Jeff Coleman's dashboard

RooRocz replied on May 25, 2008 14:09 to the idea "Water bottles on custom bags." in Timbuk2:

Yes, please do add the external water bottle option! I have a small Messenger bag, and IMHO the lack of an exterior water bottle pocket is its lone flaw.
I should mention, though, that I'd be more likely to use it for a small umbrella. I commute by Metro, and yes, I'm one of those obnoxious people who just has to walk up the escalator, so I'd really like to be as unobtrusive as possible.

Jeff Coleman replied on April 11, 2008 19:56 to the idea "Water bottles on custom bags." in Timbuk2:

Yes, I too would like to see an external water bottle holder option available. I need to get a bag very soon. Any idea of when, if agreed to, the water bottle holder option would be available?

Thanks!

A comment on the question "Water bottle, reflective tails and ordering advice..." in Timbuk2:

Mmmmm, burritos. – Eric Suesz, on April 10, 2008 21:38

jamie replied on April 10, 2008 20:29 to the question "Water bottle, reflective tails and ordering advice..." in Timbuk2:

sorry jeff. we were eating burritos. answers to your questions: nope, ya can't add on a waterbottle holder. yes, you can take off the reflective tails, but you can't take off the clip that attaches the tail to the bag. you can totally phone in the order, or you can do the process online, whichever floats your boat.

Jeff Coleman asked a question in Timbuk2 on April 10, 2008 20:09:

Water bottle, reflective tails and ordering advice...

I am building a Messenger bag (non-laptop version).

Is it possible to special request a water bottle holder be added?

Regarding the reflective tails (the big ones of the two options) ...do these refective pieces clip on and off or are they permanent like the smaller "sewn on" option?

Can I phone in the order or is it better somehow to do the whole ordering process online?

(I tried calling the 800 number just now and it does not go through...I get a message saying "sorry the person you are calling is not available". It worked last night when I called (although I got an answeing message saying they were closed) ).

Thank you!
-Jeff

Jag replied on April 02, 2008 14:30 to the question "Large Messenger (Laptop?): would laptop bag fit in sleeve, is lining material all the same, to divide or not...?" in Timbuk2:

I have seen some pictures where someone removed the padding from a Commute, but you'll have to do a little 'surgery' on the bag to cut and remove the padding. Since they've added the grab strap to a large bag, you could probably go with a regular one with just the divider. I don't think the divider gives the bag any shape; more like gives you an extra pocket. Not too sure if that's changed though You can see a pic of the divider at http://the-gadgeteer.com/review/timbu... You mainly see grey liners as that's the default colour for an off-the-shelf bag. Only reason I can think of to not go with the black liner(and why people usually go with a light/bright liner) is that stuff may blend into the bag and be harder to see.

Jeff Coleman marked one of programmer #1's replies in Timbuk2 as useful. programmer #1 replied to the question "Handle for Non-Laptop Messenger?".

programmer #1 replied on April 01, 2008 05:31 to the question "Handle for Non-Laptop Messenger?" in Timbuk2:

jeff, i cant answer the laptop divider question.. but i can tell you that because of your question we realized that the large messenger did not have the grab strap add on available.. so we just added it tonight...

Jeff Coleman asked a question in Timbuk2 on April 01, 2008 04:40:

Large Messenger (Laptop?): would laptop bag fit in sleeve, is lining material all the same, to divide or not...?

I am trying to put together a large Messenger bag (have not decided whether to go "Classic" or "Laptop" version yet). I will be using it to tote a large number of text books and some binders along with my laptop bag/sleeve (graduate school)...

Q1: ***With a large Messenger that has a width of 8.5", how much of this 8.5" is in front of the divider?*** Do people generally like the divider?

I can see different sides to this question, but without ever having seen the divider in this bag (large messenger) I can't tell. (Would a divider cut down on useful space in terms of restricting the size of individual items? Or...would it give more structure to the bag and keep my computer sleeve/bag from floppin' around?).

