New Bar/Saddle Bag Design.

Boxy Bar/Saddle Bag

While I like rolltop designs and traditional randonneur bag closure systems, I've been playing around with zipper closures on bags. I tested out a couple designs and settled on a bag size that is basically the same volume as the mini rando bag I make. It fits nicely under upright bars and most likely would play nice with drop bars with a long stem and non-aero brake cable routing.

What started out as a dedicated front bar bag easily became a saddlebag as well by having straps spaced for Brooks saddles. So it works well up front as a bar bag, or in back as a saddlebag.

This one has side sleeves and premium leather (both options slight upcharges from the base price).

Available as a made to order bag here: 

http://treetop.bigcartel.com/product/boxy-bar-saddle-bag

Coffeeneuring Ride #2.

Coffeeneuring Ride #2.

Where: Spoken (previously Beans & Bagels) 1812 W Montrose Ave - Chicago, IL

When: Sunday, October 11, 2015 - morning

What: Espresso, coffee in a bike-friendly thermos - bagels for home

The Ride: took mostly side streets - my secret routes to get around areas in my larger neighborhood - and started and finished with a loop around Horner Park - beautifully sunny morning. Spoken, previously Beans & Bagels, serves coffee and bagels, and my new favorite espresso in the city - surprisingly delicious in a city of high end espresso shops. I know the owner, Will, from bike transactions and parts swaps, and he has a vintage race bike on display above shelves of coffee making supplies. They used to, maybe still do, get pastries picked up via bike trailer.

The Bike: '84 Schwinn Voyageur, single speed, setup randonneur style - my commuter

Mileage: 4 miles roundtrip

Coffeeneuring Ride #1.

Coffeeneuring Ride #1.

Where: First Slice - Andersonville - 5357 N Ashland - Chicago, IL

When: Sunday, October 4, 2015 - afternoon-ish

What: cup o' coffee (and pie for home!)

The Ride: mix of bike-laned roads & side streets. I know this area well, uneventful biking to and from, mixing in a short section of the North Branch Trail on my way home. Bike rack to lock up in front of coffeeshop. Sort of a dreary gray day, felt good to get out for a short ride. Pie slices fit nicely into a new XL saddle wedge I made up. Stopped to take some photos of bike on my way home.

The Bike: Rivendell Redwood (650b conversion) sporting new A23 wheelset

Mileage: 8 miles roundtrip.

Barry's Saddle Wedge

Medium wedge on a Pashley Guv'nor.

New colors.

Working on a custom bag right now, and ordered 3 new colors as possible options. I made of medium deluxe wedges in each color to get a sense of what each color looked like with veg tan leather. All are wonderful in different ways. I'll definitely be making up personal bags in orange when I have the chance.

Medium Saddle Wedge.

Saddle wedge with Martexin #8 waxed canvas, black leather bits, & brass hardware. 

On its way to Ireland. 

Medium wedge.

All prepped. Just needs to be sewn up. 

Black, Black, & Brass.

Black leather, black Martexin waxed canvas, brass hardware. 

Black Leather.

Black leather prepped for a medium wedge. 

Large Saddlebag - Black & Black.

New bag based on classic saddlebag design. 

Brown & Gray.

Prepping for a new saddlebag design. Brown leather, gray waxed canvas. 

Rando Bag to Finland.

Worldwide shipping available. This one went to Finland!

Designed to attach to handlebars. Features black leather trim. 

Eli's Rando Bag in Use.

Thanks to Eli for photos.

Saddle Wedge.

When I first started making bags, I made saddle wedges, initially in 3 sizes: small, medium, and large. The small's never really materialized as a design I liked, but the medium and large are designs that did. Above is a medium wedge with deluxe options - leather trimmed closure flap and leather accents. 

http://treetop.bigcartel.com/product/deluxe-medium-saddle-wedge

Mini Rando Bag

A small take on the traditional randonneur bag. Single compartment with elastic closure. I made a batch of these previously and. In the works is a version of this same size bag with 3d pockets, side sleeves, and map sleeve.
http://treetop.bigcartel.com/product/small-front-rack-bag

Coffee Kit Bags - Leather Accents

 

 

New bags for coffee outside rides. Wedge fits all tools, tubes, wallet, phone, keys, &c. Front bag fits a small alcohol stove, coffee grinder, coffee, &c. 

Black waxed canvas with dark brown leather and light brown leather accents.

Contact me if you'd like a similar set or individual bag.

 

 

 

 

Rando Bags.

There are several options for rando bags from companies. These work great if your bike fits one perfectly. For other bikes, particularly taller bikes, there are no ready-made options for rando bags. If you'd like a custom made bag, I've opened my queue for custom orders.

Prototype Saddlebag - Natural Waxed Canvas

Prototype bag of a small saddlebag design.

Black Waxed Canvas Set

My personal bags - sold as a set.

Front bar bag and medium saddle wedge - black waxed canvas with sheepskin liner.

$75 - worldwide shipping available - just ask.

http://treetop.bigcartel.com/product/front-bar-bag-saddle-wedge-combo-black-w-leather-liner

Boxy Saddlebag - Red Waxed Canvas

A saddlebag made in a boxy rando style.

8" x 8" x 12"

$85 - worldwide shipping available - just ask.

http://treetop.bigcartel.com/product/boxy-front-bag-saddlebag

Rando Bag - Red Waxed Canvas

A tall rando bag in red waxed canvas. 10" tall.

$150 - worldwide shipping available - just ask.

http://treetop.bigcartel.com/product/tall-rando-bag-red-waxed-canvas

Treetop Bags - An Introduction.

I've been making bags for a little over a year now. It started out as a scrap of canvas that I waxed and made a small tubular style bag mounted under a saddle based on an Acorn bag I used to have that had been discontinued. I wished I had that bag again, I set out to learn how to sew and create bags for myself. Shortly after, I purchased a large amount of different colored canvas, some leather scraps, and began making saddle wedges for others. Until recently, I've only been offering different styles of saddle wedges. I'm now proud to say that I'm branching out and offering new bag designs based on classic bags, and am making these available, either by a ready-made bag, a set design to order, or custom designs on an individual basis.
Check out treetop.bigcartel.com for designs I have for sale, and some ready-made options. I'm also the owner of the remaining inventory of Willow chainrings, so feel free to add some of those to an order as well!