BIKEA SÅDDLE BÄG

prusaprinters

<h3>Why make your own saddle bag?</h3><p>Carrying groceries in my backpack was hurting my back, and I wanted a cheap solution.</p><h3>Background</h3><p>Commercial saddle bags can cost up to $70, but they're overkill for most uses. They also come in a limited number of sizes and styles, so the do-it-yourself option opens up a lot more options.</p><p>As such, IKEA's FRAKTA bag is premade, low-cost, sturdy, and accessible in many parts of the world. The double handles are also especially helpful in this case, and it's thin enough to fold and essentially disappear. Alternatively, many cyclists make their own saddle bags out of other kinds of bags (backpacks, duffel, etc.), so that can be an even better option here too for some users.</p><p>Shopped for hardware at Home Depot because they cut the plywood for free.</p><p>(Switching between metric and imperial because Canada.)</p><h3>Tools</h3><ul><li>Table saw</li><li>Drill (if you don't have one yourself or can't borrow one from a friend/neighbour, IKEA sells a simple <a href="https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/p/fixa-screwdriver-drill-lithium-ion-00196101/">one</a> for cheap)</li><li>7/64" drill bit</li><li>15/64" drill bit</li><li>#10 socket wrench</li><li>Ruler (IKEA has some free paper ones)</li><li>Pencil/pen/marker</li><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hole_punch#Single-hole_punches">Single-hole punch</a>/scissors</li></ul><h3>Materials</h3><ul><li>1 x <a href="https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/p/frakta-shopping-bag-medium-blue-60301707/">IKEA FRAKTA bag, medium</a> ($0.79)</li><li>1 x <a href="https://www.homedepot.ca/product/alexandria-moulding-1-8-inch-x-24-inch-x-24-inch-white-melamine-handy-panel/1000434583">sheet of 1/8 inch plywood</a>, cut to size ($5.25)</li><li>2 x <a href="https://www.homedepot.ca/product/everbilt-3-1-2-inch-tarp-rope-hook-in-zinc-1pc/1000772598">3½ inch tarp rope hooks</a> ($8.34)</li><li>4 x <a href="https://www.homedepot.ca/product/paulin-m6-1-00-x-12mm-class-8-8-metric-hex-cap-screw-din-933-zinc-plated/1000128429">M6x12 hex cap screw</a> ($1.36)</li><li>4 x <a href="https://www.homedepot.ca/product/paulin-m6-metric-flat-washers-zinc-plated-iso-7089/1000128555">M6 washer</a> ($0.48)</li><li>4 x <a href="https://www.homedepot.ca/product/paulin-m6-1-00-class-8-metric-hex-nut-din-934-zinc-plated/1000128519">M6 nut</a> ($0.84)</li></ul><h4>Material cost&nbsp;</h4><p>$17.06 before tax</p><h3>Pre-flight Check</h3><p>Customizing sizes is both a blessing and a curse. The saddle bag will better fit your bike, but it will take some effort to get it just right.&nbsp;</p><p>Since most of the components cost very little, nothing is set in stone. If you make a mistake or just want to adjust the fit, you can always cut the wood again, drill new holes, buy a new FRAKTA, etc.</p><h4>Bag</h4><p>The bag's width has to be narrow enough to not get in the way of your foot and bike pedals, and the height should be tall enough to not get tangled in your chain, derailleur, etc.</p><p>There is a seam about 1" from the top of the bag. The top hole for the hook should be below this seam. This seam will provide a small amount of resistance if the bag starts to slip away.</p><p>Saddle bags close up at the top, but this one doesn't (yet) because of where the handles are on the FRAKTA. Unfortunately, the risk of water damage is thus passed on to the user. Determine whether it's absolutely necessary to cycle in inclement weather, and assess the potential damage caused by the ingress of moisture on your payload.</p><h4>Plywood</h4><p>Plywood also comes in ¼ inch or ½ inch thickness, but they're heavier.&nbsp;</p><p>You want at least two cuts, one to fixed to the bag vertically and one placed horizontally.</p><h4>Vertical cut</h4><p>This piece connects the hooks and bag, and it runs down the side of the bicycle to ensure the bag doesn't get tangled in the spokes or chain.&nbsp;</p><p>It should be wide enough to remain stable while cycling over bumps but narrow enough to collapse when you want to fold up the empty bag.</p><h4>Horizontal cut</h4><p>This optional cut acts as a removable sturdy floor to the bottom of the IKEA bag for carrying delicate loads, e.g., eggs, food delivery.</p><h4>Rack Mounting</h4><p>Hooks should be placed about the same distance as the FRAKTA's handles.</p><p>Depending on your bike's rear rack length and general construction, it takes some trial-and-error to pick the best spot to hang the bag. Too far back and it may swing into your tire. Too far forward, it will get in the way of the pedalling motion. If your rack has cross bars, space the hooks such that the bag won't slide back and forward as you ride.</p><h3>Instructions</h3><ol><li>Cut plywood. Vertical piece should be at least 30 cm x 20 cm, and horizontal up to 40 cm x 15 cm.</li><li>Mark distance between hooks on the vertical cut of wood with pencil.</li><li>Align hook on wood and mark first pilot hole location with pencil.</li><li>Drill first pilot hole with 7/64" drill bit.</li><li>Drill first screw hole with 15/64" drill bit.</li><li>Place M6 screw through the holes in the hook and plywood.</li><li>Screw M6 nut onto screw, finger tight for now.</li><li>Align hook and mark second pilot hole location.</li><li>Repeat steps 3 to 8 for second hole.</li><li>Repeat steps 3 to 9 for second hook.</li><li>Remove nuts, screws, and hooks.</li><li>Align the FRAKTA bag over the plywood holes.</li><li>Mark location of holes on bag.</li><li>Create holes in bag using single-hole punch or scissors.</li><li>Align hooks over holes in bag and plywood.</li><li>Thread M6 screw through holes in hook, bag, and plywood.</li><li>Place M6 washer between wood and M6 nut.</li><li>Tighten nuts with #10 socket wrench.</li><li>Hang your new SÅDDLE BÄG on your bike rack.</li><li>Print four SCREW CÄPs and place them over the screws and nuts.</li></ol>