Timbuk2 haven't forgotten their messenger bag roots for 2011 – far from it, in fact – but the San Francisco-based company are making a big push to both expand their range and appeal to a wider range of riders. Backpacks, saddle bags, panniers, casual totes and even conventional luggage are all included in the new collection.
The new Lightbrite Series of bags features enormous patches of highly reflective materials aimed at improving driver awareness at night (assuming they've got their lights on!). Included in the range are a messenger and backpack in two sizes each, plus a seat bag.
The new US$120 Tandem Pannier offers the carrying capacity and balance of two traditional panniers but is stitched together up top for easier handling off the bike. Simply undo the quick-release hardware, pull up on the central handle, and off you go into your office or the shop – rare earth magnets even snap the inner sides of the panniers together, too.
Timbuk2's Tandem and Shift panniers both feature easy on/off, reflective patches and durable weather-resistant nylon construction
A clever folding top helps shed rainwater, an internal sleeve shields your 15in laptop, and reflective bits help keep you visible at night. For those who prefer or need just a single pannier, the $100 Shift model incorporates the same attachment hardware and similar features to the Tandem but converts to a standard messenger bag when off the bike.
Messenger bags are mostly carryover save for new color options and the new Snoop Camera Messenger model with a removable padded insert for dSLR bodies, lenses and flash units. As in years past, the 'memory adjust cam buckle' allows for fast main strap length adjustment – or single-sided removal altogether – an assortment of organizer pockets helps keep smaller items from getting buried, and a wide range of on-strap accessories is available for phones and other personal bits.
The new Lightbrite Swig backpack includes big patches of highly reflective materials to help improve night-time visibility
If messenger bags aren't your thing, Timbuk2 also have nine different backpack options including the new Kilowatt, Shotwell and Zeiteist models, all with keen urban styling, dedicated laptop sleeves and an assortment of sizes, shapes, closure types and grab handles to suit the application at hand. All of Timbuk2's items are offered in a wide range of colors and include a lifetime warranty. If one of the stock looks doesn't suit you, custom colors and embroidery are offered for select models.