messenger bags?

"Pat" wrote

Quoted message said:

I have to go someplace where I could use a messenger-type bag. I thought

of

Quoted message said:

using a backpack, but I was wondering if someone has a favorite
shoulder-type messenger bag that they particularly like. I don't want to

put

Quoted message said:

a rear rack on the bike because it's a beater bike.

thanks,

Pat

--
in TX

I'm quite happy with my Critical Mass bag (Patagonia). Holds plenty, well
made, carries quite nicely. The 3 point suspension is quite comfortable on
the bike, converts to a regular shoulder bag (a big one) off the bike. The
newer models are apparently a little more refined with things like a laptop
pocket and two external bottle pockets.
HTH,
--
mark

Pat said:

I have to go someplace where I could use a messenger-type bag. I

thought of

Quoted message said:

using a backpack, but I was wondering if someone has a favorite
shoulder-type messenger bag that they particularly like. I don't want

to put

Quoted message said:

a rear rack on the bike because it's a beater bike.

thanks,

Pat in TX

Pat,

Biking in Texas also means you will want to stay comfortable and cool.
In my experience living in Texas, a messenger bag was less comfortable
and the way it lay on my back kept me too hot. I finally bought a Vaude
Siena backpack. The pack has a suspension system that creates an air
space between you and the load. I was surprised how well it worked and
how much cooler I remained. You might look into one as a viable
alternative to a messenger bag.

-Buck

"Pat" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I have to go someplace where I could use a messenger-type bag. I thought of
using a backpack, but I was wondering if someone has a favorite
shoulder-type messenger bag that they particularly like. I don't want to
put
a rear rack on the bike because it's a beater bike.

thanks,

Pat in TX

I don't know, I grew up without using backpacks (except for hiking and the
military service), so I am never comfortable with them myself.
I agree with Buck that in the summer it may get very uncomfortable.
You can probably get a used rack for next to nothing, or even find a old
junk bike with one you could get a rack off of.
www.performancebike.com has a nice standard rack for only $12.00 new.

Earl Bollinger said:

www.performancebike.com has a nice standard rack for only $12.00 new.

Yeah, a cheap rack and some of those expandable shopping baskets are the
bomb for putzing about.

I got the nylon baskets a while back on Nashbar for 15 bucks and they're
great for a paper bag of groceries.

I've got a HUGE Timbuk bag from when I actually messengered and it's
amazing how much they can hold and how durable they are, but I think a
well made regular back pack is more comfy and better for your back if you
insist on that route. The Timbuk bag is good if I for some reason want to
carry a 17" monitor on my back--it'll fit. LOL *ouch*

In article <[email hidden]>,

maxo said:

Earl Bollinger said:

www.performancebike.com has a nice standard rack for only $12.00 new.

Yeah, a cheap rack and some of those expandable shopping baskets are the
bomb for putzing about.

I've gone through a whole bunch of cheap-o aluminum racks
that have eventually busted on me. But I never bought
any of them, they came on 'found' bikes. If I wanted a
serious rack though, I'd go for steel, like the Nitto one
or the pricy Tubus.

Quoted message said:

I got the nylon baskets a while back on Nashbar for 15 bucks and they're
great for a paper bag of groceries.

I've looked at those, and thought a bunch about 'em.
I like that they carry the load low on the bike.
But the good ol' milk crate can carry a small or a
large pizza -- the small ones fit right in, and the
large ones sit on top. Medium is problematic -- they
go in at an angle. Tilted pizza is not good. I guess
it's possible to put some dunnage on top of the milk
crate, on which to put medium-sized pizzas. But it's
easier just to pay the extra for a large.

cheers,
Tom

--
-- Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca

Pat said:

I have to go someplace where I could use a messenger-type bag. I

thought of

Quoted message said:

using a backpack, but I was wondering if someone has a favorite
shoulder-type messenger bag that they particularly like. I don't want

to put

Quoted message said:

a rear rack on the bike because it's a beater bike.

thanks,

Pat in TX

I like my Timbuk2 bag. REI has them.

Bruce

maxo wrote in part:

Quoted message said:

I've got a HUGE Timbuk bag from when I actually messengered and it's
amazing how much they can hold and how durable they are, but I think

a

Quoted message said:

well made regular back pack is more comfy and better for your back if

you

Quoted message said:

insist on that route.

