Had it for 3 months now (from Canada, shop just around the corner ... almost) and it's never let me down. I got it early into the semester, and I've commuted to school by bus and by bike with it. No complain whatsoever, it's however vergy on the narrow. You can get it open pretty large however, but then it sticks out your back and screws up your balance. There's some nice padding for you back, and I can fit textbooks, pencil-case and lunch in it.

It's not without it's flaws, since the padding strap flails around when you swing it in front of you, and I've got my wrist gouged by the velcro (yes, it's that nasty). For the cash, you can't do best, and it's my first real messenger bad. I'll be upgrading this summer when cash comes around.

Oh, and for the record, I've sewed on a colnago patch over the mountain equipment coop logo, and added a campagnolo script badge, just to add some style. Got some nice dixed gear hooligans patches coming in too.

and also: I do use my bag at work, driving cab. I keep my atlas, charge slips, extra waybills, flashlight, money pouch, cell, state maps, lunch, etc in it.

very comfortable for riding to work and easily accessed while I'm driving-- unlike a backpack, the top opening flap is great.

REI Outlet has a basic Timbuk2 for under $30, free shipping if you live near an REI store, get it sent to the store and pickup

http://www.rei.com/outlet/product/47...t=OUTLET_HP_LD

I live out of my REload bag 7 days a week. I swear by it! i feel naked without it.

I have a Chrome Metropolis. I carry alot of stuff between my and my girlfriend's house a few times a week and it comes in handy and is always very comfortable and easily ajustable. Perfect bag for me.. I like the other custom stuff though, I may do my own flap for it when it gets raggedy.

I second or third the RELoad call. I'm not a messenger, but I commute daily with laptop, digital slr and lenses. It has room enough for all my toys, cables, and tools plus a full change of clothes for the office, a towel, and lunch. I've got room left over for lots of books. And all this without having to decompress the compression straps, which also double nicely as a place to put a mid-sized tripod.

It has a metal buckle. I went from an all corroded to hell DeRossi (sp?) with metal straps to a Timbuktu with plastic buckle. Some people are really into the Timbuktu buckle, but I found it often disengaged at the wrong time wearing it high on the back. When I replaced it with the RELoad, I felt like I was home again. Something to consider, especially if you're going to be using it as your primary bag.

Manhattan Portage. I use a large one for daily commute. 'Waterproof Bike Messenger Bag w/Stripes (1611)'. it wraps around your back really well, and stays in place. It does not have a cross strap.

nothing beats a chrome. my boyfriend (hes a courier) and i have had ours for more than two years, and just yesterday we had an in-depth conversation about how amazing they are. nothing is more functional, durable, or even hot than a chrome. we're converting the masses in atl & theyre loving it.

theyre ****ionality is particularly impressive. whether you have nothing in your bag, or a ton of ****, they adjust to mold to your bag & handle the weight.

& the cops never discovered the brass knuckles he had in the hidden pocket.

You mean paper weight;) I got a red chrome I'm selling. I think it's time.
http://www.pedalpushersonline.com/al.../BAG.thumb.jpg closer?

How much would you be selling it for, then? And what paint did you do that with?

Edit : and what size is it?

rather than start another thread that would have probably been moved, i'm posting a couple pics of the reload backpack i had made for me recently. it's in between the two sizes they have on their website, but the thing is still enormous. i just got back from the local co-op and decided to snap some shots while it was pretty much full. weighs about 40 lbs. in this picture, but was still very comfortable.

it you live in seattle and you're looking for a new bag, go visit the women on reload at 12th and pike. they do great work.

peace.
chris

ps: please don't move this thread.

nice photos Habitus. really shows the capability. RELoad - I still have my original bag from them. I beat the crap out of it and it never let me down. I just have a hardtime justifying the awesome customization of their goods, as I cannot just buy a plain one!

since we're on the subject:
those REload backpacks look pretty comfy, but i've gotten pretty used to the feeling and accessibility of a traditional messenger bag.

would you say that a REload backpack is as comfortable as a REload messr bag?
and dank vs. reload, again please.
consider price.

i have a baileyworks messenger bag, now a reload backpack (with sternum and waist straps).

with nothing in them, the baileyworks is probably more comfortable, but get 10-20 lbs in there, and the backpack wins by far. the weight is distributed across my shoulders, back, waist, and chest.

