Trying to find a battery bag that straddles frame

[Thecaptain115]

Im trying to find a bag I can use that straddles the top tube of my frame, up near the handlebars. I an not sure if anyone makes such a thing, or what the proper name is, but I'm not finding anything. Battery dimensions are roughly 150x120x50mm. I would like to have a pack on each side for balance. Thanks!

 

[cal3thousand]

Im trying to find a bag I can use that straddles the top tube of my frame, up near the handlebars. I an not sure if anyone makes such a thing, or what the proper name is, but I'm not finding anything. Battery dimensions are roughly 150x120x50mm. I would like to have a pack on each side for balance. Thanks!

This might work; I have a similar one that I use to keep tissues/gloves etc, it's about 5 inches long but I don't know if the other dimensions would work:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-and-Popular-Mountain-Bike-Front-Frame-Twin-Double-Bag-Black-akz-/160836580068?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item25729b72e4

 

[mark5]

Im trying to find a bag I can use that straddles the top tube of my frame, up near the handlebars. I an not sure if anyone makes such a thing, or what the proper name is, but I'm not finding anything. Battery dimensions are roughly 150x120x50mm. I would like to have a pack on each side for balance. Thanks!

How about bags like the ones GMUseless is using pictured in this post:
Re: Kona Coilair Supreme - MAC 6T Build
http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=41417#p605820

I think his bags are this one at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Case-Logic-PDVS-4-5-7-Inch-In-Car/dp/B000EG5ULO
Bag dimensions are listed as 9.8 x 7.2 x 3.2 inches or 24.8 x 18.2 x 8.1 cm

I just got some bags that are close to your battery dimensions. Handy because they're ready to use right away but a tight fit and they're the minimum of what you'd want to use. I would've gotten those DVD bags instead if I had known about them.

 

[GMUseless]

Those are the same ones on Amazon.

I also used some DVD case bags from Target on my first build: http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=31506&hilit=prophet&start=30#p467994

I've heard people call them Side Saddle...and I've called them that, but not sure that's right. The trick is to set on your bike and freewheel the cranks...and get a good look at your knee clearance in order to know what size you can handle.

I liked the original bags I had on the Prophet build, but I had to use the smaller bags on the Kona build due to clearance issues.

 

[GMUseless]

Also since it looks like you've got pretty good standover room on the frame, look at the style mounting YKick does on his Cannondale.

 

[Ykick]

Also since it looks like you've got pretty good standover room on the frame, look at the style mounting YKick does on his Cannondale.

For a 5" total width saddlebag arrangement check my old Mongoose early in this thread - http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=27624&hilit=+Mongoose

2qty tied together with strong cord:
http://www.goclc.com/ProductDetail.aspx?sku=1206&id=52

Ordered from Amazon but that's the exact model. They've held up really well, fairly water resistant, holds 15S2P (5S bricks) or 18S2P RC (6S bricks) Lipo in each bag with room to spare.

My Cannondale is a different animal with a trunk type rack bag mounted to the top tube. Here's a fairly recent picture a few posts into this interesting thread:

http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=41088

Lacking a true Y frame I think OP would be more interested in the CLC gear bags but the Cannondale water bottle screw lugs are quite handy.

 

[dogman dan]

A pair of small handlebar bags works good that way. You have to create a mount. Other options abound, small purses, camera bags, etc.

 

[Kingfish]

I feel your pain. Couldn’t find anything useful and couldn’t get one made for cheap, and ended up making my own. After a false start, I gave up on the original idea and instead modified two camelback bags.

Thread: Epic Battery Bag Story

P0 ebike shown: Assembled unit before adding the fairing.

Later I stitched together a second pair made from Timbuk2 (Eula Messenger??) bags which was quite a bit less work than the first. I didn't write a thread on how this was made so I’ll just explain:

Related thread: On the Side of the Road: Going to California: 2011

The Timbuk2 bags are off to the upper right.

