Messanger Bag Questions

[MM_QFC!]

Like others who've already replied, I also have a Timbuktu (med) bag and love it; it's durable, handy and well-made. That being said, I rarely use it for commuting any longer as I quickly found that I don't like the (usually shifting) weight on my bike and prefer to use a rear rack instead. I am the same way on long rides - centuries or double centuries - and only use a small (70oz) camelback that barely reaches my mid-back and doesn't bother me as an unnecessary weight.
It's all in what you prefer, but also, if you use the stabilizer strap on the Timbuktu, it takes any shifting out of the equation, so that was never an issue for me. Just found that I prefer to use a bigger bag on my rear rack when necessary.
Mary

[Nanci]

Does QFC stand for what I _think_ it stands for? My mom used to always say that rhyme to me when I was a kid, I can't imagine why ;-)

Sulis,

Topeak makes a seatpost-mounted quick release rack that can hold up to 20 pounds, and a wide variety of different-sized bags that slide into a groove on it and lock in with a click. I have a small one and a medium one with zip-up panniers so I can have them if I want, or not. There's a frame thing that slides into the rack to keep the panniers out of the wheel. Maybe a good solution if you don't want a permanent rack, though once I got used to that luxury, my geeky/gadgety/packrat instincts overtook my don't look like a dork instincts, so I have it on there all the time. Imagine, I can wear enough to be comfortable, and be able to stash it away when I get warm. I can carry a little box with any energy bar imagineable- a selection to choose from! And spare Gatorade, and choc milk.

Not having a Camelbak, or a pack, it's like not having a monkey on my back! It's such a relief. And I used to be the total Camelback geek- I bet we have 10 or more at our house.

Nanci

[MM_QFC!]

[QUOTE=Nanci]
Does QFC stand for what I _think_ it stands for? My mom used to always say that rhyme to me when I was a kid, I can't imagine why ;-)

Nanci [QUOTE]


Yep, you guessed it, Nanci...when a riding buddy called me that years ago, I looked at her with a questioning face, but quickly recalled the rhyme and she grinned and added, "remember to insert your own adverb in there!"
I had no option but to admit that it fit me, so it stuck.
Mary

[Surlygirl]

Bicycling Magazine just picked the Holly Aiken Airborne as their choice.
www.hollyaiken.com

[Melody]

I don't have a timbuktu but I have a Chrome Metropolis (http://www.chromebags.com/Messengerbags.html) which is their large messenger bag. I generally prefer the bag on the rack on my commuter but since that bag is smaller than the messenger bag when I have to carry quite a bit I use the messenger.

What I really like about it is the latching mechanism on the Chrome. They use essentially a seat belt type of latch (all metal) and it's heavy duty. The stabilization belt can be used in two configurations as either a waist belt or a second shoulder stabilization strap depending on what works for you.

The bag, is of course, water proof. They use truck bed liner material for the inside pouch and the outside is cordura. The inner pouch is essentially the same size as the outer shell but this two pouch approach keeps seems from being exposed which prevents water seeping into the bag at those points. I can attest to the waterproofness of this bag as I've had commutes of an hour through pouring rain and the contents of the bag were completely dry.

Mel