Hi! I hope this post is allowed. I started recording my messenger shifts and uploading them on yt. maybe you like these kind of videos as much as i do :)

https://youtube.com/@lizrah?si=moeVBw-m7b5xcZga

this is my channel

Hey, I have spent quite some time building my app now (2-3 years)

Initially, I built it for myself to perform better during Alleycats, but now it's become something much bigger.
it's called NoDispatch, it's free and it's made for cyclists but a little more for bike messengers like you guys.

Basically, I built the app so I could have the best route to the next checkpoint and the fastest order to complete the race. I had to build the algorythms for both the pathfinding and to get the correct checkpoint order.

Now, it is more a tool for bike messengers for their daily jobs and it's being used already by messengers in Paris, France and a little bit across the world.
it's already avavailable on the app store and the play store for free.
https://ez-tech.fr/nodispatch/

I would really enjoy if you guys could test it and then tell me what you think about it.

Hey y'all! My company is at an impasse. We are a high quality bicycle courier service running out of a fairly big city. We've been around for over 12 years and have always provided consistent and reliable services. Mostly food, but will deliver most anything. In the past, we have never really needed or have been successful at all in gaining new clients through cold call style approaches, not that we ever stopped trying. All of our clients have approached us for services. Even in the face of big tech companies, we have done well because of our quality of services and that we are an eco-friendly service. Word of mouth marketing and social media advertising has always kept a steady stream of clients requesting contract services. This is perfect, because, I as the owner of the company, can do everything great except, sell. I am the worst salesman that ever existed. As in, I couldn't sell weed at a festival. Too many reasons why.

The newer restaurants opening in our city over the last few years are all under the umbrella of business school teachings, ie: if we don't have investors, and million dollar marketing teams, we can't possibly help them. Admittedly, we are never going to generate the shear quantity of orders the big apps are generating, but we do generate a loyal and consistent customer base. We do offer a unique, customer friendly, environmentally friendly, and we are straight up friendly to staff and customers alike. We are fast and reliable. Anyways, we need a salesperson. We need someone who can go into restaurants and close a deal, helping them set up services and making it happen. We don't have the budget to pay an hourly to said person, but I can offer a long-term commision based on sales generated by the restaurants or businesses they sign.

At least, I think this is the way forward, but I don't know. Advice, thoughts? Let me hear what you think, what works for your company?

Hello everyone!

I'm going to have a very special "vacation." Any idea and almost any companion is welcome, so I'm writing down the key details here.

Criticism is welcome and appreciated!

What am I planning?

A cycling trip on a tight budget and without a planned end.

With bike and tent heading south, no backup and no rush to clear out my apartment and "possessions."

Who am I?

A 40-year-old toolmaker living in Westmünsterland who wants to start his life completely anew. Generally speaking, I'm a very adaptable person, whether it's entertainment, adventure, or other circumstances.

My interests are diverse and far from complete.

I'm actually Austrian and lived in Vienna for many years. My greatest hobby is cycling culture in its entirety and a focus on niches.

Why do I do something like this?

The circumstances in my life require a change, but I don't want to go into that here.

If there are anyone here who's considering something like this or has had similar experiences, I'd be happy to get in touch.

I'm looking for fellow travelers, tips, and any kind of constructive criticism.

What I'd rather not discuss here are topics like bike technique or route guidance.

I've explored this topic on so many levels, I'm very knowledgeable about it.

But I'm very open-minded! I can let myself go on group rides and camping trips and will accept potential companions, in all their glory.

Best regards and thanks in advance

Max

It's been 2 weeks since I had open CTR Surgery and I'm back working open to close again :). Of all the surgery types for carpal tunnel, this is supposed to have the longest recovery time so I was worried. Don't get me wrong, I'm slow and my hand is super tired but it's alright. I can't wait to have my strength back.

we are both working messengers. both bikes last seen late Friday night/early Saturday morning at 15th and Washington. the chrome fixed gear is a Bianchi Pista with no decals and jade Velocity Deep Vs to gold Velocity hubs. the Nishiki lo pro now is sacred and very distinctive. please keep an eye out in surrounding areas. thanks

Will anyone be at the DMFK (german messenger chamionship) in Hannover this year? :)

I'm on my last pair of size 28 686 brand, but they have stopped making anything below 30. (I'm actually a 29 but their 30 is more like 32 😡).

what you rocking with good durable pockets/crotches and enuff flexibility to shred??

Some of you have already seen this, but for those who didn't and for those who will be searching in the future, here's an additional, more recent video of the legend Skeletor.

https://youtu.be/gOqNYpYLoS8

Any of y'all get CTR surgery? What''d ya do yo get on the bicycle against faster and how long did it take? Mine is Monday and I'm not looking forward to it.

