Frame Bag Customization Ideas

[Racingguy04]

So I've made a couple of basic frame bags and I've been happy with the results but I'm thinking of making another one that's more complicated/customized. My main reason for making a new one is so that I can use one or both of my bottles. My first dilemma is 1 or 2 bottles. There's more bag space with only a single bottle, but more water capacity with 2 bottles. Who knows, maybe I'll end up making both. Anybody have any experience or input on bags that let you use one or 2 bottle cages.

The other thing I'm thinking about is adding pockets, dividers, and maybe even some elastic to hold tools/chain lube ect. Any input on what's worked and what hasn't? The bags I've made have been basic full triangle bags with no frills, just space. They hold gear just fine, but I'm thinking a little organization might be nice, and I'd really like to be able to use my bottle. I can always carry extra water in a bladder in my bag.

[Paul_c]

Here are some ideas:
1. Full front triangle bag with holes for the cage mount bolts.  If you want to carry 2 water bottles just put in 2 cages.  One bottle only needs one cage.  No bottles means full size frame bag.  Plus you won't need Velcro on the down or seat tubes since you can attach the bag with the bottle cage bolts.
2.  Elastic or Velcro in the bag underneath the top tube to hold items such as tent poles, stakes, tarps, etc.
3.  I have a full length pocket inside just below the zipper for food and quick access small items.
4.  I gave my frame bag a flat bottom about 3 inches long to make sure I didn't lose any small items in the pointy crevice at the bottom of the bag.
5.  I also added a bit of Velcro to attach a tank bag with the frame bag.
6.  I would like add a mount for a bladder but haven't figured it out yet.








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[Racingguy04]

Thanks for the ideas paul, I was playing with the idea of velcro straps under the top tube for extra spokes and things like that. And I like the pocket too, what kind of mesh/where'd you get it? I've been having trouble finding mesh that I like, though I could use some light weight nylon.

I've thought about something like that with putting the cages in the bag, but I have 2 concerns. 1 is the bottles leaking in the bags, which could probably be prevented if i upgraded my bottles. The other is how much of a pain is it to get to the bottles when the bag is full? I usually stuff my frame bag pretty full and getting a bottle out would be a real pain, and impossible to do while riding. Maybe I could put zippers in the sides that run along where the bottles would be so that I can get to them from that angle, instead of trying to get at them through the top zipper.

BTW those are some good looking bags. I bought a Timbuk2 Gas tank and it's pretty good, but I'm thinking of making one out of x-pac to match my frame bag.

[Paul_c]

The idea of having the bottles in the frame bag is strictly for refilling a bladder IMHO.  I bought all of my materials from diygearsupply.com.

http://diygearsupply.com/product/pocket-mesh/




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