I miss having a backpack while out and about on my Brompton. The selection of Brompton backpacks sucks, is overpriced, and each and everyone of them stupidly places the frame at the back of the backpack, making it uncomfortable to wear for more than a few minutes with any load inside.
This post caught my attention (kudos to the OP), but ideally I'd need a few more liters of volume: https://www.reddit.com/r/Brompton/comments/1kkhy5l/finally_found_the_perfect_brompton_bag_for_me/#lightbox
The selection of backpacks with strong anchor points or webbing suitable for affixing the luggage frame at the front of the backpack is surprisingly small. This 32l Patagonia bag seems to fit the bill: https://www.patagonia.com/product/black-hole-pack-32-liters/196924011991.html
For any people with experience of DIY luggage solutions, do you think that it could work? I had in mind horizontal placement of the bag.
Any recommendations for suitable backpacks are welcome. Ideally, 30-ish liters, somewhat rigid structure would be a bonus, and hideaway straps would be a nice touch.
by Veganfloyd
4 Comments
I bought a luggage frame that goes on the block from Ali Express, I use that and have some long ski straps to attach it. Works well.
Buy a regular Brompton luggage frame, buy more
Tubing. Remove screws and drill rivets, then make your own frame to size, reassemble with rivets.
Bear in mind you’re still limited to the 10kg luggage block limit, and likely a little less if you’re a lot taller, because it’s adding more leverage.
If you want to be super safe, and have cash to burn, buy an Eerder luggage block (no functional weight limit) and modular frames you can build to whatever size and strength you want
If you have a rear rack, have you considered strapping the backpack to it?
I just did this while traveling with my Brompton and it worked great. I used the example in this Brompton Traveler video:
https://youtu.be/vfQe4f0jbZs
I have the stock Brompton C-line saddle and found a 5/8 inch wooden dowel fit within the saddle tracks (sorry, don’t know the correct terminology). I cut it to size (using my backpack straps as a guide, after placing them on the anchored dowel) and then found 5/8 inch flared rubber furniture foot protectors to match:
https://www.acehardware.com/departments/home-and-decor/furniture/protective-furniture-pads/51239
I did not find it necessary to lash the dowel to the saddle as shown in the video. With flared foot protectors, the dowel did not come loose during regular road riding, even on bumpy streets.
Then I used a bungee cord to anchor the backpack to the rack. I hooked one end to the rearmost ‘arm’/’crossbar’ of the rack, then looped it around the bottom part of the ‘back’ of the backpack, then hooked it to the rearmost part of the rack again. I hope that makes sense.
The reason for this configuration is to anchor the backpack as far rear as possible, to avoid heel strike. Your backpack will sit diagonally, sort of leaning against the saddle, rather than perfectly vertical.
Strapping down only the bottom part of the backpack also allows easy access to its contents while riding (because the top part of the backpack doesn’t have any straps over it).
A few dozen miles of touring so far and it’s worked really well. This is a cheap and easy DIY solution that didn’t involve any expensive Brompton-specific gear. That said, you’re still beholden to the rear rack’s weight restrictions.
Glad my post helped! Keep in mind the solution I outlined cannot be fitted horizontally, as the length side of the bag will not have the structure integrity to hold up the bag by the front mounted rack.
Also, the Patagonia pack you’ve linked may be too big. I imagine the floor of the bag will droop over the wheels and you may get wheel rub (unless the bag is always packed full)