Anyone have the Ortlieb Pro Courier Bag for commuting? I currently use a Timbuk2 messenger bag, but since I use my commute as a psuedo hammerfest/training ride I constantly have to adjust its position on my back. I used to commute with a regular book sack that rode up too high and would hinder helmet movement. I’d be keen on some feed back on this pro courier bag though, I think the size is right for commuting, but for the dosh, I want to see if anyone has a review of it.
Thanks…
my boss uses one to pick up smaller bike parts for the shop. He seems to love it. Having seen it in the flesh, it’s pretty damn tough.
I use the standard Messenger (not pro):
Love it. It’s huge, and importantly uses two shoulder straps for support.
The only downside is that the both the Messenger, Messenger Pro and the smaller Velocity bags all suffer from the same design flaw: The rigid plastic insert inside the back of the pack eventually works its way through the bottom of the bag. 
This takes a couple of years though…
Only get the Pro if you want the transparent panel on the back for courier advertising. Yes, that’s taking hipsterdom to the next level.
Thanks for the replies… I don’t need the advertisement space, just the bag. I want to go back to a book sack design, I’m sick of the messenger bag adjusting during a ride. I tried panniers, and they really make the bike no fun to ride. I’ll look for the regular courier bag… although having the ability to put a message of the day in the clear spot might not be all that bad.
I’d probably roll with this…
Edit… non-pro version is the same size and cheaper… http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Ortlieb_Courier~Messenger_Bag/5360007561/
What like the MASH SF x SÄG bag?
^ I ride a fixed gear, so the only character based bag allowed for fixie riders is Hello Kitty.
Why don’t you ask Nikcee about his Skingrowsback backpack before you buy overseas. It looks like an awesome bag.
Nikcee?
SW
I think the sking rows back packs are really pricey though. 2 or 3 times the cost of the ortleib
Given that Horatio’s worn through one or two and might have issues getting future warranty replacements, the extra cost of SGB is well worth it to get a high quality (+Oz made) product that will outlast most anything else on the market, and provide a higher level of user satisfaction over its entire lifetime.
It’s the old buy cheap(ish), buy twice argument again.
That said, I have Ortlieb panniers for touring and think they’re tops.
I’d buy the Ortlieb bag locally if I new where to get it. I don’t have much free time to wander/call shop to shop to find something though. There’s no doubt in my mind about Ortlieb’s quality, I’m sure there are better products on the market, but the Ortlieb is reliable enough at its price point.
John Beaseleys stock them from memory over in Flemington (if you are in Melbourne).
SW
How abouts do you go about ordering a SGB bag? I noticed they weren’t listed under their products. Is it an email/call job?
hi guys!
they are a relatively new product so they arent being advertised as such. Unless Jamie has made more i think i have one of the only two in existence (in the current form). However TC has one on the way.
I’ve had mine for about 2mths and it is one the best made/thought out bags ive seen (im a bag nerd). it is up there with PAC which is high praise (look at the backs of many of the longer term messengers and youll see how long the PACs last). i’ve had 2 PAC sling bags, a reload sling bag, a reload midpack and have tried most major bag companies (UnderTheWeather, bailey, bagaboo, PushTheEnvelope, Chrome) via friends. i dont like the design/look of the chromes and ortleibs (for my own reasons) but i have heard good stories about them.
Anyone who has seen mine in person will attest to the size of the bag, anyone who saw it on friday night can attest to how big the thing can get :mrgreen:
like all serious messenger bags the more it gets filled the better it performs, and it does only come in one size (which is somewhat equivalent to the large freight backpacks - 20″ tall, 15″ wide, 11″ deep).
the price might seem a lot if you like buying your bags from larger stores, but i did the math and decided it was worth the $$ when compared to its actual competitors (freight/bailey/reload [soon]) plus i was buying locally and from someone who gives back time and time again to the bike scene. oh and the fact he is a really nice guy? icing on an already delicious cake.
if you are just carrying books and smaller amounts of luggage a chrome isnt a bad idea and they are well made.
^ I checked there site for one as well, no luck. I’m ready to buy now! 
Nikcee, with the PAC’s did you go for the ‘professional’ series or the ‘street’ series. I’m thinking the former might be extreme overkill. Just wanted to check.
i’ve got the ortleib velocity, which is smaller than the messenger. for my commuting it fits everything nicely. the messenger’s too big for my needs.
i find it pretty comfortable, conforms nicely, the ‘airflow’ vents on the back make it a bit cooler than others.
where do you live?
street series both times (L and M). after talking to Pat (who is the founder/owner) we worked out that i didnt need the extra bells’n’whistles for my (primarily) commuting/grocery needs.
the x-strap is handy for massive loads but i dont think it would give you anything a good aural shot of grindcore for the journey wouldnt 
i had my M size street series with me on the warby ride, but if want to see/try it let me know.
Ordered the Ortlieb last night… for the price it’s worth it. I commute 5 days/week so having a top bag is important. Waterproof is key. I miss my job in the US where I could wear shorts/t-shirt to work every day, this business dress stuff sucks, makes me have to carry more crap.
Grindcore…is there anything it doesn’t solve?
Thanks heeps Nikcee, that’s awesome. Being a bag nut myself the bigger it is and more gadgets it has the more excited i get. The x-strap has me drooling. I’d love to give yours a go. Any chance of trying it at ghetto cross? Cheers.
Assuming i remember to bring it, there is a very good chance.