Chrome Soyuz Vs. Chrome Pawn
 

Deciding between these two bags and looking for opinions.

Will use for:
-commuting
-weekend travel/carry on
-grocery getting
-everything basically...

If I ride to work, I often have books, a bottle, a netbook, work and gym clothes, and grab a few groceries on the way home. Basic pens, rx, glasses case, chargers, etc as well.

Been spoiled by chrome's large messenger bag, but it kills my back...
I might sell it but need something first.

This Wouldnt be a question if the pawn had the front pocket for organizing that the soyuz has.

Thanks in advance.

Hey!

Thanks for the response on the post on that other thread (heh).

I actually have a grocery getter bike that I have 2 panniers on. If I'm going for a dedicated grocery trip, then that's what I use without fail. I haven't done that in a really long time.

This is something that I'd use for a weekend trip/camping, for carry on, or for commuting. Those are all things I used my metro for. I just wish the pawn/ivan had organizational pockets like the soyuz. The roll top compartment on the soyuz is a little too small though.

For Weekend trips, I'll throw in an SLR and maybe a lens, a pair of jeans/slacks, a couple of shirts, underwear, and maybe a pair of shoes.

When I commute, I have a change of clothes, gym clothes, shoes, books, and like to be able to stop to pick up dinner, a few groceries, or a sixer or growler.

I'm going to be working in Africa for a year starting this fall, so a bag that I can use in the field is going to be helpful. How do you keep things in your Ivan organized? Do you use zip-lock bags etc for cords and such so you're not digging through loose wires?

I have an MW Rambler, which is similar in black holeness to the Ivan. Here's what I use for organization:
http://assets.subtraction.com/lens/2...13-grid-it.jpg

It sounds to me like you might want a bit of a bigger bag. I know I can fit my rambler underneath as a carryon. There's no reason an Ivan wouldn't fit at least in the overhead.

As long as you take the lens off, you shouldn't have trouble with the camera. (although mine always goes in some kind of dedicated case/bag outside the backpack *) Depending on how you pack it, the size of your feet, and whether you're talking textbooks or novels, your commuting load may be a squeeze in the main pocket. Mostly because of the shoes, though. (size 9.5-freakishly-wide feet here ;)) I probably don't fill mine to capacity, though, since I'm kind of a weenie about a) having that much weight on my back, and b) having things dig into my back while I'm riding.


As for organization, I seldom need more than the outside pockets for smaller items. When I carried my MBP regularly (I carry my netbook almost exclusively now) I used a toiletry bag to hold the cables and cords, and stuffed it at the bottom of the bag with the computer on top of it, and textbooks next to that. With my netbook I leave the power cord at home and cables at home, since I seldom need them anywhere else. Also, hit a hardware store and buy a roll of velcro straps and start using them on all your cables like your second religion (or first, if you don't already have one). It makes life much easier ;)


*) I have these

1. LowePro Cirrus TLZ 15 (Discontinued?)

2.) Domke F-6 (I would never ride with this, though it does fit inside my Chrome Senator (discontinued), which is a single-strap roll-top backpack)

3.) And yellow pelican box (used this for a very short tour in NY state with my dad over the summer)

Are there issues looking over your shoulder with the ivan/pawn when on the bike and wearing a helmet?

How is the bag when it's not loaded to the brim? Some days, I don't have a lot of stuff.

It's fine when it's empty, it hangs fairly flat. The corners do stick out into my field of vision a little bit when I try to look over my shoulders, but not enough to be hazardous.

Cool.

Thanks. I'll try the pawn and ivan over this weekend. I just wish they had an external bottle pocket and some hooks/loops that would work with bungees for oversized loops.

The T-Level packs look awesome, but they're way more expensive and impossible to find...

Hey jeremy thanks for all your help so far. Just one other question. Does the bag extend pretty far past your sides? I often ride the train to work and would like to avoid walking into people if possible haha.

Hey jeremy, thanks for all the help so far. Just another quick question...

How far past your sides does the bag extend? I often ride the train to work and would prefer to avoid walking into people more so than usual. Also rush hour...

Thanks again!

Well, now...


When I got it, no it didn't extend past my sides. But, then, I lost 100lbs and now it is ever so slightly wider than I am. :D (if search my posting history you find the before/after pictures (well, okay, here's a couple old photos, but you get the idea.)

While I am a bit clumsy, I don't find that I run into things too much wearing my Ivan.

Thanks for the help.

You're welcome.