For starters: the version of this bag I received has a surprising embroidery under the main flap depicting a cartoonish image of a naked boy and girl and the text "Everyone at the dance was really open to the idea of heling on the farm". It's kind of cool, but would probably upset some customers, otherwise this would be a five star review. This might not still be standard, but keep that in mind.Laptop sleeve works as promised. With the laptop tucked inside there's still room for some files, a hat and gloves, an apple, pen and pencils, bike tools, a spare tube, your laptop charger, a wireless mouse, a dvd player, sunglasses, an apple, and some clean socks and underwear. Pretty much everything you need.
The pannier attachment attaches and detaches very smoothly, and any necessary adjustments to the tightness of the mechanism can be made with the allen keys in your multi-tool. With the attachment in place the bag goes on and off the rack really slick. Nice to be able to stop the bike and with a light tug have the bag come off in my hand so I can run inside. Only problem I have with that is that it clips onto the rack without having a lower bungee hook holding it down. This is what makes removing it so slick, but if you bunny-hop of drop hard off a tall curb you can find you've left your bag behind.
Interior pockets are smart and of sufficient variety to fill just about any pocket need. Adjustable strap is COMFY! Rain cover is effective and stows invisibly. Without pannier attachment in place bag sits nicely against the side/back (can be uncomfortable with it on, but it comes off easily to stick inside if you're carrying the bag for a while). Bag is holding it's shape well after seven months of regular use. I love it more every day.
My problems with the bag:
1. i struggled with the carry-strap: once disconnected, it took me ages to figure out how to connect it up the first time. Finally, when i had the knack of it, it would randomly disconnect and the entire bag would fall from my shoulder onto the groundnot cool when carrying a laptop or anything else important.
2. the construction was poor. a few weeks after using the bag, i noticed one of the seams that the threads were distressed. within 9 months, at least 3 different seams had splitthe seams of the waterproof flap and even the side seams. All summer I used baby pins to secure the sides. 10 pins, to be precisethus losing the whole idea of waterproofing.
So glad i switched to ortlieb classic panniers: The difference is amazing: the seams are literally fused together so i shouldn't have any openings in the seams 9 months.
Huge waste of 120.
Buy Knog Frank Dog Laptop Bag Now
UPDATE: As other reviewers have commented, after much less than 6 months of use the bag is a major FAIL as it is completely falling apart. The lining material and stitching is completely trashed, only 1 of the 5 internal pockets is still a pocket, the velcro closure is copletely unstitched, and I am not hard on my bag! The inflexibility of the pannier hardware means it's a super drag to get on my new rack that doesn't have exceptionally large tubes (Topeak) which I purchased because the bag flew off my old slimmer-tubed rack when I went over a pot hole--not what you want when you are carrying an expensive laptop to work. I am super frustrated with this purchase--could've and am now going to invest in a decent Arkel, Ortileb, Vaude, or Racktime product. I wrote to the company and they said "sorry, we're in Australia and can't help you, and additionally are no longer making bags." Gee--I wonder why! Save your money!OLD REVIEW--ignore all praises because they will not last!:
Generally I am happy with this bag. The pannier attachment is excellent in that it can be removed in a second and the bag is as comfortable on your back as any messenger bag, unlike many other convertible msgr bags out there. Wide strap is super comf and when it's really loaded I appreciate the removable waist strap that I can stow with the rain sleeve pocket when not in use. As stated by another reviewer, the only problem with the attachment system is the lack of an integrated bungee of some sort, as although it hasn't happened to me, I can see the bag popping off if running over a big pothole.
Internal pockets are laid out well. It is a big bag--with the vertical alignment, it is thus a little more difficult to search the bottom for stray items (i.e. easier in a horizontal laptop bag) but this isn't a big deal except as a suggestion to knog that they include the hub/pannier option on their pig dog which is basically the horizontal version of this bag sans the bike attachment option. The only things I am missing from my old bag are external pockets for ease of access to my keys or cell or a water bottle, as well as a fabric loop or something that I could attach a caribiner to--well actually, I guess I could do that on the loops onto which the waist strap attaches...so that just leaves the only drawbacks as the lack of the external pocket/s and need for backup pannier attachment (i.e. bungee system or something should potholes wreak havoc on the plastic hooks).
So, overall, a nice bag. The orange is BRIGHT by the way--sometimes I wish I had gotten something a bit more subtle like the black/gray or camo, but I dig it enough and wouldn't not suggest it to others--the color is excellent for biking visibility which is why I actually chose it (some reflective tubing as they have on their saddle bags would have been appreciated however).
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