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i use gas tank bags to carry food and parts preferentially over using a back pack.
i have been making and using various types of bags for several years and have settled on the gas tank style as the one that impedes vision and movement on the bike the least. It is stable and carries just enough stuff.
its a bit precious, but i tend to try and avoid wear on frame, stem or headset with straps from any bag and the gas tank straps passing around the stem or the steerer spacers is a prime source of rub in certain terrains.
i had an idea to minimise this and Mark Bentley used his vision and talents and made it a reality.
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more here.... [url] https://drj0nswanderings.wordpress.com/2017/04/30/bentley-components-dwidget/ [/url]
[url] https://vimeo.com/215333336 [/url]
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so this is prototype mk 2. its been in use for a little while, a bit simpler in that it works as a bushing rather than having a bearing inside. as a result it would be a little less complex to produce.
Andy Toop at [url= http://Backcountry.scot ]Backcountry.scot[/url] is acting as test pilot - and i am hoping to have another ambassador :-)~ on board soon. once it has gone through a thorough test we'll work out where to go with it.
So far, it works superbly...
oops - think the vimeo link was wrong...here you go.
i cant seem to get it to link...cut and paste i guess...
Looks good. When can I buy one.
hopefully soon. we need to check on durability - so some more time on the bikes at present.
it will be *relatively* expensive to produce but as more are made the price would come down. gauging interest is very helpful.
Top tube bag I have is useless as the stem just pushes it about, so definitely interested in this, but guess it's going to depend what top tube bag you have.
well, with a couple strips of double sided velcro it will work with most that have a daisy chain for the front strap attachment. if your front attachment strap is sewn to the bag, you might have a bit more hassle...
That will certainly answer my problem with my top tube bag which always ends up flopping about annoyingly. Please keep us posted on progress, this is something I would definitely buy
Putting my interest in too - needs to be no more than 10mm stack height though. Would go perfect under the stem - although any wear in the bushing under the stem would create a loose headset/stem interface.
Might be worth posting on Bearbones too for a group buy.
Saw Andy's post and thought it looked interesting. Mine tends to reside at an angle somewhat jaunty...
Registering an interest for 2 no.
thanks guys. stack height is right around 10mm. will keep this updated.
I've just seen the definition of Dwidget on the Urban Dictionary, you learn something new every day.
hmmm. i should probably have looked that up before using the term....when i was a nipper my mate and i used it as a term for a little, usually moving, bike part. like a diminutive widget i guess....goes to show...
:-)~
id posted in classifieds but i think it contravenes the forum rules, so fire me an email if you are interested in one of these. i have a few on hand, ta! jon velopest at yahoo dot com
jon [b]dot?[/b] velopest at yahoo dot com?
Sorry-
velopest@yahoo.com
I'd argue that this also contravenes forum rules but I'll post to bump it 🙂id posted in classifieds but i think it contravenes the forum rules,
;-)~
Looks a great idea, i currently put this type of bag against the seatpost because i can't stand the pointless wear and the small effect on the steering. I'm not keen on the way many bikepacking bags rely on a bit of velcro around a moving bit of the bike, mainly handlebar bags.
Got mine in the post yesterday, whacked it straight on the bike, strapped on the fuel pod and into the gloom.
It works. Solves a problem. You don't have to halve the capacity of the bag with a zip tie scooshing down the front of the bag under the stem and/or it flapping about all over.
It looks a bit big on the bike without a bag attached, so if you were riding with and without the bag for decent stints, you'd probably keep a 10mm spacer on top of the stem and swap it for the spinner thinger whenever you wanted the gas tank on - only the top cap bolt to undo then.
There are couple of different options for attaching it to the ladder/daisy chain thing on your bag, depending on what you've got lying around, but as long as it's not a one point thing, like a single zip tie (which would let the bag slop side to side just as badly as it ever did), you're all good.
I've got an attachment in mind with a bit of shock cord girth hitched to the slot on the thinger, knotted both ends and attached to a toggle on a bit of plastic that sits behind the strap on the bag. I'll post pics if/when I get it sorted.
Good work, Jon!
thanks dude!
i posted on my blog how i mount top tube bags if its of any use to anyone . see here...
[url= http://https://drj0nswanderings.wordpress.com/2017/08/23/how-to-fit-a-dewidget/ ]https://drj0nswanderings.wordpress.com/2017/08/23/how-to-fit-a-dewidget/[/url]
https://drj0nswanderings.wordpress.com/2017/08/23/how-to-fit-a-dewidget/
Something is wrong with your link.
Where can I buy one then?
Something is wrong with your link
works for me? try taking the s out of http[s]s[/s]?
rene59 - if nedrapier's advice doesnt work just google drj0nswanderings wordpress....
you can buy from me - or will be able to when another batch arrives - fire me an email at velopest@yahoo.com if you want to be added to the list?
Bodgerama!
1st - zip tie creased flat in a loop plus tape:
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2nd: bit of plastic with a slot and a hole, plus some shock cord:
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looks good!
ta! it's a few mm too wide though, so there'll be bodge-arama take 3 at some point. Maybe. Not entirely sure if shock cord is necessary over just some accessory cord either. Plastic is from guttering, just right.
BLACK.
Black +1. Match my gas tank, frame and stem....
the material of the black from shapeways is slightly rougher in texture than the material Mark @ Bentley was using. Basically, the amount of time and work for Mark to hand turn down and finish the parts was making them non viable for selling. In use, the 3D printed versions are absolutely fine - the rougher texture does seem to affect the resistance to rotation.
And yes - I'm a bit of a Henry 'T' Ford type of man, too... :-)~
i have one of the originals, has been useful. protolabs do machining quite cost effectively
thanks for that! - i'll look into it,,,, hope your enjoying your DeWidget :-)~
How’s about grey then, as dark as you can get smooth 😁
nuts! i just noticed my post says 'does' affect - just to clear that up - it doesnt. id bet i got a bit of autocorrect there....ugh!
i now have several months use on the shapeways version and it is fantastic. Brand ambassador Shaggy has one on the go too and the others out in the wild are doing juuuuust fine.
You can follow the #DeWidget instagram account too and feel free to hashtag me your pics! i'd be excited to see them in use!
Mine just arrived today for the gas tank I bought from the classifieds last week, look amazing in the flesh, will be fitting tomorrow and then a cheeky little ride as the weather is to be dry😁
mine is also doing very nicely. Mk3 shock cord and guttering attachment still doing the job too.
Nice work, Dr Jon! Glad I got in early with the"too nice to be viable" option! 😀
just a bit of an update on the #DeWidget - Andy at [url] https://backcountry.scot [/url] is going to start stocking them just as soon as i get the next batch in the post to him. Price should be a little under the Shapeways cost - and you can always browse his excellent webstore for some other goodies!
As a bonus, you get a sticker in the bag...but you have to supply your own doublesided velcro or shock cord.
I think I want one.
I should've a couple sorted out by Andy (I'm often through aviemore... 🙂 )