One other thing I was wondering...if I went with a large laptop messenger...

Q2: Would my laptop bag fit in the built-in sleeve (is the sleeve padding removeable leaving just a divider shell? I read this somewhere (?)). My laptop bag/sleeve's external dimensions are: 15.1 ×13.1 ×2.8 inches ...or again, maybe the divder idea would work better for this purpose...?

Lastly, I was thinking about going with a black lining but have not seen any pictures (either here or on other sites) of anyone else using this color (generally see gray)...

Q3: Is the lining material exactly the same for all the different colors?

Q4: Is this not a good color to use for some reason...

Thank you VERY much for your help with these questions!!

Jeff Coleman replied on April 01, 2008 04:01 to the question "Handle for Non-Laptop Messenger?" in Timbuk2:

Thanks for your help! Your response raises an interesting question I have been wondering about...

I have a padded laptop sleeve I will use. I saw a picture somewhere of Laptop Messenger where the owner clamed to have "pulled the padding out of the laptop divider" (leaving a shell) and used the space for files (could not see this aspect clearly in their picture).

Can this be done? If so, would it be possible to then slide my laptop bag into this space/shell compartment (external dimensions: 15.1 ×13.1 ×2.8 inches) ? If so, this would be a perfect situation!

Thank you!

Jeff Coleman marked one of Jag's replies in Timbuk2 as useful. Jag replied to the question "Handle for Non-Laptop Messenger?".

Jeff Coleman marked one of Labda's replies in Timbuk2 as useful. Labda replied to the question "Handle for Non-Laptop Messenger?".

Jeff Coleman marked one of Labda's replies in Timbuk2 as useful. Labda replied to the question "Handle for Non-Laptop Messenger?".

Jeff Coleman marked one of Jag's replies in Timbuk2 as useful. Jag replied to the question "Handle for Non-Laptop Messenger?".

Jag replied on April 01, 2008 03:36 to the question "Handle for Non-Laptop Messenger?" in Timbuk2:

I see now...Looks like the grab strap is only available for the X-small, small & medium. Although if you really want the grab strap you could go with a laptop messenger and use the insert for folders or something.

Labda replied on March 31, 2008 19:11 to the question "Handle for Non-Laptop Messenger?" in Timbuk2:

No worries, Jeff. The large messenger is larger than the large commute, so if you're optimizing for space, the messenger is your best bet. I hope you are able to find a bag that meets your needs!

Jeff Coleman replied on March 31, 2008 18:19 to the question "Handle for Non-Laptop Messenger?" in Timbuk2:

Thanks Labda for your reply!

The water bottle pockets on the Commute are exactly what I was looking for, thank you. Unfortunately, that big is too small for all of the large text books that I must carry around and so would be too small (I have been looking at the Large Messenger whose dimensions appear to be greater than that of the large Commute bag.

It is too bad water pockets are not an available option for the "build your own messenger"...thanks for the suggestion though!

Jeff Coleman replied on March 31, 2008 18:14 to the question "Handle for Non-Laptop Messenger?" in Timbuk2:

Thanks for your reply!

Yes, I have heard that said before, but I have scoured each one of those pages...particularly the liner/logo page and...on my screen anyway...the Grab Strap option... does not exist. Are you sure it is still there?

Thanks again.

Labda replied on March 31, 2008 15:57 to the question "Handle for Non-Laptop Messenger?" in Timbuk2:

Unfortunately you cannot add a water bottle holder to the outside of the bag. But, you may want to consider a Commute (non-custom bag) because it has a grab strap (that handle you want) and water bottle holders on both sides of the bag. As for the grab strap, it's totally a personal preference. I love the grab strap because it makes it surprisingly easier to pick up your bag and throw it in the car or on your back.

Jag replied on March 31, 2008 12:32 to the question "Handle for Non-Laptop Messenger?" in Timbuk2:

Adding a handle is done on the same 'page' that you choose the liner and logo colour. Check the Grab Strap option.