fabric selection

[trebor]

I've started making bags for bikepacking. The projects are pretty fun and I'm looking forward the adventures that will come with the "kit".

As I'm looking over all threads and blogs related to everyone's projects and all the sites that sell fabrics, it occurs to me.... how do I decide what fabric to use? 

So I  ask you all with more experience than I have, why did you use what you did? Silicone, urethane, pvc - which is better for waterproofness? What fabric for bar bag, seat bag, frame bag?

I used white widow spectra for a seat bag. That is the extent of my exploring into bag building.

Thanks in advance.

Rob

[daveB]

Here are some choices:

Dyneema X
http://thru-hiker.com/materials/coated.php

Packcloth or Oxford
http://www.questoutfitters.com/coated.html#PACKCLOTH

There aren't any silicone coated fabrics of appropriate weight, all the above have urethane coating.
I've used Dimension Polyant VX-04 fabric in my bags since I already have a bunch of it.  Its less abrasion resistant than the above choices, but lighter.  If I had epic bushwhacking plans it wouldn't be a super choice.

In the long run NOTHING is waterproof, well, pvc coated fabric used in boating drybags is, but nothing else.  Line bags with whatever size plastic bag is good.

Have fun!

[Eric]

actually 1.9-2.1 oz sil coated ripstop is not too shabby to use in some places. Cheap, easy to find and durable.

"waterproofness" is entirely dependent on the quality and thickness of the coating. Something you are not going to get with standard pack cloth etc. There are plenty of actual waterproof fabrics that are not heavily PVC coated.

[longman]

I used this...

http://www.questoutfitters.com/coated.html#OXFORD 

part #1013. It is pretty thin but seems tough. It's light though, really easy to work with and how long do you need your bags to last anyway? I think I'll change my bike AGAIN before the bags fail! I cut up an old pannier for the tougher material needed at contact points under the seat, bars etc. If you are going to order material, try and work out all the webbing, velcro, clip supplies you'll need and order those too, they are a hell of a lot cheaper than I can find anywhere in town, sometimes $1 cheaper for a fastener!

I got 3 yards and made a big saddlebag, a framebag, a gas tank and a handlebar bag. I have probably used less than half the material but I have plans to do other stuff, refine my original designs and make some for friends, I'm hooked!

[vaporjourney]

I too am considering making a frame bag, but by hand!!!  (nervous).  I always had assumed that I would be using Dyneema X since I've always had it on my backpacks and seen it on thru-hiker.  The link to Oxford shows it to be much much cheaper than Dyneema.  Both fabrics seem to be 200D, the Oxford is ever so slightly heavier at an extra ounce per yard.  Are there are significant differences in strength between them both?  When loaded with 4L of water and other goodies, it'd be nice for some strength in that triangle....

[trebor]

I want to thank you all for your input.

I have been busy experimenting over the past weeks. Packcloth, White Widow, heat seal Taffetas, PVC coated polyesters, coated Oxfords, and will have some Polyant soon.

So far I’ve made 2 frame bags, a TT bag, bar bag, roll top dry bags, a seat bag, and a bivy.

I'm really getting a kick out of this sewing stuff!!

Here are some pics.

[jeremy11]

200 denier XPAC my new favorite
http://www.rockywoods.com/Fabrics-Hardware-Patterns-Kits/All-Ripstop-Nylon-Fabrics/XPAC-Ripstop-Nylon
500 denier dyneema gridstop, the old bombproof standby
http://www.rockywoods.com/Fabrics-Hardware-Patterns-Kits/All-Ripstop-Nylon-Fabrics/500-Denier-coated-Cordura-Nylon-fabric-with-Dyneema-Reinforcement-Black
If you want to look like a snowboarder at the mall
http://www.rockywoods.com/Welcome-to-Rockywoods-Outdoor-Fabrics/600-Denier-urethane-coated-Polyester-Printed-Fabric-New-Plaid-White-Black-Red;jsessionid=0a0104451f43e42b0fcb5bb64b04b4f9c859f96ce5cb.e3eSbNmQaheLe3mTc40
If you are doing special ops missions on your Pugsley
http://www.rockywoods.com/Fabrics-Hardware-Patterns-Kits/Heavyweight-Military-Camo-Fabrics/1000D-Coated-CORDURA-Nylon-Camouflage-CADPAT-TW

I don't think the stress of the weight in a frame pack will break any reasonable fabric, its just durability and abrasion resistance.  If you want to save money prototyping get some $6 200denier ripstop, if you want ultra bomber lasts forever, go with 500 - 1000 denier, xpac or dyneema for extra rad points.
Have fun!