Gear: Two Wheel Gear Mini Messenger Handlebar Bag

For the last couple of months, I've been testing out the new Two Wheel Gear Mini Messenger Handlebar Bag.

Now first, I have to start with one of the things I really appreciate about this bag: it's unique. I have never used a handlebar bag before. Further, I didn't really view this as commuting gear; to me, this was more beach or day out gear. But for me, it works great for both.

The more I used it, the more I appreciated having this space up front. Small things like wallet, keys, sun glasses, or phone were much nicer to have right up front, rather than tucked in a bag behind me. If I'm stopped at a red light or need to pull over, I don't even have to get off my seat to access them. I could stop, put a foot down, grab my phone, fire off a quick text to my wife, and be back pedalling within a few seconds.

So while I initially thought I'd use this bag mostly on weekends and stick to my The Classic 2.0 Garment Pannier for commuting, I found I ended up using both on my commutes.

But let's start with the setup - first the mounting hardware. I love that this bag came with all the equipment required to attached this to my bike. I assume front brackets/mounts aren't as common as rear racks, and I have no idea how standardized these brackets are either. Therefore, I imagine it is necessary to provide these with the bag. And Two Wheel Gear does, so you do not have to buy anything extra. The kit comes with two sizing rings for different diameter handlebars. The larger set worked perfectly for me.

It took me about 15-20 minutes to get the bracket set up. It is not difficult by any means, but I took time to make sure I had it adjusted right. There is a wire that goes into the bracket and wraps around the stem to give it extra holding capacity (so the bracket doesn't slide down under weight). It is simple enough to do, but I took a couple tries to get it just right. So I would suggest taking some time with this step.

After that, the bag very easily snaps into the bracket. And press that red button on top, and it pops right off.

As for the bag itself, I really like it. It is the perfect size for small accessories during my commutes, as mentioned above. And for shorter outings, I can go with just this bag. It has enough space for sunscreen and small things I'll need for a casual outing. I can also fit my windbreaker or light jacket rolled up inside. I love Two Wheel Gear's marketing that it is the perfect size for a six-pack (holds up to 10 cans to head to the beach). And it definitely is. With room to spare.

It comes with a shoulder strap to carry it off the bike, although I am not a huge fan of this. I would rather just carry with the hand-strap. The bag is weighted more to the front too, so I found it didn't sit right on my hip when I used the shoulder strap.

As with all Two Wheel Gear products, it is very well made, with reflective bands on the front. I am a huge fan of the charcoal grey as well, as I've mentioned before.

I have two challenges with this bag though and it's to do with positioning (on my bike with drop bars). The first is the brake/gear cables. Because the cables cross between the drops, where the bag sits, I always have to push the cables out of the way to attach the bag. Obviously, this is just the way bikes with drop bars function, and it is minor, because the bag fits fine once it's in there. But it means it takes two hands to clip the bag in instead of just one.

The other one is my front light. With the bag attached, I had no where to put it. I've always mounted my front light to my handlebars. But the bag blocks where my light would go. Even with the bracket there and no bag, it would block the light entirely on one side. So I had to rethink where to mount my light.

I ended up using this: Origin8 Frame/Fork Eyelet Stub. This stub screws right into one of the cable  mounts along the left side of my front fork. From there, I just attach my light to this stub instead of the handlebars. It looks fine, works. But optically, it takes some time to get comfortable with the light being mounted lower. But I'm getting there. And a very workable solution, but still and extra cost.

Overall, this bag is a fantastic addition to the Two Wheel Gear lineup! It's stylish, functional, convenient, and built to last. It will definitely be a regular part of my bike setup for the foreseeable future.

Here are links to my reviews of other Two Wheel Gear products:
- The Classic 2.0 Garment Pannier
- Pannier Backpack Convertible (original)
- Convertible Bike Briefcase
- Pannier Backpack Convertible PLUS+

Full disclaimer: I am a Two Wheel Gear Brand Ambassador. I was provided with this bag by Two Wheel Gear for the purposes of this review.

