Bags for recumbent bikes

There is no shortage of bags for standard bicycles, but the range available in specialist shops for recumbent bikes is very limited.
The fact that recumbent bikes are more varied and customisable in terms of shape, design and use probably prevents the mass production of suitable models.
With the limited options available, one often has to make many compromises regarding fit, size and function, which very often result in unsatisfactory solutions.
It sort of works, but it’s not entirely satisfactory.
That’s why I started designing my own luggage-carrying equipmentfor my recumbent bike very early on.
This gave me the opportunity not only to build bags that attach securely to the bike and adapt to its shape, but also to create solutions for a variety of uses.
These range from a simple rear pannier for everyday use, through pannier sets for overnight trips and multi-day journeys – with or without a luggage rack – right up to high-capacity gear for a three-week camping tour through France.

The first models were sewn and proved their worth. Even though they weren’t waterproof, there were hardly any problems in that regard.

This was followed by my first attempts at making welded models from TPU-coated materials. The process proved easier than I’d expected, and now all my bags are made using the welding method.

Packing bags that are open at the top and bottom, making them easier to fill and allowing their size to be adjusted slightly.

When I discovered that zips from Aquaguard and other brands could also be heat-sealed with TPU, this opened up far more design possibilities than before. With a cover of sufficient size, the contents of the bag stay dry.

Bright yellow Cordura creates an eye-catching design.

A matching set of bags for a two-week camping trip.

Design for a set of bags for next year.

By welding together several layers of TPU material coated on both sides, it is possible to produce containers that retain their shape yet remain flexible.