Bike Bags Updated

I was at the Ace Truvalue today and they had this bag on sale for 5 bucks:

I thought that it would make a nice pannier, so I bought it. I made some modifications and 2 hrs later Bob's your uncle a front bag for no more than 7.50 plus labor.

The tools and other stuff:



I used some of an old truck mudflap to stiffen one side, wrapped the edges with some kind of fiberglass tape to limit damage from rubbing and bolted it on.

After cutting it's a bit rough




So I shaved the edges and trimmed the corners:


Then taped the edges:



Then drilled:

 

I didn't take a picture but I use a hole punch driven through the drilled hole to make a hole in the nylon bag; I figured drilling it would ruin the nylon. Then attached the whole mess with button top Allen bolts and nylon nuts, water resistant -- I think -- and they don't back off.

I also attached some old pannier hooks and a re-purposed bungee cord using some scraps of nylon webbing and an s-hook to attach to the rack. I use the hole punch to make the hole for the hooks and then take the backing off and drill the bolt holes.  I always drill both directions as t his seems to get rid of the burrs.

I figure it's about the perfect size for trousers, shirt, socks, unmentionables, files, and lunch. Plus, the external pockets can hold, I don't know, snacks.  I may go get another bag this weekend.

Now there's two:





 At some point, I am going to have to figure out some kind of a rain  cover. Plus, Craftsman makes a  much larger version so when the rear bags die, as die they must, I think I'll just use the bigger one.


The things I carried to work:

In the bag:



On the bike:


Home again.



There was no real difference in the bike handling and with the bag for this stuff, I have room for shopping on the way home.