Traffic Cone Bag: Bigger, Guyfromdownunder Version

NOTE! New for 2011, both TCB's now come with a vertical reflective strip. 

There's a second TCB to choose from now.

Update April 2010: New shot on TCB Facebook Fan Page

The new, larger "Guyfromdownunder" (for want of a better term) version, pictured left:

• 15" wide x 18" deep
• 3/4" straps.
• Orange pockets are deeper and wider to take larger water bottles (and rolled up issues of Carbon Fiber Enthusiast?)
• Black pocket is 13" wide x 14" deep - holds an unfolded copy of the New York Times, or a large x-ray - like the one of my sprained ankle in Singapore.

The original, smaller "Galfromdownunder"  pictured right:

• 13" wide by 17" deep
• Slender,  1/2" straps
• Orange pockets take regular water bottles
• Black pocket is 11" wide x 13" deep - holds holds a manila folder or whatever trashy magazine takes your fancy.

Both feature a new ANSI orange polyester neon orange lining, which is more water resistant than the previous version. Both use the new, 2.2oz black Supplex fabric - slightly less bulk than the 4oz original, but still very sturdy, with a subtle sheen.

Both bags do not interfere with jersey pockets.

Here's how they compare in "city mode", on 5'0", 95 lb me - as you can see, the smaller one (first picture) suits a pipsqueak:


The larger one takes that x-ray and the New York Times unrolled:



Mind you,  I've been carrying the small one inside the big one, in whatever orange/black combo is most logical. So, when I want to spend time on or off the bike,  I just whip out the inner bag rather than empty the contents, reverse and re-pack.

Having one inside the other creates two extra sleeves to stuff things in. Handy for buying extra stuff on the way home - you can wear "one over the other". You can also, at a pinch, sling it over your handlebars like this, thanks to the quick-release snap hooks on the straps.

Steve Chang commented that the straps cinch nice and evenly. This is because each strap is secured in place by a few stitches at the top where they loop around.  If you have an earlier TCB that keeps exposing the raggedy join in the straps, simply stretch open the neck of the bag wide, make sure the straps are even, and stitch the strap to the channel at those four points.  The new straps are also cauterized with a flame to stop any fraying. You can do this with a lighter on your early TCB too.

SNAP CLOSURE:  I've made a departure from my no-frills rule. As an experiment, the November 2009 Guyfromdownunder batch has a big, black, snap closure on the black pocket. Ideally it would be riveted on with a big, black, industrial machine, but since this is handmade, Caroline has handsewn it to start. You can remove it if you don't use it. But it does stop the pocket from gaping some when empty:

If you turn the bag inside out into musette mode you will of course see the "male" part of the snap on the outside lip of the pocket. I'm guessing that few guys do that, but I'm begging off putting it on the Gal version for now. Your thoughts? Post comments at TCB Reviews.

Update: I now use a more conventional snap.  I'm offering people a choice of silver, orange or black, an offer that might well come back to haunt me, but let's see if anyone takes me up on it.

Read about and order the TCB here