Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Women of SSFG - bag design input

Hey everyone, I'm hoping I can get some input for my next bag design. The direction that I'm taking my work is away from making faux bike messenger bags (which every custom bike bag maker seems to do), to stuff that is more unique and fashionable in their own right. I only have one model (Courier Pro) that specifically caters to the fakenger crowd, so some of the newer stuff I'm doing is a bit different.

What I'm interested in is asking what some of the women reading and posting on here would be interested in seeing. For me, I really like having a big bag that I can wear on my opposite shoulder, and for that the Tremont has been my favorite so far:

http://www.blicksbags.com/media/custom/catalog-zoom/Tremont0008.jpg
http://www.blicksbags.com/media/custom/feature-zoom/Tremont0010.jpg

I use big nickel plated D-rings to alow the strap to change angle freely, so it's pretty comfortable worn like a shoulder bag. On the bike you'd want to wear it like any other bike messenger bag, across the chest.

I have a custom order to do for what is basically Tremont mini, and I still have a little bit of time to redesign it before stitching it up. I was thinking I would try installing the D-rings at different angle so that the strap would come straight up the top like a handbag, because in theory it should still allow you to wear it across the chest. Thoughts?

any way you can make mesenger bag with kinda a dual bag? messenger bag in the rear, and a DSLR pouch on the front?
i love my chrome, but i want to be able to get my DSLR on th front

any way you can make mesenger bag with kinda a dual bag? messenger bag in the rear, and a DSLR pouch on the front?
i love my chrome, but i want to be able to get my DSLR on th front
This sounds kind of goofy and unwieldy, to be perfectly honest. You might want to consider getting a camera bag for your handlebars, since that sounds like it would be best for you.
http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/.a/6a00df351e888f88340120a64a2edb970c-800wi


As for blicks and the moveable strap, I guess it would be kind of cool if the strap could be adjusted so that the bag sits lowers on the back, like this (excuse the random picture I found on google):
http://www.scaramangashop.co.uk/images/uploads/leather-messenger-bag-wbm-8.jpg

However, I don't know if that really works with a padded strap, since the strap placement forces the bag to hang vertically instead of horizontally? I dunno if that makes any sense; I need to go eat some breakfast.

Obligatory food picture:
http://www.tehrantimes.com/News/10686/05_BREAKFAST.jpg

My girlfriend wants a specific pocket to hold 3 tampons, and a non-fruit bruising pocket. Haha.

Hmmm. If the strap's too long for me I always get it mashed between my saddle and my @$$ when I get off my saddle at a stop and then it looks really silly trying to get it back up from under me while riding. Just me two cents.

'fakenger'

:lol:

This sounds kind of goofy and unwieldy, to be perfectly honest. You might want to consider getting a camera bag for your handlebars, since that sounds like it would be best for you.
http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/.a/6a00df351e888f88340120a64a2edb970c-800wi


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4147/4963810581_e4f0a10263_b.jpg
dont think it works. sorry

i hope you ride that track only.

nope, its my commuter.
**** you not. i use it for everything...or will again when the new crank gets here.

and yes, it has a front brake now
but i plan on riding at the velodrome in NC when i go home on vacation :) so one day it will lol

One day you're going to get a road bike and realize that you can ride a bike for more than 30 miles at a time and it's going to feel so good.

nope, its my commuter.
**** you not. i use it for everything...or will again when the new crank gets here.

and yes, it has a front brake now
but i plan on riding at the velodrome in NC when i go home on vacation :) so one day it will lol

You mean the Mellowdrome?

How is that? I've considered making a trip but I ride a conversion, doubt they have rentals, and it's not a real track.

no clue
havent been there yet. going home for a month in the spring, so im tryign to stay in shape for it. got a slammin deal (1050 bucks) on the FTP brand new, which was cheaper than a trek 1.5, and my other bike is a Visp with too many awesome parts, so i figured id grab the FTP and swap frames out when i go home ad bring hte visp back. But i love this bike, its so awesome.

Where from NC are you?

im from myrtle beach SC
its abotu 4 hours from me

Oh okay, I used to visit there a lot. I went in march but wasn't able to bring my bike, but it seems like a good city for biking.


Sorry for the derailment Blicks. I'm not a girl, but I feel like the design would work better if the bag sat more horizontal, maybe not completely horizontal, but at more of an angle. Cool idea though.

yeah, tell that to my bike.
I got hit twice, in 2 weeks, riding in bike lanes, by tourists
i NEVER got hit in tokyo....ever...even close

Well ****, nvm then. The only reason I though it was cyclist friendly is because of all the bike lanes.

Same in Tucson, we have over 900miles of bike lanes but the drivers are pretty ****ty most of the time.

lol its bike friendly if people know bout bikes.
tourists are too concerned with finding hotels or beachwear stores for it to be safe :)

hahaha try la, no bike lanes + pissed off commuters and bus drivers

...and a non-fruit bruising pocket. Haha.
I agree, I wouldn't mind having a banana compartment or apple.

"New fakenger bag with optional fruit sack or banana hammock"

:lol:

I really like the Pica, I could carry a nice mini pump and some other junk and be set.

I really like the Pica, I could carry a nice mini pump and some other junk and be set.
Agreed, I've been thinking about buying one also.
As for female friendly, I'll have to ask my wife and get back to you!

