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@Tanya...I'm just about to reply to your PM
@The 5 other people waiting on saddlebags...I'm just waiting for my drybags to arrive so I can check the design of my part of the saddlebag is finally right then I'll be able to take the pics so that you can see what my new design is like, and so that I can then make them. The drybags will be here today hopefully.
I'm making another of the long overdue messenger bags this week which is another off the list...which I'm trying my best to crack on with and clear.
@Hobo...in relation to the bike. I put my name down and paid my deposit for the English a year ago....with the intention of being financially stable by the time he would be building it. However, for many reasons it then took me eight months to build the new workshop here in Leicester...which pushed me eight months further behind.
I've now ended up having to scrimp, save, and borrow the money needed to pay for the English so I didn't lose my deposit and my place in the build queue.I'm completely aware that the customers should come first and that keeping them happy is the most important thing, which is part of why I've been struggling mentally, because I know I'm pissing people off left, right and center...and pushing peoples loyalty too far....it's a horrible position to be in and kills what little morale I have.
My priority right now is clearing the backlog and trying to put right the damage that has been done.
After that I will decide if and how I will carry on with the business.
When you're responsible for making every product yourself, everything else going on in your life has an affect on your ability to do that...loneliness, depression, financial status, and many other things.
I know I'm not alone in dealing with those problems, and I'm not looking for sympathy....I'm just trying my best to juggle a lot of things that are all getting me down, and have been for most of my life.
That is why I'm considering closing the business....because my personal problems are affecting the work side of my life too much at the moment. I'm not very happy these days, and until I am, I'm just going to continue to upset other people...and I don't want to do that anymore.Thank you to everyone for your support though.
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which is part of why I've been struggling mentally, because I know I'm pissing people off left, right and center...and pushing peoples loyalty too far....it's a horrible position to be in and kills what little morale I have..
This.
This I can sympathise with well enough that I didn't need you to say it and I'm sure that many others didn't. You have a fantastic product and many people (me included) who would like to buy it. It would be a great shame for all of us if that never became possible, especially after the work you've put in so far.
I hope that the Divide gives you a point to focus on and allows you to pull back from under all of this and start again.
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The Birth Of A Tool. Part I. Axe Making (by John Neeman Tools) on Vimeo
The Birth Of A Tool. Part II. Chisel Making (by John Neeman Tools) on Vimeo
You sound like the author of 'zen and the art of motorcycle maintainance'. I remember thinking after finishing that book, that while its a great sentiment to be so emotionally invested in your work. But it also sounds really bloody exhausting.
Also.
Seriously want that axe now. In 2Kg/80cm shaft, and 0,8Kg/30cm shaft versions. Put a massive dent in my wood splitting axe hitting a metal wedge by accident a week ago. I'm thinking they're not cheap though. -
Hi Scott
Merry Chrimble and that. Hope you're well. What's the scoop on the saddlebags, any updates?
Cheers
EB
I'd love one of these, and a simple custom framebag with a small section at the front of the triangle for sausages, and other fuel.
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I'll have a picture of the 'almost' final prototype tomorrow. It just needs one more tiny tweak.
I'm going to give those waiting on saddlebags the option to go with this new design,or stick with my previous one. -
OK....I know it's been a LONG time coming, but I've been working on this a while now. It's still not perfect, but it's about ninety percent there. I just want to tweak the shape a touch more.
I can't make the final prototype until I get some special coated webbing from my supplier, but they appear to still be shut for Christmas/new year.Basically I wanted to make a harness system saddlebag to allow the use of Ortlieb dry bags. The main benefits being the welded, waterproof construction...and the ability to pack/un-pack your gear under the shelter of your tent etc
However...I didn't want to use a traditional fabric construction, as I wanted to keep to my BRP philosophy of strength and longevity above all else, so I've worked hard to figure out a way to make a one piece outer harness, yet still get the exact shape I wanted.....this wasn't easy!
