bike messenger bags?

wle wrote:

what is the deal with bike messenger/courier bags?

i mean, with the one strap slung diagonally across your chest.

how are they better than a regular backpack?

seems to me like they would always be trying to rotate
so that the pack would be in your way.

wle.

Well, I read the replies with interest. I am a old guy who has never
been a courier. I have a timbuktu bag that I have used. The one
difference from it and other bags is that it is waterproof. So when I
am out with a Camera, it is my choice. Every other backpack or bag of
any description is not waterproof so I have to cover with a garbage bag
or wear the backpack under my gortex rain jacket. Yes, it looks very
weird. Panniers are fine (rubberized waterproof) for the long hall,
long trips but a pain to put on and off as it can affect adjustments to
them and the rear shifter if you are not careful.

Like software for a computer, if you are an avid cyclist or commuter,
you will require different bags
for different weather and different weights, loads and shapes. My
favourite is to carry as small a bag as possible when I commute. A
favourite is to wear small ducktape rolls on my wrist(s) and just grab a
box from
wherever (store) and tape the box and its contents to my bike.

wle wrote:

what is the deal with bike messenger/courier bags?

i mean, with the one strap slung diagonally across your chest.

how are they better than a regular backpack?

seems to me like they would always be trying to rotate
so that the pack would be in your way.

wle.

Well, I read the replies with interest. I am a old guy who has never
been a courier. I have a timbuktu bag that I have used. The one
difference from it and other bags is that it is waterproof. So when I
am out with a Camera, it is my choice. Every other backpack or bag of
any description is not waterproof so I have to cover with a garbage bag
or wear the backpack under my gortex rain jacket. Yes, it looks very
weird. Panniers are fine (rubberized waterproof) for the long hall,
long trips but a pain to put on and off as it can affect adjustments to
them and the rear shifter if you are not careful.

Like software for a computer, if you are an avid cyclist or commuter,
you will require different bags
for different weather and different weights, loads and shapes. My
favourite is to carry as small a bag as possible when I commute. A
favourite is to wear small ducktape rolls on my wrist(s) and just grab a
box from
wherever (store) and tape the box and its contents to my bike.

"occupant" wrote ...
(snip)
Panniers are fine (rubberized waterproof) for the long hall,
long trips but a pain to put on and off as it can affect adjustments to
them and the rear shifter if you are not careful.

When I commute I attach and remove my panniers _every_day_ with no problems.
Been doing that for years now.

Like software for a computer, if you are an avid cyclist or commuter,
you will require different bags
for different weather and different weights, loads and shapes.
(snip)

Richard in Boston, MA, USA

"occupant" wrote ...
(snip)
Panniers are fine (rubberized waterproof) for the long hall,
long trips but a pain to put on and off as it can affect adjustments to
them and the rear shifter if you are not careful.

When I commute I attach and remove my panniers _every_day_ with no problems.
Been doing that for years now.

Like software for a computer, if you are an avid cyclist or commuter,
you will require different bags
for different weather and different weights, loads and shapes.
(snip)

Richard in Boston, MA, USA