What Commuter Bag Do You Use?

[Velosmith]

I have started commuting for the the spring/summer and I'm looking for suggestions for a commuter bag.

I tried the typical messenger bags but it puts too much pressure on a collar bone that I busted pretty badly last year.

I tried a buddy's Ortlib backpack and thought the roll top thing was fussy. I ride in the Northwest and regularly commute about 10 miles (each way) in the rain so stuff needs to stay dry.

Last year I rode with a rack and panniers. I just don't like the way the bike handles with the weight in the back. Also, I like to ride different bikes depending on the weather and if I'm going to hit a club ride after work.

I would appreciate any suggestions on what has worked for you.

[ergott]

http://www.banjobrothers.com/products/01152.php

http://www.banjobrothers.com/imgs/products/01150.jpg

Works for me.

[Serotta PETE]

Richard Sachs has a cool one made by Bailey's

[gdw]

and what will you carry in it?

[xjoex]

So if you have a rack and need to carry a laptop nothing beats the orlieb office bag.

Otherwise I really like the vaude and deuter bags.

-Joe

[paulrad9]

Last year I rode with a rack and panniers. I just don't like the way the bike handles with the weight in the back. Also, I like to ride different bikes depending on the weather and if I'm going to hit a club ride after work.

Did you ride the year with the rack or just a few times? I ask, because I rarely know mine is on; it is much less noticeable than having 5-10 lbs on my back

There are some really nice, light racks available. The Tubus Vega rack (http://www.thetouringstore.com/TUBUS/Vega/VEGA%20PAGE.htm) weights about 500 grams, which is less than a water bottle

[mike p]

Best bags made CHROME!!

Mike

[CNY rider]

What are you lugging back and forth to work?

I typically carry 5 pounds or so; some clothes, lunch, and paperwork.
I have a Bailey bag and have used it for years (and been totally happy) in the winter, but in terms of comfort and maintaining bike handling nothing beats a front rack and bag set up, on a bike meant to carry a small front load.

Do you have any bikes that would accomodate a front bag? If the load isn't too heavy you could do it with an h-bar bag and not even need a rack.

[tylercheung]

I saw the Rickshaw Bagworks stuff up close - they are designed really well. my other choice would be the bailey stuff.

[Velosmith]

I carry a laptop, lunch an clothes. I'm a suit during the day and drive once a week to exchange from the dry cleaners.

I ride different bikes depending on weather (fixed fenders, fixed no fenders, geared fenders, geared no fenders) and catch a club ride couple of times a week so rack and bags just don't work.

The Banjo bag looks interesting.

Thanks folks! Keep those cards and letters coming.

[Flat Out]

Best bags made CHROME!!

Mike

+1

[rePhil]

Like so many things, we like what we like. Personal choice is a huge part of it.
I have ridden with the same Jansport backpack for 3 years. I carry clothes, a small lunch and an occasional project.
After a hard Florida rain I hang it up and it's ready to go again the next day.

[old_school]

Baileyworks Super Pro (http://www.baileyworks.com/Messenger+Bags/Super+Pro/options/) for short distance.

Freight Baggage Backpack (http://freightbaggage.org/?page_id=7) for longer hauls and heavy loads.

I love Baileyworks and their new Two Strap Workpack (http://www.baileyworks.com/Backpacks/Two-Strap+Work+Pack/options/) looks killer, but quality has its price.

[Marcy]

I've had my Timbuk2 for 8 years now & it's still going strong. And that's even after a couple years hauling food for my village during a 2 year Peace Corps assignment in Africa.
The custom version is still actually made in USA (San Fran) - great bags. You can design it on the web, and they sew up your own one of a kind colors.
Here's the site
http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/messenger/
Have fun!
-- Marc

[ericspin]

I tried the typical messenger bags but it puts too much pressure on a collar bone that I busted pretty badly last year.




Remember that the Baileyworks Super Pro swings both ways. I have the same broken collarbone issue and swing to the right to avoid the tender left one.

[gman]

I've had my Timbuk2 for 8 years now & it's still going strong. And that's even after a couple years hauling food for my village during a 2 year Peace Corps assignment in Africa.
The custom version is still actually made in USA (San Fran) - great bags. You can design it on the web, and they sew up your own one of a kind colors.
Here's the site
http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/messenger/
Have fun!
-- Marc

+1

actually, +3 (i have the classic in s, m, l)

The shoulder pad works quite well to take off the pressure. It's quite thick and dense. The bag can swing to either shoulder and has a small stabilizing strap which can be removed once off the bike.

