Professional Bike Commuters

Sunday, October 23, 2016

Kryptonite U-Lock Sizes Chart

Kryptonite U Lock Dimensions
Kryptonite U Lock Dimensions
Name	Rod Diameter	U Width (inside)	U Lenght (inside)	Weight
	mm	in	in	lbs

New York Fahgettaboudit Mini	18	3.25	6	4.55
New York Lock Standard	16	4	8	4.35
New York Lock LS	16	4	10.25	4.55
New York Disc Lock	14	2.2	2.3	2.25
New York Lock M18-WL	18	3.9	10.3	6.1

Evolution serie 4 Standard	14	4	9	3.75
Evolution serie 4 LS	14	4	11.5	4.1
Evolution Series 4 Disc Lock	14	1.8	2.1	1.85
Evolution Mini-5	13	3.25	5	3.15
Evolution Lite Mini-6	11	2.75	6	1.65
Evolution Mini-9	13	3.25	9.5	2.75

Messenger Mini	11	3.75	6.5	1.83
Messenger Mini +	11	3.75	6.5	2.51

KryptoLok Series 2 LS	13	5	9	3.1
KryptoLok Combo	13	4	8	2.3
KryptoLok Series 2 Mini-7	13	3.25	7	2.45
KryptoLok Series 2 ATB	13	5	9	3.1
KryptoLok Series 2 Standard	13	4	9	2.85

Friday, January 02, 2015

Here is how I modified my new messenger bag. I used to have a Manhattan Portage Pro Messenger bag. It is a good bag but after couple years, I was looking for a change. The Citizen from Chrome Industries became the alternative. It is a cool brand and a very cool bag. It has more pockets than the Manhattan and the front flap close better which reduces rain going in the bag at the corners. Also, Chrome Industries offers more integrated options such as a reflective strap through their customized bag service.

However, as highlighted in a previous post, the Citizen shoulder strap is just wrong. So I found a local artisan willing to help me modify my brand new bag. Here is the result. Now it is the perfect commuter bag. It has all the functionality of the original Citizen plus the comfort and simplicity of the Manhattan strap. I can now stop at the grocery store and have it as a regular should bag.

For users that really want the Chrome buckle, we thought about integrating the buckle in the new design. But it still remains a thought because it is heavy and noisy.

Monday, October 27, 2014

Messenger Bag Review - The Citizen from Chrome Industry

Chrome Industry, such a cool brand! You don't need to be a biker to look like one with your Chrome Industry bag. The branding is so good, you feel like part of a group when you have one. Their messenger bag can be customize when purchased on line. So even if everybody got a Citizen from Chrome, none of the bag are the same.

It is a quality bag. It is well design for bike commuting. But the shoulder strap is not comfortable and only adapted for your position on the bike while pedaling. If you have the bad luck of stopping by market after your work day, it is very annoying to walk with it (loaded or not). It is pulling back your shoulder so you need to compensate by curving your back forward. Understand that the shoulder strap on the Citizen has a unique shape that you won't find on any other messenger bag. That unique shape make impossible to wear the bag as a regular shoulder strap bag.

Unique Citizen shoulder strap.

On top of it, the padded strap isn't very long, so if you are a medium or a big guy you will feel squeeze no madder what length the belt is. The following example are pull off Chrome Industry web site.

Here we want to highlight the short padded portion of the strap and the too long belt portion. The slim guy seems more comfortable.

Could you imagine, this is a staged picture and the strap still have a tendency to squeeze the arm pit. And pay attention to the stabilization strap buckle location. Since we can't change its location, it can't be used on that guy.

Here the stabilization strap can barely be used, and amplify the squeeze feeling.

The remaining of the bag is fine. Most pockets are adapted for commuting. I love the side pockets and the floating interior tarp layer. Maybe the zipper on the front pocket could be an inch higher for convenience.

http://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/281102-messenger-bag-modification.html

Fearlessgearless.com
Onebagonemonth
http://messengerbags.com/chrome-messenger-bags-review-metropolis-citizen/
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/bluelug/sets/72157628965057755/

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Chrome Industries - Tool Roll

Isn't it a cool picture? Lot of small details. Beer bottle, cigarette, red tool box, artistic bag, well used wench. But the one detail that doesn't work out is the way to "roll" the tool roll. It rolls from left to right. With the wench in that orientation, you can't roll it. Sound like a minor detail but it highlight a bigger design problem. The mesh pocket is useless.

Picture from Chrome Industries web page

This one is a less cool picture, but it is the way I have been using it (small articles are kept out of the pockets to allow viewers to see them). It rolls from left to right. It is a 45$ product. At that price, from that company, I would expect a more bike tools specific arrangement of the pockets. So they should be avoiding velco to keep the pockets close, if it is rolled tightly nothing will fall off. Pockets should be design for typical cycling tools.

Lets talk about compatibility of product. I have a Chrome Industries classic messenger bag, the Citizen. I use the front middle pocket to carry my U-lock and one of the side pocket for my tools. The original Large Tool Roll is too long to fit the side pocket. It get above the folding line (left side of the picture below). I cut off 3.5in of the as explain below. By doing that modification I got a better fit of the tool roll in the side pocket (right side of the picture).

This is my tool roll once modified. I got rip of the top mesh pocket that is useless, which cutoff 3,5in.

Also, Chrome Industries used a big plastic buckle to keep the roll rolled. The buckle is too big and a velcro strap do a way better job.

Relate:

Link to Chrome Industrie Large Tool Roll. I don't understand how to use the small tool roll.
Link to a similar product from Road Runner

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Bike Quote

And more

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Phone Pouch vs Today Smartphone Size

It seems like all the smartphone pouch are made for the Iphone only. And not the new one.

