Hi, I have a 6-month old Laptop Commute, which I love, but the sqeak, the SQUEAK on one side is driving me crazy.

I'm down with the WD-40, but precisely where do you put it to prevent the squeak? I can hardly afford to coat the whole assembly with WD-40 and then worry about cleaning the stuff out of my clothing. Is there another substance that would be less hazardous to clothing that also prevents squeaking?

I can't figure out exactly what is squeaking- if it's plastic flexing or two surfaces rubbing. Somedays it's squeaky enough to really get under my skin.
I've considered replacing all the hardware on the strap, but I'd rather not.
It doesn't sound like a squeak that WD-40 is going to do anything for or I'd have already done it.

Sassy!

I too suffer the squeak sometimes with my Blogger bag. Would love a cure!

i laughed at this before i bought my bag, but alas, I also suffer from the same mind-numbing squeak. i've pinned it down to the front strap where the clip and the rest of the bag clip together, but there definitely is some other phantom squeak..

I wonder why it wasn't made with a metal ring clip instead of the plastic..

They make a form of acryllic paint that hardens into a soft rubber like material. It is used on tool handles and seems pretty durable. Perhaps something like that?

Powdered graphite, just a tiny amount or it'll be stains on your clothes for sure.

So is there a solution out there to the squeak that doesn't involve endangering one's wardrobe? If so, does anyone know precisely where to apply said solution? Still, no one has pinpointed where in the clip, the strap, the bag, whatever, from which this squeak emanates.

It would appear that the squeaking is quite irritating to customers. Why hasn't a Timbuk2 employee responded with a realistic solution to the problem besides returning the product for repairs or WD40? What type of repair can be performed when one ships it back that can't be done at one's own home ??

This stuff has worked for me on other squeaky things
http://www.lakeland.co.uk/free-'n'-easy/F/keyword/drawer/product/8998
no idea where to get it in USA but may be similar to the plumbers silicon grease another member mentioned above

This is the sort of issue that makes me want to tell everyone I know to not buy Timbuktu. I was very happy with my computer messenger bag for the first several months, until it started to squeak. I've tried many solutions (WD40 works short term at best, any sort of tape or coating rubs off in weeks, and grease is way too messy for something that rubs against my body) but haven't fixed the problem. The best I can do is to listen to my iPod with the volume up when I'm using the bag.
But for an employee to come on here and tell everyone to stop whining and suck it up (keep in mind, we all paid A LOT of money for these bags) is unacceptable. Either fix the problem or you'll lose customers! Can't you send us some replacement clasps? Timbuktu has certainly fixed this problem on newer models...right?

Hi Timr,
I appreciate the prompt response - while I hadn't been participating in this discussion,I have been watching it for several months and was starting to wonder if it was anything more than an echo chamber. I'm glad to see you're on the case.
I, along with many of the other people in this thread, have a bag with a clip on strap (not permanent), which is the source of the squeak. It originates somewhere in the vicinity of where the plastic clip rubs against the metal D-ring on the strap. My exact model is the commute computer bag.
I'll be looking forward to your response!
Thanks,
Kevin

Hi, a tiny bit of the little container of silicon grease (available for under $5 at Ace Hardware) has been working very well for me.

Still a design issue that should be fixed, but I at least now have a workaround.

Timr,
The ring on mine is a D. I'm not sure if that is the problem. The next time I purchase a bag it will absolutely have a fixed strap, but in the mean time, I've got a couple more years of use left in my current bag.

I'd also like to state that, otherwise, I have only very minor complaints about this bag as long as I'm riding (Walking is the only time it squeaks).

I'm glad an employee is finally talking to us again. It's been a year!

Hi Timr,
Thanks for the options. I'll try chapstick for the time being and see how long it lasts. I was thinking a true D ring might do the trick, but Adam says he has the same problem with this set-up (my "D" ring is more of a triangle). I can see the D ring slipping out of the sleeve on the bag and the clip getting caught in the corner again - although, this only speculation. Anyway, I'll try one more temporary fix, but I'll likely send the bag in for a more permanent solution. Like others have mentioned, the squeak is my only complaint on an otherwise solid product. Thanks for addressing this issue.
Kevin

I have the same problem with my Timbuk2 'blogger' bag. The bag is great, but the squeak is driving me crazy. I've isolated it to the rotating hinges on either end of the strap. When the bag has any weight at all in it, the pressure causes these two pieces of plastic to rub together loudly as I walk.

I refuse to put WD40 on it, as was suggested by an employee above. I'd rather not ruin my clothes. I'd prefer a new strap, without squeaky hinges. Even if there were not rotation hinges at all, that would be preferable.

I'd second that sentiment. I don't value the rotating hinge as much as I'd value a not squeaky bag.

I already tried that. The problem is that for the Blogger at least, the squeak is in the rotation hinge, not the D-clip.

Any chance this problem has been worked out with the commute 2.0?

triangle ring on mine



has this problem been addressed by the Commute 2.0?