A buddy of mine recommended the Novara clothing from REI(?). I've been extremely pleased with the waterproof pants and coat I purchased.
It was hard to beat the price and the quality is really good. I've ran them through the washer plenty of times and have used them through two winters so far.
I've been happy with a Timbuk2 medium messenger bag. A lot of space and keeps my back relatively ventilated. But too much weight becomes a problem. I have to leave my laptop at work. Otherwise my shoulders & neck pay the price.
I've been using an old Lowe Alpine backpack that I've had since high-school. I'm kind of a low-budget commuter so I haven't gone and bought a new bag yet.
Right now I'm using an obnoxious yellow backpack I got from an army surplus store my freshman year of high school. I'd really like a Chrome messenger bag, but they're rather pricey, so I might make a similar one of my own. A friend of mine did the same thing and it rocks.
So the T2 just doesn't cut it with the laptop. I've also got a Sling Pack that's really a slick bag but both are hard on the back. So i'm using an old Clive backpack that works well for the weight.
Now the challenge is ventilation. I've got swamp back by the end of my 8 mile commute. Any Suggestions?
I use a timbuk2 laptop bag, but generally leave my laptop at work and just use my blackberry at home. I also purchased a pannier and rack from Performance, their trans-it model. I love not having to carry the bag on my back.
I don't have a mirror. I've ridden bikes with them, but I've found that unless I'm on really smooth pavement they jiggle too much for me to actually see anything.
I just bought a Chrome messenger bag today, and I gotta say, it's great. They're quite pricey, but I think with the lifetime warranty, more comfortable fit, more room, weather-proof-ness, and all the little features, it's worth it. I got the second biggest one, the Metropolis, and It's big enough to probably suit me for a week-long trip. I rode to the shop with a backpack filled with a macbook, a fairly large bag of camera equipment (I was meeting a friend, later), and a Nalgene, and fit everything in the bag, including my old backpack, with room to spare. Also, It was much more comfortable in the Chrome bag.
Messenger bags are hip and all but honestly if your ride is anywhere over a mile they suck as a commuter bags. The one shoulder design is perfectly designed for messengers who need to access their bag constantly; however for the typical commuter who only accesses it at the start and end of the ride a backpack which distributes the weight evenly is a lot better for your shoulders and back. Or better yet use a pannier system and get all of it off your back.
Personally, I've have a Arkel Bug pannier/backpack that I love and have had for years -- I love it so much I wrote a review of the Bug on my blog. Also, I have an old Gary Fisher "Off the Back" backpack that allows my back to breathe.
My new bike doesn't have a rack on it yet and it's so nice and light that I'm still debating whether I want to put a rack on it. I may instead go for a new backpack that allows my back to breathe. I've been kinda eyeing Ergon who makes some cool backpacks.
Rode today with the Lowepro Factor and I'm really impressed. Laptop, lunch, notebook & multiple accessories and still a comfortable ride. The organization of the different compartments is not only convenient but distributes the weight over your back. This thing rocks!
Joshua Talbot, Apr 16, 2008
Helping you get from home to work in style
Teevio, Apr 16, 2008
A buddy of mine recommended the Novara clothing from REI(?). I've been extremely pleased with the waterproof pants and coat I purchased.
It was hard to beat the price and the quality is really good. I've ran them through the washer plenty of times and have used them through two winters so far.
Joshua Talbot, Apr 17, 2008
Ditto. The Novara mtb shorts are great. Good looking shorts, a few pockets & built-in chamois pad.
Joshua Talbot, Apr 17, 2008
I'm curious as to what kind of bag people prefer.
I've been happy with a Timbuk2 medium messenger bag. A lot of space and keeps my back relatively ventilated. But too much weight becomes a problem. I have to leave my laptop at work. Otherwise my shoulders & neck pay the price.
Teevio, Apr 17, 2008
I've been using an old Lowe Alpine backpack that I've had since high-school. I'm kind of a low-budget commuter so I haven't gone and bought a new bag yet.
Kyle Ellman, Apr 30, 2008
Right now I'm using an obnoxious yellow backpack I got from an army surplus store my freshman year of high school. I'd really like a Chrome messenger bag, but they're rather pricey, so I might make a similar one of my own. A friend of mine did the same thing and it rocks.
Joshua Talbot, May 06, 2008
So the T2 just doesn't cut it with the laptop. I've also got a Sling Pack that's really a slick bag but both are hard on the back. So i'm using an old Clive backpack that works well for the weight.
Now the challenge is ventilation. I've got swamp back by the end of my 8 mile commute. Any Suggestions?
Joshua Talbot, May 07, 2008
Back to the timbuk2 and keeping the laptop at work.
Revan, May 15, 2008
Hi Guys,
I use a timbuk2 laptop bag, but generally leave my laptop at work and just use my blackberry at home. I also purchased a pannier and rack from Performance, their trans-it model. I love not having to carry the bag on my back.
Revan, May 15, 2008
Do you guys use a mirror? I bought a helmet mirror - but it is practically useless.
Teevio, May 15, 2008
I don't have a mirror. I've ridden bikes with them, but I've found that unless I'm on really smooth pavement they jiggle too much for me to actually see anything.
Joshua Talbot, May 15, 2008
Revan - Thanks for the info. I've been thinking about racks & a pannier
Which also brings up another Group Topic
Kyle Ellman, May 19, 2008
I just bought a Chrome messenger bag today, and I gotta say, it's great. They're quite pricey, but I think with the lifetime warranty, more comfortable fit, more room, weather-proof-ness, and all the little features, it's worth it. I got the second biggest one, the Metropolis, and It's big enough to probably suit me for a week-long trip. I rode to the shop with a backpack filled with a macbook, a fairly large bag of camera equipment (I was meeting a friend, later), and a Nalgene, and fit everything in the bag, including my old backpack, with room to spare. Also, It was much more comfortable in the Chrome bag.
catcubed, Jun 24, 2008
Messenger bags are hip and all but honestly if your ride is anywhere over a mile they suck as a commuter bags. The one shoulder design is perfectly designed for messengers who need to access their bag constantly; however for the typical commuter who only accesses it at the start and end of the ride a backpack which distributes the weight evenly is a lot better for your shoulders and back. Or better yet use a pannier system and get all of it off your back.
Personally, I've have a Arkel Bug pannier/backpack that I love and have had for years -- I love it so much I wrote a review of the Bug on my blog. Also, I have an old Gary Fisher "Off the Back" backpack that allows my back to breathe.
My new bike doesn't have a rack on it yet and it's so nice and light that I'm still debating whether I want to put a rack on it. I may instead go for a new backpack that allows my back to breathe. I've been kinda eyeing Ergon who makes some cool backpacks.
catcubed, Jun 24, 2008
Though on second thought the Ergon is way more room than I need. The danger would be that I'd end up filling it.
Joshua Talbot, Sep 15, 2008
Rode today with the Lowepro Factor and I'm really impressed. Laptop, lunch, notebook & multiple accessories and still a comfortable ride. The organization of the different compartments is not only convenient but distributes the weight over your back. This thing rocks!
Teevio, Sep 16, 2008
Ah, cool bag! I've been impressed with how well the Lowe backpacks hold up, I think this might be my next new bag.
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