A good back pack will balance better and distribute the weight better as well.

>>300240
True, why is it that I always see bikers using messenger bags then? The only reason I can think of is it's easier to access stuff in the bag. But that's still pointless, as you can't access anything when you're riding anyways, unless you're stopped.

>>300243
Oh, I prefer shoulder bags when used for short periods of time. Its just the back pack feels better (to me) after extended periods of time. And its a style thing. If it was a light load, I'd say go with the shoulder bag, but if the shits truly heavy (they are text books after all) then the back pack might be better.

>What's better for commuting, messenger bags, or regular backpacks?
Panniers. Easier to put the weight on the bike than carrying that weight on your body. When I get to school, I transfer the not immediately necessary books to my locker. That way I'm only carrying all the weight for the short distance between bike rack and locker.

>>300240

Backpacks are fine as long as you can keep that thing from sliding forward and resting on your neck and head. Usually Cyclist specific bag shops figure this out.

Messenger bags are strapped closer to your back by one shoulder strap.

>>300247

This guy is right on money. If you gotta carry a ton of textbooks. Then put the weight on your bike instead of your back.

Get a pannier that you can convert into a backpack like the Arkel Bug.

http://www.arkel-od.com/us/bug-cummuting-bag-1.html

>>300250
Do be careful not to put all the weight on one side though. If it's more than twenty pounds you might think about strapping it on top of the rear rack or splitting the weight evenly with a second bag.

I have this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Timbuk2-Commute-Messenger-Black-Medium/dp/B004IDKJZG/ref=sr_1_1?s=apparel&
ie=UTF8&qid=1314056453&sr=1-1

Not too different from the one you are looking at. And well, I think it's great for what I carried in it (not that many books + a 15 inch laptop.) The backpack I have as a back up did move around less, but it might be the fitting I have done to the messenger.


All in all, I think it is great, though to be honest I really want one of those customized timbuk2 bags they have in their website, and I picked this one up because it was a wee bit cheaper. Still holding up like a champ though it's just that all black gets boring.

>>300254
Pretty awesome, I never knew anything like this existed.

pic related, what I think I'm going to order. It's a lot bigger than the shitty small bad I'm using now, and looks a hell of a lot more comfortable.

Still, pretty expensive for what it is. But it's still awesome that they let you customize your bag.... wish there were more colors though.

FUCK "MESSENGER BAGS" JANSPORT MASTER RACE 4EVR

I would highly recommend getting a T-Level backpack. One of my serious cycling friends owns one and claims its the best bag he's ever owned in his life, and he's owned plenty of bags.

It's a bit pricey since you need to import it from S. Korea, but I know Stryker in LA stocks them.

OP, I have the exact bag you posted in the mail right now. Coming on the 24th. I was planning on getting a backpack as well. Anyone have a timbuk2 bag? I was wondering how durable it is.

>>300304
I got a timbuk2 bag similar to ops awhile ago before I (recently) got a new bike and I can say that they're pretty damn durable. The material its made with is made to last you for a long time. Its even water proof, (I think). I walked around with no umbrella in a pretty heavy downpour and everything inside was dry as a dessert. No real experience with it on a bike though, sorry.

>>300247
>>300250
>>300252
>>300254
This. Nothing is ever going to be as comfortable or capacious as a rear rack - even a generic rack with a backpack strapped down with bungee cords is better than riding with stuff on your back.

OP, I commute over 10 miles to school each day. College student here with a ton of shit also.

You do NOT want a messenger bag for a lot of weight. I've gone that route, it's horrible. You also do NOT want a regular backpack.

You want a good day pack, something that is meant for comfort all day long on hikes. Find one with a removable frame cause the frame might not feel good when you're biking. Here's my commute backpack, an REI Lookout I got for 40 bucks.

>>300322

Aaaaaaand THIS. Nothing beats a trunk rack.

