Chrome Metropolis Bag

[xjoex]

Review: Chrome Metropolis Courier Bag
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We all know that looking good on a bike is important. You gotta look good while commuting too. Panniers might work and cause less stress on your butt, but they do not make you look cool.

Looking good on a bike is made easier by using a nice courier bag. After 11 years of Timbuk2 DeeDog glory I decided I would try a Chrome bag. The Metropolis is 2000 in^3, has the chrome seat belt buckle chest strap and is built like a tank.


Chaka Test
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Before we delve in to the features, lets just show you how big it is, it can fit at least one fat cat. I call this the Chaka Malik test, as thats the cats name. Its no small cat, she's like 13 pounds! Someone needs to go on a diet...

That 16 LED blinky light is a custom one I made, you can too if you follow these directions I put over on instructables.com (http://www.instructables.com/id/EB7LTZWAG3EP286IA8/)

Features
The bag has reflective material sewn in to the quick release straps, a nice touch. It has a padded shoulder strap with a sort of quick release seat belt buckle in the middle. The buckle comes in usefull if tons of awkards stuff in the bag. It also has a nice velcro catch for the stabilizer strap to keep it out of the way when it is not needed. Also there is a piece of webbing on the bottom for sliding in a blinky light, although I'd argue its vertical and should be horizontal so the light doesn't fall out.


Insides
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What I really like about this bag and what sets it apart from the standard Timbuk2 is the internal dividers. The metropolis has a zippered change/wallet/passport pocket, pen holders, 3 nice pockets for cell phone, tools, ear warmer or other small items. Then the internal pocket, which is huge breaks away from the bag to form two sections in case want to seperate things. Like your dirty U-lock from your clean work clothes...

Using it
So I used this bag for a while commuting with:
Kryptonite New York U Lock
Tube
Pump
Soma Woodie 20 tool
Clean Drawls
Undershirt
Cell Phone
Wind Breaker/Rain shell
Widescreen Dell Laptop

Yeah this bag swallows all of this up while not being too big.

If you have to jump curbs and ride looking good. This is one nice bag.


From Chrome:
Chrome Metropolis
Slightly smaller and nimbler than the Kremlin messenger, but still plenty big to carry a lot of what you really need. In addition to the cross-chest stabilizer strap, the Metropolis also includes a waist strap attachment point. Extra features include a secret stash pocket and front utility buckles for external rain gear storage. Click here to read reviews and to find out more about our messenger bags. Click here for color swatches.


Dimensions: 26 x 14 x 7 (flat dimensions)
Volume: 2000 cu. in. (not based on flat dimensions)
Website: www.chromebags.com

[sweaty__merckx]

Hey, Joe,
Interesting... I had the same bag... different color.
I also have a BIG black long-haired cat.
My cat LOVES to nap on top of this bag. I can't keep her off of it! I have never tried to carry her around IN it, but I don't think that it would go over as well.
Aside from the feline magnetism, that was the best bag ever. I thought that, unlike my previous Timbuk2, every cubic inch of the interior was usable. My old Timbuk2 wrapped around my back too much (I think due to the more primitive strap set-up) to load things into the sides of the bag (comfortably).
Hope you enjoy it!
-Sweaty

[2dumb4gears]

I've got 2 of their bags (a metropolis, and the biggest of the backpack style).

How come you didn't review the secret stash pcket on the seam? I had my bag for a YEAR before I even found it; awesome for smuggling into concerts, etc.
:D

[Johnny]

I love my chrome metro as well (even though I am allergic to cats; is that somehow relevant?) It is, however, too cavernous and heavy on some occasions, and I find myself using a Patagonia half-mass bag most of the time to carry some lunch, a coffee thermos, a rain jacket, and a change of clothes. If I need to haul more, it's the chrome for sure.

[Joshua Pattersnap]

Hey, Joe,
Interesting... I had the same bag... different color.
I also have a BIG black long-haired cat.
My cat LOVES to nap on top of this bag. I can't keep her off of it!

I've been using a Citizen and a Metro for about a year, good bags.

And yeah, every time I leave it open it attracts cats to come lay on the vinyl.

Weird.

[ducpilot]

How come you didn't review the secret stash pcket on the seam? I had my bag for a YEAR before I even found it; awesome for smuggling into concerts, etc.
:D

Hey whoa cool! I've had mine for about a year and a half too and didn't know about this myself. I think we should call it the 18 Month Pocket.

FWIW, I find I usually end up with some bruising on my chest where the buckle comes together if I load it up with too much stuff (like when traveling on a long plane trip). I also have to admit to the "quick release" strap outsmarting me and not being able to figure out how to get it back to a functioning configuration. For some reason it came out of the buckle and now the extra strap just dangles. :confused:

[davkatreb]

FWIW, I find I usually end up with some bruising on my chest where the buckle comes together if I load it up with too much stuff
But at least you look cool. Hipsters...:rolleyes:

[ducpilot]

But at least you look cool. Hipsters...:rolleyes:Not sure I'd call myself a hipster or cool, but I do know I can carry more stuff in this bag more convienently than any other I've used.