Messenger Bags

[snapdragen]

I've been looking at the Timbuk2 bags - I can't decide on the size. Who here has one, and what size is it? How much will it hold?

[Fuji Girl]

I have a small one and medium one. The small holds most of my work stuff, including books, lunch, etc. It would fit a 6-pack of beer, maybe 2. On most days, the small is large enough for me. I feel like the medium is HUGE. Holds all of the above, including a change of clothes and then some. 2, maybe 3 6-packs.

I would say, if you're commuting and carrying a lot of stuff, go for the medium. IMHO, there's no need for a large unless you're a messenger. You might want to go to REI or Performance and check out what they have to give you a better idea of what you want.

Hope that helps!

[snapdragen]

I went to REI today, naturally I got confused. The medium did seem huge. It looks like I could get pants, shirt and shoes in the small. Maybe I'm over thinking this......as usual.:rolleyes:

[Lise]

Like fuji, I have the medium and the small. I could not fit shoes, pants, and a shirt in the small. I use it as a purse. I can fit a Kryptonite lock in it when need be. The medium is huge, and holds anything I need to carry. Sometimes I use my panniers instead of the timbuk2/med just so I don't have so much bulk on my back.

I recently saw their bike bags, and think I'll get an underseat bag at some point when I haven't made some other impulse buy that week! :p

[mellic]

Have you looked at the Crumpler messenger bags? They are excellent.

www.crumplerbags.com

[Selkie]

I have the medium timbuk2 and the others are right: it IS big and has a lot of capacity. I've been looking at timbuk2's backpacks. There are at least two designed specifically for ladies.

[betagirl]

I just got a medium timbuk2 bag, and as others have said it holds a lot. I can fit my lock, a set of clothes, some papers, and my ibook laptop into it. Grant it the laptop pushes it a bit to close it with the velcro when all that other stuff is in it. :D I really like the medium, as it works well either full or more empty. It holds well on your back and doesn't slide forward easily. So while it may seem really big, I'd go for the medium if you need to carry much stuff.

[maillotpois]

Yesterday on my brutal 110 miler, the folks I was riding with and I stopped to get our lungs back. A couple pulled up, riding a different route, and stopped and got off their bikes. The guy pulled his medium sized Timbuk2 bag off his back, opened it, and pulled out a DOG. The dog shook itself, and walked off to use the bushes.

That's the coolest use of a Timbuk2 bag I have ever seen.

[tulip]

The bigger the bag, the more stuff you WILL put in it, and the heavier it will be. If you have alot of stuff to lug about, I recommend panniers to keep the weight low and off your back.

[snapdragen]

The bigger the bag, the more stuff you WILL put in it, and the heavier it will be. If you have alot of stuff to lug about, I recommend panniers to keep the weight low and off your back.

Which is why I think I'll go with the small. I don't lug a bunch of stuff to and from work, so all I'll be taking are pants, shirt, undies. I've gotten pretty good at rolling that stuff into tiny packages.

[ktbikes]

I have the small messenger, and it's a great size for commuting to work most days (95% of the time). Every once in a while, like when I want to take my laptop, gym clothes, and a lunch, I can't fit it all, and end up doing the messenger bag plus a small backpack. On those days I wish I had the medium. I'd say if you want to carry a computer or an extra pair of shoes in addition to the usual stuff, the medium would be better. Otherwise, go for the small.

[stella]

I have a medium timbuk2--used it for commuting. Now that I carry books--I use a large baileyworks superpro.

check out the baileyworks superpro series: this bag is the most comfortable bag I have used, even when full.
They make smaller sizes as well. The strap can be adjusted for right swing or left swing and is replaceable.
www.baileyworks.com

[withm]

Can you wear a sm Tim buk 2 messenger bag, AND a Camelback?

That does seem like a lot of stuff on your back.

[snapdragen]

Can you wear a sm Tim buk 2 messenger bag, AND a Camelback?

That does seem like a lot of stuff on your back.

Don't think I'd want to try! If I need to carry more, I have a mega seat pack from Jandd I can use....until I get a Banana Bag. :D

[snapdragen]

sigh. It never ends.

Now I can't decide on colors at the build your own bag site......

Peacock blue and slate
Red and burgandy

Don't these people know they shouldn't give me too many choices?

[Fuji Girl]

Don't these people know they shouldn't give me too many choices?

