Messenger / Courier Bags List

I just put a carradice Super C on the GH2, its epic.
All my commuting stuff fits in, so I don't get sweatty back syndrome.

My Acrhie is still the only bag I'd trust for long journeys with heavy shit in it.
Its marvellous.

I just put a carradice Super C on the GH2, its epic.
All my commuting stuff fits in, so I don't get sweatty back syndrome.

My Acrhie is still the only bag I'd trust for long journeys with heavy shit in it.
Its marvellous.

Huh?

31, I wondered when we might meet on the same thread.

Beanpie, I do feel that the VAG Rolltop could well fit your size requirements. It really is deep.

Huh?

31, I wondered when we might meet on the same thread.

Hey Murtle, can you introduce me to your mate, Mr.31? :D

Well, if aasp gets back to me before I'm enchanted by the XL workhorse then I'll def it give it a try. I shall I have to cross my fingers and toes and hope for the best.

I'm taking a ball and boots out with me tonight to test.

Well, if aasp gets back to me before I'm enchanted by the XL workhorse then I'll def it give it a try. I shall I have to cross my fingers and toes and hope for the best.

I'm taking a ball and boots out with me tonight to test.

Take a torch, you'll need it to find those small items in the massive bag!

Take a torch, you'll need it to find those small items in the massive bag!

I wouldn't know. 2 bike shops in 24 hours...told me they def had the bag in stock...did they have it when I got there? Did they fcuk???!!! I wish people would check their stock before telling m they've got it. I wanted 2 wasted trips into London I wouldn't have bothered calling

...actually the ride in was nice this morning was pretty pleasant and the dude did sort my headset for me.

It was a lot less fun when I was sweating on delayed tube platforms and getting pissed on at bus stops last night.

The large barely held my shit though, so I'm gona hang fire till I see the XL.

Are you talking about the VAGX?

No, the Workhorse

Got an XL Workhorse on order, so I'll see how that pans out...I'm excited.

So I got the workhorse and I'm pretty happy with it.

Had to stuff a bunch of work bits in it today and it coped beautifully. Laptop and case, spare sweatshirt, tools...there was plenty of room left and the compression straps were still to be let out.

I think this is the start of something beautiful.

My pro workhorse had it's first London outing this weekend. Swallowed 5 nights clothes and all other crap with no problems and was comfy and secure on every ride, even though what I'd packed it with weighed a TON.
Can't recommend it enough. £170 well spent.

one question about linnell bags which hasn't been asked yet;

does the red postie bag accidentally slide around to the front when you ride like most 'not-quite-courier' bags out there, or is there some mechanism (not shown in the pic) that keeps it steady on your back?

yeah, and I might be up for a group buy off linnell.

The postie does slide a bit, but it's not a major problem, or at least it wasn't for me.

Bagjack video. Definitely worth a look.

There don't seem to be anywhere near the amount of classic shaped bags (as in ones with two straps that sit full on you back like a rucksac) as there are shoulder strap bags.

I'm getting a little bit tired of having all of the weight of my bag on one shoulder. I've been looking around for a smallish bag that can expand when I need to carry a few extra items. I'd really like something that has a volume of about 15l but then will expand up to maybe 25l.

I've got a Karrimor 20plus bag but I've sewn up holes and splits more times than I care to mention. It'll be in the bin very very soon. It's been really good and lasted ages. It has a zip running all the way round the sides that allows you to get about another 10l capacity out of it. I can't seem to find any like this anymore. Especially not as good value as this one. I paid less than £10 for it and it's lasted about 5 years. This is what it looks like

It's not stylish, but it's done a great job.

I had a look at the Chrome Pawn, which looks pretty good, but I can't find it in the UK and it would be way out of my price range if I could. It's the smallest of their rolltop range

I also saw the Ortlieb Messenger bag, but this is too big. Nice idea with the rolltop though.

