bloaker
Sincerely A Dick
- Nov 14, 2011
- 3,643
- 5,770
I do occasional bike packing trips and that has enabled me to try out tons of setups on my bikes.
I have run drop bar, flat bar, jones "h-bar" set up and all kind of of stems, suspension, rigid, etc...
All of my setups have had good points and bad, but the one thing I have loved the most - a full sized frame bag.
You can store tons in it if you need it and you can toss junk in it for everyday errands.
My Fargo is my only current bike with a full bag and I take it on occasion over my Krampus due to the bag.
While some don't mind - I don't like backpacks on the bike unless it is a hydration pack.
My Fargo bag is a revelate that is made specifically for the Fargo. The fit is pretty perfect. There are a few things I would like to see different, however nothing worth spending more money on now that I have it.
I don't have a full bag for my Krampus. I looked at the Revelate again as they have one near specific for this bike. BUT... If I am going to pay for that, how much more for a custom bag? Prices can vary and so can quality, so you need to do some homework.
I started my research with hitting up friends and friends of friends. Advice varied, but in the end - http://www.beckergear.com/ received nothing but compliments. I know Tupper (owner) and I didn't ask him his opinion or even mention I was looking. I just kind of researched as independently as I could. My bias was present as I was looking for a small shop vs the big companies. Not because I hate the big companies (I have hundreds of dollars wrapped up in Relelate and Apidura stuff), but because my experience with smaller companies seems to be a touch more rewarding. I feel I am supporting someone vs something, but if the company is worthwhile, I am getting something more than the mass produced models. The downside to small companies is that there can be a lag between ordering and receiving custom stuff. Ask anyone who has ordered a custom frame!
But the kicker of it all.... price. It is only $40 more expensive than the Revelate, but made specifically for my bike.
This is my Krampus sitting in my office just yesterday. Then current Revelate bag is good for wallet, snacks, bills, a drink, etc... But my coffee thermos doesn't fit and a waterbottle on the downtube is crowded. This is the major reason I take my Salsa when I don't have my daughter with me. Shallow, I know.
Tupp didn't have a template for the 2018 version of my bike, so I was tasked to make one. Per the request, I needed the inside triangle with all frame features marked. Any cage mounts (inside or outside the frame), derailleur band location, dropper hole, etc... All this is needed for the outline of the bag, but also where the straps can and cannot be located to attach to the frame.
I started with a diaper box. This is this cardboard and I can use it to get things going. With a sharpie I marked all the frame features.
I used a small additional piece of cardboard to mark the front of the triangle as well.
Once that was in place, I laid it out on a piece of poster board and traced it. I marked the features with explanations so Tupper would know exactly my frame layout.
Now is the hardest part.... waiting.
I will update when I get feedback from Tupper or I get the bag back.
Once he sees the size, I can opt for a more expensive set of options, but I am waiting for his experienced eye to have a look.
Super stoked!
I have run drop bar, flat bar, jones "h-bar" set up and all kind of of stems, suspension, rigid, etc...
All of my setups have had good points and bad, but the one thing I have loved the most - a full sized frame bag.
You can store tons in it if you need it and you can toss junk in it for everyday errands.
My Fargo is my only current bike with a full bag and I take it on occasion over my Krampus due to the bag.
While some don't mind - I don't like backpacks on the bike unless it is a hydration pack.
My Fargo bag is a revelate that is made specifically for the Fargo. The fit is pretty perfect. There are a few things I would like to see different, however nothing worth spending more money on now that I have it.
I don't have a full bag for my Krampus. I looked at the Revelate again as they have one near specific for this bike. BUT... If I am going to pay for that, how much more for a custom bag? Prices can vary and so can quality, so you need to do some homework.
I started my research with hitting up friends and friends of friends. Advice varied, but in the end - http://www.beckergear.com/ received nothing but compliments. I know Tupper (owner) and I didn't ask him his opinion or even mention I was looking. I just kind of researched as independently as I could. My bias was present as I was looking for a small shop vs the big companies. Not because I hate the big companies (I have hundreds of dollars wrapped up in Relelate and Apidura stuff), but because my experience with smaller companies seems to be a touch more rewarding. I feel I am supporting someone vs something, but if the company is worthwhile, I am getting something more than the mass produced models. The downside to small companies is that there can be a lag between ordering and receiving custom stuff. Ask anyone who has ordered a custom frame!
But the kicker of it all.... price. It is only $40 more expensive than the Revelate, but made specifically for my bike.
This is my Krampus sitting in my office just yesterday. Then current Revelate bag is good for wallet, snacks, bills, a drink, etc... But my coffee thermos doesn't fit and a waterbottle on the downtube is crowded. This is the major reason I take my Salsa when I don't have my daughter with me. Shallow, I know.
Tupp didn't have a template for the 2018 version of my bike, so I was tasked to make one. Per the request, I needed the inside triangle with all frame features marked. Any cage mounts (inside or outside the frame), derailleur band location, dropper hole, etc... All this is needed for the outline of the bag, but also where the straps can and cannot be located to attach to the frame.
I started with a diaper box. This is this cardboard and I can use it to get things going. With a sharpie I marked all the frame features.
I used a small additional piece of cardboard to mark the front of the triangle as well.
Once that was in place, I laid it out on a piece of poster board and traced it. I marked the features with explanations so Tupper would know exactly my frame layout.
Now is the hardest part.... waiting.
I will update when I get feedback from Tupper or I get the bag back.
Once he sees the size, I can opt for a more expensive set of options, but I am waiting for his experienced eye to have a look.
Super stoked!