Second, or third, or whatever the vote for trunk racks being the best. I ride an old race bike w/o any extra eyelets/braze-ons, and p-clamps with a Blackburn rack work fine. There is no excuse to not have a rack on the back of your bike.

>inb4 "aesthetics"

Timbuk2 bags aren't durable at all.

If you're going to get a courier/messenger bag, please go with Mission Workshop. Their bags are guaranteed for life, constructed much better than Chrome, and a hell of a lot more water proof than any other bag I've seen. They're also rectangular shaped, better for books and laptops.

>>300470
that price...

take it from an old vet buy a mil spec bag with made from cordura and invest in a wet weather bag if you're concerned about it being 100% water proof

personal choice would be camelbak

Panniers.

But if you are carrying on your back, REI Venturi 30.

http://www.kelty.com/p-413-redwing-50.aspx?cid=kelty-PS-keltybackpakcs-06162010&gclid=CLzvw57-5q
oCFUff4Aod_D1e8g
Tried this on at REI. It's crazy comfortable and way bigger than it looks, should I go for it as a supplement to my messenger or keep looking?

>>300470
I hear ya! Only been abusing mine around since 2001 & it ain't waterproof (starting to leak when filled w/ice & beers) no more.
I fear it's only got another 5yrs or so left.

E-books.

Get them.

I'm very satisfied with my Manhattan Portage messenger.

Vinyl lined so it's mostly waterproof (I won't ride in super heavy rain with my laptop and books anyway)

Collapses well when I'm just carrying my laptop and not much else. Expands and has long straps with good buckles for carrying oversized cargo ( I carried an oscilloscope about 15K on my back a few months back without a single worry, and it can usually hold about 2 full plastic bags' worth of groceries).

I put things through serious abuse, and this bag has not quit on me after 2 years of carrying tools and books and groceries. I usually just hose it out when it gets shit in or on it.

OP, messenger bags look cool but are awful at weight management. Weight distribution is largely reliant on one shoulder, and that shit will DIG into it HARD, especially if the shoulder padding is weak. You might even fuck your shoulder up a bit if you use one with that amount of weight for a number of years. They are good for quickly transporting small things like a book or two + a laptop, but if you need organization along with heavy weight, look at getting a good backpack.

+1

Focus on cutting down what you have to drag around rather than how to carry it all. E.g. don't bring entire binder home, just take homework pages in pocket or little folder. Mooch off someone else for textbook, leave at home, etc. Even with racks it's a pain to lug stuff you don't absolutely need.

That's what has worked for me, anyway.

there was an anon in the last bag thread I was in who asserted that timbuk2's quality has gone from awesome to shit over the last decade, after having used models at either end of the timeline, so beware.

my chrome--while off-puttingly hipstery--has been reliable for 9 years last spring.

>>300536
only applies when walking around. once you're over your bike, the weight is mostly borne by your back. if I walk or stand with a full bag for a while, I'll switch shoulders; but yeah, it's a drag, I guess

>>300243
spoken like a guy who can't ride hands-free. I've gotten my raincoat out of my bag and put it on while riding before. several times, in fact.

but OK, yeah, you're mostly going to access it off the bike, but it's awesome to not have to take off and put down your bag everytime you want in. especially when that's many, many times per day, like--oh, I dunno--a messenger!

>>300470
agreed
I have a mission workshop rambler, which is the smaller sized backpack, and i could carry my 17 inch laptop, 2 large textbooks and a pair of shoes in a shoebox with no problems.

I used a messenger bag for near a decade, I felt bad when the doctor told me that I it had pulled my left shoulder downwards and showed me an xray of it. Anyways if one looks at me closely they'll see that my left shoulder is lower than my right one.

>>300547
>timbuk2's quality has gone from awesome to shit over the last decade

It must have because I've had the same Timbuk2 bag for the past 6-years and it's been on the bike with me almost every weekday since I got it. It's in perfect shape.