Fanny pack > saddle bag
#1
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Fanny pack > saddle bag
I've had this c/v Eagle Creek fanny pack kicking around for a while, and came up with a pretty simple re-purposing as a saddle bag. It's a good size for my needs - I could easily add a small camera in addition to the pile of stuff shown, and I left the straps long enough to cinch a wind shell.
The process was pretty simple: a) I stitched on 2 leather patches to retain the straps and a third for a blinky; b) I cut off the belt strap and stitched up the edges so they wouldn't unravel; c) I replaced the zipper pulls with cord to keep things quiet. The straps are MKS toe straps.
If I find that it bounces around too much for my liking, I can easily put a loop of shock cord around the seatpost, but it doesn't seem like it will be necessary.
The process was pretty simple: a) I stitched on 2 leather patches to retain the straps and a third for a blinky; b) I cut off the belt strap and stitched up the edges so they wouldn't unravel; c) I replaced the zipper pulls with cord to keep things quiet. The straps are MKS toe straps.
If I find that it bounces around too much for my liking, I can easily put a loop of shock cord around the seatpost, but it doesn't seem like it will be necessary.
#6
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#7
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thats genius! esp considering prices on classy C&V-ish saddlebags...
EDIT :: anyone else got ideas for how to repurpose old stuff into C&V type accessories like this? I'm thinking maybe old army surplus canvas bags -> panniers, etc...
EDIT :: anyone else got ideas for how to repurpose old stuff into C&V type accessories like this? I'm thinking maybe old army surplus canvas bags -> panniers, etc...
Last edited by dashuaigeh; 11-18-10 at 11:58 AM.
#8
No one cares
that's not a bad idea, but i'd be really worried someone might see me wearing a fanny pack.
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LOL! Ibid
Last edited by Mike Mills; 11-18-10 at 01:07 PM.
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With a good quality fanny pack, you'll never even know it's there. The belt and straps are the key features. You want a wide belt, not a nylon strap. You want quick-release compression straps, too, either built-in (best) or added on. These keep the load secure, no matter how full or empty the pack is. All good fanny packs have them.
https://www.rei.com/product/778452
https://www.rei.com/product/778452
Last edited by Mike Mills; 11-18-10 at 01:07 PM.
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Let me not forget to say that I think what you did really looks very nice. I like it, especially the leather straps and bits which you added. I'm just exploring the concept a bit.
For example, your pack looks so nice, if you leave it attached to a lock bike, will it still be there when you want to leave (theft is the issue)? Loose bits (pumps, water bottles, lights,...) tend to disappear when you leave them unattended. With a fanny pack, it comes with you when you leave the bike locked up.
For example, your pack looks so nice, if you leave it attached to a lock bike, will it still be there when you want to leave (theft is the issue)? Loose bits (pumps, water bottles, lights,...) tend to disappear when you leave them unattended. With a fanny pack, it comes with you when you leave the bike locked up.
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My BF, who is quite manly with his mountain climbing and deadlifts and prolonged silences and drinking of beer, uses one of those REI waistpacks. He loves it. I think it looks silly. Fortunately for both of us, he's secure enough to not care when I think something look silly. He says all the mountain-climbing-deadlifting-silent-beer-drinking types he knows wear them.
I still think it looks better strapped to a bike.
I still think it looks better strapped to a bike.
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my bf, who is quite manly with his mountain climbing and deadlifts and prolonged silences and drinking of beer, uses one of those rei waistpacks. He loves it. I think it looks silly. Fortunately for both of us, he's secure enough to not care when i think something look silly. He says all the mountain-climbing-deadlifting-silent-beer-drinking types he knows wear them.
Please review my post directly above yours (post #12).
Maybe you can add some leaather straps to the REI pack to make it look less "silly".
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For example, your pack looks so nice, if you leave it attached to a lock bike, will it still be there when you want to leave (theft is the issue)? Loose bits (pumps, water bottles, lights,...) tend to disappear when you leave them unattended. With a fanny pack, it comes with you when you leave the bike locked up.
#17
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That looks great! I think the sewn-on leather patches really make it look sharp, the all-black bag was probably pretty bland looking before. It looks like, with the toe clip straps, it would be quick enough to remove and put back on later if you had to.
Without a picture there, it's hard to tell what a manly-man's fanny pack would look like, but I imagine it would be something like this:
I don't really care for fanny packs, but I do wear camelbaks pretty often so I'm not afraid of looking goofy.
I don't really care for fanny packs, but I do wear camelbaks pretty often so I'm not afraid of looking goofy.
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Any Britt's want to weigh in on this issue...
I'll side with Mike, I prefer to just wear a small Jansport "waist-pack".
I'll side with Mike, I prefer to just wear a small Jansport "waist-pack".
#19
No one cares
No you're right. I certainly don't want to add to my own insecurities by adding a fanny pack. I'd wear a fanny pack that had "One Bad MFer" embossed on it though. That conversely, would boost my security level.
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#20
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With a good quality fanny pack, you'll never even know it's there. The belt and straps are the key features. You want a wide belt, not a nylon strap. You want quick-release compression straps, too, either built-in (best) or added on. These keep the load secure, no matter how full or empty the pack is. All good fanny packs have them.
https://www.rei.com/product/778452
https://www.rei.com/product/778452
As far as theft goes, I'm using this on a bike that I take for rides. It's not an errand bike, and I don't even carry a lock. Just for good measure I ride it with road pedals and cleats so I won't be tempted to walk away from it.
#21
No one cares
All it's missing is a pink fanny pack.
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#22
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If you let the pistol grip hang out of the bag a bit, no one questions how manly it is.
I joke, I joke.
I joke, I joke.
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I love the look you've achieved with the fanny pack, but I'm with holiday76 --
I wouldn't wear a fanny pack for fear that I'd be hit by a car, and thus be caught dead wearing a fanny pack.
I wouldn't wear a fanny pack for fear that I'd be hit by a car, and thus be caught dead wearing a fanny pack.
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Fanny packs used to be cool in the 80's when we were using them cross country skiing in Wisconsin.............then tourists, baby sitters, mall walkers...everyone! discovered them......
So my old red Cannondale branded fanny pack haven't been used much since I left the midwest for CA in 1990 and I recenly dug it up in my junk drawers. In it still are my snug fitting white leather X/C gloves, wool cap and my little cans of Swix wax forever waiting to get back on the snowy trails again.........
Chombi
So my old red Cannondale branded fanny pack haven't been used much since I left the midwest for CA in 1990 and I recenly dug it up in my junk drawers. In it still are my snug fitting white leather X/C gloves, wool cap and my little cans of Swix wax forever waiting to get back on the snowy trails again.........
Chombi