1. I found a Timbuk2 bag at REI that could hold 6 LiPos. Yes, I actually brought batteries in to test-fit every potential candidate looking for a match; PitA.
2. I stripped off the spurious junk straps and stitched on a 4-inch wide seat belt strap.
3. Also some Velcro in the forward and bottom directions so that the bag would be completely secured to the front of the triangle. The first bag takes up the triangle space well, and this was an add-on assembly that I draped over the top.

Between the two saddle bags, I had 30 bricks co-located in the center of the bike which was great for maintaining balance and handling.

P1 ebike shown: Finished bike assembly - 1st day on the road in 2011.

The epic battery bag is beneath the fairing, and the Timbuk2 bags are draped over the forward-top. The Timbuk2 bags are rotated CCW 90* because it was more narrow that way and barely contacted my knees. Not perfect, though workable.

Best of luck finding a good solution.
~KF

 

[Thecaptain115]

well found this, went ahead and ordered it. For that price, if its junk oh well lol
http://dx.com/p/roswheel-outdoor-bike-bicycle-double-top-tube-bag-black-138800

 

[mark5]

well found this, went ahead and ordered it. For that price, if its junk oh well lol
http://dx.com/p/roswheel-outdoor-bike-bicycle-double-top-tube-bag-black-138800

That's like the one cal3thousand mentioned and like the one I got. It'll hold a couple packs.

 

[GMUseless]

Kingfish: your Epic bag thread is so awesome. I loved it. I never posted on it because by the time I found it there were cobwebs setting up. It's absoilutely amazing you bought a sewing machine! That's exactly like buying a welder cause you wanted to bolt something together!!! Or buying a computer because you wanted to write your own version of Windows. Impressive! In fact everytime I see a frame worthy / battery worthy bag in stores...I think of your hunt. Good show man!

Thecap'n: It's really a personal journey. Gotta find what fits for you. Once you get outside of the three typical zones (trinangle, rear rack, front frame) it takes experimenting to figure out what works with your pedaling and handling. But the rules are: the lower the better, and the closer to the middle the better...which is why in the front triangle is the Holy Grail.

 

[Chalo]

Once you get outside of the three typical zones (trinangle, rear rack, front frame) it takes experimenting to figure out what works with your pedaling and handling. But the rules are: the lower the better, and the closer to the middle the better...which is why in the front triangle is the Holy Grail.

Anything wider than a bike bottle in the front triangle usually interferes with normal pedaling. That doesn't seem to matter to a lot of the folks here, but it should. It's still a bike. Foul your pedal stroke and you've disabled the prime mover.

To those who exploit the hard-earned privileges of legitimate bicyclists while not even intending to pedal, I have the following words: Cowardly. Lazy. Dishonest. Just be out about it and use a scooter.

Chalo

 

[GMUseless]

HAHAHA. Chalo you are a chain drive Fascist

But no matter how abrasive and harsh, I never seem to disagree with your points.

Everyone has their own application...but for me pedaling is a big part of it. So building the proper gearing to match the motor is paramount...as is ergonomic pedaling. Which is why I like the side saddle approach as opposed to the buiging in a too small frame space.

 

[fizzit]

To those who exploit the hard-earned privileges of legitimate bicyclists while not even intending to pedal, I have the following words: Cowardly. Lazy. Dishonest. Just be out about it and use a scooter.
Chalo

I have not enough money for a motorcycle or scooter, and I can't legally get my motorcycle endorsement. I don't inconvenience anybody by riding (I hardly ever see cyclists on my rides in the bike lane and I go to the other side of the car lane to pass them) and I make the road better for cyclists by riding my ebike (even without pedaling) because otherwise I would be driving a car, causing traffic, and polluting.
Hopefully you can understand my points here but your unnecessary ad hominem attack indicates otherwise.

