Messenger bags in London

I love my Chrome now. Everytime it gets covered in dirt and shit from road spray, it seems to just disappear as soon as it's dry. It's got enough compartments to keep an OCD freak like myself happily organised and find small things quickly, there's a second internal pocket which is perfect for cable lock, so it's always on you. It's comfy and can expand loads if stretched.

I might have my Bagjack for sale sometime next week. It's fucking massive and handmade in Berlin by an exenger (I think). Quality is top notch, if anyone is interested shoot me a pm.

Ed, that photo of you going back out for a first proper ride on the B{lo}J{ob} (snigger), I saw that you dropped off the frame, changed bags and went out with the Howies. Its huge! Looks good too.

I brought the Howies bag simply because I'm a naive twit to only like how the bag look as well as the storage, but it's quite a good bag, plenty of room and still comfortable even with shitload of weight (2x SLR made from copper, big medium format, large format, several film road, tripod, notebook etc.).

still going strong, but not quite as comfortable as a proper messenger bag thought but comfortable enough.

Alternatively 14 have got a really nice selection of Archies grobags in stock so you can get one without the waiting list! And the build quality is superb.

Cheers for this info mate. I went down to 14 today and bought me a Grobag! It's fucking awesome, and i loves it! I checked out a pac and a bagaboo in BLB before parting with cash, but they didn't compare to the awesomeness of the grobag.

How did the 3 bags compare size/price wise?

Well, to be honest i didn't check the other bags that thoroughly. I went into 14 first, i was pretty much sold on the Grobag, but i literally forced myself to go and check out the competition just in case i regretted it.
The pac that was of similar size to the grobag marlon, was definitely lighter, but the quality wasn't as good (both bag and strap). Also, a major flaw to the pac was it's lack of back-padding (which probably contributed to it being lighter). The back-padding on your grobag was one of the main features that sold it to me.
The bagaboo, which i think was the workhorse version, was a very decent bag. fairly similar quality, though the grobag had the edge IMO. The thing that put me off it was it's size. It's a few inches wider than the grobag, and imo is just too big. My friend has one, and although he loves it, i think it looks like he's got a matress strapped to his back.
The pockets on the grobag are better than those on both the pac and the bagaboo. I would have liked an x strap on the grobag. I've never ridden whilst using one before, but i've heard it can useful. Other than that the bag is perfect!
I also wanted to ask you; at the bottom of the strap that you tug to tighten the bag (whilst wearing), there is a piece of velcro hanging from the plastic ring (only the non sticky side of the velcro). Is this for anything? I can't figure it out. Hope i've explained that alright, i can take a pic if it would help?

oh, and i didn't ask how much the other bags were, but el squire bought a pac about 7 months ago for £140, and my mate bought his bagaboo from Cavendish recently for £160 (workhorse version).

Cheers for the info,
The Marlon doesn't come with an x-strap as it's a smaller bag than the Bill, Archie, and Theo...x-straps are useful, but only really needed when carrying silly amounts of weight....i have very rarely even used mine on my huge Theo...and i've carried silly amounts of weight in that....the anti sway strap is far more important as it's that strap that stops the bag swinging round so much.

Regarding the little velcro tab....there's a square of rough velcro on the main strap above the main buckle....you stick the tab to that after you pull the main strap tight and it prevents the excess strap from flapping about.
Hope you get on well with it...as far as i know you're the first person to own a Marlon....even i don't have one :)

Dope, i'm a trend setter. lol

I'm sure me and the bag are gonna get on just fine.

I see what you mean about the tab, i thought it might have something to do with the velcro above the buckle. There doesn't seem to be enough excess to worry about the flapping, so i probably won't bother securing the tab. Just wanted to make sure that the tab wasn't attached to something else that i'd already managed to lose!

Just make sure the dangling strap doesn't get hooked on any passing vehicles etc then.
One of the main reasons Grobags weigh more than their competitors is because i use thicker liners than any other company....also most other bags are a one piece design which is lighter, but also causes the bag to wrap further around your body when empty and thus feel different dependant on whether they're empty or full.
Not saying my way is better...just how i personally prefer to do things.

Oh...and don't know if they told you in the shop...but make sure you wear the bag really high on your shoulder...not down over your back....makes it more stable and also positions the anti sway strap in the right place.

Cheers man, will do. And thanks for an awesome bag, i love it!

weight is usually moot once it fit you nicely, much like a bike actually!

so no beers.... fail :p

got a slab of beer in my Archies Gbag.
Not currently, I'm afraid.

Thought i'd mention that i paid £170 for the Marlon. Which i thought was ok, but having looked at your site, seems 14 took a £45 commission!

of course, they're reseller after all, how are they're going to make money??

in all fairness, I think it's an excellent price, considering it's made in the UK and by one bloke, compare to other bike in similar price range.

I agree, i think it's a fair price, that's why i bought it. I do think that £45 is a little steep though.

Don't forget that shop 14 have to pay tax and VAT on top too though.

Try TRAKKE in Glasgow.

http://www.trakke.co.uk/