I'm looking for a big bag. I want to be able to carry my squash racquets inside of my next bag this winter, so I need something around 27" long. I'm guessing a Seagull large blackbag is probably the best bang-for-the-buck option. Any other options?

Eh.... if you're looking to fit just a couple squash rackets, balls, and maybe some goggles, a standard backpack works fine, unless your racket's really expensive and you don't want the handle exposed at all. There are backpacks made specifically for racquetball and squash on the market - you can take a look around on eBay or your locker bike shop, or even your local squash shop if you have one or more likely your local sports store.

Have you considered messenger backpacks? You should definitely consider the bags by mission workshop. I recently acquired the vandal and it is literally a black hole on your back, capable of easily swallowing up a tennis racket vertically; I was blown away. Pricey but the american quality and workmanship is there, backed by actual lifetime warranty.

I've done tennis backpacks and panniers last year with the handles sticking out. It just doesn't work during the rainy season up here, between the soaked grips and the rain running in through the cutout.

Another problem I had with backpacks is the tops would hit my helmet. It wasn't a problem on a bike with low saddle/bar drop, but a real problem on others.

I just went through all of this.

I was complaining about my messenger bag and the size and I saw a fellow commuter with a Chrome Metropolis bag. We are both professionals so he was carrying a smaller leather bag for the day inside his commuter bag! I had to get one myself so I set off to get a Chrome Metro. I researched and researched and decided that the Chrome Metro was right. Bought one and not a day later saw a very similar bag on CL for $100 less. Needless to say I went with the used bag. The quality is great, I'm so glad I went used.

The things that I have learned:
1) A 40 L bag is about right. Most of the time it is no where near full but when I want to buy groceries or beer on the way home it can easily accommodate. I've fit an entire 30pack of PBR (don't judge) plus room for clothes, tools, empty lunch tupperware, and spare space multiple times. In fact my ride home tonight consisted of the usual items plus two softball bats hanging out the side & three 16" softballs with room to spare. Tennis rackets are no match. I love the Chrome Metro bag. Only one small point, I wish they had more smaller front side pouches for wallets, phones, keys; mine fills up fast.
2) You can go bigger but you should be aware of your needs. The metro fits like a cape already, you want something that accordions deeper and not wider/taller. Otherwise it will 'taco' around you.
3) Many companies make a 40L bag: Chrome, Seagull, Timbuk2, Manhattan Portage. Check their websites. I've listed from most to least expensive but note that Timbuk2 will easily become the most expensive with custom cloth & color schemes. Look for key features like stabilizing straps, water-proofness, shoulder padding, easily adjustments based on volume carried.
4) For squash racquets, just let the handle fly outside and forget about it. I'm sure my chrome could almost cover the entire thing but who knows. Find a dealer for any bag and test ride it and return if a no-go.
5) Never forget that you can use a simple garbage bag and compression straps to accomplish the same goal with a bag too small otherwise.

(all that being said I recommend a Chrome, couldn't be happier...)

There are always the classic Chrome and Reload options, not to mention Banjo Brothers and Baileyworks. However, I have personal experience with the Seagull large blackbag and I have nothing but good things to say. I got one of the spring seasonal ones (cool if you want colors for cheap) and it is VERY spacious, but it is not the best options if you need a great deal of organization options. It has a key clip, one basic interior pocket inside the main compartment, and a larger pocket on exterior under the flap.
As for carrying something long like a squash racket in it, it is not super comfortable. I sometimes carry my Zefal HPX (~24" long) frame pump in my bag, and it would be awful for any ride longer than a couple miles. Of course, you could always stick the handle of your racket out the top so that it is more comfortable and it won't hit your head most of the time. Good luck!

Cheers
lverhagen

I cannot knock a Gull bag, I was looking into them very closely before choosing the Chrome and cannot give a comparison. The real difference for me was that we have Chrome store in Chicago and Seagull only by order -- regardless would have gone with the great CL deal had I even gone with the Gull. Like I said, give a few bags a try if possible with return policies and see which one shakes out. This is not a trivial purchase, get what you want!

Another Chrome Metropolis owner checking in. I agree that most days it is nowhere near filled to capacity, as I only commute with emergency stuff (tubes, frame pump, levers), change of clothes and lunch for work.

However, the metro is worth its weight in gold when I have to fit a weeks worth of groceries somewhere or when I need to fit a long weekends worth of clothes and toiletries.

It is awfully big though. I notice that since I'm a small dude (5'8") the bag can start to 'taco' if there isn't a lot in it and I've got it pulled pretty close to me.

Chicago Chrome users unite! A person's size is definitely an issue in choosing a bag size. I'm 6'-2", 245lbs so the chrome metro feels right to me. I even thought of going to the Berlin but couldn't pull the trigger on price. I've hauled 35 lbs of groceries easily if that is any measure.

Edgewater - what is your route through the city?

