American Bicycle Bag Co.

[libarata]

I found this site a few days ago, and I was wondering if anyone has any experience in them. They would be simple enough to waterproof, look spacious, and they leave a nice flat spot for a small solar panel. I would think a set of these bags, and a handlebar mount for tent/sleeping bag, and my hydropack ought to be good enough for a 3 day trek, and then some.

http://www.americanbicyclebag.com/

 

[altitudewrench]

Nice find. I would agree with your comments. They look well made and U.S. made is a plus. Based on their site they seem to be open to making alterations and standing behind their product. Cool stuff.

 

[libarata]

When I E-mailed them about omitting the side pouches, the fella also mentioned leaving the cost of those pouches out of the final price. As far as I recall, he has been the only person to say such a thing. Usually that is a 'custom' option, and requires incurs additional charges. I shared this post, and site with him in the hopes he drops by to say what's up.

 

[altitudewrench]

Wow. No kidding. Impressive. Hope he does drop by. Nice to see that kind of product out there. My good friend owns a local bike shop and all the choices from his distributors are unwhelming.

 

[transporterjr]

A friend of mine got a set of these from his bike shop. Upon hearing the guy was local, I did some searching and found an old post of his, and tracked down the website and found he works in my town every week! Saving shipping was nice, but meeting the owner was even better - very nice guy and we had similar interests. I bought a set and I am happy with them - nicely made, glad I got them.

I ran these last year on a couple of weekend tours, once just these rear ones. And once with in addition to my 30 year old front panniers. I pretty much have always run 4 panniers, but I was surprised that running just rears was no real problem. More awkward walking the bike, than when riding it. So yes, these plus a handlebar bag and you should be fine to go. I think a nice set-up, would be a small front rack with the tent, or sleeping bag on it would make a nice balance.

 

[libarata]

A friend of mine got a set of these from his bike shop. Upon hearing the guy was local, I did some searching and found an old post of his, and tracked down the website and found he works in my town every week! Saving shipping was nice, but meeting the owner was even better - very nice guy and we had similar interests. I bought a set and I am happy with them - nicely made, glad I got them.

I ran these last year on a couple of weekend tours, once just these rear ones. And once with in addition to my 30 year old front panniers. I pretty much have always run 4 panniers, but I was surprised that running just rears was no real problem. More awkward walking the bike, than when riding it. So yes, these plus a handlebar bag and you should be fine to go. I think a nice set-up, would be a small front rack with the tent, or sleeping bag on it would make a nice balance.

I am fully surprised that someone on here purchased from him. His website leave a lotto dream for. Once I have my disability Friday, I will be looking to place and order from him. Did you have pictures of the product?
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I have a chinacomm cheap packaway trunk that I have had for years. It works... but only so well. I also had some big suckers(MIA) that were too larger for my small framed bike. I am REALLY hoping they will fit, which reminds me that I need to haul the bike out and start measuring. Thanks for the info!

 

[transporterjr]

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I am fully surprised that someone on here purchased from him. His website leave a lotto dream for. Once I have my disability Friday, I will be looking to place and order from him. Did you have pictures of the product?
-
I have a chinacomm cheap packaway trunk that I have had for years. It works... but only so well. I also had some big suckers(MIA) that were too larger for my small framed bike. I am REALLY hoping they will fit, which reminds me that I need to haul the bike out and start measuring. Thanks for the info!

Yeah, you don't how much of a lark this is! I don't usually click on the bike section, because I am not doing off-road mega-treks that seem to be on the various forums. My touring is now limited to a few weekends and I am still riding my Fuji Touring Series IV that I bought used in 1984 and promptly rode cross-country (I think now called trans-am).
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Anyways, I'll take some pics of the bags soon. Pics of them on the bike will have to wait - bike is in the shed and lots and lots of snow here right now.
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SIZE: Not too big, not too small. You can just get by on a weekend tour with these alone, depending on weather (amount of clothes) and your cook kit (I carried none).
ZIPPERS: Nice, large, strong zippers. Zipper failure is what did my RhodeGear ones in after 2 tours. OK, one tour was across the county and the other was a month in New Zealand, with I guess some use in between. Still my fronts (TailWinds) are still holding out and have been used more often.
MOUNTING:These are connected panniers and they hang over the rack with typical bungee to hooks for lower attachment. As opposed to the more typical hanging off the rack with hooks, they are harder to attach & remove, but I like still like the set-up. It eliminates the need for a hard inside panel or frame that the hooks would attach to, saving some weight. They have a inside sleeve for a stiffener. He uses, but it not entirely happy with, corrugated plastic (think political signs). Seems fine to me and is lightweight and you can always get a new political sign :ylsmoke: I put my spare cables in that sleeve. You could make a plastic or wooden stiffener is desired.
MATERIAL: Thick Cordura. Has reflective stripe.
LONGEVITY: I have not used them enough to know. With the sling mounting, I guess there will be abrasion overt time. I guess one could put a piece of fabric, or a piece of foam, over the rack before attaching the panniers, but I am not so worried about it. Panniers with metal hooks might have more longevity - not sure.
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I decided I was sick of buying Chinese things, so when given the chance, I put my money where my mouth was and I am pleased.

