@iris asks:

I have a laptop bag that clicks onto the front of my bike, which is great, but on non-bike days it's not very ergonomic and I've been looking into adding detachable backpack straps to it.

Q5. Anybody had success with such a project?

#BikeNiteQ #BikeNite #BikeTooter #Cycling #MastoBikes #BikeNite43_2026 cc @bikenite

@ascentale @iris @bikenite A5: This would be a bit too much for me to do (not that good with sewing).

I have the same problem as you though so I use a convertible pannier / backpack: Ortlieb Vario

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@ascentale @iris @bikenite this sort of problem is what put me on a longtail cargo bike. My bag is my bag, I toss it in the sling in the rear, and cinch it tight.

This is probably not what you wanted to hear, but I have never ever regretted starting to ride longtail cargo bikes, and now I own two.

A5 #BikeNite

@dr2chase @ascentale @bikenite that's okay, my backup plan is sticking a regular backpack inside a pannier. But I have to try the ridiculous solution first.

@dr2chase @ascentale @iris @bikenite same! Except in my case it’s a basket mounted on a rack. I like being able to throw whatever bag I want that day in the basket.

@kimu @dr2chase @ascentale @iris @bikenite I love my basket! but the padlock on my heavy bike lock made a hole in the basket and that’s when I noticed it’s all plastic. 😢

@grammasaurus @kimu @ascentale @iris @bikenite Wald for the win: https://waldsports.com/store/front-baskets/

@ascentale @iris @bikenite I did this one for my laptop and clothes, it has a pannier clip and padding. I’m glad of how it came out.

@ascentale @iris @bikenite

A5, I'll confess, I don't have experience with this type of project. However, a couple years ago I bought a Po Campo backpack-pannier, and I think it would be a great model to base your design off of! The strategy for managing the straps is great.

https://www.pocampo.com/products/bedford-backpack-pannier

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@wtrmt @ascentale @bikenite oh very nice! Is that a waterproof zipper?

@ascentale @iris @bikenite

#BikeNite A5.

It's possible, for sure. The biggest barrier (imho) is the thickness of the material you are trying to attach the straps to and where. I'd try it, myself, but I am not your average person in terms of the ridiculousness of projects I am willing to tackle, as you probably know.

@iris @ascentale @bikenite yes! It does resist water, at least light to medium showers. Nothing too prolonged.

@ascentale @iris @bikenite maybe a different approach, but i have started to carry small things (tools and minipump, wallet) in a messenger bag clipped to rear rack - just need to keep it far enough back to clear pedal. I put in small sheet of masonite on spoke side of bag to keep it out of spokes and hang it on left side. I keep the straps inside if i need to carry it away from (locked) bike. messenger came from Goodwill.

@ascentale @iris @bikenite
#BikeNite A5 I haven't modified a bag like that. I'd probably be inclined to look for a sewing pattern for a backpack that would work for your needs and figure out how you could attach it to your bike though.

https://noodle-head.com I think the patterns from this company look nice and picking a waxed canvas or laminated cotton (https://splashfabric.com also has patterns) would be helpful.

Might also give you ideas for adding straps

@jfparis I got an Ortlieb pannier when I started bike commuting 20y ago and use it as my primary laptop bag (and carry-on luggage when I traveled) which has a good shoulder strap.

@ascentale @iris @bikenite

@wtrmt @iris @ascentale @bikenite that looks excellent. Did you design it yourself? Do you remember where you sourced your pannier clips?

@fullywoolly @ascentale @bikenite nice options! I'm probably going to go for a technical fabric instead and modify a design heavily enough to be essentially a new design if I'm not modifying an existing bag, though. I have canvas and similar on hand that I have non-bike plans for, so I'm adding these patterns to the list of options there... (I believe one cannot have too many bags.)

@fullywoolly @wtrmt @ascentale @bikenite for the record, one can find reinforced-3D-printed clips to attach to regular backpacks from Universal Pannier (https://pannierhooks.com/product/gravel-kirk/). I have a pair that I attached to a waterproof bag that wasn't a very good bag but makes a fine backup pannier.

I am interested to hear if there are sources for the standard injection-molded plastic and metal pannier hardware, though -- I suspect it will last longer under daily use conditions.

@fullywoolly @wtrmt @ascentale @bikenite huh, looks like Ortlieb sells all the replacement parts, so you could just put together a new system from the right set of them.

@ascentale @iris @bikenite A5. Haven't attempted anything yet, but I wouldn't hesitate to do it if I needed to.

Unfortunately, I lost all my sewing machines in the move. If I were doing it with a machine, I'd use an all-metal consumer sewing machine or an industrial model. But it's also possible to hand sew and I'd use a good thimble and carpet/button thread for durability. The nice thing about hand sewing is that you don't usually go too far wrong before you discover it. When you're machine sewing, it goes so quickly you could really mess something up and have to do a lot of seam ripping.

I love seeing the answers to this question because I'm so impressed by how many people in the #BikeNite community have sewn custom solutions for themselves and I'm digging the links folks have to materials.