Gear: Two Wheel Gear Pannier Backpack Convertible PLUS+

For the past month and a bit, I have been using the new Two Wheel Gear Pannier Backpack Convertible PLUS+ as my daily bag going to and from work. In a nutshell, this bag is a larger version of the original Pannier Backpack Convertible, with a couple additional features that I'll go over here in a bit. Click HERE to read my review of the original Pannier Backpack Convertible.

This bag is designed to be both a backpack and a pannier (i.e. it attaches to a bike rack). And it is great at both! It is comfortable to carry as a backpack and attaches to a bicycle rack quickly and securely as a pannier. Converting from one to the other takes a few seconds. More on that in my review of the original Pannier Backpack Convertible.

I loved the original Pannier Backpack Convertible. It was a well made, beautifully designed bag, that I described as looking stylish enough to carry into the office and rugged enough to handle being attached to a bicycle. But it was small. I couldn't fit everything I needed inside (lunch, laptop, and a change of clothes). This new version fixes that and a few other criticisms I had with the original.

So let's great straight to the things I like. First, capacity. The greatly improved capacity on this bag is awesome - it has a 30L capacity. And when comparing it to the original (which has a 24L capacity), it is easy to see the difference.

I can easily fit a change of clothes, my lunch, my laptop, and still have room for a few other things. In fact, I can even take this bag on short overnight work trips, without needing to take another bag. Even better, the bag doesn't feel bigger on my back. However, I do feel it when it's on my bike. The extra size and weight are apparent. But that, of course, is the trade-off for more capacity.

Second, rather than having the laptop tucked against the back of the main compartment, there is now a dedicated laptop compartment. With the original, it was difficult to pull a laptop in and out, especially if the bag was full. But not anymore. Getting to the office, I don't have to open my dirty clothes compartment to pull out my laptop. Going through airport security, I have easy access to my laptop without unpacking the main compartment. Overall, this is a fantastic upgrade to the design here.

Third, I love the new KLICKfix Kompakt Rail Mounting System. Attaching the bag to my bike is faster and feels more secure than the original system. Plain and simple, it is easier to use and works better. The only possible criticism is that it is slightly thicker; therefore, I can feel it, albeit very slightly, when carrying it on my back (i.e. in backpack mode). It's definitely not uncomfortable - just enough to remind me that there is a latching system there.

And as with all Two Wheel Gear products, the bag is incredibly well constructed. The stitching is precise and well done. The zippers have a sturdy, high-quality feel. Just by using this bag over the past month, I feel like it will last a long time.

My one gripe is that the bottom of the laptop compartment is not padded. So if you put the bag down heavily, or drop your laptop into the compartment, you do risk clunking the corner of your laptop on the ground. To remediate, I throw my laptop in a sleeve before dropping it in the bag.

One of the things I consistently appreciate about Two Wheel Gear products is that they have enough professional polish to carry into the office, and enough ruggedness to handle the bike ride in. They really do nail the perfect balance between polished and rugged.

As for the colour, I got this bag in the waxed canvas, as opposed to the charcoal grey that I usually get (that all my other Two Wheel Gear bags are in). I know other folks that have other bags in waxed canvas and absolutely love it. While I do love the look and feel of it, I feel like it shows scuffs and dirt really easily. One of the benefits of the charcoal grey is that the bag never looks dirty. So while it is definitely a preference, and the bag is available in either colour, I would suggest the charcoal grey to hide the dirt at bit. Again, that is purely preference.

Overall, this bag is a great improvement to what was already a great bag. It now has the extra space, capacity, and organization that I needed. Definitely a recommended buy from me.

Here are links to my reviews of other Two Wheel Gear products:
- The Classic 2.0 Garment Pannier
- Pannier Backpack Convertible (original)
- Convertible Bike Briefcase

Coming soon: Mini Messenger Handlebar Bag

Full disclaimer: I am a Two Wheel Gear Brand Ambassador. I was provided with this bag by Two Wheel Gear for the purposes of this review.

