Leukybear 

There's a funny story behind that bag.

Chrome's parent company was calling in favors since they've not been making money for someodd 6-years straight as a company and were essentially sitting on all this deadstock that nobody wanted. So they ended up taking their unsold product in lieu of payment.

They're now unloading the duds to TJ maxx (who owns Sierra Trading post) and the like. You'll most likely see their stuff at Ross and Marshalls for even cheaper too (their apparel and shoes mostly).
I know Chrome's wholesale manager and they would never do this, so it is definitely the parent company.

Expect more Chrome merch to be sold for dirt cheap, especially their forged rubber shoes that nobody wants (because they suck and you will slip and fall if it rains with them on).

Oh and they didn't voluntarily move to Portland, the parent company also took away their SF HQ and are bunking them up with their sister brand.

UltraManDan

hmmm.. I'm in the market for a new pack. Time to start checking Ross and Marshalls.

JeremyLC

I'll pass on a "laptop pack" that isn't waterproof. That's just inviting trouble.

himespau 

Seems Sierra has a couple of their messenger bags too. If they get one of the full sized ones, I'd definitely be interested.

Unkle Rico

Mission workshop bags are the shiznit -- very much worth the money!

cDiff Notorious

20% off cockpit items on Retrogression. CODE: cockpitz

Leukybear 

+1 I know their former customer service manager as well.

Over beers he mentioned how a disgruntled customer actually learned that the hardway.

This. MW was founded by the same founders of Chrome after they cashed out to big business.

If Chrome did not sell out, they would've evolved to Mission Workshop's current line-up more of less.

himespau 

I'm surprised that someone buying Chrome wouldn't have made its founders sign a no compete.

JeremyLC

Yeah, I don't get why anyone makes such a useless thing, but it seems like most luggage/baggage companies do.

TimothyH

A couple of carbon aero/flat top road bars at bikerecyclery.com.

I'm too lazy to post links.


-Tim-

seau grateau

$50 Phil bottom bracket: Phil Wood Bottom Bracket: ISO - 111mm x 68mm - English Rings - Buttery - Bike Recyclery

Leukybear 

The owner of Chrome is a nutcase. I heard he would cut very promising new items from the lineup and strike down big private label deals (think the bags that google/ etc. tech gives out to their employees, timbuk2 ate their lunch on those).

With their PDX move, they didn't make their ex-employees who didnt make the move sign non-disclosures either LOLLL

himespau 

The way they seem to regularly cut models from their lineup makes it hard to tell what is what. My last backpack has bit the dust and I'm looking for something new/different before next fall, but the only way I'm going to find a Chrome (or Mission Workshop or ...) pack is to find one used and the fact that they keep changing **** around means that, if I can identify what one is from pictures/sellers who usually don't know, I still have a hard time figuring how how big things are and whether they'll meet my needs. I'd love something like a Mission Vandal, but there's no way I'm going to scrape up what even used ones are going for these days.

Leukybear 

Chrome's also been silently tweeking their bags to make production cheaper on their end while keeping prices the same. For example, they deleted that top zipper on their barrage for much smaller side pocket without telling anybody causing major WTF's by people who ordered them sight unseen. Their store seamstresses and customers have been complaining up the ladder about Chrome's durability falling because of it.

I would not buy a new chrome bag.

Also their bags have not been made from Cordura anymore for years. Funny story, their legal guy told me how Cordura actually threatened legal action as they continued claiming that they were despite using cheapo Chinese nylon instead. As you can guess, it was a cost-based decision. Yet we did not see a reduce in price for the now inferior product did we?


Mission workshop is not innocent either. It's the name of the business I suppose. They actually revamped the primary close strap system on the vandal/ rambler bags awhile back. It was actually around the time they started offering the cobra buckle as an option. They look the same but under the fabric, they are different. The older pull strap was heavily built into the front panels and could not be serviced easily without heavily disassembling the bag. The newer one allows for easier accessibility for replacement/ buckle change-out. I was told this by an ex-MW seamstress.
If you're wondering how to differentiate the revisions, the orange badge ones are the old style with the old revision guaranteed. The grey badged bags get a bit more difficult to identify by the lay-person as that includes the transition period.

If you want a great used bag, get a Freight Baggage bag.
A messenger friend gifted me her old one and despite the abuse she put it through on her routes, it'll still last me a lifetime. She did have the velcro replaced though.

himespau 

Cool thanks. Part of me wants to try a one strap, but another really wants the stability comfort of 2 straps.

pwebb

Love my vandal. can unzip it & use it for backpacking & flying for 3-5 day trips or haul a ton of groceries. Zip it up and its a really nice day bag & super comfortable on the bike either way. +1 to comfort if you can find a waist belt. I also like that it can technically be a roll-top or a flap bag depending on your mood.

the only real gripe i have is that it only has two small pockets for little stuff and they are not very functional pockets for the stuff you'd normally put in small pockets. i ended up using the smallest front flap for most of my small stuff, not a big deal in the long run.

mine is an orange & white badge i got off ebay for 150. deals can be had for those who save searches & are patient

IAmSam

Look AC 364 framesets at a pretty good discount...

Look Velomine.com : Worldwide Bicycle Shop, fixed gear track bike wheelsets campagnolo super record vintage bike

Carcosa

I've always dug those. Good looking out.

TimothyH

Smartwool Arm Warmers - $7.99
SmartWool PhD Knit Arm Warmers (For Men and Women)

IAmSam

I was shopping for a bike for my wife and ran across this place that sells Colossi frames at what seems to me to be a pretty good price, & even though it seems to be in Europe - shipping is not all that high either. I tried to check out how legit they are, but came up empty. I bought something for my wife somewhere else but considering Colossi gets some love here every once in a while - thought maybe someone here might be interested...

https://tictail.com/s/colossiblowout..._source=ls_aff

seau grateau

Lazer helmets for $47, tip spotted on the roadie forum. Thinking about grabbing one.

Lazer 2016 O2 Helmet V3 in Tree Fort Bikes Helmets

scoho

Good deals on a lot of MKS pedals, plus some incredibly low prices (relatively speaking) on their NJS models:

Royal Nuevo $59
RX-1 $69.82
Supreme $75

https://www.ebay.com/sch/Pedals/3613...p2046732.m1684

I use Royal Nuevos with soft soled shoes (Vans slip-ons) and single straps and love them. Someone should definitely pick up that pair for $59.

seau grateau

Crazy cheap Profile Airwings if anyone still likes bullhorns:

Leukybear 

Good find on those!

TenSpeedV2

Chrome stuff. Must. Walk. Away.

On Sale | Gear on Final Clearance | Chrome Industries