Could some of you give the names/contact info for any custom bag makers that you would recommend? I have something in mind that I really don't find from the big mfgs and would just like to see what a custom maker would want to produce it.

The "Discovery" and "Hummingbird" panniers from Robert Beckman might suit you. Had a set of his custom bags some years ago, on a previous bike.

Thanks for the reply. I'm really looking for something like a rear trunk bag instead of panniers.

Check out the bikepacking forums @ MTBreview. I have a porta-pack frame bag. Works well, but not custom. Try Revelate, good reviews.

Trunk bag?



Like one of those?

- Andy

Dill Pickle Gear: Dill Pickle Gear

The owner, who is active on BF as "Coluber42", is an experienced Randonneur and produces quality kit.

-Bandera

Check etsy.com

Also, Swift Industries - Swift Industries | handmade bicycle panniers and accessories

If you haven't done a Google search, a lot of options pop up:

Bike Bag Dude Custom Frame Bags and Bikepacking Gear Australia

CUSTOM BICYCLE BAGS | BY PORCELAIN ROCKET

Might be able to get a reconditioned sewing machine for less than the Bags cost and try your hand at DIY.


Pre internet, I've gotten bags made by people I've met, in person .

of note: a padded gig bag for my Pocket Mandolin, carried on Pub - Jam bike tours .

and another for my banjo Uke ..

Seconded, she did a custom front rando bag for me to go along with one of her large saddle bags. Excellent work and great prices.

Good deal. Thanks, I'll check those leads out.

I have and like a topeak dxp mtx. Works great for my shopping trips. Took it off last weekend for an early morning ride. Just used a small top tube "feed bag". What a difference it made in the ride!

Made me wonder about a MUCH smaller bag for my commute since all I generally carry is a clean shirt. It would also be used on rides that require little in the way of clothing, food, etc. I haven't had any luck finding what I have in mind. Made me wonder what a custom would involve/cost.

What exactly are you looking for? There are lots of excellent options in bags if you have an open mind. I have tried various racktop bags, panniers, handlebar bags and large seatbags. For commuting, what works best for me is a Carradice Barley, which is one of their smaller seatbags. It can hold everything I need to carry for work about 99% of the time. Carradice bags are easy to install and remove if you use their optional quick-release attachment, and center the weight near your saddle so it has little effect on handling. They come in a range of sizes.

Racktop bags would be my next choice, but they affect handling more than a Carradice and most don't hold as much gear. They are more difficult to install and remove, in most cases. Panniers are great if you have to carry a lot of gear, but I can't imagine why most commuters would need such large bags. I personally don't like handlebar bags and that would be my last choice. Most don't carry much gear and they affect handling more than other bags. They also block your view of the front wheel, which is a big issue when riding on streets with potholes, stocks, rocks, etc.

I'm thinking along the lines of something that will velcro to the rear rack and measures about 6-7"w x 4"h x 12"l with a wide u shaped zippered opening in the top.

Here are some makers of racktop bags that might have something that would suit your purposes:

Rack Top Bags | Banjo Brothers

Trunk Bags

Rear Rack Trunks

View the TRUNK BAG at https://www.ortliebusa.com

Bags

Topeak® Cycling Accessories ? Products - Bags > **********?

Rack Trunks at REI

Thanks for the links tarwheel. Will definately check 'em out.

Have you seen this?

Arkel's Rack bag | Trunk bag

I've since ditched trunk bags and use these:

June Update « Bolder Bikepacking Gear

Greg Wheelright of Bolder Bike Packing Gear. He's done some modifications on a theme for me and I think he'd be very helpful.

J.

Those look like well made bags. I'm sure they would have no trouble constructing what I have in mind. Dill Pickel Gear also has an example of something that's leaning in the direction of what I described. While it's a quality bag, I'm sure, the Arkel is still a fair bit larger than what I really am looking for. At that price point, I may as well get exactly what I "think" I want.

Try Ely at Ruth Bag Works. He will make a bag to your specs and is generally up for new, interesting projects:

RuthWorks SF

Good luck!

Check out Roadrunner. Road Runner Bags

Here is what I use:

Novara Rack Trunk at REI.com

I can fit shirt, socks, another small article of clothing that goes beneath my pants, phone, wallet, some snacks, office badge and bike lock key. I can cram it pretty full if needing to take other items, but it is pretty small. If I have need to take anything larger, I'll just add on a backpack.

That Novara is the closest thing I've seen to what I was looking for. Only thing is, I found one on Saturaday. Was out of town to visit the grandkids this weekend and went in a nearby LBS. It's from Sunlite. Same price as the Novara, by the way. Must be a discontinued model as I don't see it on their website or any others that I have searched. It measures 5.25" wide at the front, 6" wide at the widest point. 4" high at the front and 5" high at the back. About 11.5" long. The Topeak is about 9.5" wide x 9" tall. Much lighter than the Topeak. I think it will work out great for my daily commute. The Topeak will still be my go to for a shopping trip. A pretty breezy commute both ways today and I could tell a big difference. It easily holds my clean shirt and cell phone. This evening I went to CVS and it held my cell phone, cable lock and a 750

Glad I was able to find something without going custom if for no other reason than time. Thanks for all the replies. I have saved some of those links for future reference.

I only have pics from the side of both but you can see the difference in size.

The Topeak (which I still like very much)

The little Sunlite.

There was a guy on the commuter pics thread a month or two back that had a custom bag from some bag-making company in SF, unfortunately I don't remember the name. They had a standard laptop bag that they customized for him to have just-right velcro straps so he could carry his laptop inside the triangle of his frame. If that jogs anybody's memory, maybe they can remember the name of the company?

Hi there - I'm new to this forum, however I'm probably about to take the plunge and order a trek crossrip.. I noticed the bag in the picture is the topeak slide out type (which I have) however I could not make out the make of rack - please can you share this as it looks a great fit. Thanks.

Welcome to the forum. That's a Topeak Explorer rack on the Crossrip. I have the same rack on my Raleigh so I can swap the bag between bikes. The Explorer rack works fine with the DXP bag. If you were intending on using full size panniers, the Tourist rack might be a better option. Sounds like you already have the DXP bag, so the Explorer rack should be fine.

I highly recommend the Crossrip. It's a very versatile bike that will handle a wide array of conditions. The first 2000 miles on mine required everything from new concrete, old concrete with uneven expansion joints, cracked asphalt, gravel, grass, dirt, lifting it over guardrails and sometimes just having to carrying it to get through a construction zone. Be safe and have fun with your choice!

I second that recommendation. I have visited her studio, and am planning to order a large saddlebag for my carbon fiber bike.