Bacciagalupe

I'm a big of a bag nut, which means I've never really found a bag that works for me. The best so far has been the Topeak Dynapack, but there's a big drawback: I keep leaving it open, hit a small bump, and everything goes AWOL. bleh

So I'm wondering if anyone has a good source for custom bags. Though I'm not an expert, I'm ready to knock up something of my own design. Any ideas?

unterhausen

if you leave it open, it will empty itself. I don't see how to avoid that. The traditional rando front bags are really useful, I see no reason for a custom one though. They all cost about the same, $$. You might want to contact user Coluber42, she makes nice bags and does custom work as well as being an experienced randonneur

seajaye

making a traditional front handlebar bag, if you are crafty enough, seems pretty simple...it's a big cube/box with a flap over the top. of course, making a nice one that works well and lasts a long time is the hard part.

are you talking front bags, saddle bags, panniers, or what? swift industries makes some good-looking stuff with customizable colors and options.

generally though, i am surprised you haven't found a baggage system that works for you. what's your list of criteria that other bags haven't been able to satisfy?

Coluber42

Dill Pickle Gear is me, and I think they are nice (obviously). I'm not sure what to tell you if you want something that will keep your stuff from falling out even if you leave it hanging wide open, though!

If you do feel like making something yourself and want help or advice on how to do it, feel free to contact me either through the forum or through my website. You can get pretty far with a home sewing machine if you are patient and careful, and you can even do it with no sewing machine if you are VERY patient. There's no satisfaction quite like making your own stuff exactly the way you want it, and I get a huge kick out of seeing what folks come up with.

Bacciagalupe

A few additional details.....

• I'm not crafty, or craftish, or craftesque, or what have you.

• Looking for a saddle-bag or a seatpost bag. Preferably something that is easy to remove.
• Most saddlebags are either too small ( less than 1 L ) or massive (9+ L). Maybe I'm missing something, but I can't find any in the 4-5 L range.

• The DynaPack is 4 L, which is a good size, it has dividers, it's very easy to pop off. The problem with the DynaPack is that it looks exactly the same when it's open as when it's shut. I can even ride indefinitely with it open, and people riding behind me won't notice it's open -- until I hit a bump and a bunch of stuff goes flying. It's a clamshell design.

I may also look into adding snaps or a velcro flap to the Dynapack.

Coluber42

My Dill Pickle small saddlebag is around 3 liters, give or take, and the medium is around 5ish (although that doesn't include exterior pockets, plus both can be stuffed more than that). The small comes off more quickly, although there are quick release systems out there that are compatible with the medium.

but I'd still encourage you to try making your own. You don't have to be a crafty type of person to know what you want, and that is half the battle. After that, it is just the mechanics of making it happen, which can be simpler than you might think as long as you are patient and don't mind making mistakes until you figure out how to get what you want.

Bacciagalupe

Good to know! I guess I shouldn't be surprised that it looks much bigger than the Dynapack.

Unfortunately, I don't have a sewing machine. Besides, the principles of microeconomics dictate that trade and specialization are beneficial to both parties...

unterhausen

why do I get the feeling that she already fired you as a potential client?

I need to crank up my sewing machine. My mother gave me the one she used at shows, and I also have its twin.

chriskmurray

J.Paks LLC

This guy makes custom bags and does some amazing work. I have seen a few of his bags and his work is top notch.

Coluber42

Hah, what kind of business would I be in if I fired as a client everyone who refused to make their own stuff? LOL

unterhausen

it was a joke, but it festered for a while too long. My mother got a lot of people contacting her to sew a one-off bag design and she always said no. Too much time and not enough return. I tried to talk her into making bike bags, she kept trying to teach me how to sew instead. She never gave up on that hopeless cause

Coluber42

nah, I got the joke.

I keep trying to get people to try it themselves because I think it's fun and rewarding to do stuff yourself. Actually I'm generally happy to do one-off custom jobs (although it is a lot of work to do one-off's and I charge accordingly). But I still try to convince people that maybe making their own stuff is more accessible than they think it is because I think they'll have fun.

johnread

+1 on the props for Dill Pickle Bags. Emily built this great rando bag for me for a Specialized Globe Porteur rack. Really great work, quick delivery, and just the perfect bag for me! She has several options for "stock" bags in your choice of colors and seems eager to do custom work.