For Sale: Black Rainbow Project 'Violet' hip pouches

That was the problem I had with my Archie's... The main compression strap buckle snapped/crakced 2 days into a 20 day trip... Took all sorts of bodging to make it through. The new model looks next level.

can you get a baby in there?
can you "cock-a-leg over it?"

nice use of zip ties :)

actually, good work buddy.

That was the problem I had with my Archie's... The main compression strap buckle snapped/crakced 2 days into a 20 day trip... Took all sorts of bodging to make it through. The new model looks next level.

I honestly think part of the reason there aren't more cracked buckles reported on bikepacking saddlebags is because people simply aren't pulling the straps tight enough.
Whenever you see photos on websites, the straps are barely pulled tight at all, because it makes the bags look nicer when they're not wrinkled up...but I like to crank mine as tight as I can get them as it makes everything so much more solid.
The metal Cobra buckles certainly allow that. :]

I would rather add a quarter pound in weight and use buckles I know I will never break.

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.

Scott
I have this style of buckle on a few outdoor / climbing items they seem pretty tough

nice use of zip ties :)

I've never made so many prototypes of ANY bag in my life as I did with this one. ;]
I was trying so many ways to form a three dimensional shape, from a single flat sheet, without fastenings of any sort. In the end I realised it just wouldn't work...at least not in a way that allowed me to keep the curves and shapes I wanted.
Cable ties seemed the perfect answer, as you can get them in so many places...and I personally always carry them on bike rides anyway, so it makes it much more user repairable. :]

it's almost exoskeletonish, which looks like it will work great with the few simple compression straps, so you are basically pulling together far more surface area, with just a single strap.
I likey.

Hey Scott, I'm more than happy to go with this design, looks ace!
I would personally prefer the Cobra buckles over the plastic. Is that cool? happy to top-up funds if needed.

I honestly think part of the reason there aren't more cracked buckles reported on bikepacking saddlebags is because people simply aren't pulling the straps tight enough.

I find this to be a mite annoyance as I have to tighten my strap a lots otherwise the vibration from the road loosen it up*.

What I do love about your design is the loops on the underside, that's very very fucking useful, I'd love to have those to hang my washing on while riding.

*Revelates Design.

Scott, that looks incredible. Well done!

Not sure this is my flavour at all, sorry. :(
Does this comes with the dry bag?

The alternative is exactly like the previous ones right, or with better buckles?
Anyone got a picture for ease of comparison?

But thanks for keeping us posted Scott. Really good work once again.

Here's the previous model. I'm sure there's better pics of it full on here, TM's fixed tour saw it pushed to its limits iirc.

http://www.lfgss.com/picture.php?albumid=1328&pictureid=8564

Cheers dude.

For me since the tour is now in the past, I would be using this to ride to work in the 40° heat so I've got nothing on my back. I guess this means that I don't need a heavy duty touring bag that I can stuff to the max. I know this is designed for bike packing and I can see it'll do that job well.

Does this pack down if not full?

I don't mean to piss on the parade, but I was looking forward to mods on the old style:

my new version uses an expanding mesh pocket on the base with elastic compression. ;]

This isn't to detract on the awesomeness of the new ones, it's just my preference and what I'm using it for.

The new version will come with the Ortlieb drybag.
To be honest though it's sounding like even my old style will be too big for your needs now Wicksie.
I can still make you the old style if you prefer, but they're not designed to work with smaller loads in them, they're pretty much designed to run with a similar load in them all the time, and usually it's compressibles like clothing or sleep systems.

Once the new buckles arrive I can use them on an old style one for you, and could possibly make you a smaller one if you no longer need the storage of the bigger style?

Yeah the old style ones need to be packed tight and compressed to work, otherwise they swing all over. Would the solution for Wicksie be a new style one with the support but a smaller size?

In response to Ben, I think I did find the limits of the old one on my tour...

After the bukcle snapping on the first of second evening, I acquired an ensemble of straps to try and keep it secure and compressed.

Overall liked the idea of the bag, would've been considerably better off with one of the new designs though, they really look the biz.

One thing I think it could really benefit would be a small external pocket...

Ah right, well I guess I've got to have a think.
The tour was last year and I'm unlikely to be going again tbh. I will be doing some weekender camping rides though.
I'm supper keen for a saddle bag for the commute mostly, which would involve a change of clothes and everyday shit, as well as long / weekend rides.
I'm definitely open to your suggestion Scott. Much appreciated.
Cheers.

want

Ah right, well I guess I've got to have a think.
The tour was last year and I'm unlikely to be going again tbh. I will be doing some weekender camping rides though.
I'm supper keen for a saddle bag for the commute mostly, which would involve a change of clothes and everyday shit, as well as long / weekend rides.
I'm definitely open to your suggestion Scott. Much appreciated.
Cheers.

I use one of scotts bags fr commuting. A pair of shoes is all you need to get enough volume to make it stable, if you get what I mean.

yes, I've used it for normal loads too - a change of clothes plus work gubbins sounds fine to bulk it out enough. maybe I carry too much crap around though.

That's good to know guys, thanks.

So, I guess just the old style for me if that's ok?

Did I read somewhere that they're 10ltrs?

This new saddle pack looks awesome. Any idea on a time frame and a price? I know you are super busy so sorry in advance. Going bike packing in the summer and this new one with the dry bag would be perfect.

@Wicksie and everyone else waiting on saddle bags...i'm just finishing all the bags that are going on my English MTB, which is then going straight off to the NAHBS to be proudly displayed on Rob English's show stand.
It will be good exposure for me, which is why I've been trying to get it finished in time. They'll be done and out the way by this weekend, then i'm onto the saddlebags, and the last two backlogged messenger bags. @Wicksie, I'll do you the old design saddlebag.
Once they're done I can decide what to do with the company in general.

You need a backer, an accountant and someone to kick your arse.

I can supply part of two of those.

I've been kicking my own arse recently, and am in the process of trying to persuade a bank to give me a business loan...but I'm not holding my breath...so if it doesn't work, I'll take you up on your generous offer to fund BRP. :]