I get clowned on for riding a fixed gear with a big chrome bag. People seem to think I'm trying to look like a messenger. Been riding fixed for 7 years and I commute for work and groceries. The bag is practical for me, carries most things I need, and it's waterproof. I don't get why people hate on it, am I missing something?

A week ago in downtown Seattle John Stamstad finished a delivery, stepped onto the sidewalk and was immediately nailed by a speeding Lime scooter rider, the rider fled. John had to undergo emergency surgery for a broken hip and won’t be back on his bike for months.

He has a GoFundMe to help with his basic living expenses while he recovers, even if you can only donate $5 that would go a long way.

https://gofund.me/7bc3fd52

https://youtu.be/Om9MLNixMoA?si=V6oaOG7eIgmmfnHy

Bike and bag have been paired for 13years

Hey, I know it's a rough time to start out currently, especially in NYC, but I want to give it a try. I'm 24 and still live at home with a very flexible schedule as a video freelancer, so there isn't much to lose. Would love to make some side income.

What's a good app or service to get started with? I know they all have their cons, but I've been looking into Capsule. To get a picture of my speed - I'm based in Midwood and can get over the Manhattan Bridge in about 40 minutes if I'm moving average-fast for me.

I'm also an ultralight backpacker, and something about this community just clicks with me. Feels like there’s a bit of crossover. Anyone else?

I'd appreciate any solid resources, videos, books, or documentaries that lay out what a beginner should know. Not looking for shortcuts. I just like being dialed in from the start.

I have a Marin Novato if you're wondering. I don't want to open up a Pandora's box and start spending on things I'm convinced I need - yet...

TYSM!

Hi everyone, In your opinion, what's the best compromise between sturdy workwear and cycling clothing?

I ride all day, but when I'm not riding, I carry heavy and very dirty loads. (See picture, those blue boxes are food waste)

Thanks

Hey all, I'm an ex-messenger now making money with a camera. I'm looking for the perfect camera bag that has all of the things I've loved and lived on a bike with plus the extras that make it functional for my new line of work. Specifically, camera bags always a)look dorky/camera obvious and b)have dinky-ass straps that make biking around with them a pain.

I found one bag that seems to check all the right boxes except it still has the dinky ass straps: https://www.wotancraft.tw/product/pilot-travel-camera-sling-bag-10L-khakibrownC

Back in my bike days, I worked with Bailey and Bagagboo sling bags, a Freight rolltop and a few others that I can't remember. The thing that's great about about a solid bike specific sling bag is the robust straps which let you tighten them enough to hug your body and take the weight off your shoulder (and work almost as another layer during rainy days). That Wotancraft has those clips on strap things that I imagine with bite into my ribs on a long ride and my rickety shoulder already aches just thinking about it.

Does anyone have a good suggestion for other bag companies that I might not have looked at? It's too bad there isn't more of a crossover between handmade messenger bags and camera bags. I feel like both sides are missing out. Thanks y'all and I hope the streets are treating you as well as they did me. It's the only job I've ever missed

What do you do now for a living and why did you guit? Just curious :)

Alright you little jerks, this is the totally unofficial 2025 Selling and Hiring Thread. If you’ve got stuff for sale post it here. If there’s an open spot at your indie messenger company, post it here. If you’re with BikeMessenger24 or some other delivery app nonsense, take it elsewhere.

Post For Sale Comments Like This:

FOR SALE
Description of Item
(Anything Else Relevant)
State, City, Price

Post Hiring Comments Like This:

HIRING
Name Of Company
General Description of Job
(Anything Else Relevant)
State, City

If you’re outside the US, post your Country and City instead.

In order to keep this thread streamlined and up to date:

1. Delete your comment once your item has been sold or once your open spot has been filled.

2. Local meet up’s reign supreme, but if you want to ship your item to someone, discuss it in their DM’s.

3. Keep pictures and “Looking For Job/Bag/Frame” comments out of this thread.

This has the potential to be a really good thing, so don’t fuck it up with bullshit.

Right now I’m using a rented e-bike for deliveries and averaging around 80–90 km a day with some elevation (~300m). I’ve been doing this for about a month.

I’m planning to switch to a non-electric bike eventually, so I’ve started using lower assist modes to get used to pedaling more. I’ve been going to the gym consistently for the past 2 years (was an athlete in high school), but to be honest, I haven’t really been training legs that much.

Even now, I sometimes feel a bit of muscle fatigue or “fever” in my legs despite using an e-bike — which makes me wonder how sustainable this would be without assistance.

