Magnate Pannier Messenger Backpack (24 L)

There's not much to say here other than, "this thing rocks".

Based on the YouTube reviews, I may encounter issues the first time I ride with this in the wet and yuck, but we're not there yet. So far, this thing is freakin' awesome!

Very shortly after my previous review, I was contacted by 2WG and they quickly made arrangements to send me the updated product with a center buckle. This attachment system is so much better - the buckle does a great job to secure the flap and align the magnetic elements. I've been riding with the bag for a week and have used it in all formats! It really is an innovative product that I highly recommend.

2WG clearly cared about providing a high level of customer support once they were aware of the situation. It was a bit difficult to get in touch with them, but they seem to be attempting to remedy customer service issues. I'm happy I stuck with them!

I saw the previous review mentioning the weakly closing magnetic flap. I thought it was awesome 2WG took that feedback well and updated the product to include buckles instead. The response said the newly updated bag was shipping "in a few weeks". So I waited and waited, and even emailed 2WG twice asking if the product had changed. I got no response, but saw the website had updated pictures with buckles and magnets! So I ordered this pannier on Dec 28 - and received...... the previous version with magnetic closure. I submitted a return request online a week ago with again no response. Tried calling today but the website phone number is disconnected? It seems the price has increased from $175 to $220 so perhaps they finally went through their old stock. These products look very high quality and are fantastic for a niche market. I just wish the customer service was better, it seems to be a common complaint from others.

Really loved this bag when I first got it. It has great organizational features, and ample space for everything I carry on a regular basis. I love the messenger bag format and the ease and speed with which this bag goes on and comes off the bike. It is a little large for those with shorter racks, and even with the angled mount, heel strikes were an occasional hazard, but one I was happy to live with.

What was far more annoying was the strange and unreliable magnetic catches on the top flap. It was difficult to get them to catch properly in the first place and they would invariably come loose while riding so that the flap would be waving about distractingly in my peripheral vision. But the most problematic part of the whole system is a woefully weak backplate for the rack mount. As time went on I noticed the top of the bag appeared to be leaning out from the bike more and more and sagging towards the wheel at the bottom. The plastic backplate was deforming and riding up in it's pocket allowing this to happen. In the end I got home from one ride to find that one corner of the bag had actually come into contact with the bike wheel which had abraded much of the buckle for the bottom strap and actually chewed a hole into the bottom corner of the bag.

I semi tearfully returned it to REI. Really wanted this to be my forever pannier.

Back pack, pannier, shoulder bag all in one! I use this as a shoulder briefcase to the office most days but having the ability to switch to a backpack when it’s loaded or I need to use a scooter is amazing! It’s got pockets for organizing everything and room for days. Laptop, notebooks, all the accessories and even lunch fit in here.

Picked this up at the bike show in Calgary and can’t be happier. Been using it daily for a few months and looks brand new. The materials and build quality are high end with sophisticated looks.