Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - The Black Bag!!!! I need your help!

Hey, This is Dan from Seagull bags. Do to the recent increase in bike riders I have been making a bunch of changes to my business. New designs, equipment, features, and employees are all happening right now. Its pretty exciting, thanks for all of your support. Anyway, the real reason i started this topic is as follows;

I am "designing" a new bag (the black bag). It will probably be in bewtween the large and XL. This bag will be three layers (floating liner). The entire shell will be Ballistic Nylon (indestructible). This bag will be a stripped down version of one of my normal bags. Basically it will be an extremely waterproof/ bomb-proof sack with a comfy strap (no bells and whistles). My goal is to make a bunch of these bags at once. I am hoping to get the price around $80! People deserve good bags for a good price. But i need your help.

If you could have one feature on a bag what would it be?

(pen slots, deep pocket, reflective stripes, blinker slot, key chain clip, hidden pocket, flat paper pocket, zipper pockets, anything you can think of)

Your answers mean alot to me. Thanks for taking the time to respond.

www.seagullbags.com

Dan

i think either the hidden/small pocket or a u-lock strap would be two things to consider.

I know I cant live without my double 3d pockets, It's really nice to be able to take things out of my main cavern. I use it for novels, tools, locks, wallet, etc.

3 layers and ballistic nylon?

How many of your bags have worn out so far?

one feature eh?

this is a hard one between the deep pockets under the flap and compression straps

Some sort of "small pocket", maybe 8" by 10" would be one thing I'd have to have. Also I'd rather have a zipper than a Velcro on it, for the things you absolutely can't have falling out.

Chicago WIG is looking into blinkies built into the buckles. I think that is the very best idea ever because my blinkies never stay in the strap. And make it female friendly - it doesn't really matter how the strap falls acrous my chest, but it does matter to my wife.

A really good stabilizer strap.

I haven't worn out any of my bags yet (four years and and still doing great), but i might as well make it really strong. I have never heard of anyone complain about a bag being to solid, but maybe thats a possibility.

Dan

High build quality/durability is probably the last thing I will ever complain about in a bag.

I dunno, I see everyone going crazy these days with ballistic nylon and extra layers and all that stuff, but honestly unless you're dragging your bag behind your bike by the strap, your liner is probably going to wear out before the cordura.

One of my favorite bagmakers is actually reducing the number of layers, using mostly truck tarp with just a cordura boot at the bottom.

Chicago WIG is looking into blinkies built into the buckles. I think that is the very best idea ever because my blinkies never stay in the strap. And make it female friendly - it doesn't really matter how the strap falls acrous my chest, but it does matter to my wife.

WIG has consistently shown themselves to be idiots, the lights no matter how they're put on the bag aren't going to be pointing directly back and straight out all the time which is kind of the direction you want a light to be pointing in.

extra shoulder padding or some reflective stuff

wig has those buckles already

No inner/smaller/whatever pocket would be a dealbreaker for me on any bag, one big cavern is a little too stripped down for me.

WIG has consistently shown themselves to be idiots, the lights no matter how they're put on the bag aren't going to be pointing directly back and straight out all the time which is kind of the direction you want a light to be pointing in.

do tell I would really like to know what they have failed to do well I am a faithful customer of theirs and my first bag is a year old and has been throught hell and still looks and works well

Isaac has always done a great job at building a bag the way I want him to and put the features into the bag that I want nothing extra nothing less

if you are looking for premade off the peg bags for everyone go somewhere other than a made to order company

+1 on WIG being badass. So blinking buckles aren't the perfect solution, but hell - it's still not a bad idea to incorporate into a bag.

by the way dan this is an effort I would like to see made by other bag companies a simple non nonsense affordable bag I really like the idea of having an option that is better than timbuk2 and chrome in the off the peg market thanks you for your efforts and sorry about talking up your competition I just can't let comments pass without giving my .02 thanks

if you cold make this bag in a small medium and large from a generic pattern in an off the peg way it would make you less of a cottage bag maker and more of a mass producer of bags not sure you wan that but it would open a new market to you there is plenty of money to be had in mass produced off the peg goods as long as yo still continue with your custom line and stay true to that which makes you company unique

I need some form of inner pocket to throw my credit card/cash/whatever and not have to worry about losing it.

when do you think you'd have these bags out?

this sounds like it could be a great bag at a great price.

for the one feature, i'd avoid doing anything that somebody could add on their own - u-lock holster, extra padding, and reflective stripes are the suggestions that i don't think are great. i think the best idea is a well-designed, well-sized pocket to hold wallet, phone, camera, toolpouch, whatever - stuff a little smaller that you don't want tumbling around with all the **** floating around in your bag, or stuff that you might need to get at without wanting to unpack all the **** you've stuffed in there (it sucks to have to unpack your bag because you can't find your multitool and have flatted and it's about 8 degrees and you're drunk and you're on a tiny traffic island and...).

keep us posted. this sounds great, dan.

oh, and when you say a simple strap - you don't mean to imply that it won't have a stabilizer strap, too, right? cause those things are essential, i find.

whatever you do, put me on the list, im looking for a bag currently. IM STOKED! +1^^^^^

edit: when you do get your design down, when do you think they will be availabe by? thanks!

