Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on December 7, 2011 at 3:53pm

+1

The "terrific bike scene" is diverse, not just bunch of posers who slavishly follow every fad regardless of its utility.

Jennifer said:

Maybe we're just not that into messenger bags, compared with other cities? I see lots of panniers and backpacks, and Po Campo purses and tote bags, and baskets and milk crates and plastic shopping sacks, but not so many messenger bags, really.

Permalink Reply by Gort 12-mile Pinklegneep on December 7, 2011 at 6:45pm

Thumbs up for poseurs, whatever gets them on the bike.

Permalink Reply by John Greenfield on December 8, 2011 at 5:59am

I've never heard of these guys. Very cool!

Bryce Walsh said:

I've been using a messenger bag from Defy Bags for better better part of a year now. Local company doing cool stuff with recycled materials. Haven't noticed any national distribution, but I would bet there is a leap for the smaller companies to increase production enough to supply nationally

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on December 8, 2011 at 6:16am

I don't know if they have national distribution, but there's also Chicago Wig Bags.

Permalink Reply by Adam Sterling on December 8, 2011 at 6:34am

This is an annoying problem.

I'd like to support local businesses, but the economy of scale thing is just too much for me. I have timbuk2 and baileyworks bags (both made in the USA, the timbuk2 is 5+ years old), but I got them both used. There's no way I'd pay full retail for either one. If that makes me a jagoff, so be it. I can't justify spending that kinda money on one bag, when I could for that price (in the case of the bailey) get two really nice bags, only diss is they aren't made in the USA. This, sadly, is the same trend that causes factory work to dry up in the US. It's simply too expensive to manufacture things here. I do a fair amount of camping, and I'd LOVE to buy a US made down sleeping bag, for example, but I'd be looking at paying $300-350 for something I could get for $125-150, as long as it's made in China. 10/20/30% more? OK. 100%+ more? Sorry dude.

Permalink Reply by Zoetrope on December 8, 2011 at 7:19am

The only way I could see it might make you a jagoff is if you could easily afford to toss around premium bucks on bike accessories, yet chose to scour the internet for the cheapest price.      

The Chrome store popped up in hipster/yuppie-ville because that's who can afford that stuff or, like Tony said, that's who will pay a premium to maintain the image that comes with the brand.  I'm not sure of the economic benefits a local, nationally distributed chain would have on Chicago, so I won't even try to attack that right now.  But if more bike accessory stores opening up in this area just turns out to mean I'll have to pay stupid amounts of money for things that are half as cheap (and almost always more functional) online, I'll have to pass.          

Permalink Reply by Eric R on December 8, 2011 at 11:08am

I believe you are looking for the word "yupster" (or yupsterville) :) Heard it on Check, Please! the other night.

Brendan said:

The only way I could see it might make you a jagoff is if you could easily afford to toss around premium bucks on bike accessories, yet chose to scour the internet for the cheapest price.      

The Chrome store popped up in hipster/yuppie-ville because that's who can afford that stuff or, like Tony said, that's who will pay a premium to maintain the image that comes with the brand.  I'm not sure of the economic benefits a local, nationally distributed chain would have on Chicago, so I won't even try to attack that right now.  But if more bike accessory stores opening up in this area just turns out to mean I'll have to pay stupid amounts of money for things that are half as cheap (and almost always more functional) online, I'll have to pass.          

Permalink Reply by Lanterne Rouge on December 8, 2011 at 12:06pm

The messenger bag industry has gotten incredibly crowded. The thing is, at this point there isn't too much that can set you apart from someone else aside from price and exterior design/graphics.

I've had a ton - Timbuk2, Chrome, Seagull...And aside from a few things, a bag is a bag. In my opinion Chrome has got a TON of market share due to their marketing and to whom they market. Actually, I feel lucky that we have one of three Chrome retail stores in the *entire country*. 

Anyways, I'm not sure what it's going to take for WIG or Defy to become a national player like Chrome or MW. Like I said, there are just too many to choose from.

Full disclosure: I own a Mission Workshop Vandal, which is the best cycling backpack ever invented ;)

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on December 8, 2011 at 12:30pm

Funny you should say that about Mission Workshop. I have not owned the number or variety of bags that you have, but I won a Mission Workshop messenger bag this fall and I also believe it to be the best bag ever invented. 

Jim S said:

The messenger bag industry has gotten incredibly crowded. The thing is, at this point there isn't too much that can set you apart from someone else aside from price and exterior design/graphics.

[snip]

Full disclosure: I own a Mission Workshop Vandal, which is the best cycling backpack ever invented ;)

Permalink Reply by Zoetrope on December 8, 2011 at 2:22pm

Only $280?  

Permalink Reply by Lanterne Rouge on December 8, 2011 at 3:18pm

lol, yeah. It's an expensive backpack. Luckily Johnny Sprockets had all in store items 40% off over black friday weekend and I scored huge. 

But, I was ready to fork over at least $250. The Vandal is (in my opinion) better than anything Chrome makes, including their pro series. Watch both of the videos.

Also, unless you pretty much live on your bike, you may have a hard time dropping serious cash on something like a bag. But, my bag goes everywhere I do - work, errands, grocery store, Amtrak/Metra/CTA...etc. It seems to me that you'd want something bomb-proof if it's exposed to elements 24/7.

Permalink Reply by Zoetrope on December 8, 2011 at 3:33pm

If I could afford it, or maybe even found the deal you did, I'd definitely try it out at least just based on looks and your and Kevin's rave reviews.  I never felt comfortable biking with a true, over the shoulder messenger style bag.    

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