Need a Inexpensive messenger bag
04-19-14, 04:40 PM
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Need a Inexpensive messenger bag
Any suggestions or recommendations? Need one big enough for a laptop and a change of clothes. I have a Samsonite backpack but it's overkill.
04-19-14, 04:42 PM
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04-19-14, 04:42 PM
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04-19-14, 05:44 PM
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If you plan on carrying lots of stuff then spend extra money and buy something good. Cheap messenger bags are uncomfortable and they not waterproof. When it comes to bags, you get what you pay for.
04-19-14, 09:39 PM
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If price is seriously a concern, I'd try ebay. You might have to clean up the bag a bit, but a decent messenger bag should be bombproof enough that it will continue to perform its function for quite some time.
It's not the perfect bag, but I like my large Timbuk 2 messenger bag, and it's stood up to almost daily use for 5 1/2 years without any problems. There's quite a few of these out there on the used market - a medium should meet your needs just fine.
04-19-14, 09:49 PM
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Craigslist and freecycle are also options? 
- Andy
- Andy
04-20-14, 04:55 PM
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+1 for eBay,plenty of reasonably priced bags there. Might also check your local CL.
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04-20-14, 06:53 PM
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+2 for eBay... you can get a nice Timbuk2 for a very reasonable price. They last too. I have had one of mine since 1998.
04-20-14, 09:30 PM
#9
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What do you consider inexpensive? Banjo Brothers makes a couple messenger bags $65 and $80 . They also have a range of commuter backpacks.
I'll vouch for their quality and warranty. It has a tough build and contents stay dry during a pouring rain. About three years bac, I had my U-lock in my left side large commuter backpack pocket when the lock snagged a passenger side rear view mirror as I passed a pickup truck. It tore the pocket at the seams and opened a 1 in gap in the main compartment. I sent the pack to Banjo Brothers expecting to pay for the repair. Banjo Brothers opted to exchange it for free.
I own a large commuter backpack and a large messenger backpack and have owned a medium and large Timbuk2. Bag build quality is on par, and while Timbuk2 does have better style, the price difference is significantly higher.
I'll vouch for their quality and warranty. It has a tough build and contents stay dry during a pouring rain. About three years bac, I had my U-lock in my left side large commuter backpack pocket when the lock snagged a passenger side rear view mirror as I passed a pickup truck. It tore the pocket at the seams and opened a 1 in gap in the main compartment. I sent the pack to Banjo Brothers expecting to pay for the repair. Banjo Brothers opted to exchange it for free.
I own a large commuter backpack and a large messenger backpack and have owned a medium and large Timbuk2. Bag build quality is on par, and while Timbuk2 does have better style, the price difference is significantly higher.
04-20-14, 10:06 PM
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[QUOTE=poormanbiking;16685673]Any suggestions or recommendations? Need one big enough for a laptop and a change of clothes. I have a Samsonite backpack but it's overkill.[/QUO
IMHO the best thing you can do for yourself would be to save up a little bit and get a quality bag. I am a firm believer in cry once (trust me I am just about as poor if maybe not more so than you). Best thing I did was save up and buy a Chrome Messenger bag- waterproof, durable and lifetime guarantee. I have owned this bag for 5 years now- no problems and fits comfortable. A good base model is about $120, if your finances simply do not permit you to do that, then take the advice given above. But if you can save up a bit and hold off the "gotta have it now" jitters- you won't be disappointed
IMHO the best thing you can do for yourself would be to save up a little bit and get a quality bag. I am a firm believer in cry once (trust me I am just about as poor if maybe not more so than you). Best thing I did was save up and buy a Chrome Messenger bag- waterproof, durable and lifetime guarantee. I have owned this bag for 5 years now- no problems and fits comfortable. A good base model is about $120, if your finances simply do not permit you to do that, then take the advice given above. But if you can save up a bit and hold off the "gotta have it now" jitters- you won't be disappointed
04-21-14, 08:19 AM
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We had to delete a couple of posts. Just a reminder if you have items to sell, you need to start a thread in the Marketplace forums. Sales are not allowed in the regular forums. Thanks for your cooperation.
04-21-14, 10:21 AM
#12
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If you have a local Goodwill store, check there often, I have purchased an REI messenger bag $5, REI pannier $5, Timbuk2 messenger bag $5, Jandd laptop and Jandd garment panniers for $5 each, and a set of small nashbar panniers for $5, you just need to keep looking.
04-23-14, 09:36 AM
#13
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What do you consider inexpensive? Banjo Brothers makes a couple messenger bags $65 and $80 . They also have a range of commuter backpacks.
I'll vouch for their quality and warranty. It has a tough build and contents stay dry during a pouring rain. About three years bac, I had my U-lock in my left side large commuter backpack pocket when the lock snagged a passenger side rear view mirror as I passed a pickup truck. It tore the pocket at the seams and opened a 1 in gap in the main compartment. I sent the pack to Banjo Brothers expecting to pay for the repair. Banjo Brothers opted to exchange it for free.
I own a large commuter backpack and a large messenger backpack and have owned a medium and large Timbuk2. Bag build quality is on par, and while Timbuk2 does have better style, the price difference is significantly higher.
I'll vouch for their quality and warranty. It has a tough build and contents stay dry during a pouring rain. About three years bac, I had my U-lock in my left side large commuter backpack pocket when the lock snagged a passenger side rear view mirror as I passed a pickup truck. It tore the pocket at the seams and opened a 1 in gap in the main compartment. I sent the pack to Banjo Brothers expecting to pay for the repair. Banjo Brothers opted to exchange it for free.
I own a large commuter backpack and a large messenger backpack and have owned a medium and large Timbuk2. Bag build quality is on par, and while Timbuk2 does have better style, the price difference is significantly higher.
04-23-14, 05:35 PM
#14
Newbie
the banjo brothers backpack looks perfect for my upcoming commuter needs. what size would you recommend to carry a change of clothes, shoes and a towel and wash cloth? also, is there a chest strap or belt to help stabilize the load? the pic on their website doesn't really show one way or the other.
The downside of so much room is that you can actually carry too much! I know I can get by with a medium pack, but I prefer the extra space. The large pack is useful as carry on luggage when I fly. One time, a TSA Nazi made me put the pack in the carry on luggage sizer. It would not fit and she would not let me into the security line until I took stuff out to make it fit the sizer.
I can post pics of the pack's capacity for bike commuting if you're curious. You might also want to check this review out for another perspective.
https://urbanvelo.org/banjo-brothers...uter-backpack/
As for straps, the shoulders are wide and distributes weigh evenly. It has a sternum strap and waist belt. Even with 50 lbs on my back, so long as weight is distributed evenly, the pack is very stable and a comfortable fit.
04-23-14, 06:28 PM
#15
Senior Member
I like my Knog bag, but I think they dropped them from their products. It converts to a pannier with an attachment. I've been using it for a few years now and haven't found any reason to go to something else. It has a padded section for a 15" laptop and enough room for some clothes.