I thought I couldn't complain before because I am one of the few with an Android phone in my network. But since Apple released the new Iphone 6...

Phone Dimension

Iphone 6 Plus (6.2" x 3.1" x 0.3")

Iphone 6 (5.4" x 2.6" x 0.3")

Iphone 5 (4.9" x 2.3" x 0.3")

Iphone 4 (4.5" x 2.3" x 0.4") as per pictures below

Nexus 4 (5.3" x 2.7" x 0.4")

Nexus 4 with case (5.4" x 2.9" x 0.5") as per pictures below

The Manhattan Portage pouch is classy and water resistant. Can be attached to any bag strap. It is 5.25" x 3" x 1" (outside dimension). Can't fit a big smartphone.

Manhattan Portage smartphone pouch

The Chrome Industries pouch as more features with a pen sleeve, a d-ring key holder and a separated credit-card pocket (which is the most substantial adds). What Chrome web site won't tell you is the size ( 4.5" x 2.8" x 1.2" inside dimensions). The problem is the depth, it is not deep enough to fit the longer phones. The flap won't reach the velcro to keep the pouch close.

It is made of weatherproof truck-tarp in the inside. To avoid water going in the pouch, the flap have to be tightly folded. Again, this is an issue with longer phone than the Iphone 4.

Chrome Industry smartphone pouch

Different brand same problem. Dimensions are 4.5" x 3.0" x 1.0".

Picture from Road Runner Baps web site

http://www.commutebybike.com/2013/05/21/quivvers-the-speedo-of-messenger-bags/

http://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/138857-question-about-cell-phone-holders-chrome-bags.html

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Messenger Bag Review - Cocotte Équipement - Branding

About the brand:

All bags from Cocotte Équipement are hand made in Montréal since 1993. As per their web site, the Alfredo is the result of many brainstorms with professional bike messengers that happened over 10 years ago.
http://www.cocotte-equip.com/

Branding improvement:

I personally have been using the bag for a couple months. Every person I have talked to about the bag always asks to the same question: "What does the logo represent?". I guess non-french speakers don't understand the "Cocotte" clue. I asked a group of 4 years old, they decided that it was a yellow pineapple. My answer from now on would be that it is a badly drawn pine cone in the middle of a very too yellow circle.

Please comment this, I wouldn't know how to improve the Cocotte logo without changing the fundamentals of the brand.

Cocotte branding should be all about its Montréal origin. Montréal is well known for its winter, culture and rough traffic. If you are a bike messenger in Montréal it is because you love all of that, so you know how to handle a bike. So, you would also know what are the best gears.

Cocotte web site should be showing messengers in some typical Montréal scenery. Nothing would sell the quality of the bags more than a Montreal winter wonderland picture with messengers going through traffic.

Here are some Vieux Montréal examples.

Or... Maybe some trashy views of the Plateau Mont-Royal would be more appropriated.

Monday, September 22, 2014

Messenger Bag Review - The Alfredo from Cocotte Équipement

Alfredo's facts:

Capacity: 34 liters
Weight: 1.2kg
Size: 38 x 30 x 30 cm
Waterproof
Safety: 3M reflective band and bike light holder on main pocket flap
Shoulder strap is reversible (can be worn on left or right shoulder)
130$ CAD
http://www.cocotte-equip.com/

Note:

Made of 3 layers. Most messenger bags are made of two layers. The outside Cordura for roughness and style, and the inside heavy duty truck tarp that keeps your stuff dry. Cocotte made their bag with an additional layer inside the bag made of nylon. The extra layer allow some extra pockets for pens, wallet, tablet and more.

Cocotte Équipment also features the 14 liters Fredo (perfect for photographers) and the 6 liters Frida (which is mostly a man purse).

There is no doubt about the fact that the Alfredo is design for rough duty. It is a comfortable bag that can carry more material than any other bag on the market.

Features:

The bag has a wide, square bottom which allows it to stand straight as you are stuffing it. Other brands have the bottom more narrow than the top. The inside extra organizing pockets are not made with refined details to hold their content nice and tight.

There is a pocket under the flap. This location helps to keep belonging handy (wallet and phone size). Not water resistant which defeats the purpose. Should be modified to fit bike lock.

It has a built in pocket for tablet with an additional protection cushion. The cushion is removable if not needed. However, that pocket is too small for a full size laptop. Since this bag is one of the biggest on the market and the builder is taking the time to make the pocket for the tablet, why not do it for a laptop? The details of the stitches and floating cushion are not up to the qualities expected of a professional hand made product.

The shoulder strap is wide and comfortable, adequate to carry a heavy day pack. If half loaded, the bag wrap around the body which feel too big and doesn't hold properly. There is a removable stabilization strap that can be used to mitigate this issue.

By far the best shoulder strap on the market for that type of bag. User friendly, can be tighten up or loosen by the action of one hand (which is "handy" while riding).

The shoulder strap is reversible but the hardware used for connection are cheap.

It is big and also very compressible. The straps that keep the back close also have the function of compressing the bag.

Conclusion:

Handy and comfortable for a big day pack.

Tough construction.

All other messenger bag constructors should look up at Cocotte shoulder strap example.

Refining and construction details need improvement.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Chat de Ruelle

Here is a nice blog about the city/riding culture.

From Montréal www.chatderuelle.com

Tuesday, August 05, 2014

Nice bike at Local

Local is a nice pub by Kitsilano beach. They have a convenient bike parking.

More bikes near Local on the street corner. It look like everybody want to show there ride on sunny days.
localkits.com