The first time I ever made bikepacking bags was in 2012. After spending 3 nights / 4 days with my buddy biking our way through the Chattahoochee National Forest and while lugging loaded down hiking backpacks on our backs, I returned from the trip and made my own frame and top tube bags. Since then I made a down tube bag and a poorly designed seat bag. Both of the those bags since 2012 were quickly sewed together and didn’t come out super nice. So with more down time during COVID and a better schedule in place with our newborn, I decided to practice making some bags again.
Over the past few weeks I created not only these two top tube bags but sewed together these pizza yield flags for me and the same buddy I went bikepacking with back in college. After making the first bag, I quickly discovered out on a ride the bag would slide a little off to the side because the webbing and the Velcro straps don’t really grip the aluminum top tube. And, when climbing out of the saddle my knees would hit the bag on either side it was leaning towards. That was super annoying and it was also annoying to look at, so I began to think of ways to fasten the bag better.
I thought about gluing a strip of craft foam to the top tube and laying down strips of hot glue so the bag catches on something. After some brainstorming and some researching I discovered this 1-inch traction tape on Amazon. It is basically like grip tape for a skateboard.
I cut mine to the length of my top tube bag and laid it down. The sandpaper like traction tape did the job! It catches the webbing and on the bottom of the bag and prevents it from sliding across the top tube. The roll of tape was only $8 for the 1-inch wide and 190 inches long version. It should be enough for roughly 24 bags (about $.33 per bag).
I think this traction tape will be useful for other items on my bike and as I prepare for my next bikepacking trip. Want to buy your own? Click the image above or follow this link.
Do you use something else to prevent your bags from slipping?
-theBidon
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