The harness is made from a thin plastic skin, backed with a stiff foam to give the rigidity I wanted.
I know it goes against the 'ultra light weight' approach of most bikepacking saddlebags, but I don't see a need for any more of those when companies like Revelate and Porcelain Rocket do that so well already.It's designed around a 13ltr Ortlieb medium weight dry bag, with a waterproof, welded construction.
The harness also has a daisy chain webbing underneath to allow velcro straps to be threaded through for attaching other items underneath.
The seatpost attachment strap is replaceable, as is the end compression strap, and the nose shape is made by using standard cable ties to hold it together...allowing easy replacement in the event of damage.Anyway...it was more just about giving a heads up on how it was going, but I'm keen to hear peoples opinions.
I'm also waiting for some high strength plastic buckles to arrive which will be more likely used on the final version...but my own will use the good old Cobra buckles. :]
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he said it's inspired from something like this... http://www.ortlieb.co.uk/drybags.html
so I think you're on the money.
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Eightball...yes, the harness is a flexible plastic, sewn to a layer of a stiff foam, so it's semi rigid...then the dry bag is an Ortlieb medium weight, meaning it can also be replaced easily if damaged.
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Whoa Nelly! That looks ace! Good work Scott!
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Looks bombproof. I like the way it appears very narrow directly under the seat.
A separate stuffbag solution is definitly the way I'd like to go. Easier to pack (my bikes are stored in a unheated room), easier to dry, and easier to replace. I reckon I do mount my High powered LED rear light on there, and sneak the separate battery pack in there somehow.
Very nice. Very interested.
On a side note. You seem to have turned me into a bag snob. I was on a budget frame bag site last night sniffing at poor looking finishing.
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List time...
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Looks bombproof. I like the way it appears very narrow directly under the seat.
A separate stuffbag solution is definitly the way I'd like to go. Easier to pack (my bikes are stored in a unheated room), easier to dry, and easier to replace. I reckon I do mount my High powered LED rear light on there, and sneak the separate battery pack in there somehow.
Very nice. Very interested.
On a side note. You seem to have turned me into a bag snob. I was on a budget frame bag site last night sniffing at poor looking finishing.
The body of the harness you see underneath continues to form a 'tail' that compresses the dry bag, to avoid having just the webbing cutting into it...the daisy chain loops extend right around this, so there are plenty of places to mount a light...and a battery pack could also be strapped to the webbing underneath I would think.
It's surprising how much poor finishing is out there on products that are actually for sale...once you now what to look for, you see it everywhere. :]
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Looks like a hell of a piece of gear. Scott, what's the reason for using plastic buckles rather than the Cobra? Weight? Cost?
It would be exactly those reasons.
I personally love the cobras,as I can really pull the straps tight without worrying about cracking buckles.
The plastic buckles i'm waiting for should be stronger than the plastic ones being used by everyone else though.
Mirius
Smallfurry
lae
EB
Wicksie
dumps
HatBeard
TM
laner
pootsmanuva
handtightenonly
Orko42-
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For Sale: Black Rainbow Project 'Violet' hip pouches
Posted by
I didn't want my comment above to appear to be remotely negative or show anyone in a bad light, but in order to maintain a loyal fan base and keep people buying there will ALWAYS need to be product available. Satisfying the need of the customer MUST come before everything else.
You need to make money on each product. If you're losing money on each bag/key ring/belt then your business isn't commercially viable.
As has also been mentioned, why not look at an investor (or several investors) for equity stakes to assist with the initial bulk purchase of materials and then accept help (which has also been offered in this thread) for book-keeping or administrative duties?
If you want to make this work and avoid your apparent hand-to-mouth existence then please (I'm not going to beg, but seriously), listen to what some of the sound business heads within this community can offer you.
You have a truly incredible product that everybody within this community adores and covets. I've been asked several times by cyclists here where my Violet pouch came from. I've pointed them towards the site and there's nothing happening...
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