Submitted by
Bob Furneaux
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2005
Strengths: Durability
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
My first Timbuk2 purchase was the middle sized bag, and it served me well. But then I needed something bigger so I purchased the Bolo. It fits everything I need and then some. Mine has the heavy duty interior lining and waxed canvas exterior. It has weathered nicely and has maintained perfect integrity. I use mine mostly for work (non-bicycle related), but also use it for bicycle trips to the store and as a carry-on when travelling. I would recommend this bag to anyone looking for a bombproof messenger style bag.
Similar Products Used: Many other bags of various makers and kids
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Submitted by
Rudy Santos
a Weekend Warrior
from San Antonio, Texas, USA
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2003
Strengths: *Picked my own colors. *Picked my own features *Waterproof inside. *Washable! *After 7 years of use, it still looks barand new. *Holds all my work clothes, a pair of Doc Martens, and still has room for 2 six packs of Guiness!
Weaknesses: *Uuuuuuh....why did I pick those colors? I can't remember.... *Gotta use the strap pad. And get a black one; They don't show the dirt as easily.
Bottom Line:
Get this bag. You can carry your whole life in it. And get the strap pad so you can carry it comfortably.
Similar Products Used: Pearl Izumi messenger bag, old school back pack.
Bike Setup: Ritchey NiTi, done my way!
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Submitted by
Jeremy
a Weekend Warrior
from Norman, Oklahoma
Date Reviewed: March 3, 2003
Strengths: HUGE bag with lots of room. Big enough to carry your whole freakin life around with you. Doubles as a good place to hide when they come looking for you. Seriously though, a good,tougher than hell bag, to get you from point a to point b.
Weaknesses: It hasn't a one.
Bottom Line:
A fan-freakin-tastic bag and tougher than your moms meatloaf
Similar Products Used: backpacks with not enough room
Bike Setup: 2000 Kona Roast with all the fixins
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Submitted by
Rowr Woof
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2002
Strengths: Tough... Roomy... Water resistant... Well built.
Weaknesses: 'Spensive... Shifty... Big... Not edible.
Bottom Line:
I've had this bag for something like five or six years and it's still as good as new. Granted I stopped using it for commuting a while ago, I still use it regularly when I travel and it's big enough to carry a few days worth of clothes and small accessories.
The inside is lined with, um, stuff that prevents seepage. The outer shell is tough and also resistant to water. All of the stiching is still in tact and there is no wear on the bag. If you customize the bag, you can get neat colors, but mine is stealth black with a fat Dirt Rag logo right in the middle.
I used to use it when riding across town and have to say that it takes a little getting-used-to since I was raised on a diet of backpacks. Also, with a bag this size, you can't load it full of loose, heavy objects or you risk having stuff flop and shift. The cross strap helps a bit tho.
A good pack for just about anything both on and off the bike. Just need to swallow that cost and pluck down for it. It'll last long enough to be worth it tho.
Similar Products Used: Eastpak backpacks... LowePro packs... Plastic grocery bags... My back pocket
Bike Setup: Two wheels and stuff n stuff.
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Submitted by
Pablo
a Weekend Warrior
from Madison, WI USA
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2002
Strengths: Just got it, so here's my initial reaction: BIG! Semi-Custom system with many options - you pick from a menu of fabrics, features, and colors. Looks very well made. Got it FAST - ordered custom after regular biz hours on a friday, bag was here the following Fri.
Weaknesses: Don't see any yet.
Bottom Line:
Looks like it's gonna be a really nice bag. I wanted a big big, and I got one. It's probably a little larger than I absolutely need 75% of the time, but I got the Bolo for when I do need the space. I had the optional compression straps on the bottom to cinch it up. Also the center divider, which is actually double, so you can have three compartments. Its in the back , so it's out of the way when you have big stuff in the bag. Price shown is approximate for the Bolo bag, with added centr divider and compression straps, and I got the strap pad and the cell phone holster. Will post another review later after I have some experience with it.
Similar Products Used: A smaller, but very nicely made and organized messenger-style bag by Eagle Creek. Love it, but needed a bigger bag to haul my junk.
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Submitted by
former courier
a Cross Country Rider
from Capital City
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2002
Strengths: heavy cordura, well marketed, pretty colours, cheaper than some. If you can drink as much beer as it can carry then maybe you shouldn't be drinking at all.
Weaknesses: Adequate but by no means the best bag on the market. Not up to real messenger use, mine needed serious repairs after a year (which I did myself, so I could redesign the strap). Same basic design as in 1995 while other bag makers have left it in the dust, but you do pay a bit to a lot more for those. NOT 100% WATERPROOF! Only 93%, which means you get a little puddle in the bottom after a full day of rain, so be sure to put those legal papers in plastic bags anyway. Not very comfortable either, compared to something like a PAC Designs bag, which is the best I've tried, but also check out Zo or whatever your local old-timer messengers use. Still kinda pricy for what's basically a colorful mail bag.
Bottom Line:
Good enough for commuters but not if you're going to use it to earn a living.
Strengths: HUGE, good strap adjustment system, easy to access w/o taking off, sweet colors & customizable accessories, pretty waterproof
Weaknesses: It's TOO big for some jobs! Maybe a little overpriced but they make 'em in SF!
Bottom Line:
This bag rules. You can get it any color, any accessories, starting at $85. I got the bottom boot (good) & center divider (useless) and the strap pouch (useless) so mine was around $120. I can haul a ton of crap like a week's worth of groceries home from the store, a week's worth of clothes for a trip, etc. A badass bag.
Strengths: It's all strength. The thing will not die.
Weaknesses: Mine is 4 years old, and I'd like some new colors - but it's hard to justify a new bag when the old one is in such good shape.
Bottom Line:
This is the best bag on the market. Mine is old but works like new. If you are really going to be using it, get Nylon, not waxed cotton so you can wash it. I love mine. Fits tons of books, clothes, more than a case of 12 ounce bottles...... WORTH EVERY PENNY.
I've been inseparable from my Timbuk2 since I got it. I've used it mainly as a commuter bag for carrying changes of clothes, books, tools, what-have-you. It still looks brand new. It does all the things it should and precious few things it shouldn't. The interior pockets seem to be perfectly sized for the things I always carry. I got it with the reinforced bottom as well as compression straps. I never use the compression straps because they are spaced too far apart on the bottom of the bag. They should either add another strap in the middle or space them closer together.
Be on the lookout in Anchorage. I don't remember all the details, but Will a bartender over at Cafe Amsterdam told me he had his SC Chameleon stolen a couple weeks back. It's the Read More »
Hey folks,
Please keep your eyes open for one of my customer's bikes that was stolen last night between midnight and 0200 from the after party at Vulture's Knob in Ohio.
Take Read More »
