velotrack
06-27-2014, 12:22 AM
House cleaning meant the discovery of three extra thomson bags lying around the house. I figured since I wouldn't need 'em anytime soon (since who carries around seatposts anyway) I'd make something of it.
Then I remembered I needed a new saddle bag. I wanted one similar to this:
http://images.cdn.bigcartel.com/bigcartel/product_images/115716414/max_h-1000+max_w-1000/TanRamblinRoll.png
But they ranged from 20-30$ and I never really felt like any were just right. I wanted to fit two tubes, a pump (not just Co2) and none of them aside from large leather ones fit my requirements.
And so it began.
The bag to begin with, once holding a 250mm post. I have another one that came with a 400mm, a solid 3-4 inches longer, and the other one a felt-like bag that wasn't canvas from a masterpiece post. This one would serve me the best for my intention.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3916/14513913631_9c05187a87.jpg
I began by cutting the sides bound together by thread. I didn't take a picture of it, but from there the excess thread was cut off for even sides. Roughly what it ended up being here:
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5545/14330723118_8d2ff1a8be.jpg
It wasn't going to be enough, so I pulled out some old denim, relatively lightweight yet strong enough to hold my stuff. I rode in these pants for years and it was about time they found a second life. Just check out the crotch.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3895/14517301415_82d667236a.jpg
I cut out a strip long enough to hold the items I was going to use. The fabric of denim needed to be about 6" wide. An infinitely long piece was used since I still needed to hold stuff. I wasted a good amount of fabric by forgetting that and making a pre-cut length. Measure twice, cut once... not just steerer tubes.
I cut off the excess and used staples to determine where stitching would end up going - ugly, but I got to draw lines to where the stitching would go and adjust based on how the items felt in the bag.
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2904/14516214352_04e8b9c3a0.jpg
Stitched up and almost ready to go. I need to clean up the thread in the middle (redo them, actually) but this will hold for now. The sides are well done.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3839/14515903134_132376e64f.jpg
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2940/14517298585_af091960f1.jpg
Here's everything inside taken out, an idea of what it holds.
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2929/14517297545_8e65e185d7.jpg
It holds:
-2 road tubes
-tire lever (I usually carry a pedro's, house lever pictured)
-multi tool
-pump
-$$
-wrench for track hubs if I'm riding the single speed around, if need be.
And room for a little flexibility. The jersey feels lighter, that's for sure.
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5510/14330828069_194aa035c8.jpg
On the bike. One cord was sketchy, but putting a second one made it a whole lot more stable. I'm gonna change it a bit to utilize toe straps running through the entire thing, or sew in some clips so it's faster to use during a ride so I don't have to tie the whole thing up.
In all, a fun DIY project for a lazy day.
:banana:
Then I remembered I needed a new saddle bag. I wanted one similar to this:
http://images.cdn.bigcartel.com/bigcartel/product_images/115716414/max_h-1000+max_w-1000/TanRamblinRoll.png
But they ranged from 20-30$ and I never really felt like any were just right. I wanted to fit two tubes, a pump (not just Co2) and none of them aside from large leather ones fit my requirements.
And so it began.
The bag to begin with, once holding a 250mm post. I have another one that came with a 400mm, a solid 3-4 inches longer, and the other one a felt-like bag that wasn't canvas from a masterpiece post. This one would serve me the best for my intention.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3916/14513913631_9c05187a87.jpg
I began by cutting the sides bound together by thread. I didn't take a picture of it, but from there the excess thread was cut off for even sides. Roughly what it ended up being here:
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5545/14330723118_8d2ff1a8be.jpg
It wasn't going to be enough, so I pulled out some old denim, relatively lightweight yet strong enough to hold my stuff. I rode in these pants for years and it was about time they found a second life. Just check out the crotch.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3895/14517301415_82d667236a.jpg
I cut out a strip long enough to hold the items I was going to use. The fabric of denim needed to be about 6" wide. An infinitely long piece was used since I still needed to hold stuff. I wasted a good amount of fabric by forgetting that and making a pre-cut length. Measure twice, cut once... not just steerer tubes.
I cut off the excess and used staples to determine where stitching would end up going - ugly, but I got to draw lines to where the stitching would go and adjust based on how the items felt in the bag.
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2904/14516214352_04e8b9c3a0.jpg
Stitched up and almost ready to go. I need to clean up the thread in the middle (redo them, actually) but this will hold for now. The sides are well done.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3839/14515903134_132376e64f.jpg
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2940/14517298585_af091960f1.jpg
Here's everything inside taken out, an idea of what it holds.
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2929/14517297545_8e65e185d7.jpg
It holds:
-2 road tubes
-tire lever (I usually carry a pedro's, house lever pictured)
-multi tool
-pump
-$$
-wrench for track hubs if I'm riding the single speed around, if need be.
And room for a little flexibility. The jersey feels lighter, that's for sure.
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5510/14330828069_194aa035c8.jpg
On the bike. One cord was sketchy, but putting a second one made it a whole lot more stable. I'm gonna change it a bit to utilize toe straps running through the entire thing, or sew in some clips so it's faster to use during a ride so I don't have to tie the whole thing up.
In all, a fun DIY project for a lazy day.
:banana: