Timbuk2 Designs El Ocho

Price Paid:  $50.00 at Blue Ridge Sports, M

Favorite Ride:
Any road.

Bike Setup:
2 fixed gears I ride daily, one is a Converted lugged schwinn 45x17 gearing, the other a Bianchi pista with 43x16 and very few stock parts left.

Summary:
Timbuk2 has offered a "basic" messenger bag that exceeds most backpacks', and bicylcing packs', capabilities; it doesn't look spacey, it carries a decent amount of stuff comfortably, and it has little features -- detatchable reflective tape and a loop to clip a flashing rear light -- which add to it's usefulness as well as safety.

The cost -- this was last year's model judging by the color combo on the company's website, and the local outfitter I got it from, in my old college town, had only one left -- had to remove it fromt he display window -- was reasonable: $70 retail at 30 percent off! When you factor in that it's proved comfortable and easy to use... well, bicylcing isn't about your equipment, it's about fun. But as anyone who has ever crashed or had a mishap can tell you, dependable gear can make all the difference between all the fun, and all the pain, in the world. Truly it's never been used fully loaded with 50 lbs of paperclips or walnuts, but for everyday use it has room for whatever you need
No need to be a messenger to get the message...

Strengths:
Comfortable on the bike, stable with no sway when adjusted, quick adjust clasp allows you to extend the shoulder strap when it bulges with cargo.

Weaknesses:
Just wish the hardware wasn't plastic (altho I've had no problems with it breaking - yet)

Similar Products Used:
Dept store backpack I fitted with quick release buttons; mountaineering backpack set up for a one shoulder strap to serve as a huge messenger bag.

Price Paid:  $0.00 at REI

Summary:
this bag has lots of great things goin' for it: comfortable, durable, etc... I've used it daily for nearly two years (including a month of messenger work), and besides the velcro wearing/general wear and tear it's been good. I think overrall it's a better bag for looking slick while walking than for being functional and comfortable for riding.

Weaknesses:
a few simple changes would make timbuk bags great:
1-angle the back-strap slightly (REload bags and a couple other bag manufacturers have been doing this for a while), it would keep the load more comfortable when riding.
2-while the material the bag is made of is 'waterproof', the flap doesn't adequately fold over the opening so water seeps in at the corners.
3-I like the design for the quick-adjust strap, but every time I hop on my saddle, the excess strap gets caught on it. and although it hasn't happened yet, I keep worrying I'm going to pass a car too close and get that big loop caught around a mirror. basically, for the money, when searching for another 'messenger-style' bag, I'll opt for something else.

Similar Products Used:
REload bag
Deuter hydration pack