After about two and a half years car-free, I've found that, for me, having a good bag is second only to having a well-fitting and properly-functioning bike. Having the ability to carry something increases your bike's utility greatly. Be it the essentials like wallet and patch kit, a change of clothes for work or a weekend trip, or an afternoon thrift store hunting, a good bag set up can obviously make a huge difference. For me, that bag is the Chrome Roll Top Pack.

The Bag

Having worn out or tried out a several different messenger bags and not being happy with any of them, I decided to look into a backpack (panniers have since proved functional, but little more than a novelty for me as far as daily use goes). Being mostly happy with Chrome's aesthetics and design, I decided to try out one of their backpacks. I posted a want ad in our Marketplace forum, and fellow admin and all around awesome dude Doofo offered up his slightly used Ivan Roll Top for a great price. A quick paypal transaction and a few days later, I had a new pack on my doorstep.

“Holy shit, this is a MEDIUM?!” were the words spoken upon arrival. This bag is huge. Voluminous even. I dread the large (the Sultan); it must be a child-swallowing behemoth. The sheer amount of stuff I can carry is incredible, to say the least. Case of beer? Mere child's play. Bike frame? Plenty of room left over. The only thing I've come across in my travels that I could not manage to carry was an Apple G4 tower. According to Chrome, the Ivan has an interior volume of 1680 cubic inches. That's a lot of cubes.

The Usage

Yet, for all of its cavernous qualities, the bag is totally manageable on a day to day basis. I never was a boy scout, but I still follow their motto; I'm always prepared. Daily, I carry a u-lock, cable, seat bag with emergency tools (multi tool, patch kit, leatherman tool with led flashlight, tire levers, CO2 pump and spare canister) first aid kit, rain jacket, spare t-shirt or jacket, gloves, shoes for walking off the bike (a totally worn out pair of Tiger's I affectionately refer to as leather socks), books, wallet, phone, camera... All of this stuff is in my bag no matter what. And, aside from filling the front pockets with my lock in one and wallet, phone, and camera in the other, I have plenty of room for running errands or coming across some parts I can't pass up. There is the main compartment, a gaping maw itself, and a smaller water tight pocket under a clever flap that's about the width of a Macbook Pro and as long as the bag itself.

No matter the load, the Ivan is very comfortable. Part of this is due to the inherent weight distribution of a backpack, and part of this is due to well thought out padding. The back is supple, and the shoulder straps and wide and comfortable. The waist and sternum straps are adjustable and work much better than on a messenger bag for cinching down loads tight to your torso. The shoulder straps are adjustable as well.

As far as construction goes, it's the same as all other Chrome offerings: heavy duty materials and linings, all for a water proof bag. There are a series of loops on the front, between the two small pockets, which are a clever addition. I keep a blinky on the lowest one, and hang my keys and helmet from the others while off the bike. The sternum strap has reflective bands sewn in, just like all the other bags, but only a very small section is exposed when in use.

But...

Which brings me to my criticisms of the bag. I would like to see a bit more reflective material on the rear facing area of the bag, maybe stitched into the pocket flap lashes or the flap linings. It would be nice to see Chrome add a small pocket to the side so I could drop one shoulder strap and swing the bag a bit to access my wallet or phone, instead of dropping the bag and getting it out of the front pocket. I know I could buy a radio holster to attached to the shoulder strap, but those are stupid. I'm not a messenger, nor do I desire to be. I don't need a holster when I have no radio. Some riders complain about the roll top section interfering with their helmets, but I have not experienced this with my helmet. But my major complaint, and one that seems like a given really, is REARWARD VISIBILITY! The rolled up section on top totally creates a blind spot for shoulder checks! Turning you head and glancing back at the car on your ass just won't work. All you're gonna see is sky and cordura. You kinda have to drop your head down and turn it and peer past the outside of your shoulder, rather than over it. That took a bit of getting used to.

Overall, and I'm sure it's obvious, I love this bag. I use it daily in the sun and rain and dirt and it gets hauled around with me downtown all night, and not once has it let me down. It's taken quite a beating and held up wonderfully. If and when this bag falls apart, I'm going to buy another one. And I think that's impressive enough.

MSRP: $180 (Pawn, 1150 cu. in.); $200 (Ivan, 1680 cu. in.); $220 (Sultan, 2475 cu. in.)
Currently offered in Olive, Brown, or Black
http://www.chromebags.com/products/bags/rolltop/

Please discuss this review and product here: http://tarckbike.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=4631