Messenger bag help

[Bron]

For which shoulder are the Timbuk2 s made? I'm right handed, but when I wear any kind of bag that crosses my body, I want the bag hanging to the left, near my left hip. The strap is on my right shoulder. It appears that this is this contrary to what it's suppose to be, according to these posts and the Timbuk2 site. Open the door with your right hand, reach for your keys with the left. I've been looking at these and wonder if I should order the "left" one. What makes it really confusing is that I have a Travelon bag and it hangs on the right shoulder and the left hip, unless I'm wearing it wrong and the cell case faces the back, but I don't think so.

Mine (standard small messengerl) can be worn on either shoulder - the cross strap can be clipped on either the bottom left or the bottom right of the bag.

[xeney]

Yeah, the cross strap can be moved (on the newer bags -- I have an old one where it is really a pain to move the cross strap), but the slider thing for adjusting the length of the main shoulder strap is on one side or the other -- if it is in the wrong place for the shoulder on which you wear the bag, you have to take the bag off to adjust it. I don't know if the smaller bags even have that slider -- my oldest bag doesn't have it, and it's a small (the size they used to call "PeeWee"). That is a feature I didn't even think to miss until I bought a new larger bag, and now I can't stand to use bags that don't let me adjust the strap that easily. And it's my left-handed husband's only complaint about the used Timbuk2 bag I bought for him (from someone here at TE).

To answer the other question, I am right-handed and use a right-handed bag, but I wear it on my left shoulder, hanging down towards my right hip.

[bluestocking]

Er...hi...I'm new here.

I wanted to contribute a personal endorsement for Chrome messenger bags. Their padded strap system is far more comfortable than any Timbuk2 or other messenger bag I have tried -- it's one big padded shaped strap that goes over one shoulder that meets a standard webbing strap with a retro seatbelt buckle. That description is a bit crap, so just go check out the photos on their site, I guess. The only downside is that they look so cool you kind of give off a hipster fakenger vibe if you aren't careful!

I have one of these:
http://www.chromebags.com/products/bags/show/13/

However, I find that carrying a large load puts too much weight on my back, especially when being carried on one shoulder. For heavier loads, or for days when I don't feel like being encumbered (or when I just want to look like a bike dork), I use one of my Ortleib panniers (clipped to my rear rack), which I also highly recommend. It's nice to have options!

[stella]

Er...hi...I'm new here.

I wanted to contribute a personal endorsement for Chrome messenger bags.

great bag! A friend of mine has one and loves it!

I'm going to plug baileyworks messenger bag, superpro size large. www.baileyworks.com/catalog/product.cfm?id=2 I purchased one last year and it is great! the shoulder strap is adjustable and can be easily switched to accommodate for either left or right handed person. It has a lot of features. (I'm a lefty and used a demartini then a timbuk2: both great bags but got sick of having to take it off to adjust it). When it is fully loaded--it keeps the items distributed well and when it is empty--I can adjust it with the straps and it doesn't flap around.

Oh, and Jonathan (the owner) is great to deal with. A pricey bag but worth it.

[Eden]

If you want to see some incredible bags check out this place http://reloadbags.com/bags/list.php?t=old

their workshop/store is just down the street from my house - they always have beautiful bags out in the window

[Blueberry]

Has anybody tried Pac Designs? They look a lot like what Timbuk2 used to do (e.g. bottom cinch straps, etc.). I've been thinking of ordering another one since my dh took over my oldie but goodie timbuk2.

CA

[stella]

Has anybody tried Pac Designs? They look a lot like what Timbuk2 used to do (e.g. bottom cinch straps, etc.). I've been thinking of ordering another one since my dh took over my oldie but goodie timbuk2.

CA

I purchased the hip pack--the construction is excellent. If you have questions, Pat gets back to you quickly.

Their messenger bags have a great rep on another forum full of bike messengers.