I wish to hell that they would start making bags with a narrow pocket along the inside for the hand pump so it can stop stabbing me in the back :(

I carry a pimp too. It's a foot and a quarter but it rolls around in the bottom of my bag just fine. It can stay in the bottom as often as I need it.
but anyways, it's likely that Reload, dank and some others would build in a pocket like that for you no problem, I know we would. the tough part is remembering that pocket when it comes time you want a new bag.

Damn, that is a very small pimp. What the hell does he do in your bag? :D

By the way thanks for the shwag at the relay race. I now am proud owner of one of your "be it" shirts.

I know what you mean there - the customization is one of the best parts. I just got one of REload's "small civilian" bags. It's plenty big and comfortable even without a shoulder pad, which I might get anyway. The adjustment D-rings work really well once you figure them out. Oh, and the price was more than reasonable.

hey no problem, happy to!

yeah, I have a Lovelife bag and it's awesome. The guy who started the company is a friend of my boyfriend. I'm pretty sure that he has a web site but I'm not sure what the address is. If you e-mail me I can give you his contact info. The bags can be made custom and they are hand made from recycled materials( billboard vinyl, upholstry, seatbelts, ect.). Waterproof, super sturdy, and prettymuch indestructable. Everyone should have one!

-Alicia
Alicialikesbugs@yahoo.com

I have a Jandd Hurricane series bag and love it. They always have last year's colors on sale, 54 bucks for the size I have I think. The Iniki which I have is a little bigger than the large timbuk 2 I had and carries my books, school clothes (I go from work to class), sneakers, lunch, and assorted other junk with room to spare. If you get a bag from 2003 on (I believe) they come with a huge padded shoulder strap, even the older style shoulder strap I have on mine is pretty nice. I also got the reflective straps, cell holder, and ditty bag, all really nice quality, and the ditty bag is great for keeping my lock keys in. I know that Jandd isn't the "cool" brand but they are made in America and the thing is a tank; I swear its better than the Timbuk 2 I had. Anyone looking for a new bag should check them out, and if you are looking to get a good deal then really check them out.

http://www.jandd.com/search_results....vel=2&subcat=9

I got a baileyworks for christmas and I love it. Lots of room, sits nice on my back and it looks clean and simple. So if you're near New Hampshire or have an attitude the size of said state, take a look at them.

I vote against any bag that doens't have the strap adjuster over your chest instead of at your side. I've had my timbuk2 for years and have since decided that I hate it. I'm looking to get some other bag, maybe a backpack. I saw a couple guys this weekend with "Velocity" messenger bags (If I remember correctly). Anyone know about them?

I use the Timbuk2 Bag, really great. I have used a lot of Paniers, back packs etc. I have finished 13 months of almost daily use of the thing and it is proving to be the business. I would imagine that Chrome

http://www.singletrackworld.com/article.php?sid=962

This is a reference to the article I used to buy my bag. Cross strap which is pretty standard is essential.
I went for the large size which I think is big enough but not too small

Brian

iI would agree that the Side adjustment strap on the timbuk2 does not appear to be as handy as the front adjustment one on the Chrome bag. I don;t know how the phone holder and key/wallet holder which I use on the Timbuk2 would work if I had the strap adjustmer on the front.
As for Velocity bags, made by Ortlieb, good brand, I have thier paniers. Have not seen the Velocity in the flesh, but Ortlieb as not big into pockets etc, they concnetrate very much on a lighter waterproof bag. I like my pockets on the Timbuk2 for all my bits and pieces. It is great when one takes it travelling. It is more of a modern lifestyle bag.

Brian