MtnMan's New SuperEgo with Brain Cell and Horizontal Freudian Slip

[MtnMan]

And now, dear friends, we are gathered here today to celebrate a successful milestone in this long and tortured thread. I finally received my Super Ego with Standard Shoulder Strap and Horizontal Fruedian Slip late Friday afternoon. It was too late to snap any photos then, and it rained all day yesterday. The sun popped out just long enough this afternoon before setting in the Autumn sky to make some halfway decent photos possible. To wit:



This is me (would I lie about something like that?) posing with my new Tom Bihn SuperEgo, mostly loaded by sans laptop. I even found a new home for my umbrella.





Here's the Super Ego, sans vain owner, its brand-spanking-new premium nylon sheathing and reflector strip glistening in the setting sunlight.






Here's the "inboard view" of the Super Ego, already stocked with magazines and catalogues, plus a standard yellow Letter-size writing tablet (don't leave home without one!)







And here is a peak at the inside of the zippered laptop compartment, complete with (currently empty) Brain Cell and Horizontal Freudian Slip.









And here's the slip, after having been slipped out of the Super Ego. Already stocked with plenty of boring stuff, like pens, ruler, calculator, paper, etc.









And here's a snapshot of the outboard flap-access compartment, flapped open. This area is now home to all the laptop accessories that were at home in the old Kensington Saddlebag. Their arrangement here is by no means final, and by no means satisfactory. I have to figure out what I'm going to do with everything in all that myriad of pockets.

That's why I do not want to consider this thread closed quite yet. I'll have to return here to continue the discussion when it comes time to inquire about pouches and the like for storage. More on this later.

[moriond]

I've copied your post from the Thinking about purchasing…something thread. MtnMan, it's been a long process, but I think everyone will want to see the pictures of your final purchase. Congratulations, and enjoy your new Super Ego.

moriond

[MtnMan]

Now, what I need is to look at a demo video of the Q-AM Strap. When the bag is fully loaded it gets pretty heavy, but I don't want to purchase a Q-AM until I see how it works. Trying this thing on while loaded, I could see how something like that could make the load easier to carry on one's back.

(I tend to carry everything but the Kitchen Sink, in case you haven't noticed.)

Having said all that, most of the time this unit will not be carrying a laptop. As such, I expect it will be dramatically lighter; the Standard Strap seems to work just fine.

[dbradford]

Response!

Wow, ok, that's BIG! Well, congratulations! Really nice, clear pictures. If you're not going to be carrying a laptop all the time, might I suggest finding a folding umbrella that you really like. It can fit into the bottom of the main compartment easily, and will stay out of your way until you need it. Secondly, you may want to invest in some Key Straps (different lengths), and some Organizers to manage you're small stuff. I know mine have been indispensable.

Kudos for getting the Freudian Slip. I used to carry mine in my ID all the time, 'til I realized I wasn't using it, and took it out for weight reasons, plus it frees up some storage room. I can put it back in if I need it.

It almost seems like the perfect candidate for the new and improved Absolute Strap, being the size it is. I plan on breaking down and getting some for my TB bags.

[BPritchard]

I carry my umbrella in my EGO by wrapping a 16in key strap around both ends and attaching to the eyelets underneath the front flap.

I ordered my EGO with the Q-AM strap and an additional Absolute strap. I use the Absolute Strap whenever I have a heavy load. Changing out the straps aren't too difficult.

[Foggy Morn]

I would definitely recommend using some pouches. I use a mini with a clear front for my MBA ethernet adapter (which it looks like you have unless that's a regular modem), and various sizes of other pouches with clear fronts for other things. My cell modem is in a padded mini and my iPhone is in a small padded (I think that's the size).

The regular pouches are great, but I find that unless I need the extra protection the padded pouches offer, I prefer the ones with clear fronts. That said, the cork small is always carrying something just because it's great to look at.

[backpack]

You look dashing with the Super Ego!

Thank you for sharing such nice autumnal pictures. :)

You are carrying lots of stuff and as such are a prime candidate for the newly designed Curved Absolute Strap.

The key to carry a messenger style bag and keep your body from aching is the Absolute Strap worn cross body set up in a way that you can clip the waist strap.
This will enable your back, hips, strong leg muscles and hem...gluteus maximus to do all the work, not your shoulders and neck.


My biggest messenger style bag is the Large Cafe Bag. But when I travel is packed to the max and it is worn in addition to the Brain Bag, filled as well.

Whether I am tottering along or walk at a fast pace or even run, I do not feel my Cafe Bag when it is worn the way I describe it above.

[Nana8]

Great photos! Thank you for posting them!

[ncb4]

Congratulations!

I'd followed your other thread about trying to decide which Bihn bags would both suit your needs and fit your budget, so it's great to see that you were finally able to choose, and get your beautiful new bag. It looks right at home on you. ;-)

[MtnMan]

Yes, one of these days I'll have to follow-up with a review of the Super Ego and attachments.