Robvolz 

We all know Paster Bob is the king when it comes to bespoke bike bags.

while looking online at simple styles that wouldn’t look out of place on a vintage bike, I came across this beauty.
pluses:
waterproof canvas
optional shoulder strap
uncomplicated mount system
folds flat

negatives
sold out
made in China
don’t like the modern plastic clasp

then I noticed the simple yet effective plastic hooks and said to myself…

”Hey self, with hooks like that you could turn most anything into a pannier, Dad’s old leather attaché, Dad’s old zero by Halliburton aluminum case, an old army gas mask case, an old wooden wine box, most anything”

so, two questions, where can one get hooks as pictured or similar, and let’s see some examples of out-of-the-box bike bags

thanks

Lattz

Hi Robvolz

a few ***be warned I answer the question without considering if I or you or else would like it***
https://www.amazon.com/Vincita-Bike-.../dp/B095M156S7 -
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1182946...search_click=1
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1242531...search_click=1

the first is the closest to the request but seems strictly black, while the other 2 are 3d printed, so they might be negotiated into better finish and brown filament.

Lattz

dedhed

Goggle pannier hooks and myriad examples come up.

I used an old chain wallet with leather straps on my Sprite

pastorbobnlnh 

Thanks for the mention and compliment.

When adapting something else, i.e., your dad's leather briefcase, you need to take into account the size and will your heel clear or strike the object.

nlerner

BFisher 

Stainless washers, some P-clips, flat aluminum stock, stainless nuts and screws, bungee, Greek military surplus bags.

BFisher 

@nlerner, nice buckets.

canklecat

Back in the 1970s when I rode thousands of miles a year between commuting and weekend century club rides, I used a Kirtland Tour Pak handlebar bag, a bright stinkin' red ballistic nylon box with handy external pouches. It mounted on an easily attachable/detachable but heavy-ish plastic-coated steel mounting rig that wove itself around the handlebar and stem. Clever for its time. I used that bag for decades, including as an equipment bag for my safety inspection gear on the job. Finally lost track of it in the early 2000s, possibly included it with a batch of uncategorized household goods when we sold our rural lake home around 2004. I'm pretty sure that's where my still pristine Detto Pietros went as well.

When I resumed cycling in 2015 after a 30-year I-hate-us I wasn't sure how much I wanted to invest in it so I repurposed some camera gadget bags.

Easiest to use were the lens pouches from my LowePro Off Trail bag. Big Velcro straps that held securely across the handlebar. Great for holding a spare tube and tools, snacks, whatever. I also occasionally mounted the main wedge bag itself but it was a hassle to mount securely and I worried the waist strap might come loose and tangle in the front wheel. Usually I wore the wedge pack on my waist, facing backward.

A more classic and classy looking alternative was my 1990s retro style Beseler canteen bag, made of cotton canvas with a leather hinged lid, leather tabs that fastened over brass knobs. Great bag but a little delicate for that usage, as the polished cotton canvas wasn't as rugged as Domke canvas or ballistic nylon.

So when I found an identically styled AGU handlebar canteen bag for $20 on closeout from the old Nashbar I was delighted. Identical in design, size, etc., to that Beseler bag, but made of weatherproofed ballistic nylon. Even the padded compartment cushions from the Beseler bag fit the AGU bag perfectly. And it included the clever and handy KlickFix mount, a much better solution than my homebrewed mounts.

For awhile I used an insulated rolling cart as a trunk bag on my errand bike rear rack. PITA to secure, but very handy if left on permanently. But I switched to the Nashbar grocery panniers, which are also available in slightly different designs from other makers. Open top, perfectly sized for paper grocery bags, fold flat, easy to attach and detach.

Robvolz 

I like the Vincita clips. Found their website and they have a neat story and fun products. Including rack extenders if your heel touches.

Thanks for the tip Bob, Aluminum briefcase is out. But, maybe the old bar case!!

BFisher, do your greek cases rattle? I guess once they are on snug, no movement would occur. I like your style.

bikamper

Not sure if this is what you are looking for but below is a seatbag I made from an old boy scout Yucca pack.


I made the straps from leather strips and the support is an old maple stick from my front yard. The stick has been there since 2007.


There has been decorating over the years.

BFisher 

They are not currently mounted, but did not rattle at all when they were. The bungee had a bit of parachute cord and a hook at the bottom, which attached to an eyelet at the dropout mounting hole. It kept things in place and there was no noise. If a deeper hook is desired one could use a larger washer, or whatever suitable material on hand, and form as needed. Easy setup to make, and simple to install/remove.

retswerb

I'd be very hesitant to use those 3d printed ones. Seller isn't being very clear about the material used and the printing direction is wrong - set up for printing convenience, not for part strength.

pastorbobnlnh 

I agree, they don't look as if they could hold up to either a heavy load or rough road conditions.

Maybe mount the aluminum briefcase horizontal on a front or back rack and it would be a secure Boot or Bonnet (aka British style).

Well done! Is there a camp stove under the kettle that's ready to fire-up?

I might purchase the Vincinta adapters for my next project. All leather, or leather and canvas panniers.

Pompiere

Jandd has a Bucket Pannier kit with all the hardware for $29.95. It was meant for kitty litter buckets, but can be adapted for other bags or containers. https://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FBK-OSor2nd

The Golden Boy 

Back when I used to go places- rootboy built me a saddle bag made from an M1945 cargo bag. You can put an incredible amount of stuff in there, but it weighs a ton and it's pretty big.

BFisher 

I also should point out that there needs to be a piece of fabric or something sewn or attached to the back of those bags I showed. It functions as a slot for the bungee to go through before hooking to the eyelet at the dropout, to prevent the bags from flopping around.

bikamper

Way back when that picture was taken, there was a Svea 123 in the seat bag. Now there is an Optimus 00 kero burner with a Terry clamp mounted on the seat post.

The burner bits are in a tea bag tube in the seat bag, along with a couple Whitworth wrenches, some SA parts & tools, patch kit, tubes, the tea pot, and probably an old lunch.

squirtdad

that makes me want to see if I can get my old svea running

bikamper

Go for it. They are great stoves. I occasionally toss mine in the trunk of my two wheel motorcycle.

gugie 

Definitely a bucket list bike.

jonwvara 

My efforts at bag making have been spotty and mixed. On a cross-country tour back in 2017, my friend Phil lost one of the Karrimor rear panniers on his recumbent--it just fell off unnoticed and was never seen again. So we stopped a Walmart in Breham, Texas, and bought a soft-sided beer cooler (and replacement clothing) , which we zip-tied to the rear rack, It worked out okay and survived until we got to St. Augustine, Florida.

Before a tour across Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi a couple of years later, I rigged up what I thought was a nifty saddlebag from a surplus Czech gas-mask bag, complete with a little aluminum standoff that held away from the seatpost. The standoff broke about ten days into the tour--you can see the remnants of it on the back of the bag in the photo above. Considering the time and effort it took, I would have been better off just to buy the Carradice Camper saddlebag that I use today.