Gear: Two Wheel Gear Convertible Bike Briefcase

My good friends at Two Wheel Gear recently launched and now right in the middle of their latest Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for their latest creation: a Convertible Bike Briefcase. Similar to their other bags, the Pannier Backpack Convertible (see my review HERE) and their Garment Pannier (see my review HERE), this bag is designed for on and off bike usage, especially for those commuting by bicycle to and from the office.

I was able to get my hands on one of the first production versions of this bag. And my initial impressions? Amazing. This bag is right on par with their past products in terms of innovation, usefulness, and quality construction. In fact, this may become my new favourite bag for all around daily use. 

I'll get right into some of the things I like about it.

APPEARANCE

It looks great! I'm a big fan of the graphite colour option, which is a dark brushed grey look and red zipper tags for a pop of colour. The overall look has that same Two Wheel Gear feel to it - professional but slightly rugged. Polished enough for the office but tough enough for a rainy west coast bicycle commute. 

Also, because it's a shoulder/laptop/briefcase style bag, it simply looks more professional than a backpack. For me, carrying this in and out of the office, it simply feels more appropriate.

COMFORT

It is very comfortable to carry. The shoulder strap has precisely the right amount of padding. This bag is comfortable either on one shoulder or across the body on opposite shoulder. One thing to note is that because of the pannier mounting system, it is a rigid shape. It is padded, so it's comfortable to carry against your hip - I cannot feel the mounting brackets at all. But this bag will not conform and shape around your hip like a plain canvas bag might.

MOUNTING SYSTEM

This is the best pannier mounting system I have used yet. It is extremely simple and durable. Similar to the Pannier Backpack Convertible, the hooks are hidden behind a zippered flap. Simply unzip, tuck in the flap, and the pannier is ready to attach to your bicycle. Slide the hooks over the bike rack frame, flick the hooks down to lock them in, and you're set. Converting from briefcase to pannier takes mere seconds. There is a strap to fully secure the bottom of the bag against the bike rack as well, which I use for longer commutes/rides but not for shorter/quick trips.

DESIGN and LAYOUT

I love the layout of these pockets. Initially I was concerned that the two larger compartments should have been combined into one larger one (to save material and all that), but the more I use this bag, the more I like the two large compartment setup. Mainly, this allows me to separate two distinct groups of items: (1) office items like laptop and accessories and (2) commuting items like a change of clothes, lunch, umbrella, etc. 

The large pocket at the back has a padded laptop sleeve and a mesh pocket for accessories. It is designed to fit a laptop up to 17". Both of my laptops (14" and 15") fit easily. With the Pannier Backpack, because the laptops went it lengthwise, it was sometimes difficult to angle them in (they fit once in, it was just about getting them in and out, especially when the bag was full). However, with this bag, my laptop is always easy to get in and out. This pocket opens the entire length of the bag along the top.

The next large pocket is perfect for commuting items. I often throw my lunch or a change of clothes in there. There are a couple mesh pockets in here as well to sort items. The bag is long enough for a compact umbrella so, living in rainy Vancouver, I usually have my umbrella and sunglasses (yes, in Vancouver, some days we need both of those things) stuffed in there as well. Perfect for some small toiletries or other items. This pocket zips open along three sides of the bag so you can open it right up to organize before closing it up.

The first of the outer pockets is a pretty standard office/school style setup - a couple of pen slots, two notebook slots, and a key loop. I use this to keep my notebook in one, passport in the other, a spare pen, and a pack a mints. I also like that this pocket opens along three sides of the bag so you can open it right up as well to view items.

Finally, the small front pocket. This pocket comes with the bright yellow rain cover in it, but is also perfect for my Kobo.  I leave my rain cover at home most days and only bring it when I am (a) riding my bike and (b) it is raining.

