bmthom.gis

I joke, of course. I did just get a messenger bag, though. I never thought I would want one, as I have always been a rack and pannier type of guy (I have always hated backpacks for riding). Amazon had some left over 2014 Timbuk2 bags on sale and I snagged one.
I can't see wanting to abandon my rack and panniers on my bikes that have a rack already installed, but I am tired of digging up a new rack for each potential commuter. I was surprised at how big the new bag is and don't forsee any problems carrying clothes, lunch and shoes in it, freeing me up to ride any bike in the stable. Also on multimodal days fitting a bike in the wife's Honda Fit will be easier sans rack.

mozad655

Just looking at a courier bag on google, they seem very unstable for bicycle riding. How can one strap over your shoulder be enough to keep a bag stable?

bmthom.gis

The strap cinches up, and also has a 2nd (small) strap that connects under the arm to help stabilize. It seems pretty secure to me

kickstart

The ones actually intended for cycling rather than urban chic have a 2nd strap to stabilize it. I have been curious, but not until I find one on the cheap.

MZilliox

they work fine for what they are, but they don;t stop the sweat on a hot day. great for a short ride across town though.

3speedslow

The stabilizer strap is the key. I use messenger bags for most of my working bikes and find it to be the perfect solution.

bmthom.gis

Living in South Carolina, nothing stops the sweat. I have found the way a backpack sits to be very uncomfortable while riding (also fitting a size 13 shoe in a backpack takes up a lot of space). I'll report in on Monday after trying it out!

HardyWeinberg

Once you're into the 2 strap zone, what do they have that a backpack doesn't?

TenSpeedV2

Having both a dedicated two strap messenger bag and a bicycle oriented roll top pack, there isn't much difference unless you go big or small on one of them. A good messenger bag with the stabilizer strap once cinched down will be extremely stable. It feels really good back there honestly. I sweat on my ride if I have a bag or not, so I opt to carry one, not only because none of my commuter bikes will take a rack but because I actually like riding with a bag.

OP - if you roll your clothes up tightly, it will allow you to fit more in the bag, and the clothes will remain for the most part unwrinkled. Depends on what you wear at work. I am at a hospital so it is scrubs for me and they roll up nicely. If you are carrying shoes in your bag, use the inside of the shoes to store stuff, extra undergarments, extra socks, wallet, whatever. You will see what works and doesn't work.

bmthom.gis

Thanks for the protip! I usually do roll mine for my panniers. When I am being multimodal I will have a lot of empty space in the bag, as I will just wear work clothes the whole time. We are very casual, unless we have clients coming in which isn't very often.

pacificaslim

The difference is that with a messenger bag, you can swing it around and take things out/in without taking the bag off. This is why messengers use them - access while riding, in the elevator, while walking, etc.

bmthom.gis

And....I liked it! Pretty comfortable, didn't cut into me like a backpack or give me any pressure points. Not sure I would use it 100% of the time (nor do I plan to), but I will use it for riding around the city (the bike in question fit much better in the car without a rack) and am now free to commute on my plastic fredcycle when I want to. Still got to work with a sweaty back, but I would even with no bag.

jfowler85

The ability to swing it to your front and access the main compartment quickly. Otherwise, a light daypack fits the bill just fine with better load distribution across [my] back.

RidingMatthew

Glad you liked it! I could not imagine riding with a bag on my back during the summer but I guess it depends on how far you are riding. I guess it would make it much better to fit in the car on a multi modal ride.

bmthom.gis

4-5 miles each way....or if I am pressed for time, a little under 3 is the shortest, direct route.