TCB News for August 2009

-
Yep, guys like it to - Doug Faunt shows off his all-matching TCB look. Best thing is, if he decided to ditch the orange jacket, he'd still be seen ...

Hi TCB folks,

Bicycle bags are de rigueur, clearly! Take a look at this article

1. One of my Bike Friday customers, Angelo Zinna, would love to see a picture of a dog wearing, or being carried in, a TCB for his site: http://www.pleasefeedthedog.com/
http://www.pleasefeedthedog.com/
I told him I'd ask the folks who actually bought the bag, so if you can get your schnauzer's snout artfully noosed in the drawstring neck or carrying your stuff, be my guest! cc me too.

2. I have a handful of the current design remaining before switching to a new, more waterproof, ANSI standard material I've finally managed to source, thanks to Outdoor Wilderness Fabrics in Idaho. It's more the color of fresh squeeze orange juice - um, irradiated to high heaven. Although waterproof sounds "better". you have to remember you're trading off breathability. For wear against the body, its better that it's not like a plastic bag. Which is why I didn't got buy Ortlieb impermeable orange material or something ballistic like that.

3. I recommend getting a second one (and no, I'm not going to retire in Belize because you bought another one) - because when using it daily it's handy to have your stuff in the orange one, and slip the black one over it for dress use without emptying the stuff out. (Of course, you can always put your stuff in an inner bag too). This action creates another set of compartments, and you can use it as a spare bag in case you blow out at WholePayCheck, sorry, WholeFoods. If you want a second one I will sell it to you at 20% off, that's $40 not $50, just to be nice and since you already drank the Kool Aid.

4. The new ones will be ready in September. I will try to offer them at the same price even though the new fabric is more expensive. Any feedback as to improvements - please send them along. As long as they don't cost an arm and a leg I'll see what I can do - but this is Made in 'Merica. My sewing lady Caroline had to move to a smaller studio space because she could not pay the rent on her current Garment District office - so you really are giving someone a livelihood.

5. Improvements: I'm going to beg Caroline to cauterize the ends of the straps before they're joined so they don't fray. She didn't think this was necessary but I do. And also, to secure them with a black stitch or two to the channel so the join doesn't swing around to the openings at the sides. This improvement was done in the last batch, and is easily done with a needle and thread yourself if that's happening to yours. Ask me if you need advice on that.

6. Please post any comments you have at http://www.galfromdownunder.com/tcb/comments or write to me.

Stand by! Oh, yeah, buy it here.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

3-in-1 Reversible Traffic Cone Bag™ Customer Reviews

-
Image
SEE ALL REVIEWS Write your review in the Comments below. Or, you may prefer to post on the TCB Facebook Fan Page . +++ Reviews prior to 2010: September 10, 2009: Lynette, The bag I won at your generous Weekday Cyclists raffle was so appreciated by Randy, when we recently biked from Lexington MA to (almost) Boston on their wonderful bike trails. She was so pleased with the design, workmanship, and usefulness. - Joseph Lauren Hefferon, principal of multi-award-winning Friday Friendly bicycle tour company Cicilsmo Classico , says: Ciao Lynette. I have been loving your Galdown Under Napsack...whatever you call it. One of our backpacks was stolen and we needed another one to carry water and extra layers. Now I am using it to carry my laptop . I love the bright color! April 14, 2009: Danny Chiang is a New York architect, Bike Friday owner and brevet aficionado - he likes the bag in "musette" mode. "It's a New York bag!" he declares. Shot in Chelse...
Read more

Citibike: Is that a helmet in your TCB (or are you just pleased to ride with me?)

-
Image
Is that a helmet in your Traffic Cone Bag?  With the Citibike bikeshare program taking New York by storm, I've discovered a new use for the Traffic Cone Bag: carrying your helmet AND stayin' alive! Despite being a DFNC (double folder no car) gal I have joined the Citibike program , as I described in detail on my Galfromdownunder Upover blog . What's not to love about a ride-it-and-ditch-it personal cab for just $ 95 155/year?' But what to do about helmets? Some places are renting them out  - does a lice protector come with that? The problem is, helmet rental stations are not situated at the bike stations, but somewhere else, compromising that "convenience" factor. Carrying a helmet isn't convenient either, which is why many Citibikers have been riding without them. I confess I've ridden bareheaded a number of times while scurrying across town. Downunder,  the mandatory helmet law is killing the Melbourne Bikeshare scheme . So if you deci...
Read more

Traffic Cone Bag: Bigger, Guyfromdownunder Version

-
Image
Large or small? Depends on what you want to carry! NOTE! Since 2011, both TCB's now come with a vertical reflective strip . See photo below.  In 2009, I introduced a larger Traffic Cone Bag size. The specs for the new, larger "Guyfromdownunder" (for want of a better term) version, pictured above left, are: 15" wide x 18" deep 3/4" webbing 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 Sydney Morning Herald, or Chicago Tribune - you get the idea) The specs for the original, smaller "Galfromdownunder"  pictured right, are: 13" wide by 17" deep Slender,  1/2" lighter webbing straps Orange pockets take regular water bottles Black pocket is 11" wide x 13" deep - holds holds a manila folder or several standard trashy magazines Both f...
Read more