Chrome Bags

Yeah that's it....blame me!!! ;(

What advantages do over the should bags have over "two shoulder" bags like roll tops or rutsacks. Also, which shoulder does a shoulder bag usually go over and why?

the advantage is that it engages your core muscles if worn correctly and well designed, so all the weight is not on your lower back. they are easier to get things into and out of, if it has a buckle you don't have to life a heavy bag over your head, you can strap it around you, I find the move around less on the bike, easier to adjust on the bike.

The best bag style you can get imo is a one should messenger bag, with the ability to add extra X straps, for large loads and stabaleization. thats why i'm on scotts list, also he is the sexiest bag man alive, fact.

Thanks. As I thought, it is not just style. I bought a Chrome Metropolis bag in the US when the pound was stronger against the dollar and it worked out cheaper than any comparable bag over here. I find the buckle very handy particularly when carrying heavy loads such as a lap tops and brief case. My bag is a left shoulder bag. Still not sure if I understand why. I recently also got a Chrome Mini Metro bag for when a small bag is better. Cost the same as the pound had sunk. Would love an Archie Gro-Bag. One day maybe.

my left shoulder is stronger, that is why i opted for that, apparently its the "right handed" setup as you adjust the strap with your right hand. the other advantage of left should bags is that they dont get in the way of traffic over here. (you can see clearly over your right shoulder)

Cheers. That makes sense and explains why I have left shoulder bags. Indeed all the bags in the NY shop were lefties presumably for the right handed tightening.

thats why i'm on scotts list, also he is the sexiest bag man alive, fact.

Well redeemed chistaffa...x

Having used a lot of different bags, I would say that a rucksack style bag would be better for most of the people on this forum. The only real advantages of one shoulder bags are that they're easier to get stuff in and out and they have more flexibility for awkward loads - both great for messengers but not so necessary if you're not. Rucksacks distribute the load much more evenly and so are more comfortable. A really well designed x strap can do the same, but they're only available on expensive bags and they slow down access to the bag since it's not as simple to swing the bag around.

I've got a chrome backpack ( the medium size one which isn't a roll top) and it's really nicely made and thought out, so it's very comfortable to use. The only issue I have is the top corners stick out a bit and obscure my vision over my shoulder. Having said all that, I tend to use my shoulder bag more cos it's bigger and so more flexible!

I am not a messenger nor a fakenger. I do, however, find the ability to fish into my bag useful. This very morning, I was able to check to see if I had popped my specs in there as i left for work without having to lift the whole thing off.

Having used a lot of different bags, I would say that a rucksack style bag would be better for most of the people on this forum. The only real advantages of one shoulder bags are that they're easier to get stuff in and out and they have more flexibility for awkward loads - both great for messengers but not so necessary if you're not. Rucksacks distribute the load much more evenly and so are more comfortable. A really well designed x strap can do the same, but they're only available on expensive bags and they slow down access to the bag since it's not as simple to swing the bag around.

Ha ha slowly people are coming round to my way of thinking viva la rucksack!

Ha ha slowly people are coming round to my way of thinking viva la rucksack!

It's not just in relation to rucksacks dude, soon everyone will worship you as the supreme leader.

@ Momentum: where did you get your Chrome from, was it in the U.K. ?

The only issue I have is the top corners stick out a bit and obscure my vision over my shoulder

I have thought the same about my ranchero. big design flaw.

io got rid of my Chrome Metropolis 'messenger-style' bag in favour of their Ranchero Backpack... way more comfortable.

I'd like to use a backpack. I fear that my spine will warp to one side using a courier bag.
But the straps on backpacks don't like my collarbone fail. :(
An advantage of the courier bag over the backpacks is durability. Disadvantage is cost.

My ex was a physio and an ergonomics expert. She was always against monostraps. Said that over time they fck up your back. Much better to spread the load over 2 straps.

@ Momentum: where did you get your Chrome from, was it in the U.K. ?

I ordered it from Chrome in the US back when the dollar was worthless. They managed to mess up the order, which was a real bummer cos it was meant to be a christmas present for my girlfriend and it arrived after christmas, but in the end they sorted me out with free shipping and chucking in some free stuff to make up for it, so it was all good. Now we both have one and as superprecise says it is really comfortable. Nice wide straps which work with both my broken collar bones and decent back padding. They are built just as tough as any messenger bag and are made in the US, if that matters to you.

Cheers Momentum, I emailed them today to see if they could do me an Ivan in orange, fingers crossed.

Being the tight fcker that I am I didn't shell out the 160 notes on a Chrome roll top pack but went for one from www.over-board.co.uk at 25 squids, actually I really like it and it means I have 135 to spend on something else bike related, I mean Christmas presents for family and friends.

The lack of compartments in those roll-tops would annoy me.

yeah not to everyones taste but at 25 it will do, if you carry lots of bits and pieces with you then not very practical I guess.

Dont get me wrong, I can see the merit in those bags for sure.... Im just thinking things like phone/ipod/wallet etc which I dont want in my pockets when its raining. Also nice to separate tools/tubes and stuff from clothes. £25 does sound like value though.

I am sounding like a rep for the company but it has two internal mesh pockets front and back. holds my keys, mobile, wallet, loose change etc. My tool kit is in a bumbag in the bottom of the backpack along with a spare tube and theres ooddles of space for clothes, parcels etc inside and I only got the 20 ltr model. Okay sales pitch over!

Sold! Where do I sign?

Okay I can let you have two at a 15% discount and combined P&P ;-)