73 miles and 7000' elevation later, I love this bike. The 27.5+ wheels and tires are absolutely amazing and with the addition of internal frame bosses, the FramePak is completely bolted in and utterly amazing.
When things are one, everything is Zen
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
73 miles and 7000' elevation later, I love this bike. The 27.5+ wheels and tires are absolutely amazing and with the addition of internal frame bosses, the FramePak is completely bolted in and utterly amazing.
When things are one, everything is Zen
Sunday, July 19, 2015
Sunday morning thoughts on frame bags
It has been awhile since I've given this blog any attention and frankly, I just haven't made the time for it.
Recently I have been using and experimenting with bolted frame bags using the frame water bottle mounts.
Back in March, I worked with Zen bike Co., on a bikepacking specific hardtail for the North American Handmade Bike Show which utilized 5mm bolt bosses inside the frame resulting in a completely bolted frame bag, save for a piece of velcro behind the zipper for ease of closure.
Some of the examples of using the existing H2O mounts and only velcro along the top of the bag.
I've been using a 'special blend' of closed cell foam and lexan sandwiched inside the edgeband. This gives the bag structure, support and padding because this is much more than just putting holes through fabric.
Without the velcro, the bag needs to stay centered and stabilized. If the edgeband itself were to sag, or droop over the downtube it would not only look bad, but it wouldn't allow the bag to function so well.
And the BIGGEST advantage of the bolted bag is...... Less stress on the zipper. I do believe this is the answer to the roll-top bag vs zipper argument.
When bolted, the frame bag is supported by, not suspended from the frame. Huge difference.
This is the direction I'm focusing on going forth with design. I'll still offer bags with traditional velcro attachments.
For the time being I'm choosing to not explore the roll-top closure for frame bags as there are some very competent designs currently being offered by other bag makers.
And frankly, I've never had a problem with a zipper so it really doesn't have any relevant interests to myself and honestly that's what drives most of my designs.
This spring/summer has seen an explosion of interest in bikepacking across the board and that has created a lot of back logs amongst bag makers; myself included.
With a wedding this August, a long list of orders and a part-time job at the bike shop; I got behind and I apologize for that. It's not my style.
To those who have hung in there and dealt with me, you're receiving the finest in bikepacking gear that money can buy and I thank you for that!
More to come in the future with some special projects on tap!
Thanks,
Joe
Recently I have been using and experimenting with bolted frame bags using the frame water bottle mounts.
Back in March, I worked with Zen bike Co., on a bikepacking specific hardtail for the North American Handmade Bike Show which utilized 5mm bolt bosses inside the frame resulting in a completely bolted frame bag, save for a piece of velcro behind the zipper for ease of closure.
Some of the examples of using the existing H2O mounts and only velcro along the top of the bag.
I've been using a 'special blend' of closed cell foam and lexan sandwiched inside the edgeband. This gives the bag structure, support and padding because this is much more than just putting holes through fabric.
Without the velcro, the bag needs to stay centered and stabilized. If the edgeband itself were to sag, or droop over the downtube it would not only look bad, but it wouldn't allow the bag to function so well.
And the BIGGEST advantage of the bolted bag is...... Less stress on the zipper. I do believe this is the answer to the roll-top bag vs zipper argument.
When bolted, the frame bag is supported by, not suspended from the frame. Huge difference.
This is the direction I'm focusing on going forth with design. I'll still offer bags with traditional velcro attachments.
For the time being I'm choosing to not explore the roll-top closure for frame bags as there are some very competent designs currently being offered by other bag makers.
And frankly, I've never had a problem with a zipper so it really doesn't have any relevant interests to myself and honestly that's what drives most of my designs.
This spring/summer has seen an explosion of interest in bikepacking across the board and that has created a lot of back logs amongst bag makers; myself included.
With a wedding this August, a long list of orders and a part-time job at the bike shop; I got behind and I apologize for that. It's not my style.
To those who have hung in there and dealt with me, you're receiving the finest in bikepacking gear that money can buy and I thank you for that!
More to come in the future with some special projects on tap!
Thanks,
Joe
Friday, April 17, 2015
A little insight from Bikepackers Magazine
Neil and Lindsay from Bikepackers Magazine stopped by last week for an interview and and afternoon chatting about bikes and adventures.
http://bikepackersmagazine.com/an-afternoon-with-jpaks/
http://bikepackersmagazine.com/an-afternoon-with-jpaks/
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Monday, June 16, 2014
Bailey HUNDitO
Took some time off this past Saturday to race the newly added Bailey HUNDitO 50 in Bailey Colorado. Raising $500 for Trips for kids Denver, The Colorado High School cycling league and COMBA.
32nd overall and 10th in my age group.
Not. Too. Shabby
Friday, May 23, 2014
Friday, March 21, 2014
TekPak
Although I preach 'free your back from the pack,' sometimes you still want or need a backpack.
My buddy Alex still uses one and he was looking to carry his iphone on the shoulder strap...
Meet the TekPak
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
AntiEpic Gravel ride
Did a little course scouting on Sun with Ben from Mountain Bike Radio and Dave from Nord bicycles of the AntiEpic 50 miles route just outside of Greenland CO.
Another bluebird Colorado day!
The AntiEpic is free, unsupported and tons of primo gravel. Sign up over at Riding Gravel!
As a bonus, the ride starts and finishes at Pikes Peak Brewery. Perfect.
Friday, February 28, 2014
The HalfPipe
This idea's been bouncing around my head ever since I saw something similar last year at NAHBS. With the ever common sloping top tube and the idea to use that space, the HalfPipe was born.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Custom means Custom
Have an idea for a Pak for a specific location?
Simply send me a cardboard template and a picture for reference. Here's one for Dane and his Canfield Nimble9.
Perfect ToolPak for a tube, CO2, levers and a multitool.
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