I have a big Crumpler backpack that's great for biking and a small Manhattan Portage bag that I use off the bike. They're both great, but I get very anxious keeping them (and other things) for a long time, especially when they can't be easily returned to a 'primitive' state (i.e. what happens when it gets so badly worn that it's unusable or undesirable to use?).

What I'm interested in now is alternatives to bags and racks for carrying stuff on (and off, but primarily on) the bike; stuff like a few tools, wallet, cell phone, snacks, and maybe larger things like books.

I'd like to use materials that are easily and freely attainable and recycled (like paper products such as newspaper and paper grocery bags) or machine washable (something I could throw in with the rest of my laundry, like the cotton reusable grocery bag that I have or a simple handkerchief).

So far, all I've come up with is essentially Rivendell's Burrito Wrap. That would work for small/medium sized and not-irregularly shaped items, and could be done with the cotton grocery bag that I mentioned above. A handlebar-mounted version of that should be easy to do, too, but it could limit my hand positions slightly.

Does anyone have any clever ideas along these lines? I'm especially interested in designs that can be work like a backpack.

I know it costs money, but why not spend a little on a rack and find an effective, safe way to strap your backpack to it?

I think you can get more service out of what you already have... buying another bag is just creating more waste. I've used school backpacks for decades by patching them up with dental floss.

Yes, you're certainly right. Nevertheless, I'm going to give it some more thought (and if I come up with a good solution, I'll test it out for a while before selling or donating either of my bags).

P.S. Nice work with the dental floss.

i just made my own frame bag by cutting up an existing bag. pic is at the bottom of this page: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...8#post11914298

I know you're looking to make a bag, but this might give you some inspiration: https://www.banjobrothers.com/products/minnehaha-bags/

I have one of their rack top pannier bags and like it quite a bit. It's nylon and not what you're looking for, but it's a good design. Their other products seem well designed and made too. The Minnehaha line is canvas with leather straps. It's probably the line that you would want to purchase or emulate.

Cool bag, mustachiod.

eddubal, those bags do look nice. But, as you guessed, it's not quite what I'm looking for--the semi-rigid shape of the bags makes them a bit too 'this-is-a-saddle-bag-and-nothing-else' for my taste (if that makes sense). But the way they're attached to the saddle (across the back, rather than the Burrito Bag's way) provided some food for thought.

Get a rack and zip-tie a basket on to it. Or a milkcrate. There are baskets, milkcrates, etc. at any Goodwill store. Buy an inexpensive rear rack, ziptie on your basket, and toss whatever bag in that you want. Easy!

I like baskets also. I especially like the Wald folding baskets, they cost 20 bucks apeice and are a little heavier than regular ones, but they are there when you need them and out of the way when you don't. I can't imagine wearing them out.