messenger bags? - Page 4 - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

01-29-2005, 12:28 AM

In article <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>,
"Earl Bollinger" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> writes:
> 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.
> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
> 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

01-29-2005, 11:51 AM

Luke wrote:

> In article <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>, Pat
> <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>> 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.

> 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.

01-29-2005, 11:51 AM

Luke wrote:

> In article <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>, Pat
> <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>> 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.

> 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.

01-29-2005, 02:23 PM

In article <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>, Matt O'Toole
<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

> 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.

>
> 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

01-29-2005, 02:23 PM

In article <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>, Matt O'Toole
<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

> 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.

>
> 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