Yet another Chicago user checking in. I have a jacked up left shoulder, and I can'd stand right shoulder bags, so I got a Kelty Goshawk. 36 liter backpack, and I have no helmet issues.

Also, we need to get a Chicago SSFGArmy ride going sometime.

+1 for Seagull.
I also have a large black bag and it could easily carry a Squash rackets thought as said before not very comfortably. your back curves and the rackets don't so I doubt any bag would carry them nicely unless the handle is sticking out. So if you want to keep everything dry it would do that fine but I wouldn't want to ride very far. I can't see a backpack working too well because I am tall and a squash racket is as long as my torso meaning it would have to stick up near your helmet.
One thing you could try is leaving them in a bag and attaching them to the straps of a messenger bag. Rackets have no weight so that might be comfortable and water proof.

I live in the very bottom of Edgewater (Foster and Ravenswood) and I commute to Edgebrook, so my commute takes me from Foster to Lincoln Ave, all the way up to Pratt where I snake up to Touhy (7200N). It's a good 9 mile ride each way, though Lincoln Ave that far north isn't exactly cycle friendly.

I'm down for a ride whenever. That'd be pretty awesome.

Sometimes I do worry about the long term effects of having such a loaded bag on my one shoulder. There are sometimes when I get to work, or home and my left shoulder is pretty sore. I just switched from bullhorns (more upright) to drops, so hopefully having my back more horizontal will help distribute the load better.

Though, much to my wife's dismay, I have been dying to buy a Chrome Yalta. Like, really, really bad.

Ah, thought we might cross paths from time to time. I see a lot of other cyclists around on a daily/weekly basis and refer to them as 'pink helmet girl' or 'aggressive old guy' and the like. We don't cross paths with your route - I go from Montrose & Pulaski to downtown, either by Elston of LFP.

Man, I'll never cross you guys. Winthrop, Bryn Mawr, Damen, Roscoe is my route.

Good ol Leuky hit this one on the head to me. I definitely have to second the Mission Workshop recommendation. Even if you get their messenger bags, they are extremely well made, durable and quite voluminous. I own both a single strap and a backpack, and the advantage of the backpack is that you can expand it when you need the space. This is nice as it doesn't look/feel ridiculous when you don't have much in it.

Also, the lifetime warranty is pretty sweet. Pretty much anything is covered, and they'll do whatever they can to accomodate you.

I usually tool around on Damen on the weekends on my way down to Wicker Park. And, I like cycling up Winthrop to get to Rogers Park. I don't usually ride on Bryw Mawr because it's fairly narrow. I only take it if I want to look around at Johnny Sprockets.

The vandal looks like a really awesome backpack. It's just hard to swallow the cos of $260 for a bag. Most people I know thought I was crazy for dropping $122 for the chrome metropolis, and that was on sale from $160.

I use a Rambler, and I got a 20% discount by being a bike coalition member. They come up sometimes on craigslist and ebay. I think Leuky got his for a deal on this forum.

Hey, not sure if this thread is dead or not. I also hail from Chicago (Andersonville to Milwaukee and Rogers park via Damen are my usual routes). I just bought a new bag and I absolutely love it, so I thought I'd give my two cents.

I used to have a Metropolis, used it for 3 years and figured it was time for something better. I work for a sandwich delivery company and wanted something that better suited my needs.

I got the Chrome Berlin on a crazy good deal. I just e-mailed them and told them I worked using my bicycle for a living and told them a little bit about my job and what not, and they hooked me up pretty nicely. so much props to Chrome

so the Berlin is super huge, and boxy, unlike the flat Metro.

I can fit a 18.5"x9"x9.5" box in there comfortably with plenty of room on all sides for my extras (emergency gear, tubes, rain gear, etc...)

It's not too bulky, and compresses up nicely when you don't need all that volume.

I usually like leaving the bulk, unless I'm going out, then I compress it and it sits up nicely on my body.

svmcgover,
Nice bag and that's cool Chrome hooked you up with a deal.
I'm hooked on Chrome's stuff. All of it is really well made and will continue to buy their stuff.

I also checked out the MissionWorkshop Vandal and that's my next bag- it's a sandwich bag so not the greatest for delivery work but perfect for expandable volume.

yeah I've heard MissionWorkshop has a pretty solid warranty program.

I sent my Metro in about a month before I sold it because the Velcro was loosing it's adhesive quality, and they replaced all the Velcro, every buckle (except the seatbelt buckle), and the lower cross-strap without me even asking. I was so sad to get rid of it because it was like a brand new bag for free

UPDATE::

Ended up going with a Metropolis when Chrome was doing their big discount. Their measurements were 26", which was 1" shorter than a racquet. As it works out, I can just tuck the handle down about 3 inches and fold the flap down. Comfortwise, it's really not bad. Way better than when I tried to use my old Timbuk2. The curve of the straps really helps with the feeling of a carrying something that long.