For overall size, this is similar to the Pannier Backpack in that it is difficult to fit both my lunch and a full change of clothes. So when I am packing larger loads, I will still and forever use my Garment Pannier. This bag is perfect for everything else.

I really enjoy this layout overall and do not really have any criticisms. As well all new bags, the zippers are still quite stiff around the corners for me, but that is something that will ease over time as the fabric settles a bit after some more use.

TRAVEL

One other feature I love about this bag is that it is designed to fit a rolling suitcase. As a frequent business traveler, this will be a huge convenience for me. The hand straps and the lower strap to secure the bottom of the bag against the bike rack easily fit over the suitcase handle. I have fit this over my suitcase to confirm it fits but haven't field tested this one through an airport yet - I will update this post in mid-April when I return from my next trip.

KICKSTARTER

Two Wheel Gear is right in the middle of a Kickstarter campaign for this bag (click HERE). They need $20,000 and, at the time of writing this, are just over half way there with 10 days to go. Supporters are also entered to win a commuter setup from Brodie and Two Wheel Gear! Please consider supporting them! They are a great local Vancouver company that continues to deliver innovative products designed for the bike commuting professional!

CONCLUSION

Overall, I am very impressed with this bag. It is the same high quality design and construction that I have come to expect from Two Wheel Gear. I definitely recommend this bag to anyone looking for that professional looking bag that can double as a pannier.

UPDATE (May 15, 2018): I have been using this bag as my daily bag for nearly two months now and I absolutely love it. I have been using it on my work travel, as well as to and from work, mostly even without my bike. Still love it!

Here are links to my reviews of other Two Wheel Gear products:
- The Classic 2.0 Garment Pannier
- Pannier Backpack Convertible (original)
- Pannier Backpack Convertible PLUS+

Coming soon: Mini Messenger Handlebar Bag

Full disclaimer: I am a Two Wheel Gear Brand Ambassador. I was provided with this bag by Two Wheel Gear for the purposes of this review.

Becoming a Two Wheel Gear Brand Ambassador

When I truly believe in something, I naturally become an advocate for it. Whether it's a company, a product, a place, or an experience that aligns with my values, I love to tell others about it.

I also have a strong moral compass, high ethical standards, and a keen attention to quality so in our current consumer-focused market of discount products, cheap knockoffs, and mega cheap superstores, I find it harder and harder to come across well-made, brilliantly designed products from ethical, reputable companies.

Two Wheel Gear is one of the companies that rises above the rest for me. Their products are well made, brilliantly designed, and align directly with my values.

I am a business professional working downtown Vancouver and I am a strong advocate for the bicycle commuting culture. As a bicycle commuter, I find a lot of the bicycle gear targeted at business professionals is targeted at those that live and work downtown and, therefore, have a short (less than 5 km) ride to work. Therefore, they assume that you can wear your work clothes while you ride. In my case, I live in the suburb of Richmond and work downtown Vancouver. My commute is over 20 km each way so wearing a dress shirt and pants on my bicycle is out of the question.

Two Wheel Gear develops bicycle gear specifically for the business professional but with the longer bicycle commutes of many North American cities in mind. But in addition to simply designing and selling great products, they are an active part of local bicycle-friendly events and campaigns.

So, when I got my first Two Wheel Gear bag in 2015 (The Classic 2.0 Garment Pannier, a suit bag that fits on your bike like any other pannier), I talked about it a lot to anyone that would listen, whether it was in the locker room, to my friends, on Twitter or Facebook, or on this blog (click HERE for my review of the The Classic 2.0 Garment Pannier). I became a vocal advocate for the company and their products.

It didn't take long before Reid Hemsing (President & CEO of Two Wheel Gear) noticed and reached out. Ever since that first email interaction, we've kept in fairly regular contact either through social media, email, or even the odd text message. In 2016, Reid asked me to review his latest product, the Pannier Backpack Convertible. Similar to The Classic 2.0, the bag was a great design and really well made. So again, I talked about the bag a lot. More details on that bag in my review HERE.