Thanks for all of the great answers. I really am behind the idea of people working together to create something. All of your ideas are appreciated. Here are a few more details.

The scheduled "release date" is April 5th. I am going to Ireland for the St Patrick's Day race, and i get back on the 1st. This will leave me a couple of days to straighten my life out. But i really hope it will be sooner than that.

The strap system will include the following. A strap pad (thicker than closed cell), articulated strap (pics coming soon), the Seagull buckle system (pics on site), and a stabilizer strap.

I am trying to give people a solid alternative to Timbuk2 and Chrome. I am not totally down with their designs, and i think that simple is best. The simpler the bag is, the less things can go wrong. Some people would disagree ( but that's what my custom stuff is for). Hopefully i am able to make a bag that is allows more people to have access to quality handmade stuff.

I will keep you guys posted. I expect the first one to roll out this week end. I will post pics and such then.

Please keep the imput coming! I am soaking this up! Thanks again

Dan

Since your trying to go with a basic bag, maybe adding some type of webbing system for modular attachments. This would allow for a basic bag, and the ability for the owner to "add" items to suit the needs from day to day. Totally ripping the idea from the military's A.L.I.C.E. system, but it would work. This would open up another venue for you to sell attachment pouches, etc.

The zipper for my strap pocket broke. Found that a smoke grenade pouch worked just fine, and was only like 5 bucks. No zipper to break, and after a bath in black dye...no more camo.

How about a cheap backpack?

thank you so much for undergoing this project.

thirty dollars difference in a bag is a huge amount, and if it will still last years and years then that's a great product.

if i could have one thing it would be a strap stabilizer. but i haven't heard anyone mention reflective patches on the bottom, and to me that's a must, even though it can be added without as much difficulty as a strap stabilizer.

but what do i know, i'm using a department store clearance bag that i got for 8 dollars.:)

I would like an outside pocket of some kind, big enough for a phone and wallet, maybe on the side of the bag or on the flap. Bonus points if it's really inconspicious so it doesn't look too backpacky. The built in blinky thing is a great idea too.

The simple, elegant black bag:
http://www.w-base.com/onlinestore/images/zo-mes-bag.jpg

That doesn't have anywhere near enough pockets or straps on it.

Clearly it lacks fanciful embroidery.

Any pro would never be caught with a bag like that.

It probably doesn't even have "pro" in the model name.

I bet it doesn't even have a model name.

one or two big expanding pockets on the outside underneath the flap with velco closure.
and maybe sew a penslot or two inside there.

i'm assuming this bag would have a stabilizer strap on it already (or that you'd be able to add one on cheap).

Hey, This is Dan from Seagull bags. Do to the recent increase in bike riders I have been making a bunch of changes to my business. New designs, equipment, features, and employees are all happening right now. Its pretty exciting, thanks for all of your support. Anyway, the real reason i started this topic is as follows;

I am "designing" a new bag (the black bag). It will probably be in bewtween the large and XL. This bag will be three layers (floating liner). The entire shell will be Ballistic Nylon (indestructible). This bag will be a stripped down version of one of my normal bags. Basically it will be an extremely waterproof/ bomb-proof sack with a comfy strap (no bells and whistles). My goal is to make a bunch of these bags at once. I am hoping to get the price around $80! People deserve good bags for a good price. But i need your help.

If you could have one feature on a bag what would it be?

(pen slots, deep pocket, reflective stripes, blinker slot, key chain clip, hidden pocket, flat paper pocket, zipper pockets, anything you can think of)

Your answers mean alot to me. Thanks for taking the time to respond.

www.seagullbags.com

Dan

OT...did i call you back this weekend? i know saturday night i didn't...we got out of yau's way too late to catch any music...

There was a thread in the last month started by a guy doing an industrial design course.

Ah....here it is. Lots of info in here.

http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=263572&highlight=design+messenger+bag

Yeah, I have been talking alot to the Id kid. I have seen a couple pics of what he is working on. Its pretty cool, but not exactly the angle i am shooting for. But, thanks for the link.

Also, the backpack is underway. They are hard as hell though because its tough to make them simply. I am working on it very hard. My goal is to get a good handmade big backpack out for
$145. I will let everyone know if its possible.

Thanks again for imput.

OT...did i call you back this weekend? i know saturday night i didn't...we got out of yau's way too late to catch any music...
I don't think so, but its cool. We both are busy. I should be free sometime this week though. Call me

A couple of decent pockets and compression straps. I think a bag of the size you suggest that didn't have both of these would be too minimalist.

for the one feature, i'd avoid doing anything that somebody could add on their own - u-lock holster, extra padding, and reflective stripes are the suggestions that i don't think are great. i think the best idea is a well-designed, well-sized pocket to hold wallet, phone, camera, toolpouch, whatever - stuff a little smaller that you don't want tumbling around with all the **** floating around in your bag, or stuff that you might need to get at without wanting to unpack all the **** you've stuffed in there (it sucks to have to unpack your bag because you can't find your multitool and have flatted and it's about 8 degrees and you're drunk and you're on a tiny traffic island and...).
Everything quoted just makes sense. I agree.

how about a way for the strap and bag to be universal for both shoulders?

