Thank you all for your insights and suggestions. It's great to hear about everyone's favorite bags. l
-india *********************** India Viola UW-Madison Stretton Lab 115 Zoology Research Bldg. 1117 W. Johnson St. Madison, WI 53706 608.262.3336 *********************** "How can we learn from our mistakes if we don't first acknowledge them?" -Anonymous "We exist in the bacterial world, not bacteria in ours" -Stuart Levy ----- Original Message ----- From: Eric Sundquist <[email protected]> Date: Saturday, November 21, 2009 11:02 am Subject: Re: [Bikies] Bicycle Bag- Long-winded Question To: Robbie Webber <[email protected]>, India Rose Viola <[email protected]> Cc: [email protected] > I can also vouch for Arkel. A few years ago I got an Arkel commuter > pannier (briefcase style, not a backpack) that came with a laptop > sleeve. My antiquated laptop was too big to fit, so I e-mailed to see > if they could help me. They took the laptop measurements and > custom-sewed a new sleeve for me -- for free. > > I would say they have a customer for life, but as Robbie says, the > panniers seem to last a lifetime, so I don't know if I'll ever need to > buy another. At least they have a fan for life. > > > > > ________________________________ > From: RobbieWebber <[email protected]> > To: India Rose Viola <[email protected]> > Cc: [email protected]; [email protected] > Sent: Fri, November 20, 2009 10:46:12 PM > Subject: Re: [Bikies] Bicycle Bag- Long-winded Question > > This is not exactly the version I have - mine is older and lacking a > few features that the news ones have - but I use the Arkel pannier > that turns into a backpack - the GT-18BP: > http://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/gt18/overview.asp?fl=1&site= > > Arkel makes an excellent product, and I carry very heavy loads - > folders/papers and my laptop - and it has held up very well. It > converts to a backpack in a second. You can either take out one strap > and sling it over your shoulder, or both straps if you will be walking > farther. I wouldn't suggest using it for a 10 mile mountain hike, but > for the city it's great. > > I think Machinery Row carries Arkel. > > Granted, they aren't cheap, but they will last forever, and the > company guarantees them for life. > > > Robbie Webber > Bike Walk Madison Steering Committee > www.bikewalkmadison.org > Join our group on Facebook! > > > > > > On Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 1:53 PM, India Rose Viola <[email protected]> wrote: > > Last spring, due to a complicated injury, I decided to stop wearing > a messenger bag on my back while I ride my bike. I have been > experimenting since with bag options/combos. > > > > My first attempt at this was to buy an open-top pannier-tote that I > have outfitted with a shoulder strap. It fits a brown bag perfectly > so it can't be beat for groceries. It is lightweight, and folds up > when not in use. It is no good for general commuting, though as it > has no pockets, cover, etc., so right now I am shoving my beloved > Timbuk2 messenger bag (this is truly a bag of the past- I bought it > used from a friend in '96 and it is still going strong!) into the > tote. It barely fits (not easy to stuff in or get out), so by doing > this I am losing the functionality and convenience of both bags- it is > cumbersome and basically a big hassle to try to access anything that > is in my messenger bag once it is shoved into the tote. I do own > traditional panniers, but really want a bike bag that I can sling over > my shoulder and dart into the bar/work/library (hopefully not in that > order) with. > > > > I am now thinking about purchasing the Timbuk2 Bullitt Pannier. It > is a pannier and messenger bag in one. I think I'll be happy with it, > but am looking for a second opinion/last minute suggestions before > "bite the bullitt" and shell out $100. > > > > < > > > > I was wondering if anyone else has seen/tried this product, and what > they think about it. > > > > I am prepared to compromise- I know it won't be a perfect pannier, > or a perfect messenger bag. > > > > I am looking for these features: > > > > -a decent pannier- i.e. easy to place onto/take off rack, stays put > on the rack and doesn't rub against my heels while riding > > -easy access to things placed inside - while the bag is on or off > the bike > > - Comfortable to carry over the shoulder, not too heavy, bulky, etc. > > -Enough pockets to store my smaller crap (glasses, keys, gloves, > wallet, etc), and enough cargo space to fit extra clothes or books > > -Weather/water-resistant (I don't expect miracles here- I'm not > comparing it to an Ortlieb) > > > > Thanks fellow bikies, > > > > India > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Bikies mailing list > > [email protected] > > http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org > > > _______________________________________________ > Bikies mailing list > [email protected] > http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [email protected] http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org