Ah, that's why you need more than one bag! I have a small black-white-black bag, medium mocha brown-light blue-mocha, and a black Marina handbag that I got last week from Sierra Trading Post for work.

So I think you need more than one as well!

[betagirl]

Heh, I think I spent half an hour trying to pick my colors for my bag. I did navy on the left, white in the middle, and slate blue on the right. I wanted to match my bike, which is blue (can you tell I like blue?) But my commuter is red :D So I guess now I'm patriotic.

[la bicicleta]

I am thinking of buying a medium Timbuk2 laptop messenger bag for days I want to take my laptop to Starbucks or pick-up a few items at the grocery store.

I'm shopping for a new laptop. I'm still debating on what size to get. 15.4" widescreens are nice. Ultraportable 12.1" are nice too.

[Tuckervill]

I love my tiny little Dell Inspiron 700m. Everyone thinks it's tiny but I think bigger ones are HUGE. :)

I am thinking about getting another one, though. I've had this one for a long time. Dell has some colorful computers now and I would love a Razorback Red one.

Karen

[three]

I have a medium Timbuk . It's been ok for school - I can stuff multiple books, notebooks, my u-lock, and still have a bit of space...depending on how many textbooks are in there.

Having said that: I purchased a 15.4" Dell Inspiron AFTER I bought the bag...and it doesn't fit in it so well. It fits fine as long as it's not in a protective sleeve. So, I'd go with the smaller laptop if you have your heart set on the Timbuk. Also, I have more than once spilled water/beverage in the Timbuk and have not been happy with how it's supposed water repellant interior handled the situation.

I haven't been the happiest camper in the world with my Timbuk - which was a gift - and have since spent a ton (really, A LOT) of time researching bags. I stumbled on Tom Bihn bags and have yet to find a single negative review. And, it seems most everyone who has them becomes a loyal Tom Bihn customer - and the company seems like a pretty dang good thing and someplace I'd want my money supporting. Made in Seattle and a tad more pricy than the bags you're looking at. I bought a 'brain' (protective sleeve) for my laptop and have been very happy with it. I'm saving up for the Tom Bihn messenger bag that the sleeve will fit into and look forward to retiring my Timbuk. The Bihn bags allow for the 'brain' to attach to the messenger bag - thus protecting your computer even more because it's not moving around. Also, the computer area is separate from the rest so any spillage will be kept away - and, there are water bottle holders on the side...and so many other cool qualities that I'll just put the link here and shut up.

http://www.tombihn.com/

[Tuckervill]

Laptop sleeves were hard to come by around here when I first bought my laptop. The ones I found all made the laptop take up more space in my backpack. So, I made one out of quilted fabric (all psychedelic with bright daisies all over it). I've really enjoyed it.

Karen

[la bicicleta]

Tuckerville, what a coincidence - the laptop, I'm replacing is the Dell 700m. It's a fine little laptop. Of course, specs are outdated. Sadly, I no longer have 20/20 vision! I feel like I could stay with another 12.1". The new Dell 1525 which about to debut is a slim 5.5lbs 15'4". I'd love to get the flamingo pink color. Only the lid is pink. The interior is silver.

[Tuckervill]

I recently did upgrade my memory, so it moves really fast now. I have trouble seeing the words on the screen, but I hit CTRL and the plus sign and it makes them bigger for me. :)

Karen

[VeloVT]

Snapdragon,
I assume you've actually tried riding with a messenger bag? If not, you might try to borrow one, load it up, get on the bike and see if you like it.

I mention this because I have a custom Timbuk2 messenger that I ordered for commuting to work & school (I got the large, which is enormous & could hold a weekend's worth of clothes/toiletries -- I'd recommend no larger than the medium if you get one), and I discovered that I really don't like the way it balances weight on the bike. Even worn across the body with the strap nice and tight, it still feels unbalanced and wants to pull you in one direction. Plus the back isn't padded, and I found that I'd get bruises on the last couple of vertebrae from heavy things that migrate to the bottom (laptop, books), both riding and walking. I'm much happier riding with a well-constructed backpack, with padded back, waist belt & sternum strap. The weight is better balanced and more stable, for me at least. (And if your waterbottles don't provide enough hydration, you can get hydration-compatible packs with quite a bit of cargo room).

Hope this isn't raining on the parade. Everyone is different, and definitely some people seem to prefer messengers. (I definitely think they look cooler).