I second the sentiments of 'plane and others. A largish pocket (big enough to hold a wallet and a small book/map at least) is a must in any bag IMHO. Probably zippered is best. Another pocket on the back panel, with foam padding stuffed into it+capacity to hold a4 sheets is also nice.

Pen slots, U-lock holsters, compression straps and all that are nice, and I want all of them in any bag I may buy, but make sure it has a friggin' pocket or it's useless as a bag.

Edit: I don't see a reson why any bag would have a non-reversible strap... And a stabilizer strap is a must.

How about a cheap backpack?

I would be very interested in that too. Possibly a bit smaller than the one currently on your site.

For the mess bag, I too would vote for one or two compressible pockets, inside or out.

Inner pocket or pad.

yeah i would totally buy one of these bags if it had just one decent sized pocket that would get covered by the flap.

I'd enjoy some ability to have the bag fit right or left swing. Either an option you select before purchase, or a convertible strap attachment. I realize the second adds complexity and cost, so the former might be the way to go. If it's really going to have the articulated/padded strap & buckle assembly I've seen on some of your other bags, I think it'd be great.

Not sure if you've seen the Freitag mess bags, but they have a two-stage expander (basically an inner flap that unfolds, and a top flap that Velcros in two different ways) that looks awkward but works really well in practice. That would probably get my vote for 'one feature', since it lets you keep the bag small most of the time, but blow it out to hella big when you need it.

Hey, This is Dan from Seagull bags. Do to the recent increase in bike riders I have been making a bunch of changes to my business. New designs, equipment, features, and employees are all happening right now. Its pretty exciting, thanks for all of your support. Anyway, the real reason i started this topic is as follows;

I am "designing" a new bag (the black bag). It will probably be in bewtween the large and XL. This bag will be three layers (floating liner). The entire shell will be Ballistic Nylon (indestructible). This bag will be a stripped down version of one of my normal bags. Basically it will be an extremely waterproof/ bomb-proof sack with a comfy strap (no bells and whistles). My goal is to make a bunch of these bags at once. I am hoping to get the price around $80! People deserve good bags for a good price. But i need your help.

If you could have one feature on a bag what would it be?

(pen slots, deep pocket, reflective stripes, blinker slot, key chain clip, hidden pocket, flat paper pocket, zipper pockets, anything you can think of)

Your answers mean alot to me. Thanks for taking the time to respond.

www.seagullbags.com

Dan


oh, on topic here...compression straps. there are things i could never fit in my bag that i've successfully carried thanks only to compression straps. other things i could live without.

I'd enjoy some ability to have the bag fit right or left swing. Either an option you select before purchase, or a convertible strap attachment. I realize the second adds complexity and cost, so the former might be the way to go. If it's really going to have the articulated/padded strap & buckle assembly I've seen on some of your other bags, I think it'd be great.

Not sure if you've seen the Freitag mess bags, but they have a two-stage expander (basically an inner flap that unfolds, and a top flap that Velcros in two different ways) that looks awkward but works really well in practice. That would probably get my vote for 'one feature', since it lets you keep the bag small most of the time, but blow it out to hella big when you need it.

I have a extendable flap system already worked out. It works really well. Its hidden inside the flap so it doesn't get in the way. You can see it here
http://www.seagullbags.com/gallery.html (its on page four towards the end, i can't figure out how to post pics, sorry)

oooooohhh.....that + compression straps = huge carrying potential, particularly if the bag is of a decent size, say...comparable to the baileyworks xl. if my baileyworks had that, it would potentially double the capacity in terms of carrying things strapped to the bag.

I'd enjoy some ability to have the bag fit right or left swing. Either an option you select before purchase, or a convertible strap attachment. I realize the second adds complexity and cost, so the former might be the way to go. If it's really going to have the articulated/padded strap & buckle assembly I've seen on some of your other bags, I think it'd be great.

Not sure if you've seen the Freitag mess bags, but they have a two-stage expander (basically an inner flap that unfolds, and a top flap that Velcros in two different ways) that looks awkward but works really well in practice. That would probably get my vote for 'one feature', since it lets you keep the bag small most of the time, but blow it out to hella big when you need it.


do you have any pics of how this works? It's a feature that I'm very interested in.

I'm very interested in this bag altogether. I have been on the fence about a reload or a chrome bag, but I'm in love with your strap system; I want it to be easily adjustable, but I don't need a buckle that releases (like a chrome buckle)

do you have any pics of how this works? It's a feature that I'm very interested in.

I'm very interested in this bag altogether. I have been on the fence about a reload or a chrome bag, but I'm in love with your strap system; I want it to be easily adjustable, but I don't need a buckle that releases (like a chrome buckle)

I will get some pics of the flap extender up as soon as i can figure out how to post pics. I must be ********.