Chrome Metropolis messenger bag

Thanks for that, those bagaboos look good.  Especially the workhorse.

I, for one, am pleased that you have resurrected this particular thread, brooksby.  I am thinking of replacing my very large Timbuk II, in vinyl.  Which had replaced a Timbuk II Dee dog in waxed cotton.  The dee dog was a better bag, I could add extras which made it virtually bombproof.  I could get it out and get the waxed cotton repaired and it would be a very good bag.  I needed something bigger, I was transporting a 17 inch laptop, and wanted more room.  The multitude of pockets and it's extra size made it more useable.  And not just on the bike.

Timbuk II now no longer make an XL, their large is now too small for me.  They don't look as good, and their range of fabrics has gone down dramatically, far fewer colours and many less materials.

I had been considering Chrome, though the Metropolis no longer features on Chrome's website, but I never liked the buckle, I have many of their accesories, the tool/hardcore pencil case is excellent, I have a little phone thing for my keys and I did get two of their seatbelt phone holsters (2 bags) but they were for a time of small phones.

ALso looked at RELoad bags, customisable, which I love, and they look very well made.  And are still large.  There are a lot of very nice smaller courier bags out there, but I want volume.

Any suggestions from anyone?  What I really want is something covered in truck tarp (Timbuk II used to).  But big, there are several british firms making small bags in truck tarp, which do look very nice, but I could do with 30+ litres.

Sorry to resurrect this one, but just wanted to put in my tuppennorth.  The main problem with this bag is that after you've used it once or twice, pretty much every other bag on the market feels like a teeny tiny designer handbag...  

Nice bags, but TBH I've grown to hate the stupid metal 'seatbelt' clasp, which will smash glass coffee tables if you take it off too hastily and fracture ribs if you land on it in a fall... Guess who this happened to

The clasp on mine is also too easy to open. I was standing in a beer-tent last summer (with some heavy camera kit in the bag) when a young lady says "I wonder what happens if I press this button".

Luckily the camera was OK, but I'm not so sure about the bare foot of the person next to me, on whose foot the buckle landed

I now own a PAC..

I have the "Kremlin". It is even bigger. Often get remarks from cashiers at the supermarket checkout such as "That's a nice bag".

In defence of the bag I've never had anyone able to get the seatbelt clasp to open with drunken (or otherwise) pushes as it takes a fairly determined push to get the action to work.

I've had mine for 4 years now and it's still looking brand new even though it's been out in all weathers and done a fair chunk of miles. With larger loads there is a possibility of rain getting into the bag, although this is worse when the item inside is an odd shape so it's hard to complain about.

All in all I've had no problems with this bag. There are more sophisticated options out there for not much more money but I'm happy this was a good purchase. Oh, and it's got the all important (it seems) bottle opener built into the seatbelt buckle clasp so once you've carried your case of designer Belgian beer home or to the party you don't need to worry about being unable to open it

I've used one of these for three years and it's one of the best pieces of kit I own.

As the review points out, it can be the case that stuff digs into you, but there's a simple way round that - use a laptop sleeve. Even if I'm not carrying my computer around, a sleeve with a newspaper or magazine or two on the inside will cushion the contact point between the bag and body.

I don't use it out and about on the bike that often these days, mainly because I work from home, but when I do it's great, very stable, easy to adjust the strap and pull it tight (and I have to say I love the seatbelt-style buckle).

I've never had the problem with it rubbing, even when fairly empty, possibly because I'm fairly tall. I certainly find it much more comfortable than a two-strap rucksack.

Where I find it really comes into its own is in terms of carrying capacity.

As an example (although I'm not sure I'd ever try all this lot on the bike due to the weight), in the past I've had this packed with 2 SLR bodies, 3 lenses (including a bulky telephoto one), flash, laptop plus all associated peripherals - memory cards, power cables, batteries etc - monopod, wellies, wet weather gear and the Saturday copy of the Guardian.

As you might imagine, that lot isn't exactly a light load, but despite that, it's comfortable and secure to carry round.

The absence of internal pockets can be an issue - my solution to that when carrying that much kit around is to use the insert from a Crumpler camera bag, works for me.

I also got the phone holster which is adjustable to fit any size of phone (iPhone goes in there very snugly) and attaches to the strap very securely using velcro.

I'd definitely buy another one, although despite the bashing I've given it, this one isn't going to need replacing any time soon.