Which brings us to this year. In the spring, Reid asked if I would be willing to be a Two Wheel Gear Ambassador. And, of course, I agreed. In June, Reid and a couple of his team members joined me on my commute home with their cameras in tow. A short interview and a couple weeks later, I was featured in a Commuter Profile on the Two Wheel Gear blog (click HERE to view it).

I am incredibly honoured to be an Ambassador for Two Wheel Gear. This is a company that sees a future that I want to live in. They develop products that feel like they are made specifically for my lifestyle. They are well made and represent great, innovative design. And they look great too. And
Reid recently mentioned a couple of his ideas for new products that they are working on for next year and I am excited to see them. I can't wait to see what's next for this company.


Here are links to my reviews of all Two Wheel Gear products:
- The Classic 2.0 Garment Pannier
- Pannier Backpack Convertible (original)
- Convertible Bike Briefcase
- Pannier Backpack Convertible PLUS+

Gear: Two Wheel Gear Pannier Backpack Convertible

I have been using the Pannier Backpack Convertible from Two Wheel Gear for about six weeks now. And I want to start by saying that I absolutely love this bag!

From my perspective, first and foremost, it is a backpack and I am a backpack kind of guy - I carry a backpack with me everywhere. But the Two Wheel Gear Pannier Backpack Convertible is also a pannier. It has clips that allow me to attach it to the rack on my bike. Genius! This saves me from getting my back all sweaty on my rides and makes for a much more comfortable ride.

As for aesthetics, the bag I received is granite colour with red detailing. This bag is both sporty and professional, rugged and refined. I love the colour of this bag and the red straps and zipper tags really add some colour to it. This styling is the perfect balance for "I am a hard working business professional" and "I rode my bike to work today".

This bag is very comfortable to carry. I carry this bag to work with me every single day with my lunch and usually a laptop inside and this bag is comfortable. Straps are contoured and padded just the right amount to remain minimalist yet offer the comfort required. The latching system that attaches to the bike rack is behind a padded piece that faces your back when you have the bag on your back; however, I have only been able to feel the brackets once or twice and, even then, could barely feel them at all.

One of my initial concerns was that converting the bag back and forth from pannier to backpack and vice versa would become exhausting. However, I have found it much easier than I anticipated. Flipping the bag from pannier to backpack, for example, takes mere seconds - pull out the traps, attach to the buckles, and zip up the flap. Done. To reverse the process, unbuckle the shoulder straps, unzip the flap, tuck the straps into the pocket behind the flap, and tuck the top part of the flap down on top of the straps. Done.

The one downside is that the bag is significantly smaller than I expected. Although it is difficult to compare to other backpacks because of the features of the bag, namely that it has a bike rack mounting system in it, other 24L backpacks have significantly more usable space inside. The mounting system takes up a good amount of space. For me, there is not enough room for a change of clothes, lunch, and my laptop (my typical daily commuter load). That being said, the bag does expand a bit and I am surprised how much I can jam in there when I need to. So all things considered, the bag does have plenty of room for everything I need for a day trip or night out on my bike.


It is important to note that this bag is not intended to replace the 2.0 Garment Pannier but to complement it. Back when this bag was still being designed, I was able to discuss it a bit with Reid Hemsing, President of Two Wheel Gear, and what he said makes perfect sense. With all the space in the 2.0 Garment Pannier (see my post on that bag HERE), I can haul all the clothes I need for work for the entire week in a single trip. Then for the rest of the week, I can use my smaller, lighter, sleaker Pannier Backpack Convertible and enjoy the lighter loads. There is plenty of room for everything else I need in the Pannier Backpack Convertible when I remove a full change of business clothing from the mix.

My only criticism is that the zippers are a bit difficult to close around the corners. With a bit of patience though, it takes only a second to reposition and get it zipped up. This should also be easier over time as the fabric relaxes a bit more.

