| The OYB Bag --The World's Only 7-Way Bag!
March 04, 2010
[$39, postpaid in US] The 7-Way OYB Bag is ready for action! Click on the PayPal button to the left under the picture and order away! Available with extra options like the very popular snug-mount stick (to optimize saddlebag mode), top-straps, and waterproofing. Read on, there's so much more! (Hmm, this is such a long product description, but what can I leave out?)
The OYB Bag is about 4" x 7" x 9" in size (4 liters, 250 cu in) and is the only bag that converts in a jiffy into a Shoulderbag, Saddlebag, Handlebar-bag, Pannier, Backpack, Frontpack or Waistbag! No other bag does all 7 things!
It also has a small outside pocket (where I keep my whole bike tool-kit) that's 2" x 4" x 6", or .7L (50 cu in), for 5.3L total bag capacity (300 cu in). Weighs about 14 oz.
This bag is sensible, affordable, stylish...it epitomizes the OYB approach. OYB says that cycling (and luggage) aren't segregated from the rest of life. OYB stands for versatility, integration and culture. In a world of segregating specialization, OYB sticks to the big picture. Yeah!
Now, I make these bags out of rare surplus military shoulder bags---by modifying the d-rings, adding the straps, attaching the OYB patch and adding any of the many Options---and by rescuing and re-purposing this already very rare bag away from oblivion in the first place.
The bags are used---most have some marks, scuffs, wrinkles, a bit of corrosion. They break in to a "burnished" look. The default bags have brown leather, but if you request it I can send you one with gray/greenish leather and canvas which wears away back to brown on the edges of the leather.
Two Logo Patch Options! OYB panniers and bags now come by default with a leather logo patch riveted on. Note: the patch in most pics is light-tan, but after a week of sun your patch will deepen to a rich red-ocre. Also, the patch can function as a blinky-light strap -- just clip your light onto it. But! I can glue on an embroidered patch instead, if you like and if you add a note telling me to do so. So, you can either go classy or colorful!
As Seen on TV! (9/09) Ed Wardle in his National Geographic TV series "Alone in the Wild" uses one of these bags! Check it out in the pic below! http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/alone-in-the-wild-week-3-videos
"Tight to the Saddle" Stick Mount Option! For an extra $10 (order-button below) we'll sew button-holes at the back of the bag and include a whittled/sawn hardwood dowel (6.5" x 5/8") with end-notches so you can do a Carradice-style installation on a saddle with bag-loops. Your 3 straps also get extra holes punched in them. (See pics below.) It creates an ideal saddlebag. Without the stick, it uses what I call a "jiffy mount" -- it's easy/on off but it droops and sways some, and can rattle (without tape padding). The stick mount holds a bag high, tight, and trim. It lets a bag open easy and wide. It works with both Brooks-type saddle-loops and standard saddle rails (it hangs a bit lower with rails). It also lets a bag work with smaller frames and certain brake cable set-ups. To install the stick, you thread each strap thru a button-hole, thru a saddle loop/rail and back inside the bag where you buckle it around an end of the stick.
Stick-Mount For Small Bikes or Canti/Centerpulls: If you have a FRAME UNDER 54cm IN SIZE, let me know in a special side note! Also, if you have centerpull or cantilever brakes and you think the bag will rub the cable, let me know, too. It's often not an issue, depending on your particular set-up or if you have a large frame. Just look at the pics.
Stick-Mount for Rail Saddles: If you want a stick-mount and your saddle only has rails -- doesn't have loops -- isn't a Brooks-type -- LET ME KNOW! I'll sew the buttonholes closer together and cut the stick notches closer. Rails are closer-set than bag-loops.