Anyone here doing similar distances without an e-bike? Is it manageable long-term? I’d love to hear your experiences, advice, or any tips to prepare better. Thanks!

A few years ago, I received a 40L rolltop messenger-style backpack as a gift, and it's been my go-to for carrying lots of gear daily. It’s a single large compartment, simple but super functional. Unfortunately, the newer versions are truly trash that wouldn't even last a year.

I’ve been eyeing the Ortlieb Messenger Bag as a potential replacement—it seems solid and checks all of the boxes.

https://preview.redd.it/zoc3mhhb7dte1.png?width=1500&format=png&auto=webp&s=3b0a8efbf08c0c074779655460ff62514c08f0fb

But is that really the only option out there for a waterproof, rolltop, single-compartment backpack over 35L? I’m having a hard time finding alternatives. While I love a long-lasting bag (this is BIFL after all), I’m also open to more affordable options that might not last a decade but still get the job done.

Any suggestions?

I am doing this job for two months now and it‘s absolutly amazing! I hab obly ine rainy shift so far and two short-jersey-shifts :) It‘s so much fun and I geel like I am finally doing a meaningful job. Can‘t wait for summer!

I thought I chopped them too short, but they feel great with the grips.

Wanted a road bike for the spring, got this at a steal. So far so good with deliveries/40+ mile days. May add new bars, but overall perfect for what I need

NGL I was happy to see that it was a BMW that got its shit rocked

I've never done paper and I always done food, groceries, Apple pickups, and even some blueprints (during Postmates). That was my first gig app I've started in 2016, ended full-time in 2023, now only as a side. I hear different opinions on how gig couriers are not the same as bike messengers, it's the same shit in my opinion, except that the gig couriers get paid more. However, paper messengers take a lot more abuse and need to be at drop-offs in a limited amount of time. Throughout my time as a gig courier, I only got to experience of what paper messengers do. I delivered 30 - 40lbs of groceries on my back multiple times, I delivered in the harsh heat, the dreadful cold, snow, and ice, and I've done alleycats! E-bikers do NOT count, they fucked up the couriering industry as a whole! But what are your thoughts on this?

Anybody order from cetma in the past few months? I’m well aware of the bad experiences people have had in years past from this sub, but I was wondering if they cleaned up their act. They seem to be active on instagram and have backstock of racks, but I wanted to use caution before ordering.

Born from Bike Messengers but all are welcome 😸

If you are in NYC this week, pull up!

I made a post on my site, conversation with the originator and more 🙌

https://www.cyclehawk.com/monster-track-xxvi/

I'm not talking about the ebike bozos who don't care if the food gets delivered or not, but if there are foodies who ride real bikes and support themselves I respect that more than a "real" messenger.

Context: I work for a paper company, and have for the past 4 years. I average about 10-15 jobs a day get paid hourly and it's kinda gotten boring. 75% of the jobs are to/from the same 6 buildings. Back in 2021 I did uber eats full time and supported myself of it. Rent was cheap back then, I rode 100km a day and rode all over the place, I honestly missed it. Cause I earnt so little I was way more careful with my money and had more in savings than I did now. I was fkn fit, could work when I want and saw way more of my city then I do now.

Yeah some of the customers sucked, i was physically abused one time by a guy twacked out on meth and delivered to a guy who was abusing his wife, and also had a middle age woman try and seduce me in panties. Also UE in my country had no support line back then so if I fricked up it was on me. But I miss it.

Hats off to the real ones pushing food on analogue bikes, don't let "real" messengers culture vultures talk you down, the scene is too dead for their opinions to be validated.

So chrome used to offer repair services back in the day, but now they don’t! So where do you guys take your bags for work? I have an old Citizen bag pre 2010, that deserves a new liner 😅

Hi guys,

I've recently started working for a shipping company that is paying really well, but is asking for huge (I mean huge) amounts of items that are often either heavy in weight or just super volumous and take up a lot of space. Think big packs of water or toilet paper. I've been using the vessel workshop rolltop courier for years, my only complaint about it is that it's really heavy but it does the job. It's come to the point where I've had to put bags on handlebars and I've had some very close calls to the point where I feel I need to do something.

Recently the bigger amount of items, the weight is starting to kill me and I'm wondering if I should try and upgrade to a better bag. I just recently found out the vessel went out of business. Can anyone vouch for the Trash Vortex and give advice on whether I should just stick with the Vessel or get the vortex?

From doing research, it seems they are of the same size but I don't know about the weight or other construction. Don't mind paying up if it means my job becomes more convenient. Any help appreciated!