The Timbuk bags have a fatal design flaw--the side
which slides around against your back is 3-piece
instead of one solid sheet. This causes the bags to
come apart at the seams long before the rest of the
bag is toast. Trying to sew or otherwise shore up
the seams is ultimately a lost cause.

In general, backpacks are superior to messenger
bags unless you're an actual messenger. I've
heard great things about the deuter (sp?) packs
although I've never tried one.

Quoted message said:

The Timbuk bag is good if I for some reason want to
carry a 17" monitor on my back--it'll fit. LOL *ouch*

If you get the big bag, don't tell the dispatcher.

R

r15757 said:

The Timbuk bags have a fatal design flaw--the side
which slides around against your back is 3-piece
instead of one solid sheet. This causes the bags to
come apart at the seams long before the rest of the
bag is toast. Trying to sew or otherwise shore up
the seams is ultimately a lost cause.

I'm sure there are much better bags than the Timbuks, but I've never seen
such a failure. Mine is six years old and so well used that the colors are
bleached grey by the sun, but shows no other wear at all. If indeed it did
split at the seam, just drop into a reputable dry cleaner that offers
alterations, they'll be able to lock stitch it with some strong-ass thread
for a couple bucks.

People forget that there are folks with needle and thread out there that
are vastly more talented than the rest of us. Use them. Support your local
cobblers as well--there's nothing like a fresh set of "cat paw" heels on a
pair of vintage boots.

In article <[email hidden]>, Pat <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I have to go someplace where I could use a messenger-type bag. I thought of
using a backpack, but I was wondering if someone has a favorite
shoulder-type messenger bag that they particularly like. I don't want to put
a rear rack on the bike because it's a beater bike.

thanks,

Pat in TX

A local Toronto outfit <http://www.pushtheenvelope.com/> made--and
subsequently customized--my messenger bag. And although I recommend it,
I urge you to reconsider using rack and panniers or, perhaps, a
Carradice saddlebag for long(er) hauls. A well designed messenger bag
is more comfortable than a standard backpack for cycling, but, where
comfort is a priority, removing the burden from your back and onto the
bicycle is preferable.

luke

Wow I forgot all about the milkcrates. That brings back memories.
When I was a kid I had a metal steel one bolted to the rear rack.
I used to carry all sorts of stuff with it. they were great.
I think one is pretty hard pressed to beat the practicality of a milk crate.
This person shows how to make up a milk crate as a fancy dog carrier.
http://home.cogeco.ca/~vyorke/Bike%20Carriers.htm
Not bad at all, plus they don't stick out enough to be a drag or size
problem.
Nowadays plastic replaces the steel ones of the old days. Lighter, doesn't
rattle like metal, and doesn't rust.
http://www.rehrigpacific.com/dairy.html
The RoomStore sells them now
http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?PRODID=60136&CATID=166
in several different colors too.
They sell them too and also a 1/2 milk crate.
http://www.backstageweb.com/page7.htm
Yup, metal ones are collector items now.
http://www.rubylane.com/shops/cindyscollectibles/item/CC-1378

"Tom Keats" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

maxo said:

Earl Bollinger said:

www.performancebike.com has a nice standard rack for only $12.00 new.

Yeah, a cheap rack and some of those expandable shopping baskets are the
bomb for putzing about.

I've gone through a whole bunch of cheap-o aluminum racks
that have eventually busted on me. But I never bought
any of them, they came on 'found' bikes. If I wanted a
serious rack though, I'd go for steel, like the Nitto one
or the pricy Tubus.

Quoted message said:

I got the nylon baskets a while back on Nashbar for 15 bucks and they're
great for a paper bag of groceries.

