So I just started commuting to work by bike on occasion (26 miles each way). I have been using my TYR transition backpack to carry my shoes/business casual gear, spare kit for the ride home, laptop and shower stuff. It all fits fine but my lower back is aching from the way the bag caries the weight. Ant recomendations for a good messenger bag that would fit all that stuff and be a little more comfy on the lower back?
I have a chrome messenger pack and it’s pretty nice. It’s also waterproof
+1 for Chrome. They are by far the best on the market, although you will pay for it. However, they are basically indestructible.
good deal i will check them out, do you find that when loaded up they cause your lower back to ache?
x2 for Chrome - many of my friends use it and love it. However, if you need something on the slightly more affordable side, you might want to check out the Timbuk2. That’s what I use and I’m very happy with it.
Another good option is the Baileyworks Superpro.
Happy shopping.
x3 for Chrome.
I’ll throw the Booq Boa Nerve out there. As some of the previous bags mentioned, build quality is superb - you’ll probably never need another one. I looked at Crumpler also but it has more of a vertical shape to it and I found it harder to pack everything in. No matter what bag you choose, it’s not going to fit your stuff as well as the backpack did. I found I had to size down a few things in order to get everything to fit.
Bailey works bags. they too are indestructible, but are a bit lighter than chrome bags.
Check 'em out.
I really like this thing.
http://www.banjobrothers.com/products/01150.php
It is a backpack that sits way lower than a normal one, in about the area a messenger bag would sit. Way more stable than any of my messenger bags, and has a nice waterproof roll top.
It does look completely ridiculous off the bike, it hangs way low for a backpack. It works great on the bike however.
Thanks, does having the load sit lower make it more comfortable on your lower back when riding or is it just a blindspot thing?
Well, I have never really used a regular backpack for longer stuff like you are doing, just for couple of mile trips, so I never had your issue.
I would thing that where the load sits has a lot to do with the problems. Having that load up high has to be putting a lot of stress on your core trying to stabilize it.
I would think that it would help, but I can’t be sure. Have you given any thought to a rack and panniers? If your current bike isn’t suitable for them, you can get a fairly decent commuter for pretty cheap, and having a dedicated bike for commuting is really nice. You can have all your lights, fenders, etc set up on it all the time, and I use a more upright position for commuting that normal riding, something that gives me more visibility. I also use a wider tire and heavy duty tubes/tires.
I second the recommendation for rack & panniers if your bike will accommodate the rack - at 26 miles a messenger bag isn’t going to be doing you any physiological favors relative to a backpack…particularly with the weight of a laptop in there. I use a Timbuk2 bag, and it’s fine for 6 miles until I load it up with a laptop along with everything else, and then the asymmetrical load is pretty uncomfortable. I find a backpack is better especially with a big load, the main reason people don’t like them (I think) is because the are sweatier. I stick with the messenger bag because it’s pretty convenient, not quite as sweaty, but probably the real reason is it seems kinda hip. My other suggestion would be since this is an occasional bike commute, figure out a way to leave the laptop out of the load - it probably weighs as much as everything else…oh - except for the shoes. Leave a pair of shoes at work for sure. Or, carry all that stuff (shoes, shower gear, clothes etc) in the car the day before and leave it all at work, then bring it home the day after. Then you’re just riding in bike clothes with at most the laptop, in perhaps a much smaller purpose built laptop messenger bag.
I’ve been commuting with chrome bags for 3 years, I love them. They will very rarely have sales on some color or model they are discontinuing, so if you want you can keep your eye out for that. It’s quite rare though. They also expanded their range of bags by quite a bit since I started using them and now have bags that sit more like backpacks, bags especially for laptops, etc. All great quality, but you will indeed pay the price; they aren’t cheap. Just my 2c.
Backpacks are really good for one thing…
…delaying the racks and panniers that are sure to come.
I wouldn’t spend another dime on shoulder gear and would start building up a commute bike. I was in your situation once and built up a Soma DoubleCross with rear and front racks.
Head on over to www.roadbikereview.com and check out their commuter/touring forum for all the knowledge you could ever hope to tap…
If I was determined to do what you want to do, WITH your bike, I would get a trailer. Because you only have one back.
I used to commute by bike to school. It was a shorter distance, but I had a pretty heavy load - a HEAVY IBM laptop, several thick textbooks, a couple of binders, etc. I’d say I was carrying 25-35lbs easily. Often more. I started out using backpacks, and then went through several messenger bags - finally ending up with a Chrome. The Chrome was the best of the bunch, by far - but the two biggest problems when carrying a heavy load are all that weight on one shoulder (more of an issue when walking than when actually riding), and all of that weight on your taint.
Messenger bags were designed for quick access - they’re super fast to whip around to the front, pull out a package, and then toss back on the back for the short blast to the next destination. With the stabilizing strap that most of the better bags have, longer trips and harder efforts are reasonably comfortable - as long as you keep the weight within a sane range. (I never wore bike shorts for the commute either, which didn’t help the saddle comfort/pressure thing). If your pack load is soft it will sit on your back better than if it is rigid.
A rack and a set of panniers will be by far your best bet. Bar none. They’re nowhere near as “cool” as a messenger bag, and are less handy off the bike (though Ortleib does make a cook backpack system to carry their panniers) - but for your actual commute it’s a FAR better system.
http://www.nytro.com/index.cfm/product/?ProductID=5135
I love this one. It totally waterproof, holds everything and has a waterproof laptop portion.
A messenger bag is designed for you to have quick access, and not for commuting long distances with a heavy load. 26 miles is a good distance and kudos to you for doing that, but a dedicated commuter with fenders, and a rack and panniers might serve you better beyond just the backpain issue
get a backpack instead of a messenger bag, you can still sling it low and it’ll stay centered. I ride 30 miles each way in the summer to work and the best bag in my opinion is the Deuter Race X Air - it has a mesh “trampoline” that suspends the bag a little off your back to get air through, and it really works well, no sweaty clothes or wet bag when you get to work. Yeah its not a “hipster” messenger bag but it really does the job well and is a high-quality bag.
and probikekit has it for $60! http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=B0115
The “Vandal” from Mission Workshop, get the removable waist strap as well.
custom made I’ve been useing one for 4 years without fault.