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I get this question all the time: “How do you carry your camera on your bike?” and the answer varies. It depends on the bike and the camera used, different cameras require various amounts of space and have varying weights. More on that later, but for now, let’s look at the best on-the-bike camera bag for medium-sized cameras I’ve ever used.
Outershell’s Drawcord Handlebar Bag isn’t a “camera bag” per se, but it is with one simple hack.
While I haven’t had a chance to use mine, I will say that this looks to be a very promising solution for everything from extensive bikepacking to around town jaunts. See more at Outer Shell.
Solving on-the-bike portage problems is something Randi Jo excels at. For those looking for a less techy handlebar holster, check out these new Pocket Tender bags. Made from waxed canvas, with pockets all around the perimeter, these bags can fit a variety of items you might need while pedaling around town or taking on your next tour. You can order these bags, in a variety of colors at Randi Jo Fab for $45 each.
Curious to see some more hands-on information about the new Swift Industries Sugarloaf basket bag? Well, look no further…
Everyone has been asking about this bag. Swift Industries’ new Sugarloaf basket bag has landed. Designed specifically for a Wald 137 bicycle basket, it makes on and off-the bike portage a cinch, especially when paired with the shoulder strap. The Sugarloaf basket bag comes in three color options: 1000d Cordura in black or steel for $150, Camo XPac with Cordura laminate for $165 or a limited run of waxed canvas for $165. You can see more specs below and check Swift Industries for ordering!
I use a hip bag to carry my camera on rides, or my tools, a water bottle and snacks. They’re versatile and best of all, you don’t have to have something on your back. North St. Bags takes it one step further with their Pioneer bags. They’re designed to fit on your body or your bars and come in two sizes, with a variety of colors. The Pioneer bags are in stock now and shipping from North St. Bags.
Portland’s North Street Bags introduces their Morrison Backpack Panniers. Commuting or even touring can be made easier with these bags, which transform from a secure, waterproof pannier to a backpack in a few seconds. The Morrison Backpack Panniers carry a lifetime warranty and are made in Portland. They retail for $189 a piece.
Our friends at SDR Traveler might be known for their high end D3 duffel bags, yet their new Courier 60 Pouches are a great option for on the bike portage. Yes, it’s a saddle bag but it’s made from SDRT Grade Dyneema, an ultralight and durable material used in military applications. They also offer a tool roll. Both are in stock now at SDR Traveler.
Wald Baskets are one of the best accessories for a bike. Any bike. I’ve seen them mounted to just about anything. The new Swift Industries Sugarloaf basket bags are upping the ante on Wald Baskets, allowing you to take your cargo with you on the fly. Be on the lookout for more information on these shortly!
Hailing from Budapest, the ladies from Blind Chic know how to design and assemble some damn nice bags. I’ve been a longtime fan of their work and with more and more people asking for options in terms of hip bags (especially European customers,) I can’t pass up the opportunity to plug the Goliath Roll Top, which is available in either waxed cotton or cotton. Head to Blind Chic to see their full lineup!
Silca’s new accessories are all looking great, but the one that struck me the most is the Seat Roll Premio. It’s a saddle pack that uses a Boa closure system and it’s the first one I’ve ever seen utilize that technology. Excessive? Perhaps. Does it look rad? Yeah. See more at Silca.
Even if you’re running tubeless, you still need to carry tubes and for big, all-day rides, sometimes that means you’re carrying extras. Andrew the Maker recently designed a Tube Sack that utilizes the triangle underneath your seat stays, just above your tire. It carries a tube, a co2, tire lever and anything else you can cram into it. The Tube Sack’s design wedges in without any thigh rub and keeps your tubes free of road grit and debris.
Head over to Andrew the Maker’s shop for more information and ordering. They run $35 in a pre-order that’s shipping out mid-October. Shipping is included in the price! Also, if you like the looks of that nifty TownieSyndicate lever, it holds a 4mm, 5mm hex, with a 25 torx and 2 phillips, all in a tire lever’s compact size. Best of all, portions of the proceeds from sales on the lever go to fight lung cancer.
When I saw Scott from Porcelain Rocket selling these buffalo plaid (Canadian Camo) roll top shred packs on his Instagram, I had to buy one for Morgan, knowing he’d be making his way from Canada down to Los Angeles this summer. So… what’s he do with it the first day? Buys a gallon of ice cream.
Our friends at Path Less Pedaled got a sneak peek at two new bags from Swift Industries in their latest webisode!
Path Less Pedaled gives us a look at Arkel’s new rigid frame bikepacking saddle bag. This one looks to be the most versatile rigid frame design, allowing you to clamp to your rails kind of like how a Carradice bag support works. The best part is how quickly it can be installed. As you’ll see in the video, Russ literally installs it in seconds. From the looks of things, it’ll also be dropper post friendly.
The Seatpacker is made in Canada, is waterproof, comes in two sizes and can fit in frames with 8″ or more of clearance between your tire or fender and your saddle rails. Check out more at Arkel.
Projects like this always pique my interest and tap into my Paypal account:
“Together with Vince at Ponderosa Cyclery in Omaha, I’m excited to announce the launch of a project that is near and dear to both of us, and has been in the works for a while. The Anylander Pannier is a bag system that has been born out of a fondness for the style and function of traditional panniers combined with the need for technology that can handle the rough and tumble lifestyle of a backroads tourist.
As a pack system, we’ve found that we really like the usefulness, versatility, and size of panniers, as opposed to the popular, rack-less “bikepacking” style bag systems. However, when riding the rocky, extremely rough backroads of Western Nebraska, many panniers available do a less than perfect job handling the demands that we put on them. While we have found the durability and simplicity of bikepacking bags to be advantageous in some situations, the extremely stripped down nature of rack-less bags, as well as the detailed “tetris-styled” pack plan necessary to use them cramps our relaxed, easy going, “bring-a-few-luxury-items-if-not-the-entire-kitchen-sink” touring lifestyle.”
Check out the new Anylander Panniers at Onion Velo and pre-order these $325 panniers by hollering at Carl’s Email!
Photo by Spencer Harding
Ultra Romance knows a thing or two about bicycle portage and while he always has ideas, sometimes making them a reality is out of his capabilities. That’s why he reached out to Swift Industries to help in the design and fabrication of a new bag design.
Dubbed the Ültraswift Wizard Sleeve bags, these roll top bags can expand to engulf your cargo needs and are available in two sizes: Cavernous (44 liters expanded / 27 liters closed) and Covy Cave (28 liters expanded / 16 liters closed). Like all Swift bags, these are made in Seattle by cyclists!
Head to the Poppi’s Fine Public Restrooms for pre-ordering.
The name of the game is innovation. Scott from Porcelain Rocket has been brainstorming ways to incorporate his saddle packs into a dropper post-friendly design for some time now. Working with collaborator Rick Hunter from Hunter Cycles, these two came up with a new system, which I’m assuming will be available shortly. It appears the pack is a bit smaller than the popular Mr. Fusion design, but since its a prototype currently, I’m sure they’ll be addressing that in the near future. For now, follow along at Porcelain Rocket’s Instagram. As for the beer can, well…
Edit: Scott just posted a photo of the rail attachment on Flickr.