I have to admit though, I had to really look for things to find wrong with this bag. I had six weeks to think and plan what I could find wrong and those are the only two things I could come up with. This bag is great. It looks excellent, it is extremely well made, and it fits a niche use-case that I have been looking to fill for a long time.

So overall, I love it. It fits nicely into my daily routine, looking stylish enough to ride to work and rugged enough to handle being attached to a bicycle. So whether I am riding my bike or not, I almost always have my Two Wheel Gear Pannier Backpack Convertible with me.




Here are links to my reviews of other Two Wheel Gear products:
- The Classic 2.0 Garment Pannier
- Convertible Bike Briefcase
- Pannier Backpack Convertible PLUS+

Coming soon: Mini Messenger Handlebar Bag

Full disclaimer: I am a Two Wheel Gear Brand Ambassador. I was provided with this bag by Two Wheel Gear for the purposes of this review.

Gear: Two Wheel Gear The Classic 2.0 Garment Pannier

For all of 2015, with my wife on mat leave, I was able to use my bike as my sole method of commuting to and from work. Honestly, in terms of commuting, it was the best year of my life. I enjoyed every single day of it.

My commute is 20 km each way, which takes me between 45 and 55 minutes, depending on my energy level. As such, my ride is substantial enough that I need to change into my work clothes when I get there. Luckily, my office building has exceptional facilities available: showers, change rooms, secure bike storage, etc.

One of the challenges was getting my work clothes (dress pants and dress shirt) to the office without wrinkling them up in a backpack. Also, backpacks are sweaty and uncomfortable, especially on hot summer days.

So for my birthday last year, which is in late spring, my wife got me the number one item on my wish list: The Classic 2.0 Garment Pannier from Two Wheel Gear. I can't remember where I had first heard about Two Wheel Gear, but early in 2015 I started seeing the name appearing in articles more and more. Two Wheel Gear is a great local company with a great concept: a suit bag that's made to fit on your bike. As for the company itself, "the focus is to create the very best bags in the world for professional business commuters, to keep innovating with new commuting bags and to make it extremely easy to bike to work."

The garment pannier was the perfect solution to my problem. The main pocket zips completely open and lays flat for organizing clothes. Inside, there are a couple small pockets for socks, belts, ties, or other accessories. Inside the flap, there is a laptop pouch and a larger accessory pocket.

On the outside, it looks almost like a regular set of panniers. Large outer pockets have ample space for shoes, a packed lunch, a jacket, or whatever else you need to carry.

The bag comes with a bright yellow rain cover that attaches to the outside of the bag. The nice part about it is that I can detach it and leave it at home on the days I know it won't rain. But if the forecast shows a chance of rain, I simply clip the rain cover on, just in case I need it.


The other thing I really like about the bag is that it comes with a shoulder strap. So when I park my bike, like on the days I take a shorter 5 km bike ride to the train, I simply unhook the bag from my bike, throw the strap over my shoulder, and, voila, a shoulder bag. Now I will admit, that the bag is a bit bulky to be an awesome shoulder bag. Thankfully, that's not it's primary purpose. The bag has to be that bulky to fit both the length and width of the clothes inside. The only downside is that I have to really squish it into the lockers at work (which I assume are standard size changing room lockers). Even an inch less width would make it a lot easier to fit.

Overall, I love this bag. I use it every single time I ride to work. The quality of it is top notch. It has big, sturdy zippers on it. And after almost a year's worth of daily use, it barely has any signs of wear at all. When it gets dusty from the road/trail, a quick rinse with the hose and it's cleaned right up.

Now if this is a bit too much for what you're looking for, Two Wheel Gear is close to releasing a smaller Pannier Backpack. I am extremely intrigued by this bag as well, especially for the days when I don't have as much to carry.

You really can't go wrong with either option!



Here are links to my reviews of other Two Wheel Gear products:
- Pannier Backpack Convertible (original)
- Convertible Bike Briefcase
- Pannier Backpack Convertible PLUS+

Coming soon: Mini Messenger Handlebar Bag