If I'd been able to keep my "herd" the next thing I would have sewn would probably have been replacements for my Xtracycle Freeloaders.

@ml @ascentale @iris @bikenite #bikenite A5: I've not done exactly this, but I've unpicked and resewn seams in outdoorsy stuff to repair or reinforce it and it's gone well. I'd probably try just unpicking the smallest amount you have to to insert some loosely woven webbing, then hand sew using the holes already in the bag material: the nylon is pretty slippery so it's not that hard to feed a needle through. It'd be harder if there's piping and stuff in the seams.

Another option might be something like these weird things I found online: https://www.temu.com/au/2pcs-set-1-sew-on-backpack-fixing--back-panel--material-rope--and-tie-down-points-for-securing-shoes-jackets-and-lightweight-camping-gear-diy-outdoor-hiking-bag-accessories-g-607626016437955.html

@nickzoic @ml @ascentale @bikenite why loosely woven webbing specifically?

that link requires an app or login -- do you have a screenshot instead?

@iris @ml @ascentale @bikenite oh just there seems to be different types of webbing and some of them seem to be kind of 'loose' when not under tension so are easy to push a needle through, others are more like seatbelt material where the weave is really tight.

Here's a photo of those things: I haven't tried them yet. They only cost a couple of bucks and the description mentions they're 3d printed in ABS and are 20mm x 60mm so presumably fit 2" webbing.

If you're competent at sewing there's probably easier ways ... I am not especially competent so just throw a lot of stitches around the place and hope like hell!

@nickzoic @ml @ascentale @bikenite ahhh got it. I don't need seatbelt strength but I'll look for something sturdy, and probably more ergonomic than plain webbing. Might end up cannibalizing an old hiking backpack.

I'm skeptical about the longevity of those printed pieces. Injection molded is much more stable under mechanical stress, and failing that, I'd opt for a reinforced material over straight ABS, I think.

@iris @ml @ascentale @bikenite yeah, I'd be worried about layer adhesion 'unzipping'.
I hadn't realized they were printed until I looked up the details to respond to your message. Ummm. I wonder if there's a better version of this idea somewhere.

I saved the really long bits of seatbelt-like webbing from the kids' no-longer-legally-compliant car seats when we disposed of them, figuring they'd come in handy for something, but it's really hard to sew.

@nickzoic @ml @ascentale @bikenite oh, good thinking to save it! I hope you find a use for it that's worth the effort.

@ml
Hehe

the Xc Freeloader debacle.

I've 4 sets, in various states of disrepair.

Do have the OG FL, the heavy ones, bonded pvc:cordura, grommeted drain holes (that don't work) velcro covered inner pockets, they are in tatters. Have been dreaming of recreating them for a dozen yrs.

The fail point for all the variants;

the load straps *should* cradle the bags, yet don't.
Eventually the stitching gives out. Fairly, it holds up for a long time. just not forever.

@ascentale @iris @bikenite

@ascentale @iris @bikenite I don't do backpacks unless I am actually backpacking.

My briefcase and my handbag go into a rear basket, or sometimes into my panniers, if it's wet out and I want extra protection.I plan to replace the rear basket with a waterproof SKB iSeries 1610-10 tackle box.

I don't really have "non-bike" days, since I've been car-free for over 5 years, unless I am taking Amtrak, or someone is picking me up.

@ml
gonna rabbithole a bit.

the freeloader is a great thing.

the amount of thought that went into these things, in all their variants, were a careful utility:value calculus.

there are a *lot* of constraints.
A big(huge)one? even with laser cutting, can only squeeze so much out of a bolt of fabric *if* waste is a consideration (and it's a big one!)

I mocked up some of my 'improvments' with paper templates, did math,

no way anyone would pay for this.

@ascentale @iris @bikenite

@fullywoolly @iris @ascentale @bikenite I did designed it myself, this one is the third iteration. The pannier clips were bought in AliExpress, the European options were too expensive or not available. I also needed a narrow clip, the Ortlieb is to wide.

@iris @ascentale @bikenite I figured that a rain cover is easier for me than doing all the extra work needed to get a completely waterproof bag.

@ascentale @iris @bikenite I briefly tried an Ortlieb "Backpack Carrying System for Panniers" but didn't like it. I think the general idea is viable, their implementation just didn't fit my use case.

@nickzoic @iris @ml @ascentale @bikenite If you don’t have one, a sailors or sewing palm makes forcing the needle through cloth (webbing) much easier.

@iris @bikenite A5. I haven’t found an awesome solution but this bag worked ok for me: https://bostonbybike.blogspot.com/2013/02/racktime-workit-classic-pannier-review.html

Not sure if its still being made. It has Ortlieb pannier hooks but a zipper portion with pads to cover the hooks when carrying as a shoulder bag.

It’s too small to be useful for me.. usually I am carrying a bunch of extra stuff like tools and whatever is laying in the bottom of my pannier..

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