I think what I'm after is something in the style of a bladder pack bag (as in it sits close to the back and is slim, so doesn't feel like it's dragging you backwards) but then can expand and hold more.

Bike_Destroyer, what's your budget?

Well I'm trying to keep it low seeing as I bought a £70 crumpler this time last year and I'm not very impressed with it.

The last bag cost me £10 and has lasted so long that I don't really want to spend much more than £20-30.

I know it's a low budget but I'm self-employed and not making an awful lot at the mo! I'm hovering on Christmas money for a little while.

Puma Liga £6.50
Berghaus TwentyFourSeven 30 Daysack £31.50 (over budget)
Lowe Alpine Pax 25 Daysack £14.97
Hi Gear Napier 25L Daysack £14.97
Lowe Alpine Pax 20 Daysack £12.97
Caribee bags (various)

I'd trust all except the Puma, as being of sufficient quality. The Puma could be a back-up bag I imagine.

EDIT:
Though in all seriousness, I still feel that you haven't appreciated the real usefulness and quality of a good courier bag.
AND, sorry to say, but though the Crumplers are handsome bags, I'd have recommended the Pakuma Choroka,
North Face Trans Messenger, or the common-or-garden Linnel Postie, as being better buys.

Though I often (okay, mostly) advocate the cheaper options, quality does have its rightful cost. My Timbuk2 cost £100.oo
when I bought it, and I still use it every day. Its now 18 years old. Honest.

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I can see where you're coming from with cost, other than my example of a £10 bag lasting 5 years! When I bought the Crumpler I was probably trying to buy it for the wrong reasons. I had just got a new large 17" laptop and wanted a bag to be able to transport it in. But where I went wrong was to try and buy a bag that would be an everyday back as well for carrying stuff to and from work, do shopping etc.

The Puma is a definite no. I know I could find better than that for £7! I do have back up bags of lesser value though - it's a necessity for me.

This Gelert bag doesn't look too bad. I guess I just want some small and lightweight, but then be able to stuff a bit more in when needed.

I may well have to get myself over to the DIY bag thread and buy a sewing machine!

Here's my bag, along with section that has bean repaired many times and the expending zip section.

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Anyone got any good recommendations for a hip pouch, mini shoulder bag type thing? I was looking at the bagaboo Hunch, anyone got one or something similar?

The Archies Rosie?

I've added a few back-pack style courier bags to the list, as I feel they're warranted. It seems that all the
kerfuffle Paul Michel kicked up a while ago, about courier bags being ghey, was not a remote an idea as
we would have thought. Some manufacturers have stepped up to the plate, and are offering backpacks
that differ from the hiking variety, by either being a lot wider, or are incorporating design features
found on one-strap courier bags - like inner pockets, and much better visual designs.

Some of the offerings are by early adopters - Ortlieb, and MER Bags. Later offerings came from Kata,
and Howies. Most recently have been bags from Chrome, Crumpler, MissionWorkshop, and VAGX.

IMO, the VAGX, MissionWorkshop, MER and Ortlieb, look best designed. The Crumpler looks least up to the job.

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I bought a Ivory Mix VAGX messenger bag after christmas. Thus far I have had no problems with it. It is super comfortable even with a lot of weight packed into it and they look the business for the price. It isn't massive but it for my own needs it's perfect. I usually carry two lever arch folders, bottle of water, lock and a few books and there is still plenty of room. Highly recommend checking them out.

I have scanned over the threads quickly (I my have missed something)
Can anyone tell me more about these,

http://www.michaellinnell.co.uk/index.php?p=showprod&id=448&cat=Satchels%20and%20Trays

Am I right in saying its really basic no padding and stuff?
Anyone got one?

Loads of people "have one", as you put it. Long lasting and extremely good value.
But I think you have to buy a minimum of two, and its lacks stabilisation/anti-sway straps.

EDIT: There USED TO BE a minimum buy, but that seems changed now.