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#11
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mark wrote:
Instead of a backpack, you might want to consider a courier bag. I find that they sit lower on my body than a backpack, they don't constrict my breathing as much as a backpack, and they are distinctly more comfortable than a backpack in my own riding position. Mine rides on the back of my hipbone when I ride, reducing sweaty back to a manageable level, and putting less strain on my back muscles. Patagonia makes several really nice models, the Critical Mass has ample room for books, a laptop, extra clothing, etc., along with a water bottle pocket on the outside. It has an excellent suspension If the Critical Mass isn't big enough for you, there are a couple of Canadian companies selling bags for bicycle couriers on the web. "Push The EnVELOpe" and PAC Designs are two that I know of, they both make extremely rugged bags that are big enough to hold a small child. www.pushtheenvelope.com www.pacdesigns.com www.patagonia.com HTH, I might look into those, but in general, I find I'm more comfortable and the weight is distrubuted better on my back being situated across both shoulders rather than just one. That's the main reason I'm not overly keen on a standard messenger bag, although I was looking into those as well. Because I'm going to have to carry textbooks, though, I think I'll still stick with backpacks. Thanks for the info and the links, though---those do look quite superb if one is going to go the courier bag route! Collin wrote: If you go the courier bag route, I really like my Timbuktu messenger bag. They come in fours sizes, and believe me, you do not need the big one! I handle the laptop problem by placing the computer in a laptop sleeve. However, since you have textbooks I would not really recommend the courier bag. Backpacks hold everything together quite well and prevent the contents from shifting. The advantage to the messnger bag is just what makes it bad for textbooks: it's just one big pocket where you can shove everything. Heh, I think I've seen people with some of those as well, although usually not on bikes. As I haven't looked into those too greatly, I can't say for sure what sizes I've personally seen. I'm probably not going to go with a courier bag for exactly the reasons you mention above; it'd just be too much and really bad on my back when I'm carrying textbooks around. And I shudder to think what would happen on my trips to the library. Thanks for the kind advice, though! |
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#12
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On Wed, 25 Aug 2004, Mike Schwab wrote:
I am considering getting panniers for my EZ-1 from http://www.easyracers.com/ez_1_sc.htm and is has 16 and 20 inch wheels. These might be the right size for your bike. Should you find a dealer who sells the bike and would order the panniers and let you try them that would be excellent. Hrrm, I'll have to check that out. Thanks muchly for the link and the info! They may not be big enough for what I need, though...but thanks, I didn't know about these. Also, you might try talking to "Robert J. Matter" rjmatter @ PRODIGY.NET at Daley Plaza on the last friday of the month between 530pm and 600pm. He owns two folding bikes, and is president(?) of the Chicago Folding Bike Society which meets twice a month at the Handlebar (owned by bicyclists who met at group rides) at 2311(?) W North. Bearded and likes yellow shirts for visibility. (Yellow shirt not guaranteed). He is also leading efforts to allow bicycles on Metra and to depave LSD Lake Shore Drive. Then at 600pm, a group ride will start. With the thunderstorns in the area, I would expect a small number of cyclists, under 1,000. When I went April 30, it was raining and that was about how many we had. Where does the group usually ride to, and how long do these rides last? I don't know that I'll really be able to make it---I live rather far away, which is part of the reason I decided I'd had enough with depending on the unreliable CTA, plus my hours changed at work, and I really did want to stop getting home at 8:30/9PM every night after leaving work around 5. My folding bike has cut my overlong commute down considerably (now it's only 2 hours each way; to some people, that probably seems a lot anyway, but it's much better than 2.5 hours each way!), in addition to providing excellent exercise and overall being something I'm really enjoying, and it would be cool to meet up, but I just don't know about doing it on a Friday after work, since I live so far away. If I lived in the city, or closer to it, I'd probably be up for it, though! I heard something recently from another person at work who cycles about 16 miles to and from work each day, who was telling me Metra's one of the only public transit lines in the US that doesn't allow full-sized bikes on. He said that even the public transit system in LA allows them. If they did, I'd have been taking my bike to work long before obtaining a folding one---while I do enjoy my folding bike, and it's nice to be able to stash it under my desk and take it with me wherever I go, I'd never have *needed* to get one if standard bikes were allowed on Metra. At the same time, they'd have to have some sort of redesign to the cars to allow standard bikes on---there's really not anywhere good to put one with the way those trains are laid out internally at present, save for where handicapped persons are meant to be able to sit, but of course that shouldn't be compromised, either. |
#13
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On 25 Aug 2004, David Reuteler wrote:
