ditching backpack for timbuk2 - opinions

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

i've looked at the timbuk2's el ocho online and at bike shop - but my question is does anyone lay
these flat on a bike rack? i have the rear racks which i don't use except carrying groceries and
u-lock. i've tried securing my backpack on a few times, but takes a while to tie up all straps
and ensure

that

Quoted message said:

don't fall into wheel area, plus i carry some loose binders that get crushed

by

Quoted message said:

the ties. i don't want panniers - just my personal preference. i also have a nice big handlebar
rack for wallet/keys/cell phone/warm hat/gloves if i tighten up the straps on a timbuk2 could i
just lay this flat on my rear rack? and get a darker color due to mud or dirt splashing up. can
anyone recommend a good timbuk2 model? - will el ocho work for carrying:

No, it won't work. just get panniers or wear it. If you wear it, a backpack is more comfortable. The
only advantage a messenger bag has over a backpack is that you can swing it around to grab stuff
inside without taking it off. Otherwise, a backpack makes more sense.
-------------
Alex

Alex Rodriguez said:

No, it won't work. just get panniers or wear it.

This, I agree with.

Quoted message said:

If you wear it, a backpack is more comfortable. The only advantage a messenger bag has over a
backpack is that you can swing it around to grab stuff inside without taking it off. Otherwise, a
backpack makes more sense.

Not necessarily. I have a Timbuk2 (I forget the model) that is more comfortable and convenient than
the backpacks I have had before. It provides better rain protection to the stuff inside than a
backpack, as well. With the strap from the bottom to the sling attached, it is secure and
comfortable, and never seems to get in the way.

I typically carry: notebook and other papers, stuffed-in rain jacket, small (please don't steal me)
lock, pens, PDA, lunch. More than the OP claimed to need. It also expands to hold more without
allowing things to get wet.

Nothing on your back will keep you from sweating, though.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | Accept risk. Accept responsibility. Put a lawyer out of _`\(,_ | business. (_)/ (_) |

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

No, it won't work. just get panniers or wear it.

This, I agree with.

Me too

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

If you wear it, a backpack is more comfortable. The only advantage a messenger bag has

over

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

a backpack is that you can swing it around to grab stuff inside without taking it off.
Otherwise, a backpack makes more sense.

Not necessarily. I have a Timbuk2 (I forget the model) that is more comfortable and convenient
than the backpacks I have had before. It provides better rain protection to the stuff inside than
a backpack, as well. With the strap from the bottom to the sling attached, it is secure and
comfortable, and never seems to get in the way.

I second all this. I think that its easier to position the Timbuk2 (and probably other courier bags)
to get a comfortable sit on your back/butt when carrying pokey-out hard items (lunch-box, shoes,
many books, tin cans...). I switched about four years ago for my daily commute and I'm still riding
with the same bag, its still waterproof and I'm still very happy with it.

Quoted message said:

I typically carry: notebook and other papers, stuffed-in rain jacket, small (please don't steal
me) lock, pens, PDA, lunch. More than the OP claimed to need. It also expands to hold more without
allowing things to get wet.

Quoted message said:

Nothing on your back will keep you from sweating, though.

Indeed, I got to work today to find that I'd forgotten to bring a shirt in, the emergency shirt was
still at home and there was much sweat upon me.

Andy

Alex Rodriguez wrote:

<< No, it won't work. just get panniers or wear it. If you wear it, a backpack is more comfortable.
The only advantage a messenger bag has over a backpack is that you can swing it around to grab stuff
inside without taking it off. Otherwise, a backpack makes more sense.
-------------
Alex >>

Alex is right. Plus a real messenger sack would be too big and floppy to strap onto a rack.
Messenger bags are great when you need easy and constant access to the lock, ticketbook, pen,
packages. People who choose them over backpacks for normal everyday commuter use are making a
mistake IMO.

Especially when you're climbing out of the saddle, messenger bag will try to swing around front and
often ends hanging uncomfortably around the neck, that is why messengers are always doing that
little shuffle where they toss the bag around onto their back where it belongs. The bag's tendency
to do this depends in large part on the material of the rider's jacket or shirt. Many couriers
report back problems caused by hauling heavy loads with a lopsided messenger bag--it is much nicer
to haul three days' worth of groceries in a big backpack than a messenger bag of similar volume.
Much nicer. Comfort is the main reason many couriers have been switching, at no small cost in
accessibility to things in the pack, to large messenger backpacks that are available from many
companies. This trend started in Germany I believe. These packs may be too large for normal civilian
use. but they sure are nice. Try Chrome, PacDesigns, Ortlieb.

Robert

I have a Timbuk2 "DeeDog"--the bigger model; bought it when I went away to graduate school.

It lies flat on my back but it doesn't sway while I'm riding a bike--a plus. I've found it to be
fairly waterproof in practice (it had better have been, since I was using it in London), provided
care is taken to secure the flap properly.

The reflective tails are a nice idea for extra visibility in traffic; however the catches on which
these attach are also inconveniently close to the catches which open and close the main flap of the
bag. I lost one reflective tag this way, rushing my way in and out of a crowded lecture theatre.

The DeeDog has/had more than enough capacity for my uses: it has swallowed a laptop, two A4 lever
arch files, a few quarto-sized academic books. It carried a folio-sized (think city telephone book)
text along with a bunch of other stuff with no problems and no leakage from rain. Mine's OD and
khaki; when my Dad saw me wearing it, he quipped that I looked like the ammunition-carrier for a
bazooka team, so I imagine it'll handle RPG rounds (handy for taking out abusive drivers!). I have
used it as a general-purpose bag for weekend trips (not on the bike).

The bag's huge compartment swallows big things easily; however, when packing lots of little things,
care must be taken, since they have a tendency to slop around. When you're loading it up with a full
load, your back will repay you if you manage to keep a flat surface against the bit of the back that
lies across your back.

I've used it as a camera bag (with a smaller, padded bag inside, since I have no dividers) and have
no real complaints other than the fact that it's probably too big for the gear that I have. As it is
it swallows my small 35mm stuff (Pentax MX & 3 lenses), a Lubitel 166, and a Rolleiflex. Plus
notebook, & other odds & ends.

I've used it as a weekend bag for trips (not on the bike) and while capacity is very good, I've had
some issues with keeping stuff unwrinkled, but maybe that's just my bad packing.

The bag, the second-largest in the line, fits me very well, but then again I am a very big guy, with
very broad shoulders.

-Luigi

www.livejournal.com/users/ouij

photographs, rants, raves

thanks for the replies. i won't attempt to use it as a "mini trunk rack"

i tried out the commute bag - nice but pretty big, and also the standard messenger bag.

they seemed to fit nice and snug, but interesting posts about using them for longer commutes -- my
ride to work is 9 miles each way.

my roomate is similar non timbuk bag - may try it for a few days and get a feel for it before buying
one - but i like the look and feel - especially the breifcase handle on the cummute bag - just want
it to be practical for long rides

thanks again!