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4147/4963810581_e4f0a10263_b.jpg
dont think it works. sorry
I fail to see what the problem is. :P

You guys are not helping. :(

pink with pink sparkles.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4147/4963810581_e4f0a10263_b.jpg
dont think it works. sorry


I fail to see what the problem is. :P

when all you do is grab the tops next to the stem with your elbows locked, there are problems.

im in the drops quite a bit when they are on. ive been using riser bars for around town so its easier to look behind me, but for real rides the drops go back on

It should work just fine the way you're talking about. My bags have the straps sewn on but in the orientation you want to try and they work just fine across the body. The padded strap might be problematic but if you work it out so the strap pad slides on the strap instead of being attached in one spot it should cure that problem but might pose others.

Thanks for the email, it was really cool of you to reply.

Garen

I fail to see what the problem is. :P

Rear wheel reflector ;)

You guys are not helping. :(
Just make a purse, most ladies like those. And then embroider a cog or some riser bars on it to appeal to this crowd - done!
Kidding, sorry, I forgot to ask my wife for constructive ideas!

You guys are not helping. :(
Did you really have such high expectations for SSFG? :rolleyes:

And yokotas, I hope you didn't mean that the camera bag "wouldn't work" because you don't happen to have the exact kind of odd handlebars that was in that arbitrary google image. :lol:

hey, i had a legitimate question!

If I was a womanz would prolly want a smaller bag with smaller outside compartments and maybe a splash of color with the black.
Additionally, if I wuz a womanz I would like to look like this and kizz myself on the mirror evvvrydayzz.
http://superbbicycle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/courtneyhat.jpg
via superbbicycle.com

^

http://homepage.eircom.net/~wastedyouth/notfunny.jpg

Did you really have such high expectations for SSFG? :rolleyes:

SSFG: where low expectations are our high expectations
SSFG: the original sausage fest, since 2008
SSFG: derailing without derailleurs

Just make a purse, most ladies like those. And then embroider a cog or some riser bars on it to appeal to this crowd - done!
Kidding, sorry, I forgot to ask my wife for constructive ideas!

Well I pretty much am making a purse, but with the stripped down, modern aesthetic and tough materials I make all my stuff with (using Cordura and reclaimed banners, no embroidery or anything like that). I was hoping some other women who post here might chime in about it...

Maybe try posting in the Woman's forum, you might get more input.

Maybe try posting in the Woman's forum, you might get more input.

Women's Forum. I did already.

Well I pretty much am making a purse, but with the stripped down, modern aesthetic and tough materials I make all my stuff with (using Cordura and reclaimed banners, no embroidery or anything like that). I was hoping some other women who post here might chime in about it...
I'm sorry, I was just joking! As a male, I can only speculate what a female would really want in a bike-ish bag. And I do plan on asking my wife sometime soon, we just have very different hours lately, plus she isn't a "biking girl" though she does own a sweet '70s Schwinn. I promise I'll get back to you with some real feedback soon!!

GF said she doesnt like because of the D ring
suffers from the same i dlemma as timbuk2. if you wear it high up like you are supposed to, the Dring area digs into your shoulder.
she says she likes my chrome design best.

there, valid response from a biker womanz

I'm quoting that.

GF said she doesnt like because of the D ring
suffers from the same i dlemma as timbuk2. if you wear it high up like you are supposed to, the Dring area digs into your shoulder.
she says she likes my chrome design best.

there, valid response from a biker womanz

Timbuk2 uses D-rings like that? I've never seen one.

I haven't had any issues with the D-ring digging into my should or anyone elses.

I don't see why this has to be specific to women, I'm sure lots of people have a need for a bag that is just as functional, comfortable, durable, and fashionable on and off the bike. Then trend of bag manufacturers making these extreme uber messenger bags is annoying. I think we would all like, waterproof, comfortable bags that will last us a long time.

I think the zippers are a must if it is expected to be worn off the bike perpendicular to the ground. Having super duper velcro is cool and all, but when you are in a meeting and open your bag and it silences the room it is pretty horrible.

Attempting to engineer a bag which can be worn on the bike comfortably and off the bike horizontally (like a typical purse or laptop bag) would be difficult, but If you can figure it out, congrats.

I also think a smaller size would be a good idea. Some people love huge bags, but some like things to be a little more manageable. On a related note, I think the number of straps should be kept to a minimum. They are great when you have things to tie on, or you are expanding your bag for super beer delivery services, but when you are just cruising around office/school/streets and they are always getting caught on things, its just annoying.

Just a few complaints on features which are becoming somewhat universal which annoy me in bags. Hope that helps.

PS- I'm not a girl, and my GF doesn't ride bikes. But she would say make it shiny

My wife wants to see one in a Louie Vutton or a Burberry pattern. I keed I keed.. She said a make up pouch would be nice addition.

Guess my wife is no help. She has no suggestions other than, "That one bag you used to have was cute. She should make one like that."
That "one bag" was a Gap over the shoulder messenger-ish bag from 6+ years ago.
I tried....

Timbuk2 uses D-rings like that? I've never seen one.

I haven't had any issues with the D-ring digging into my should or anyone elses.

timbuk2 uses a plastic clip, but it still is the same end result
no padding on the main conact point

Guess my wife is no help. She has no suggestions other than, "That one bag you used to have was cute. She should make one like that."
That "one bag" was a Gap over the shoulder messenger-ish bag from 6+ years ago.
I tried....

haha. Thanks guys.

I'll post up the Tremont mini (I think I'll call it the Coventry) when it's done. I'm pretty excited about it.

SSFG: where low expectations are our high expectations
SSFG: the original sausage fest, since 2008
SSFG: derailing without derailleurs

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