Anyways, I just made a big aluminum battery box with .032" sheet. It's bent aluminum with tabs riveted together and sealed with silicone. The side panels are removable and it holds 44v 20ah and my controller and headlight driver. I will take pictures and post them in case they might inspire you to make your own. It's nothing special but it seems like it will work great. Monday it will be tested with a 32 mile round trip if all goes well.

The box straddles the frame. It's not a bag though. So it's only somewhat on-topic. Sorry!

 

[Chalo]

To those who exploit the hard-earned privileges of legitimate bicyclists while not even intending to pedal, I have the following words: Cowardly. Lazy. Dishonest. Just be out about it and use a scooter.

I have not enough money for a motorcycle or scooter, and I can't legally get my motorcycle endorsement. I don't inconvenience anybody by riding (I hardly ever see cyclists on my rides in the bike lane and I go to the other side of the car lane to pass them) and I make the road better for cyclists by riding my ebike (even without pedaling) because otherwise I would be driving a car, causing traffic, and polluting.
Hopefully you can understand my points here but your unnecessary ad hominem attack indicates otherwise.

Whatever. It's just a loophole; folks will use whichever one they've got. But I can't help feeling that cyclists-- the real kind who actually push pedals-- can only lose because of this folly they have had no part in making. With any luck, the government will collapse before it comes to a head, and nobody will care what legal category of bike you're riding.

Still, at this rate I expect to see lawn tractors and go-karts come with pretend pedals sticking out the sides any day now. All this stuff has so much more integrity without the farcical pretense.

And to get back on topic, kinda-- if you ride an actual bike, it's probably good for you to refrain from putting a suitcase sized load of batteries and whatnot right where your knees need to be if you're pedaling effectively. I mean, who knows, you might have a wild hair one day and feel like pushing pedals. But you probably won't do it if there's stuff in the way.

Chalo

 

[newb]

These will, BUT JUST BARELY, fit two 6s 5ah lipo packs on each side (150mm x 100mm x 50mm).

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/qq-sports-waterproof-eva-bike-handlebar-top-tube-bag-black-55869

 

[Kingfish]

There’s a term for motorized bikes without needing to pedal for forward motion: They’re called “mopeds”. I prefer to pedal my bike. And one day when I won’t be able to, I’ll switch to an electric motorcycle.

Width of Battery Pack: In the triangle, my pack is between 6 to 8 inches at the widest section. The key to deciphering the max width is two-part: Measure the distance between the inside of the pedals, and the inside width between your knees when sitting naturally & relaxed. Both distances are roughly the same, and that’s a good indication of the maximum width for a triangle bag. Less, however is definitely better! :wink:

Also, the outer covering can make a huge difference; my fairing is made of HDPE which is naturally slippery. Thank the maker it isn’t Corduroy :lol:

The DealExtreme bags look reasonable. Is there a way to fasten them down other than simply hanging off the top-tube?
~KF

 

[cal3thousand]

There's a guy selling some yellow bags and a rear pannier bag for $20 shipped right now

 

[dogman dan]

Like the look of that one Newb.

Re the width of a battery box, on this bike, they are exactly 7" wide. See if you can guess the distance between my cranks, from the center of the frame. Yep 3/5 inches. So to pedal around a 7" wid battery box, you still have a straight line from your knees to your ankles. Not a problem, for those that don't walk like Ru Paul. MTB riders are quite used to a wide pedal stance, and still pedal hard enough to break chains and such.

It is a big help though, to have a rounder edge on your box, like the ones Newb linked to, or a seamless fairing like Kingfish rigged up.

Mine, I just cut the corners back, so I wouldn't hit a sharp corner with my knees from time to time. But it really does need the fairing like Kingfish has.

The key thing is to mount it up high near the headset, and get it high enough to not foul on the forks, or not far enough forward to hit on triple tree forks. Otherwise you do tend to whack a knee. You don't want to pedal extreme bowlegged, so you will just brush the corners with your knees pedaling.