Just ordered one (a Metropolis) and am kinda on the fence about that shiny seat belt buckle, for aesthetic reasons more than anything else. From everything I've heard and read, Chrome makes a great bag.

Anybody here have any comparison info between Chrome and Bailey Works?

Where are you in socal?

I'm a chrome fan. They hold up to my use, and I am a bit rough on things. The buckle is pretty cool once you get the hang of using it right. The material is durable, and the design functional. And I dig durable functional stuff. I don't know much about the Bailey though.

a messenger friend of mine has a chrome...he loves it and swears by it. Not sure if you're using it for messengering or just to have as an everyday bag, but his is BURLY...and huge too.

I'm in the South Bay. I'll be using the bag for commuting to and from work - about 30 miles RT.

They used to have black buckles, but they're sold out, it looks like. Give 'em a call and see if they have any kicking around.

I have a lock holster bag from Push the Envelope, which I like a lot.
https://www.pushtheenvelope.com. I'm making do with a cheap ass bag I got, but I think I'm going to have to either re-do the straps (the strap layout sucks) or shpring for a new bag, probably a Push as they're made here in Toronto.

Cam

I have two baileys, getting a third this summer. Wouldn't use anything else. They have a "burly" clip where the chrome have a seat belt buckle. Huge, UTTERLY waterproof, (as i found out yesterday), and in three years i haven't had a single problem with the bailey's i ride with and carry every day to school... the other is smaller and used for fishing tackle. All in all they're great bags, as I'm sure Chrome are too. But i just think chrome bags are ugly. Just a personal thing. The little logo reminds me of the third reich. Maybe it's an east coast/west coast thing....But i'd go with a Bailey.

I have a chrome that i use as a briefcase. LOVE IT. It's bulletproof, and you definitely won't another one like it...

Go with whoever's local.

For me, that's zo or chrome.

Love my Chrome bag. Considering picking up a Reload for when I am not commuting. You might PM 165, as he has one of each.

2 1/2 step approach to shiny buckle remedy.

1. Get steel wool or sandpaper. Apply to buckle to remove shine. If you think it looks like *ss, proceed to step 2.

2. Get black spray paint. Apply to buckle to remove *ss-ness. If you still don't like it, proceed to step 2 1/2.

2 1/2. Get a new bag, mail the Chrome bag to me.

I have a Bailey bag I got a few years ago, I would say my treatment of it has been very rough indeed. It has had many odd things stuffed in it, been through some pretty nasty new england weather and has saved alot of skin on my back from being spread across the pavement. I like this bag. But then again I am sure the other bags are great as well. I say support the local folks.

You need to get exotic. Get a Crumpler.

https://www.crumpler.com.au

Personally, I don't use my courier bag much. Actually I'm waiting for the flood of litigation from couriers that have spinal problems from carrying loads on one shoulder.

Should be a hoot.

I have two chrome bags, metropolis and kremlin, personally i think the logo is more evocative of communism than the third reich, but each to their own. They're hard wearing and come with a lifetime guarantee. I think OTS doesn't like the buckle, certainly on the larger bags there are occasions where it can dig in your ribs, but if you adjust your load you can usually sort it out. They are pretty common bags in Boston now. Oh and even if you don't think the seatbelt clip is cool, the ladies do.

I can't even figure out why people are down on the seltbelt clip... ?

You stir **** better than a tiller on a tractor.

I've wanted a Chrome or REload bag for a couple of years, but I can't justify the purchase. Problem is I have this old Timbuktu bag wit the upgraded liner, etc. that refuses to die. The thing has gone to hell and back on more than one occasion. Survived three years of downpours, been ran over by a car, used as a landing pad, and still asks for more. I bought this bag years before I knew my purchase would one day support money-grubbin'-capitalist-pig-sweat-shop-supporting-free-trade-anti-buy-american minions of the devil.

if you have large boobies (or are a woman) the buckle may be uncomfortable - or maybe its not the buckle but the large strap... anyway - i personally do not have large boobies but know of others that have had problems like this. i wouldnt mind having large boobies though.

it would make sense if they put the padded strap under the buckle too

I hate defending a purchase.. but the buckle.. It doesn't rub, molest or smash the chest at all.
I have an extremly concaved sternum. Almost makes it looks like I have no heart. Anyway, the buckle doesn't hit, hurt or anything on me.

i have a chrome, which i love.
my girlfriend has a baileyworks, which she loves (she got the 253 bag customized with the pro strap and buckle).

i think both are pretty awesome bags - good material, nice straps, waterproof...

i think a major difference is the shape of the bags. with the metropolis, it's wider than most courier bags but not as deep. the baileyworks is more square shaped...

metropolis:
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baileyworks:
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-Dennis

ps my chrome holds a 30-pack no problemo.

Is there a Timbuk2 issue I'm not aware of? Please enlighten. I'm curious.

i have the bailey 253 and i love it...riding or traveling it's super comfortable and you can pack enough rations to get through a nuclear winter not that you couldn't in a chrome but you know.

Not sure any of it is true, I just liked this rant from a couple of months ago...

I'v used a Chrome Kremilin for messwork for over a year now, in rain, snow etc. Brilliant bag. Best there is, for the money IMHO. Pac's are nice, but way expensive

Plastic buckles. They wear out in a year or so