Bike - Train - Bike Bicycle Bag -> Bonkers Product Testers Needed!

[BarryBonkers]

And now for something completely different...

Are you a train or bicycle commuter? Do you want to take your bike on the train or Underground or EuroStar?

At Bonkers Towers we're just about ready to put our lightweight, carry-on-your-bike, bicycle bag into production. But before we do, we want to test it. This is where you come in.

We need some avid cyclists to use our bike bag on trains and Tube and public transport, and to give us feedback on the design.

We'll need a couple of photos or videos of the bike bag in use, so skills in that department would be useful. Extra credit will be given for videos or photos that make us laugh.

You will get to keep the bicycle bag in exchange for your feedback, and we will pay GBP100 for each video or GBP50 per photo that we use on our website.

We will select between five to ten product testers, depending on numbers. Should you choose to volunteer for this mission, please email some background info so we choose you on the basis of your unquestioned brilliance. Something like, "Three reasons I would make a brill product tester are.... And I commute by train." Links to photos you've taken on Flickr, Instagram, or Facebook, or videos you've made on Vimeo, YouTube, et al., would be a very good idea. Coherent writing would make us smile.

Aspiring product testers should send their email to: testingstuff@bonkersbicyclebags.com. Any questions or reminders of things I've forgotten, please let me know below. There's bound to be something.

My thanks to Sean for allowing us to post on CycleChat.

Keep cycling,

Barry "Bonkers"

Founder
The Bonkers Bicycle Bag Company Limited

 

[BarryBonkers]

Things I had forgotten and answers to your questions:

• We would like to run the testing from 8th August.
• You will need a bicycle with quick release wheels.
• You, or anyone who appears in your photos, will need to sign a model release.

 

[gaz]

So you've made a bag that fits on the bicycle and will hold a full sized bicycle without removing parts?

 

[BarryBonkers]

So you've made a bag that fits on the bicycle and will hold a full sized bicycle without removing parts?

Yes. You just need to remove the wheels and place them either side of the frame.

 

[gaz]

Yes. You just need to remove the wheels and place them either side of the frame.

So what will happen to my chain and derailure? It's just hanging there? Potentially getting damaged.

 

[BarryBonkers]

So what will happen to my chain and derailure? It's just hanging there? Potentially getting damaged.

We are making the "Bonkers Slippery Bits Cover", which has foam padding between two layers of 420D fabric, for those who wish to add more protection.

In practise, we have found that the inside of the Commuter bicycle bag, with a base reinforced with durable heavy weave fabric similar to Cordura 500D, provides sufficient protection for train and Tube journeys.

 

[BarryBonkers]

You're right. A soft bag has to trade protection for portability. It's not impact resistant. If the bike bag is going to be carried on the bike, the bag needs to be lightweight and fold down small. A hard case isn't going to work.

In normal use we have found that accidental damage isn't an issue. In transit, the bicycle bag tends to be close to the rider. He or she handles it themselves, not an "aircraft loading technician." It is either put on the floor of the train, or in a luggage rack. Since the first bicycle bag I made in 1994, and some in 1995 I made for friends, these bags have been all over Europe, and north Africa, USA, Canada, and much of Asia. There haven't been any damaged rear derailleurs.

Accidental damage is possible - you could trip getting off the train - but that is the trade-off for the convenience of taking the bike with you. The bag does have a handle on the side to help lift the front of the bag when negotiating stairs so we're not expecting people to fall all over the place.

It's a bit like bicycles, really. Cyclists get wet in the rain. But in many people's view, that's worth the trade-off. Bicycles offer less protection, but offer more freedom. The Bonkers bicycle bag does the same.

 

[Kookas]

How, though? If I took the wheels off my bike right now and placed it on the floor, it would sit on the rear derailleur and the chainrings. That is certain. Putting fabric between the bike and the floor doesn't change that.

I don't like the sound of a bent derailleur cage from pressure put on that part. Those parts of the bike weren't designed to hold loads.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

.I run Shimano Di2 which features delicate electronics in the mech's under impact the mech goes into shock protection mode, I can do this with nothing more than my hands. When the device goes into shock protection mode you have to force a system reset. If the rear mech is touching the ground with Di2 unprotected it will trigger shock protection mode.
In some cases the mech can not be reset without being returned to the factory... and for that reason alone I'm out

 

[BarryBonkers]

As the Bonkers Commuter Bicycle Bag is a soft bag, the bicycle can be carried upside-down. Simply zip the bag up with the saddle and handlebars in the base. In this way, the bicycle's transmission carries no weight.

The disadvantage to the upside down mode is that the chain and oily parts can get messy. But your feedback makes me think. We can bundle the Bonkers Slippery Bits Gear Cover with the Commuter bag, to keep everything clean. The gear cover is designed so it can be put on and taken off without getting oil on one's hands.

Does that sound like a reasonable solution?

 

[sheddy]

I guess you've already contacted the ctc, to get it included in their cycleclips weekly email newsletter ?

 

[Leaway2]

The upside down method would clearly not work on you own picture above as the weight would be resting on the cables.

 

[Shaun]

The upside down method would clearly not work on you own picture above as the weight would be resting on the cables.

Which is probably why Barry is looking for volunteers to help test the practical application of the product/s. Hopefully, with a wide range of testers / bikes, this sort of thing will come up and lead to improvements in the product design.

I'd be interested in seeing feedback posted here from any CC'ers who give this a go. Maybe a picture of two of what the bike looks like before / after being bundled into the bag.

Cheers,
Shaun

 

[BarryBonkers]

I guess you've already contacted the ctc, to get it included in their cycleclips weekly email newsletter ?

Thanks for the suggestion, Sheddy. It's really helpful. I will drop the CTC a line.

Re. Leaway2's observation, I think most bikes these days have concealed cables, so upside down would work for the majority of bikes. There's probably not many people commuting on Colnago's with Campag 50th Anniversary groupsets.

 

[PhunkyPhil]

Do you have a website which actually has some information and photo's about how this product is designed to be used as people have pointed out a few major flaws.

I also question if there is indeed even a market for this type of product as people who commute on trains would typically rather use a fold up bike which is easier to maneuverer than carrying a full sized bike. Plus you are surely going to get grubby removing and replacing wheels.

If the product is designed for casual cyclists\train users they would probably just get a train you are allowed to take you bike on.