 

[libarata]

Awesome writeup! Tonight, assuming I remember, I am hauling the bike out for a cleaning, and measurements. FYI, it is a hobby of mine to find USA manufactured goods, you just let me know what you are looking for, and I will work my sources!

One last question though. I assume it is not waterproofed. Knowing this nylon cordura stuff well, especially when wet. Do you water'proof' with anything? I guess I can always look for a drybag of some sort.

 

[transporterjr]

I just bag my stuff - typically with just plastic bags. I do have some lightweight silnylon drybags for socks and other items that are "OK" for backpacking/bike touring (not so much for kayaking). I looked into waterproof panniers, a woman and her family of 5 who cycled to South America (!) commented that they kept everything wet and advised against using them. Some others who had them said the same.
So unless you never put anything wet or damp into them, you will be OK. I guess if I toured where it was always wet - Seattle/Alaska, I would re-evaluate them.
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Bottom line: I was focused on getting them, now I would lean to just having an inner bag made of lighter material with a dry bag for the camera and/or phone. As always your mileage may vary and different strokes for different folks!

 

[libarata]

Cool. I had but one set of waterproofed panniers, which ended up not working out due to their size. They were rubberized on the exterior. Meh, inner bags it will be! Thanks!

 

[DangerAbe]

Cheap plastic grocery bags work, so do waterproof stuff sacks inside of the panniers if you want something nicer that can be carried on its own. The American Bicycling bags look nice. Good find.

 

[transporterjr]

I apologize for the sideways images - not sure how I can correct that. (let me know if you do)

OK -1st thank my wife for stuffing this while I got dressed this morning, so I could takes pics before work!
Yes, that's a wicked pin - I'm from New England. If you have not been here, then you won't understand.

Rear pocket is a great size and note reflective stripes

"sling" mounting and D-Rings for attaching sleeping bag, pad or tent. I now use an inflatable ground pad (Big Agnes). Not the lightest, but compact.

You have 3 placements for the rear clip. For heel clearance, I have mind shifted.

Clip detail. Plastic and it snaps into the D-Ring. So should you break it, I suppose another one could be fitted. If I was doing a long tour, I'd ask about buying a spare to carry- but perhaps it is not a concern. For short tours, I have a few zip ties for such things.

Gumby. Where ever you are touring, Gumby should be with you.
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I like the size. For some people, or some tours, they could be a bit small for touring w/o extra bags. However, with a handle bar bag and/or rear seat bag and/or a front option, they are perfect. I originally planned on just ruck sacs w/o any pockets. However, I find pockets so useful. Yeah, I know big surprise, but it shows how you (well me) can become so focused on what you "know" you want, only to have it wrong. I keep snacks in one. Tools/spares in another. A wind breaker in one came in handy on our Cape Cod tour last June.
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Digressing here - I have low rider racks and smaller front panniers. I like the balance, but I think a high front rack with the sleeping bag up there, or preferably something heavier, would be a good set-up. A tent in a short stuff sack with the Big Agnes pack inside it would be nice. Then the sleeping bag is on the rear rack.
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It is tempting to add a seat bag and a handle bag, but remember bag weight adds up. My 4 bags + handle bar bag, when I went across country, weighed 10 Lbs I believe. So when I finished at 25 Lbs (from 50+ at the start:Wow1, I really only had 15Lbs of gear.:ylsmoke:

Happy trails,
John

 

[libarata]

Great pictures, and many thanks, especially to your wife for filling the bags! The scare is also a lit easier to see. I think these would fit just fine on my rack. I also love the heel strike avoidance adjustments. They are certainly on my buy list. Some other things jumped to the top, but by riding season, I will have them ordered.