Introduction: Leanest Bicycle Frame Bag

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About: Crafts, games, athletics and the great outdoors!

The leanest bicycle frame bag design:
This project started with the need to carry my tablet (10-inch) with me on a bicycle ride, without wearing a backpack.

Things got more interesting when I found out how much a commercial ‘full frame size’ bicycle frame bag costs (i.e. too expensive, beats the purpose, bag may be stolen if left on the bike) and considering also 2 extra parameters:

  • the need to make the frame bag easy to place on & take off the bike; as well as
  • my own bike’s brake wires, which are positioned at the upper side of the frame (i.e. I cannot just use a typical ‘saddle bag’ approach).

Supplies

Materials & tools:

  • 1 metal hanger
  • Plastic Tie-ups (25cm approx. length, depending on frame diameter)
  • Safety pin(s) (1 or more)
  • Binder clip(s) (1 or more)
  • String or cord (25cm approx length)
  • Tote bag (any cloth bag -or similar slim item- or even a pillow case will do)
  • Pliers
  • Knife or scissors

Step 1: Making the Frame Bag 'Base'

You’ll need the long ‘straight’ bottom side of the metal hanger as well as the angles. The ‘kinks’ on either side are useful too, so you should cut after that.

  • Cut the metal hanger on each side with the pliers as shown in the photos. Throw the (top) unused part away.
  • Hold the now-cut metal hanger just below the bicycle frame’s main top length and use plastic tie-ups (1 or 2) to tie them together. Pull tight.

The bicycle frame bag ‘base’ is ready.

Step 2: Hanging the Bag (with Cargo Inside)

Take your bag at hand, put any rather flat ‘baggage’ inside (e.g. a notebook, a tablet, or anything else), tie its straps, and place it hanging on the now-attached-to-the-bike-frame metal hanger element.

Use the binder clip(s) to secure it over the metal hanger element.

Step 3: Securing the Back End

Tie a plastic tie-up with the safety pin on the vertical length of the bicycle frame. Gradually tighten the tie-up and secure the tote bag with the safety pin. (Alternatively, you can use a binder clip affixed to the tie-up.)

Step 4: Tying at the Front

Make a knot on one end of the string (or cord, shown here).
Tie a plastic tie-up with the knotted end of the string (or cord) on the diagonal length of the bicycle frame. (The tie-up must pass inside the knot.) Tighten the tie-up.

Tie the free end of the string to the tote bag by pulling its fabric and twisting its closest corner.

Step 5: ​The Leanest Bicycle Frame Bag Is Now Ready!

Feel free to customize the fixing/securing method depending on your own needs! More binder clips or strings instead of a safety pin can be used, or ideally a custom bag with grommets (eyelets) affixed with light-duty carabiners.

Enjoy the rides!