Longest ride/commute using a messenger bag?
 

What's the longest distance (or hours a day) have you used a messenger bag? Was it comfortable? Or at what point was it not?

30 miles, no, about 40 feet into it.

Not the greatest experience I take it?

I love my messenger bag but not while riding my bike.

100 miles and many 6,7,8 hour rides with my Chrome Metropolis. Never gets uncomfortable except for some sweat.

Having a stabilizer strap can make a huge difference.

Depends on how heavy it is.

A lighter bag i can ride for hours on end with not problem. If its bursting at the seams with a few gallons of milk, i'll be hating life with the thought of having it be that heavy while riding.

I have a Metropolis, Citizen and now a Yalta (backpack style) I loved the Metropolis, hated the Citizen, but wanted to try a backpack so got the Yalta. Now I hate the Citizen even more, the Metropolis is alright, and the Yalta is great. My back sweats using all three so that is a non factor. The Metropolis used to be amazing for me, but after using the Yalta, the Metropolis is annoying. I rode with it last night. It is bigger interior wise than the Yalta, yet holds so much less due to the shape.

My longest ride with any of them has been 59 miles with the Metropolis. It was fine at the time but I think I would be really annoyed with it now.

40km with my Timbuk2 messenger with stabilizer strap. Didn't notice any discomfort.

About 20 miles or so, stop and go for about 4 hrs. Do this most days during the week.No name messenger bag. I seem to get along fine with it.

+1 on the stabilizer strap.

Think my longest ride with my messenger bag was about 35 miles. It wasn't too bad except on the way back I was carrying an extra pair of drop bars in the bag and they were poking me in the back a little. Besides that every ride with my messenger bag has been preferable to the backpack I used to use. I usually try to pack light whenever possible though, rather use just a butt pack to cut down on weight and keep the sweat off my back.

Well, yeah. I don't think anybody is going very far fully loaded. Although I remember plenty of night rides where we loaded our bags with Tecate and rode a few miles to Elysian park for a view of the whole city. tough climbing with a full bag
Man, I hated my Timbuk2. I could barely make it 7 miles to class without all kinds of soreness from it.

Stabilizer strap is an absolute must if you plan on riding more than a mile.

I love mine! :) Fully loaded I have only commuted, about 15km each way.

True that. And bag tucked in up high at the back.

about 50mi with 20lbs in my chrome citizen. Did not enjoy any of it.

1997 to 2006, everyday, not sure how many miles.

As long as you wear it up closer to yer shoulders, and not hanging down at yer asscrack, then it's reasonably comfortable.

As far as the "stabilizer strap" goes, i never used one, at all. I'd hardly call it a "must". Maybe you guys are talking about one of those newer type bags that are like backpacks? I'm talking about the right or left sling style.

We are as well, but they have a strap that goes under your arm to keep the bag planted solidly on your back.

Something like this but it sits up a bit tighter under the arm.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1165/...8d9fdcde_o.jpg

It doesn't have to be all that fancy. If there's a D-ring on the side of the bag, loop a cord through it, run the cord under your armpit and around the main strap, tie or hook the ends and you're done. The point is to prevent the bag from slipping downward from the upper center of your back. Not a lot of tech is required to achieve that.

My biggest jeer about riding with a messenger bag is how sweat just pools on your back where the bag makes contact.

If you're riding a long distance, double strap traditional backpack design is the way to go. Try to get something with a well ventilated backside because a sweaty back sucks!


As far as messenger style bags go, chrome makes the best and most comfortable one hands down. I still have my citizen. And use the stabilizer strap!

Timbuk2 makes the most uncomfortable one. So be sure to gift your enemies one for their birthday.

I'm sure my Manhattan Portage is worse than a timbuk2 but it is indestructible.

Manhattan Portage bags were like the original messenger bags. They used to be awesome! Havent seen one in awhile though.

2 miles carrying a car battery in a chrome metropolis.

felt like 50miles

I have gifted myself with one custom made Timbuk2 and I couldn't be happier. I wouldn't dream of gifting my enemies with such a lovely nice and _comfortable_ messenger bag.

Love it!

Just to throw in a polarized opinion, just as valid ;)

riding with the stabilizer strap connected increases sweat area. ive also washed my chrome in he washer machine. held up fine.

the secret stash pocket in the corner is also a really cool feature. ive heard the newer bags dont have one. dunno if thats true.

Don't put waxed canvas in the washer. Learned that after the cat peed on it. No-win.