Courier / Messenger bags

[palinurus]

I've been using an Ortlieb courier bag for years- 15+ years. It has been great, completely waterproof until recently. I broke a buckle once and found I could order them from Ortlieb in Germany (I liked that).

Anyway, that bag is no longer completely waterproof. The covering has started to crack on the flap and in very heavy rain it leaks (fair enough given its age)

Ortlieb no longer seem to sell anything similar- they make a rucksac-type messenger bag so I might consider that. Anything else good out there now? Needs to be large, have chest strap which is easy to adjust on the go, waterproof, laptop compartment ideal (I have reasons for not using panniers).

 

[Emanresu]

Ortleib panniers can be converted to a rucksack with their rucksack conversion kit. Take mine with me when touring to save carrying an additional bag. So you could get a new pannier and carrying system.

https://www.ortlieb.com/uk_en/carrying-system-bike-pannier

Altura have a similar version based on the Klix system - bag plus conversion.

https://www.altura.co.uk/products/altura-thunderstorm-city-waterproof-cycling-pannier

Or Thule do some very good but pricey carriers.

If I had to chose a new system, I'd go back to Ortleib as the bags do stand up to a lot of abuse including coming off the pannier rack going down hill (my mistake in not checking)

 

[Time Waster]

I think there is a brand called crumpler that made good messenger / courier bags that are waterproof. If they are still available take a look. I did see some for sale somewhere I think on vinted recently. They have a kind of stick figure cartoon logo.

 

[vickster]

Try a commuter/hipster type retailer like Always riding
https://alwaysriding.com/cycling-bags.html
Or at Condor also?
https://www.condorcycles.com/collections/backpacks

Or BLB
https://www.bricklanebikes.co.uk/bags-backpacks

Or Velorution
https://velorution.com/collections/cycling-bags

 

[vickster]

Also got options from Carradice, Timbuk2, Altura, plus more niche brands like Paguro Upcycle. Decathlon have one too

 

[vickster]

I think there is a brand called crumpler that made good messenger / courier bags that are waterproof. If they are still available take a look. I did see some for sale somewhere I think on vinted recently. They have a kind of stick figure cartoon logo.

https://crumpler.co.uk/collections/messenger-bags

 

[T4tomo]

I used a Crumpler for a goodly while before I bought a Brompton messenger bag, it was excellent and very waterproof (If can something be very waterproof, its a bit binary isn't it?) with a proper stabiliser strap. I might even still have it somewhere under a bed or in the shed.

 

[tom73]

Alpkit do a good one too

 

[Witzend]

You sometimes see lightly used or new/old stock Ortlieb courier bags online - usually yellow.
A mix of clear silicone sealant and white spirit (mix it well) can 're-proof' yours until you find a replacement.

 

[palinurus]

You sometimes see lightly used or new/old stock Ortlieb courier bags online - usually yellow.
A mix of clear silicone sealant and white spirit (mix it well) can 're-proof' yours until you find a replacement.

I've been thinking along similar lines! Also I have a centrifugal mixer at work.

 

[palinurus]

Thanks for your thoughts- I will have a look around.

• I like the idea of finding a used/ NOS Ortlieb bag like my current one.
• Crumpler I thought of but have no experience with them so will take a look. Waterproof/ proper strap. Ideal.
• Good tip for the London shops- and I can go in person (hadn't thought of that)
• And I will likely bodge the bag for the time being (or-- as these things sometimes go--until I retire)

 

[Witzend]

I've been thinking along similar lines! Also I have a centrifugal mixer at work.

You only need a small amount - a cupful at most. An old fork or whisk is best for mixing as it helps to work it together. Leave it to set and it peels off.
Don't mix it too thickly and apply a couple of thin coats - wiping off the excess in between. Too thick and it will also peel off. Works for tent groundsheets as well.

 

[T4tomo]

I used a Crumpler for a goodly while before I bought a Brompton messenger bag, it was excellent and very waterproof (If can something be very waterproof, its a bit binary isn't it?) with a proper stabiliser strap. I might even still have it somewhere under a bed or in the shed.

Sadly @palinurus I cant find it. I do recall offering it to the OH's lad but he didn't want it, the inner lining seam was a bit frayed in places (not bad since it must be 15-20 years old) and I think, given it hadn't been used for years as i'm no long cycle commuting, and also have the more 'office smart' brommie one, it must have been binned, otherwise you could have had it.

 

[silva]

Foreigner parts of nearby city are littered with garbage, I often stop to cut off anything that can be reused, alike buckles and their lints.
After some years doing that I have plenty stock to repair panniers, bags, backpacks, ...
Aside some other stuff, it's sometimes haha what you find there. If someone leaves an appartment the newcomers just set the left behind stuff
down aside street, regardless the state of the stuff. My last 2 found yellow raincoats are nearly brandnew.

If edges of textile are frayed, and the fibers are not natural, so alike nylon, polyester, polypropene, I cut off the excess frays and use a soldering iron to melt the edge, makes it stop fraying.
If fibers are natural (=don't melt) there is the option to melt whatever plastic (so additional material) around the frays to hold these together and thus avoid further losening, but it's alot more work.
If panniers start to separate at edges, a way to hold them together is drilling 2 mm holes inside the stiffness plates, every 1 cm or so, then a needle with nylon thread ex from fishline, through textile, through hole, back through next hole, back through textile, and so on till last hole, then return through same holes, then a knot and a little melt of it to prevent it losening gradually.

About water, in the past panniers were made from 2 mm thick canvas, nowadays its thin coated crap like polyurethane or other pvc alike plastic that lacks required additives and gets brittle to then break in small flocks downto even powder.
I put several times folded plastic sheets under the upper flaps. Does the job of diverting water away from the content and it's not that much of a hassle.


So my stuff just keeps on going without having to purchase new.