Which messenger bag

[John the Monkey]

I am after a messenger bag which also has pannier clips so it can be attached to a rack, any ideas? The cheaper the better please.

Could be worth keeping an eye on Planet X - they quite often do that kind of thing, but never as a year round stock item, they seem to come and go, but do tend to be cheap enough to take a punt on.

 

[T4tomo]

They are but the cross-strap placement is unusual and might not work well for everyone.

Pretty sure mine is adjustable, it slides up and down the shoulder strap

 

[T4tomo]

you need to lengthen the main strap then. Sounds like user error.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

You can't go wrong with timbuk2. I almost wept when mine died. Bagaboo make bombproof stuff and Crumpler bags take some beating.

There's a shop in the North Laine in London-on-sea that makes bags from recycled tarps, M25 or something it is called. Looked like good vfm.

 

[MrGrumpy]

I got a Timbuk2 a few months ago; I did a bit of research before buying and 100% satisfied with it. I may even go as far as saying it would rate in my top 5 bike related purchases (if I had a top 5 or top anything list...). I use it for everything now, on and off the bike.

What model did you go for ? Seems plenty choice, from looking at the website. My Madison can stash a fair bit of stuff and it gets used frequently off and on the bike, however cross strap not the best and adjusting the main strap is a pain. Funnily enough I bought a cheap Decathlon messenger bag and its pretty good. No cross strap but doesn't move much if tight. Just cannot fit enough in it ! Only cost about £7 in the bargain bin.

 

[velovoice]

I love my Timbuk2 (xs as otherwise I just carry too much) - review here: https://velovoice.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/review-timbuk2-classic-messenger-xs.html
I did buy the chest strap and velcro "silencer" strips, which made it just about perfect.
Four years later, there are some signs of wear and it certainly won't last forever, but it still looks pretty good.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

What model did you go for ? Seems plenty choice, from looking at the website. My Madison can stash a fair bit of stuff and it gets used frequently off and on the bike, however cross strap not the best and adjusting the main strap is a pain. Funnily enough I bought a cheap Decathlon messenger bag and its pretty good. No cross strap but doesn't move much if tight. Just cannot fit enough in it ! Only cost about £7 in the bargain bin.

Not out of the bargain bin:
http://www.timbuk2.com/especial-cycling-messenger-bag/462-4-2001.html?category=messenger-bags

 

[MrGrumpy]

defo not bargain bin what size ? Would medium carry a laptop and other bits pieces ? In you opinion of course

 

[jayonabike]

Well I've ordered a Timbuk2 messenger bag in this colour in size medium

I'll post my thoughts once I've used it for a week or so

 

[MrGrumpy]

Size can be deceiving , I require room for a 15 " laptop and other stuff . So be good to read your views!

 

[mjr]

I am after a messenger bag which also has pannier clips so it can be attached to a rack, any ideas? The cheaper the better please.

Keep an eye out for Union34 stripe messenger bags. They're fairly expensive list-price but were often available half-price at various discounters when I was last looking for a bag.

Alternatively, pick a messenger bag you like, stick some plywood in it as a backboard and bolt on a pannier clip-handle like the Arkel, Vaude or Ortlieb ones.

In the end I went for a 12-litre Highlander haversack which spends most of its life with a piece of recycled corrugated plastic in as a backboard and being used as a giant saddlebag, but it does get used for other things. It's not perfect (needs a cover in heavy rain and the closure straps aren't tight) but it's versatile and capacious.

 

[jayonabike]

So my bag turned up first thing this morning and initial thoughts are I'm impressed, it's a good size and very well made.
I don't need to take a laptop to work but the internal pocket is 16" long so a 15" laptop would fit easily.

I do need to take this lot though

And it all fitted in the bag easily with room to spare.

The bag comes with a loop for a rear light, a carry handle and a zipped pocket you can access without opening the bag

I'll add a few more comments when I've used it for a few days

 

[mjr]

I do need to take this lot though

A spork would cut down on the size... almost not at all

 

[MrGrumpy]

That looks suspiciously like a RM pass Does the bag come with a chest stabilising strap ? As mentioned my existing bag hold a lot of stuff inc a laptop but needs to be adjusted off the bike first, which is a monumental PITA. ( of course being I bought it off Ebay, I could be missing a trick ?? )

 

[jayonabike]

That looks suspiciously like a RM pass

Well spotted!

Yes the bag does come with a chest stabilising strap. I couldn't find it at first, it was in one of the many pockets.