a large messenger (shoulder) bag is slowly taking its toll on my spine. i am considering shelling out for a nice messenger backpack. i would like a decent size bag (~3000+ cu in.), don't want to pay a mint, and would like to not wait months and months.

i have done a bit of investigating. and found out:

-the seagull webpage says it will take ~6 weeks for anything besides the big black bag. i emailed them and have yet to even hear back about things. so a quick turnaround seems unlikely.

-the folks at reload are confusing me with their email responses. they say they are redesigning things and blew through their stock of backpacks (or maybe i am misunderstanding this all). but i heard something on the order of a 6 months wait, maybe more?

anyone have any thoughts? any other thoughts on other solid companies producing big backpacks?

2400 cu in, might be a too small for you but check it out anyway... http://www.chromebags.com/products/bags/show/23/

you're obviously not a messenger, why not stop faking the funk and get a (regular midwestern person) backpack?

i didn't know i needed to be a messenger to buy a bag??? i ride my bike 15-30 miles a day and i carry a ton of ****. carrying a 30 pack in "a (regular midwestern person) backpack" just won't work.

but thanks for the pretension...

(edit).

my gf rides a bmx backpack. she can carry a case of beer in it with no problem, mostly because she doesn't waste her energy playing pretend.
but whatever, do what you feel you have to do.

http://www.ortliebusa.com/cartgenie/...p?pid=53&cid=2

thanks for the thoughts on the ortlieb. and thanks for the hate. ride 365 in midwestern winters then come call that "pretend". drop the fixie pretense, it doesn't work in the 215 and it doesn't work here either...

3,000 cubic inches is HUGE. The Chrome Backbone is only 2400. Sure you need it that big?

Personally, I swear by my Crumpler Famous Wine Bar, but it's about half the size you want.

contrary to east-coast opinion, midwesterners can indeed benefit from bags such as this one:
http://www.chromebags.com/products/bags/show/30/

i find it quite comfortable, it holds everything i need to carry (books, laptop, clothes, shoes, etc...) and, most importantly, is entirely water-proof. the shape is quite tall and flat so, if your primary interest is sticking a case of beer into it, this probably isn't the solution for you but it still recommend it as a nice, dry, large-volume backpack. i got mine for $110 at the LBS...

sierra trading post- timbuk2 bags for like 50% off

Yada yada chrome rolltop yada yada.
I sincerely doubt you need a 3000+ cubic inch bag.

you are likely right. but my reload deluxe is filled up at least once a week... so i figured i would air on the side of caution (and get the most of my money, especially since i am likely throwing down $150-200).

Well you sir are carrying alot of ****.
My day to day stuff diesn't even fill my Chrome Citizen.

playing big-city bike messenger must take up lots of space!!

Playing internet troll must take up alot of your riding time!!

not a lot of riding going on at 12 in the morning.

why is everyone being so lame? he wants a big bag to put beer in. just because you put your 30 packs in your a-holes when you ride doesn't mean he needs a smaller bag than you.

midwest- if you want a bag that size, you're unfortunately gonna have to shell out some cash for it. my best suggestion is to put your messenger up on CL and put that money toward the new bag.

if your back hurts from riding with a messenger bag i'd imagine it's pretty full;)

Yeah, but it probably hurts her back too.

No offense it may be unessicary for him to have such a large bag but granted why should you really care? If you truly enjoy riding you're bike you wouldn't find it necessary to waste your time *****ing about what other people should and shouldn't be aloud to do. I mean it's one thing to give someone **** for having a pink frame and some neon deep v's, but dude this isn't some ****ing soap opera. In skateboarding people are respected for what they can do on the skateboard, not what kind of shoes or board they're riding. Just saying dude.. pahah

I like the Crumpler bags myself.

Check out the "Famous Wine Bar" model.

saltyroad- word.

maybe it's just me but madison is a way more awesome cycling city than philadelphia.

+1

didn't really move to philly specifically for the cycling.... kinda just ride philly cuz i live there.

thanks much to all for the suggestions. madison is a bit better than philly for riding. but i still miss going down chestnut or walnut to and from center city.

freight bags. You'll likley have to call around to find one, but they're worth it. I was using mine today, and managed to fit 2 banker boxes (full of those manila folders and what-have-you) in there. The bag weighed a ****load, but didn't kill my back.