Messenger bags?

[Lise]

Like tulip, I think panniers are wonderful. BUT. I don't have a rack on my Bianchi, as I do on the Larkspur. AND. I have to carry the bike + whatever's on it down a flight of stairs to the basement of the clinic, and back up at the end of the day. SO. I've taken to riding the much lighter Bianchi, and putting my stuff either in a backpack from Target ($12) or my medium Timbuk2 ($60). Of the two, I'd say the backpack is the most comfortable! Of course! The Timbuk2 holds more, however, and looks cooler. Depends how cool I want to think I am, I guess! The stability strap on the Timbuk2 keeps it secure against my back. I sweat under both of them.

[run it, ride it]

I toss my lunch and coveralls in a backpack. Sure it's hot and heavy, but I think of how amazing I'll feel on rides -without- the backpack.

Leaving clothes at work is not an option--I was only issued one pair of coveralls and believe you me, they need a washing daily.

[betagirl]

I have 2 Timbuk2 messenger bags, the medium and the small. The medium is what I use most often when I commute. You can fit a small body in there. They're not exactly cheap if you get them off their website, but I've seen them on sale at places like Performance and REI.

[cusepack]

Timbuk2 bags get my vote as well. The stability strap for the back works well and, the bag also has little reflective straps for close to dusk rides. Yes, they're a bit on the expensive side ($60 for small), but, I considered it an investment as it's relatively indestructible and it may be the last bag I purchase. Okay, so I might want a fun color later on, but it's incredibly durable and well worth the money.

[Geonz]

So... these "stability straps" - they would keep the thing from sliding around? How's that work? Boobage is an issue for me... it's gotta be on one side or the other, or between 'em and that always seems to put things in the wrong place. (Kinda like suspenders, which I always thought were cute in theory...)

[CorsairMac]

I don't know how it would feel to have the weight on one side instead of evenly distributed across my back. I prefer to use a backpack, I got the Traverse Pack from REI and it has a "channel" down the center of the pack that allows airflow. I have a friend that uses panniers but I've ridden with those and the bike always felt back-end heavy.

[Susan Otcenas]

I've used a Timbuk2 bag for quite some time. I like it quite alot, and agree that the "stability strap" or "3rd leg" is essential to keep it from spinning around. The wide variety of colors that the bags come in are one of the reasons we carry them

But....... to be perfectly honest..... in March, I was given a Chrome messenger bag at the National Bike Summit. (Chrome was a sponsor) That bag sat in my living room until about 2 months ago, when I decided to give it a try to see how it compared. Wow. I love, love, love it. I love it so much I don't think I'll go back to using my Timbuk2 bag. The Chrome has a great padded main strap, a well place stability strap (no more boobage issues!) and is really well balanced. It's impossible for it to spin, due to how the straps are arranged. The downside is that it's drab grey. Not much to look at, but very functional.

So, at Interbike in September, I'm going to mosey on over to the Chrome folks and see what they have to offer. Maybe we'll become a Chrome retailer.

Susan