Water-Repellent Option! NikWax does a great job of making this bag water repellent. (I use their "Cotton Proof" diluted 3-to-1.) For $5 I'll brush on an initial coating for you. I don't know how long it lasts. It seems darn tough, like it transforms the fabric. I use their "Leather Conditioner" for the leather part (and I'll put that on your bag, too). Now, it'll never be as waterproof as a (sweaty) rubber drybag, but this stuff helps. For ordering your own supply, go to: http://www.greenboatstuff.com (tell em I sent ya!). To order an initial OYB treatment, just click this "Add to Cart" PayPal button:
Top Straps Option! For an extra $15 I'll rivet straps to the top of the flap to boost the stash capacity of your bag. (See pics below.) Just click this button:
Shoulderbag-Only 2-Way Option! If you want one of these bags but do NOT want to use it on a bike, I offer it in an unmodified version without the 3 extra straps for $25.00. ($15.00 less!) It's a worldclass shoulderbag. However, I note that the shoulder strap, with adjuster-slider, is 44" long max, instead of the 52" of the 7-Way Bag: so it rides a bit higher on my hip (I'm 6 feet), if that matters. (A 48" strap lets a bag hang below my hip/butt, if I want.) Also, the shoulder and waist straps stay on: they're sewn-on on one end instead of clipped on. (There's no OYB logo patch, unless you request one---I'll rivet one on free of charge.) Just click this "Add to Cart" PayPal button:
Custom Monogramming For $5 I can stamp up to 11 "western saddle-style" capital initials for you: one each on the two leather main flaps and up to 3 initials in each of the 3 small straps (I put them near the buckle, reading toward it, so you can see the initials when the straps are installed).
Money Back Guarantee & Warranty If you don't like your Bag, return it for a refund (less shipping) in a week. If something breaks untowardly, I can send you a part if it's easy to replace, or you send it back and I'll do the repair and, again, if it failed too soon I'll pay for Parcel Post shipping back to you. Otherwise, if it's normal wear'n'tear you can pay the postage back, if you would, please. These items are tough. I've only heard of a couple breaks out of hundreds sent out. They've all been readily fixed by the customer so far, so I haven't had any repair returns yet.
Even More About this Amazing Bag! I've been told it should be called the "OYB Normal Bag." Get it? (Say it out loud.)
It's one of the rare bar-bags that works nicely with STI (pivoting brifter levers) or moustache handlebars.
It's great for carrying all manner of day-use goodies, including a wine bottle (or two?). I keep my complete bike tool/spares kit with minipump in the smaller outside pocket (tube, tools, wallet, keys, the works). Sure, it's a bit narrow in the mouth, but that adds to its compactness and makes it less purse-like, if that matters. For day-carry I stock mine as follows: water bottle notepad pen paperback airline-bottle-ahem swiss army knife leatherman digicam cellphone pipe tobacky lighter powerbar mini-flashlight aspirin chapstick sunscreen bugjuice bandaids coughdrops ducttape sunglasses --Be prepared! Never at a loss! Never idle when idling!
A great thing about these bags is their slot'n'stud fasteners. Faster than buckles yet secure. Better-looking than zips. Elegant solutions are so pleasing!
They come with an instruction sheet and removable waist-strap. The 48" shoulder strap has two super-duper, smooth, quality steel sliders, making it easy to adjust from either side---very handy! For some reason, because the sliders are so easy and smooth to use I find that I'm adjusting the strap on the fly and on the go most times I'm carrying the bag. The shoulder strap is also removable.
How to Use It the 7 Ways... Each bag comes with an info sheet detailing the 7 modes. It also comes with 3 small leather buckle-straps. To use as a bar-bag, tuck shoulder-strap into main-pouch and thread 2 leather straps thru the big D-rings to the bars and 1 strap around the head-tube thru the waist-strap D-rings. To use as a jiffy saddle-bag, here's where it gets neat: Each main-strap D-ring has a 1/4" section removed beneath its attachment loop---shove the canvas aside and clip each D-ring thru your saddle rail or bag-loop, then use a leather-strap to afix to the seatpost. Presto! (If you think it doesn't open wide enough, just unclip one side, then the bag will open fully. Depending on load, bag can sway when riding out of saddle unless you use snuggest seatpost lashing, where you use the strap to bring the 2 rings closest together around the post---follow? Also depending on load and road a bag might rattle on rails--duct tape padding cures that.) To use as a pannier, just clip the two upper rings over rack top rail and strap to lower rack leg. To use as a backpack, loosen the shoulder-strap all the way and loop it over your head, then pull it down in front, then take the waist-strap, which is attached as normal at one end, and thread it through the bight of the shoulder-strap, then snap it into its other d-ring, and, presto, a backpack! The pack mode is GREAT for XC skiing. Do the reverse of this for the 6th mode as a frontbag---great for a camera! (Note: Strap is not long enough to work as backpack for an XL person.) To use as a waistbag, just step through the shoulderstrap and snug it up around your waist: presto!
