I Made a DIY Frame Bag for Bikepacking

A not so little video showing how i made(and stuggles) a frame bag for my bike. Tried to keep it short but it was hard.

[@robertmedlen8289]

“I learned a lot by doing this” that’s what it’s all about… I like bikepacking and have been teaching my self to sew, both with a machine and by hand. Awesome skill to learn and I’m enjoying the process.

[@dorozome]

Seeing someone's more realistic (but ultimately just as sick an end product) DIY frame bag process is genuinely inspiring. Seeing so many pros making immaculate stitches and flawless bags was getting in my head to the point I was tempted to give up on making my own. Thank you for documenting your experience!

[@morganwalter]

I doubted myself a few times in the processes. Just keep telling yourself you can do this and it’s going to be rad to have our own handmade bag in the end

[@watts391]

Well done! 🎉

[@MDToBe]

This just inspired me to get a sewing machine and start making my own things for the bike cause 200+eur for biking equipment is ridiculous, and as long as I can make them myself I don't see why not, as long as they're not meant for safety purposes like helmets and what not :) Keep up the great work!

[@morganwalter]

You should!

[@evlovesbreakfast]

Boutta make my own, appreciate you being real and documenting the struggle!

[@braydengriffie5609]

That's awesome. Turned out really well!

[@KeeganDoomFire11]

Dude this is amazing! Thanks for the inspiration!

[@martinbrown9947]

Nice one. I made my own frame bag and experienced similar problems to yourself. At the corners you can make 5mm cuts in to the seam allowance on the edging piece and this will give you more flexibility to sew the corner neatly. Also after you've added the zips to the side panel, compare that panel to the other to make sure they are still the same size. Adding the zips can alter the size slightly. I went for a rolltop closure on the drive side of my frame bag. It's a lot easier to get stuff in and out. I also put in some 100mm velcro strips on the inside and made up velcro dividers/supports to help stop any billowing or to help keep some stuff in place whilst getting something out. I'm now waiting on it wearing out so i can make a new one 😊

[@morganwalter]

Awesome. Thanks for the tips

[@nikolaizetrov617]

Nice frame bag build love the materials and color ❤

[@JoshuaJohnsonOutdoors]

Nice project, man. Well done.

[@packlife-aventure]

I would like to make my own bag one day as well. This video shoes me how it could be possible. Thx for the inspiration !

[@morganwalter]

You're Welcome!!

[@MaxWithoutTax]

looks awesome. might do a halfbag myself 👍🏼

[@coralnerd]

Great job. I just made a rough prototype bag from an old cotton tablecloth to help me understand the process before attempting the real thing with more expensive materials. It was good to practice first. I made lots of mistakes and learned a lot!

[@excursioniamo]

Ehi man, very cool project. Well done, thanks for sharing such DIY esperience. Regards from Italy. Marco & Lucia

[@stephennoyce2528]

Looks awesome, enjoy your adventures with it 👍

[@morganwalter]

Thanks, will do!

[@beckys138]

Great job! I agree with the other comments that it is nice to see a realistic effort. Sewing tight corners with stiff material is not easy.

[@ThalassTKynn]

Damn that is really good!

[@anitawalter5139]

Great work Morgan.

[@morganwalter]

Thanks mum

[@Otterlicious]

Sick! I love it mate🖖❤

[@morganwalter]

Thank You!

[@noalbalint3900]

Keep making videos you are great! And I like how you included the ‘mistake’ of putting the bike on the rack at first. Many people would cut that out. I like it Perhaps a lapel mic would be a worthy investment :)

[@chillrobots]

Nice video. Cheers

[@j.k.b5014]

Finally someone drinking matcha instead of coffee!!!

[@lorraineaylward8167]

You did a great job! Your needles are breaking, your sewing is messed up bc the motor in your machine isn't strong enough to do all these fabrics. If you plan to do a lot of sewing, take your fabric, in layers to a sewing machine place and sew to see how easy other machines work the fabric. I took a 6 layer piece I was making to the store and tested machines when my machine kept breaking. Just my 2 cents as someone who has done a lot of heavy fabrics over the years.

[@morganwalter]

Thanks for the tips! My needle actually broke because I was pulling on the fabric too much and it was bending the needle which was make hit the deck and not go through the hole. Be I sewed any part of the bag I folded up a bunch of fabric and pieces of Velcro into many layers to test the strength of the machine. I was able to penetrate far more fabric than I expected.

[@amineroadbikerider1504]

i really liked it , next one will be even better

[@hudbud22]

nice!

[@Shawnpady]

Keep going

[@brycelemar8689]

Dope

[@zibo29]

Great work! Which bike is the one in the video' thanks!

[@morganwalter]

It’s a Kona Rove!

[@coralnerd]

How well do you find the divider works in practice? Does the bag tend to bulge out too much if you don't use it?

[@morganwalter]

The divider works great as far as I’ve used it. I’ve never really packed it full with the divider open. But if I pack it with the divider quote that came out so I imagine that it can be pretty wide if the divider was open.

[@martinfahrni5677]

Great job, what's your verdict would you do it again and if so any further improvements? Just dusting off my sewing machine as i am writing this😅😂😮😊

[@morganwalter]

Yes i would make it again! I'm planning on making another one and some burrito bar bags when i have the time. I would make the zippers go right to each edge. There isn't a lot of room when the zipper are open and maybe that would make a difference.

[@meganoobbg3387]

Nicely done. I went to the local bike stores the other day, and the prices were stupendous. I swear the cycling industry is turning the bicycle into a rich people's play thing, more than a transport for everyone - bags like that cost hundreds of bucks even though they're made in China. Worse still, they purpously no longer sell parts for classic bikes - i was looking for a stem extender, and no. They only have "new standard" parts so they can tell be "Buy a new bike."

[@morganwalter]

I could believe the price of some of the bikepacking stuff at the bike shop either! That’s what inspired this

[@Insert_Screename_Here]

So, I have to ask, have you found that you actually saved money by making your own, instead of buying? That's where I always end up with some of these projects I want to take on, in the end, I'm just better off buying things :D

[@morganwalter]

Considering most decent bags are $300+ and that’s not for a custom one. The materials were $42. That includes the extra zippers I bought to make another bag and was left with enough fabric to probably make 2 more bags. Money wise. Yes you save a lot. Time on the other hand might not be worth it for some people. If you’ve got some spare time, like to make things and challenge yourself it’s a fun thing to do.

[@Insert_Screename_Here]

@@morganwalter I have the time, and really do prefer doing things on my own. How waterproof did they end up?

[@morganwalter]

I used 600 denier waterproof fabric and waterproof zipper. But I did not tape any seams. Not completely sure how waterproof it is yet because I haven’t been out in the rain yet

[@Jeff-ss5xf]

I liked Your video on making the bag for the bike, but the music was irritating and made it difficult for me to follow because I had to turn the volume down and then back up when You were talking.

[@morganwalter]

ok? go try making your own video then