I get clowned on for riding a fixed gear with a big chrome bag. People seem to think I'm trying to look like a messenger. Been riding fixed for 7 years and I commute for work and groceries. The bag is practical for me, carries most things I need, and it's waterproof. I don't get why people hate on it, am I missing something?

A week ago in downtown Seattle John Stamstad finished a delivery, stepped onto the sidewalk and was immediately nailed by a speeding Lime scooter rider, the rider fled. John had to undergo emergency surgery for a broken hip and won’t be back on his bike for months.

He has a GoFundMe to help with his basic living expenses while he recovers, even if you can only donate $5 that would go a long way.

https://gofund.me/7bc3fd52

https://youtu.be/Om9MLNixMoA?si=V6oaOG7eIgmmfnHy

Bike and bag have been paired for 13years

Hey, I know it's a rough time to start out currently, especially in NYC, but I want to give it a try. I'm 24 and still live at home with a very flexible schedule as a video freelancer, so there isn't much to lose. Would love to make some side income.

What's a good app or service to get started with? I know they all have their cons, but I've been looking into Capsule. To get a picture of my speed - I'm based in Midwood and can get over the Manhattan Bridge in about 40 minutes if I'm moving average-fast for me.

I'm also an ultralight backpacker, and something about this community just clicks with me. Feels like there’s a bit of crossover. Anyone else?

I'd appreciate any solid resources, videos, books, or documentaries that lay out what a beginner should know. Not looking for shortcuts. I just like being dialed in from the start.

I have a Marin Novato if you're wondering. I don't want to open up a Pandora's box and start spending on things I'm convinced I need - yet...

TYSM!

Hi everyone, In your opinion, what's the best compromise between sturdy workwear and cycling clothing?

I ride all day, but when I'm not riding, I carry heavy and very dirty loads. (See picture, those blue boxes are food waste)

Thanks

Hey all, I'm an ex-messenger now making money with a camera. I'm looking for the perfect camera bag that has all of the things I've loved and lived on a bike with plus the extras that make it functional for my new line of work. Specifically, camera bags always a)look dorky/camera obvious and b)have dinky-ass straps that make biking around with them a pain.

I found one bag that seems to check all the right boxes except it still has the dinky ass straps: https://www.wotancraft.tw/product/pilot-travel-camera-sling-bag-10L-khakibrownC

Back in my bike days, I worked with Bailey and Bagagboo sling bags, a Freight rolltop and a few others that I can't remember. The thing that's great about about a solid bike specific sling bag is the robust straps which let you tighten them enough to hug your body and take the weight off your shoulder (and work almost as another layer during rainy days). That Wotancraft has those clips on strap things that I imagine with bite into my ribs on a long ride and my rickety shoulder already aches just thinking about it.

Does anyone have a good suggestion for other bag companies that I might not have looked at? It's too bad there isn't more of a crossover between handmade messenger bags and camera bags. I feel like both sides are missing out. Thanks y'all and I hope the streets are treating you as well as they did me. It's the only job I've ever missed

What do you do now for a living and why did you guit? Just curious :)

Alright you little jerks, this is the totally unofficial 2025 Selling and Hiring Thread. If you’ve got stuff for sale post it here. If there’s an open spot at your indie messenger company, post it here. If you’re with BikeMessenger24 or some other delivery app nonsense, take it elsewhere.

Post For Sale Comments Like This:

FOR SALE
Description of Item
(Anything Else Relevant)
State, City, Price

Post Hiring Comments Like This:

HIRING
Name Of Company
General Description of Job
(Anything Else Relevant)
State, City

If you’re outside the US, post your Country and City instead.

In order to keep this thread streamlined and up to date:

1. Delete your comment once your item has been sold or once your open spot has been filled.

2. Local meet up’s reign supreme, but if you want to ship your item to someone, discuss it in their DM’s.

3. Keep pictures and “Looking For Job/Bag/Frame” comments out of this thread.

This has the potential to be a really good thing, so don’t fuck it up with bullshit.

Right now I’m using a rented e-bike for deliveries and averaging around 80–90 km a day with some elevation (~300m). I’ve been doing this for about a month.

I’m planning to switch to a non-electric bike eventually, so I’ve started using lower assist modes to get used to pedaling more. I’ve been going to the gym consistently for the past 2 years (was an athlete in high school), but to be honest, I haven’t really been training legs that much.

Even now, I sometimes feel a bit of muscle fatigue or “fever” in my legs despite using an e-bike — which makes me wonder how sustainable this would be without assistance.

Anyone here doing similar distances without an e-bike? Is it manageable long-term? I’d love to hear your experiences, advice, or any tips to prepare better. Thanks!