What Some Customers Had to Say...
"I got the purse yesterday---very nice! I used it this afternoon when taking my 3 1/2 yr old daughter and two dogs to the park. Having a small bag to stow keys, phone, binoculars, dog leashes, etc etc, and one that doesn't swing around and hit whatever is in front of you when you bend over to tie shoes or adjust leashes is a great benefit. -- P. Moore, bicycle enthusiast
"Your packs have caught many eyes in this bike mecca and I have given many Oregon folk your website. I commute every day and do not have a car. The bags are great at all times. They keep their shape and looks. I have ridden them thru 2 snowstorms here so far, full of groceries, without busting an egg!" -- H. Roberts, Eugene, OR
"I had my new 7-way bag on the taco ride last night (www.tacoride.com). Your bag got a lot of attention. I've sent your website to a couple people this morning so you might get some interest from a few IA or NE cyclists." -- D. Olson
It has other fans, too... The Bike Commuters blog also raved about it: http://www.bikecommuters.com/2007/09/28/oyb-saddle-bag. As did The Satchel Pages: http://thesatchelpages.com/out-your-backdoor-man-bag-in-purse-action-plus-a-swedish-three-way.
Non-USA Postage Buttons You should see an option upon check-out for postage to your country (or near enough). Please select the *2-3 pound* postage rate (although it will charge you less than this weight-range usually costs...it's just how I set up my grid). If this doesn't work right for you, manual PayPal buttons follow...
Canada: First click the above main ordering button then click this next button which adds $3 to your Cart:
UK/Euro/Oz: Please click the main button above then click the button below to add an extra $10 to your Cart, to cover excess postage costs:
Why OYB Luggage? I offer luggage items as a way to support my promotion of indie outdoor culture and heritage via the 1500+ free articles on this website. OYB gives a view into independent outdoor culture like no other media source.
Now, For Some Pics!
A close-up:
Here it is being used as a Shoulderbag. (Rodger has the strap twisted here, but he's a man of action so what do we expect. Note also the unused waiststrap dangling from the lower part of the bag. For more action, like while riding a bike or XC skiing, you can use the waiststrap to prevent bag-swing. Both straps are easily removed.) ...
Here are a couple views showing how they work on a bike. (I used some zipties in one pic---but you can also see the leather straps. Each bag comes with 3 straps.)
Here's a close-in view showing how a bag attaches "casually" by its shoulder-strap "ring-clip-loops" without a stick:
Here's the $10 Carradice-style stick-mount option which allows a closer fit to a saddle with bag-loops. (Note that seatpost strap could be tighter, to eliminate any sway, if rings were drawn together with strap rather than strap going thru rings and around post---follow?)
Here's how nice and wide the bag opens with the stick option:
Two big points in this next pic... *1: Let me know if you'll mount via Rails (standard saddle) rather than Loops (Brooks) -- a shorter 4.5" stick works better in that case. *2: Let me know framesize if it's smaller than 54cm (here's a 50cm) so I can sew buttonholes lower so bag mounts higher (get it?):
$10 dowel-type stick pics (courtesy Alan Ferrency):
Here's the $15 top-straps option:
Here's a Blinky on its strap (a $5 extra option) with an embroidered patch:
Here's the Backpack mode!
Customer pics of their bags...
Here's "Shek," a bike commuter, showing his flare via an OYB Bag in pannier mode:
A happy OYB family! Coloradan Joe Ramey bought a bag last fall. One of his kids poached it. Then he got another. And another. And another! ...He finally has his own. One of his daughters is using hers as a shoulderbag on campus.
(I think I see a trace of a creature in the image above. A skunk? Family pet?)
Henry Roberts, organizer of Cino Heroica, a gran fondo in Montana, en route at L'Eroica:
On tour in Italy the week before, with 3 bags:
As a handlebar bag on JD Kimple's CX bike:
Dave Olson's Salsa Fargo:
Houston Roberts "car":
They work for motorcycles, too! (I need to let them know -- they must get tired of all that black leather) This one is on Spencer Gibb's bike, of the band "54 Seconds"...
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