Colin Swift wrote: Got the Deuter racer x air II myself second that. i gave mine to my sister but it's an excellent backpack, definitely best in class. Thanks for the input! Have either of you had occasion to use it in heavy precipitation? I was leaning a bit more toward the Deuter ones because I really like what I'm reading/seeing about their suspension (I'm trying to locate a dealer around here so I can go try their bags on in person; unfortunately, I can say that REI does not stock them in their stores, only via their online one :P), and the way the bags are laid out seems quite thoughtful, and the hydration system seems nice as well. Hydration system won't make or break a bag for me, but it's a good option to consider, as I'm quite sure I'd use it---I already carry around my Polar Bottle filled with ice water at all times, and refill it several times a day while at work. The only thing that concerns me as a commuter about the Deuter is the efficacy of the rain cover, which is where the Ortlieb ones look most attractive in their waterproofness. |
#14
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"Colin Swift" wrote in message
Hi, Got the Deuter racer x air II I don't see that model on Deuter's web site. http://www.deuter.com -- A: Top-posters. Q: What is the most annoying thing on Usenet? |
#15
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Janaki L Jitchotvisut wrote:
Thanks for the input! Have either of you had occasion to use it in heavy precipitation? mine had a waterproof cover that packed away into a little pocket .. it worked reasonably well. I was leaning a bit more toward the Deuter ones because I really like what I'm reading/seeing about their suspension the suspension makes that bag imo the best backpack out there. it really does work pretty well. times a day while at work. The only thing that concerns me as a commuter about the Deuter is the efficacy of the rain cover, which is where the Ortlieb ones look most attractive in their waterproofness. yea, i'm sure the ortlieb would be better in the rain .. but the deuter was good enuf for me (i was in minneapolis, tho, not portland) and, well, i *REALLY* liked the suspension. did i mention the suspension? -- david reuteler |
#16
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DRS wrote:
Got the Deuter racer x air II I don't see that model on Deuter's web site. http://www.deuter.com products - bike - next (to 2/4) - upper right Race X Air II http://tinyurl.com/6oy4l i had the 2001 version of the Race X Air. -- david reuteler |
#17
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"David Reuteler" wrote in message
DRS wrote: Got the Deuter racer x air II I don't see that model on Deuter's web site. http://www.deuter.com products - bike - next (to 2/4) - upper right Race X Air II http://tinyurl.com/6oy4l i had the 2001 version of the Race X Air. Aargh! Thank you, I'd completely missed the "next" graphic. Now, when it says it's compatible with Deuter's hydration system does that just mean you can buy the appropriate bladder and whack it in? Does it leave room for anything else? -- A: Top-posters. Q: What is the most annoying thing on Usenet? |
#18
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DRS wrote:
Now, when it says it's compatible with Deuter's hydration system does that just mean you can buy the appropriate bladder and whack it in? Does it leave room for anything else? i'm speaking for my old deuter race x air. the main compartment had a sleeve in the back where the bladder slid in along with routing for the tube. it didn't leave a whole lot of room for anything else (when filled with water) but it was a pretty small backpack to begin with. i stuffed in a change of clothes, discman, food and some tools. the front pocket of course was still there. the size was the main reason i got rid of it, actually. i use a chrome bag metropolis messenger bag now which is a fair bit more durable and waterproof than the deuter (hell, the thing is a damn tank) but i do miss the suspension. -- david reuteler |
#19
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On Fri, 27 Aug 2004, DRS wrote: "Colin Swift" wrote in message Hi, Got the Deuter racer x air II I don't see that model on Deuter's web site. http://www.deuter.com it's right he http://deuterusa.com/Product/Hydration/RXA2.htm |
#20
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On 26 Aug 2004, David Reuteler wrote:
mine had a waterproof cover that packed away into a little pocket .. it worked reasonably well. I've read about those a bit, but did want to hear of personal experiences with them. Thanks. I was leaning a bit more toward the Deuter ones because I really like what I'm reading/seeing about their suspension the suspension makes that bag imo the best backpack out there. it really does work pretty well. I'm glad to hear it's as good as it looks, then---and ventilation for your back was good, too? I've found a store around here that carries Deuter packs, although not what I've been most interested in. Still, I want to go try a few on and see what this suspension is all about in person! http://www.uncledansonline.com/ times a day while at work. The only thing that concerns me as a commuter about the Deuter is the efficacy of the rain cover, which is where the Ortlieb ones look most attractive in their waterproofness. yea, i'm sure the ortlieb would be better in the rain .. but the deuter was good enuf for me (i was in minneapolis, tho, not portland) and, well, i *REALLY* liked the suspension. I'm in Chicago (which I think I mentioned), which also isn't Portland---actually, I've got a quite nice ShedRain umbrella (developed in Oregon! ) that is unbelievable, but I'm sure it's not nearly getting the sort of workout that went into its development. Still, nothing's much use when it's raining horizontally. The raincover might be enough, with that suspension... did i mention the suspension? Suspension? What's that? Quite seriously, I think I've narrowed it down sufficiently and am now between the Deuter Trans Alpine 30 and the Ortlieb X-Cursion http://deuterusa.com/Product/Hydrati...nsAlpine30.htm or http://www.ortliebusa.com/cartgenie/...p?pid=17&cid=2 (Also I've found that Ortlieb quite a bit cheaper elsewhere, so it's more in line with the price of the Deuter.) I'm leaning more towards the Deuter now, though, I have to say... |
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