[caleb]

The Chrome backpacks are very nice. They're the best thing going in their price range.

That said, I'm planning to give the new larger Rapha backpack (http://www.rapha.cc/index.php?page=644) a try soon.

http://www.rapha.cc/images/products/largebackpack_4.jpg

[Ken Robb]

I don't commute but I regularly have my Rivendell Hoss saddlebag filled with groceries weighing up to 30 pounds. Once I'm riding the bike I'm unaware that there is any weight there at all. There aren't any hills on my route from the stores. The bag hangs from the loops on my Brooks B-17. I also carry two big paper grocery bags full of groceries in "shopping bag" rear panniers mounted to a std. Blackburn rack on my 1989 Bridgestone MB-3. These are sold at REI, Performance, and many other shops. I have one bag by JAAND that I like so well that I bought a pair of REI brand when they were on sale.
All of them old up and strap flat so they don't stick out as wide as your knees when empty. You could use them with your stuff in waterproof bags. They snap on/off the rack in a couple of seconds so you can take them inside shops, office, etc.

[giordana93]

if it's really heavy, sometimes my messenger bag will bug my old busted clavicle, but mostly that's how I fly, so no real help for you there, except to note something that many people forget: the waist belt on a good bag helps not only to stabilize, but more important, when you cinch it down really tightly, it takes the weight off your shoulder/clavicle and puts it on your hips. makes a huge difference in comfort for me (whether it be a 1-strap messenger bag or a 2-strap back pack)

[pdbrye]

http://www.banjobrothers.com/products/01152.php

http://www.banjobrothers.com/imgs/products/01150.jpg

Works for me.


+1. My first day commuting with the Banjo Bros. medium backpack. Really nice, very comfy and plenty spacious.

[itsflantastic]

I've used a lot of messenger bags, but went to a messenger pack.
I commute 10 miles each way each day and fit a LOT of stuff in here. It's bright, visible, waterproof and comfortable.

Ortlieb Messenger PAck

http://www.rei.com/product/768570?cm_mmc=cse_froogle-_-datafeed-_-product-_-768570&mr:trackingCode=0035D5C0-521A-DE11-B4E3-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA

[Hobbscooley]

I have been commuting for about 1 1/2 years now and have tried many bags. Being that i ride different bikes and not all have rack capability i use a backpack. For longer commutes anything that has two shoulder straps seems to much better on the back. I have taken a liking to CamelBak commuter bag. Cushioned back with venting and a roll top compartment, taped seems and also the ability to hydrate while dogging cars. Fully waterproof and fits nice.

ben

[JD Smith]

I bought this back in Spring 2004.
http://www.deuterusa.com/products/productDetail.php?packID=futura28&sub=hiking&tert=futura
I'm car-free, and this has seen action in Scranton, PA, La Jolla, CA, Sanford, ME, and is now serving me in Tucson, AZ.
It has a suspended mesh back panel that keeps the pack off your back, creating a couple inches of air space. It has a stowaway rain cover.
The durability is incredible. I've had no zipper issues, nothing tearing or cracking.
The hip pads keep it from sliding off to the sides, but put no pressure on your hips.

[Eric S]

JandD Gabriel. It's a messenger bag, but it has wide stowable waist/hip cinch straps (not chest straps) which give a lot of relief to the shoulders. Padded airy back, padded shoulder strap. Cavernous, expands, 2 open pockets, two zippered, couple velcro organizer dealies.

I've had mine about 16 years. Daily driver for 6 years in Seattle, commuting 180 miles/week with too much stuff in it, then for another ten years commuting 40 miles/week. Seems pretty watertight, but I don't know if they advertise it as such. I use it for a carry-on, weekender, briefcase, beer tote. Bomb. Proof.

http://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FGMB

Eric

[sevencyclist]

RE Load makes great bags. You can customize your color and they can also stich on designs at a small surcharge.

http://reloadbags.com/bags/smcivie.php

I had Baileyworks in the past, and it held up for 6 years without problem.

[gdw]

Check out the daypack/adventure racing packs from some of the more established outdoor gear companies if you are unable to use a messenger type bag. They have better harness systems than any of the bike specific packs from the small manufacturers and offers more features for the buck.
The Ergon BC3 meets all your requirements and is $199.
http://www.ergon-bike.com/us/backpacks/bc3.html

[johnnymossville]

I use this Tumi, I like a backpack that doesn't move around when I ride.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e194/xnodesign/tumi.jpg

[don'TreadOnMe]

GDW, thanks, that Ergon looks sweet.