I've looked at those, and thought a bunch about 'em.
I like that they carry the load low on the bike.
But the good ol' milk crate can carry a small or a
large pizza -- the small ones fit right in, and the
large ones sit on top. Medium is problematic -- they
go in at an angle. Tilted pizza is not good. I guess
it's possible to put some dunnage on top of the milk
crate, on which to put medium-sized pizzas. But it's
easier just to pay the extra for a large.

cheers,
Tom

--
-- Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca

In article <[email hidden]>,

Earl Bollinger said:

Wow I forgot all about the milkcrates. That brings back memories.
When I was a kid I had a metal steel one bolted to the rear rack.
I used to carry all sorts of stuff with it. they were great.
I think one is pretty hard pressed to beat the practicality of a milk crate.
This person shows how to make up a milk crate as a fancy dog carrier.
http://home.cogeco.ca/~vyorke/Bike%20Carriers.htm
Not bad at all, plus they don't stick out enough to be a drag or size
problem.

The milk crate I've got serves all my needs admirably.
It's size and shape permit carrying a great variety
of stuff.

But some folks prefer cargo carriers more specifically
(and asthetically) designed for bicycles, so there are
bicycle 'rack trunks' on the market, which work like
milk crates, but look better, are easily detachable,
and they have lids. Some of them even more-or-less
convert into backpacks when off the bike.

cheers,
Tom

--
-- Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca

Luke said:

In article <[email hidden]>, Pat
<[email hidden]> wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I have to go someplace where I could use a messenger-type bag. I
thought of using a backpack, but I was wondering if someone has a
favorite shoulder-type messenger bag that they particularly like. I
don't want to put a rear rack on the bike because it's a beater bike.

Quoted message said:

A local Toronto outfit <http://www.pushtheenvelope.com/> made--and
subsequently customized--my messenger bag. And although I recommend
it, I urge you to reconsider using rack and panniers or, perhaps, a
Carradice saddlebag for long(er) hauls. A well designed messenger bag
is more comfortable than a standard backpack for cycling, but, where
comfort is a priority, removing the burden from your back and onto the
bicycle is preferable.

Messenger bags and backpacks each have their good and bad points. A messenger
bag is much easier to get into and more convenient for shopping, etc. But in my
experience, no matter how well designed they are, messenger bags still load your
body asymmetrically, which can cause neck soreness, etc. Good backpacks can
carry bigger loads in comfort, if you can stand your back getting sweaty.
Personally I use a backpack, because I happen to have one that I like. I can
comfortably carry 20-30 LB of canned goods and produce, which I don't think I
could with a messenger bag.

BTW, Timlbuk 2 does custom messenger bags too, as well as their standard ones.
You can get just about any color you want. The suggestion to look for a
Patagonia bag on sale is a good one too.

If I commuted or otherwise hauled stuff daily, I would probably have racks and
panniers.

Matt O.

In article <[email hidden]>, Matt O'Toole

Quoted message said:

Messenger bags and backpacks each have their good and bad points. A messenger
bag is much easier to get into and more convenient for shopping, etc. But in
my
experience, no matter how well designed they are, messenger bags still load
your
body asymmetrically, which can cause neck soreness, etc. Good backpacks can
carry bigger loads in comfort, if you can stand your back getting sweaty.
Personally I use a backpack, because I happen to have one that I like. I can
comfortably carry 20-30 LB of canned goods and produce, which I don't think I
could with a messenger bag.

Yes, backpacks have their uses also: For big shopping trips I strap on
a 60 litre capacity backpack--the messenger bag is inadequate in these
cases. And, normally, for light loads--a lunch, for instance--I favor a
light day (back)pack; the heavier, waterproofed courier bag is
overkill.

Still, I've never donned a backpack that was more comfortable than the
mess. bag. Your point about its loading the back assymetrically is well
taken, but that hasn't proven a sore point in my case. Indeed, I find
the mess. bag's load is distributed more comfortably; this bag is
designed to wrap around my back rather than hang inflexibly from the
shoulder. Where a back pack pulls at the shoulders and perches the load
higher, the mess. bag sits lower and more sympathetically to the body's
movements. This saves strain on the arms and shoulders.

But, of course, all messenger bags are not created equal--as I
mentioned this bag was not an off-the-shelf item.

Quoted message said:

BTW, Timlbuk 2 does custom messenger bags too, as well as their standard ones.
You can get just about any color you want. The suggestion to look for a
Patagonia bag on sale is a good one too.

If I commuted or otherwise hauled stuff daily, I would probably have racks and
panniers.

Nothing beats having nothing on your back.

luke