Origins of BPBikeBags
I started bike packing in 2015 getting ready for the first Tour Aotearoa. After decades of tramping, multisport, triathlon, road bike and mountain bike racing, I was ready for a new challenge. After two Tour Aotearoa's and a number other multi-day rides, I started making my own bike bags and storage bags. I've tried most of the "major" brands and while I find it difficult to find faults with any of them I have found gaps in the market.
So why make my own?
Every bike is different, every rider is different. No bag matches every bike and every rider. I wanted to "lighten the load" and keep my gear as dry as possible. To see if I could "re-invent the wheel" and make it fit a bit better.
So I bought some Dyneema and started my bikepacking bag making journey.
From a fairly lightweight setup, I've cut around 1kg off the weight of my bags so far, with a few bags yet to be experimented with. At this stage, the main gear carrying bags are still being tested, but durability and functionality is looking good so far. When I'm happy they work, they will go up on the website.
Along the way, I discovered the fabric Dyneema. This fabric makes great lightweight, highly water-resistant gear and stow bags, for those "little" things you really don't want to get wet.