Instructions
Note: Before installing any bag, you may want to apply helicopter tape or similar to your frame to protect the finish.
Frame Bag Template Photo
- Prepare your bike
- Remove bottle cages and partially screw in the bottle cage bolts. If you’re ordering a half frame bag, leave bottle cages installed and add bottles for your photo.
- Tape a measuring tape along the top tube so that it is taught and straight. You can also use a tape measure standing up vertically as long as it’s making contact with the frame.
- Photo set up
- Take this photo outside in daylight against a blank wall for best results!
- If using a phone camera, use the 2x or 3x zoom setting. If you’ve got access to one, use a dedicated camera with optical zoom.
- Stand about 12-15ft back
- Kneel down to position the camera level with the center of the main triangle.
- Take a photo
- Make sure the frame triangle is in the center of the photo
- Important: If you can get the fork legs, seatstays, and chainstays lined up with each other so they each appear as one, then you know you’re back far enough and straight on.
- Take a backup photo
- When you think you’ve got a good photo, lower your camera, take a step back, and take another shot.
- Most photos I get are taken too close to the bike and/or not aligned with the center of the triangle.
- Final check and submission
- Zoom in on your photo to check if you can make out the lines on the ruler like you can in the image below.
- Email the full res photos to andrew@dispersed.bike
- After we get a good photo, we’ll send you a digital preview of your bag.
Example: (this was taken on a camera with a zoom. Your bike will appear much smaller in the picture if it’s taken on a phone.)
Frame Bag Installation
- Here are a few tips for installing your new frame bag:
- Note: You may want to apply helicopter tape or similar to protect the finish on your frame.
- Remove the bottle cage bolts from your frame.
- Undo the shock cord on the top of the bag except for the last loop (closest to the seat tube) on the webbing.
- Wrap the velcro strap at the end of the zipper around the seat tube.
- Hold up the shock cord to find the middle
- Thread the shock cord over the length of the top tube and through the webbing on the top of the bag.
- Use the cord lock to secure the ends of the shock cord and tuck the extra into the port at the front of the bag.
- Apply a little grease to the bottle cage bolts.
- Loosely install the bolts through the grommets on the frame bag. (You may need to flatten the bag along the down tube with your hand to find the appropriate position for the grommets relative to the bolts.)
- When you’ve found the right position, tighten down the bolts.
- If your frame bag “puckers” above the bolt on attachments, loosen the bolts and slide the bag down lower.
- Optional: use the included velcro strap to secure the bag to the downtube
- Note: You may want to apply helicopter tape or similar to protect the finish on your frame.
Rack Bag Installation
- Remove the metal g hook from the daisy chain.
- Undo the velcro on the daisy chain strap along the side of the bag.
- Place the bag on your rack with the daisy chain strap hanging on the non driveside.
- Use the 4 nano Voile straps to secure the corners of the bag where it makes sense on your rack. Their position can be adjusted along the webbing on the bottom of the bag. Attach them loosely at first to get the bag centered. Depending on the width of your rack, the webbing may need to sit inside or outside of the rails, rather than right on top.
- Route the daisy chain velcro strap under the top platform of the rack then reattach it up along the side of the bag. This strap secures the bag to the rack.
- The bag is now ready to be loaded and closed with the metal g hook to the daisy chain.
- Optional dry bag needs to be rolled at least 3 times before buckling for a waterproof seal.
Dropper seat bag instructions
Hip Pack transition to Handlebar Mode
Handlebar Roll instructions
Frequently Asked Questions
Custom Gear Design/Features
- Are Dispersed Frame Bags waterproof?
- No, our frame bags are not waterproof. The fabric is waterproof, but the seams are not sealed. Things that need to stay dry need to go in dry bags. It is difficult to achieve full waterproofness with seam sealing on the fabrics we use, and we couldn’t guarantee that the seal would last after the bag is put through normal use.
- Why use the lace-up attachment?
- We can do full bolt on, but we recommend lace up even on frames with bosses for better zipper performance. Lace up distributes the weight evenly across the top tube rather than at rigid mounting points. We use a plastic stiffener along the top tube either way, but we have to use thinner plastic to accommodate the grommets for bolt-on attachment. This stiffener helps distribute the load, but when fully loaded the bag will usually sag between the bosses and then create stress points for the zipper if you’re really forcing it closed (we’ve all been there). Using the bolts on top also adds grommets to the top of the bag which will let in more water (the bags are not waterproof, but pretty water resistant).
- Can I select more accent colors?
- Yes! If you’ve got ideas for more elaborate color schemes just let us know in your order notes or via email. No charge for additional colors.
- I don’t see my preferred color in your list, are other colors available?
- If you’ve got a specific color in mind, we’re happy to order it. If it needs to be custom printed, there will be an extra charge for the material in addition to your custom bags.
- Can you add a custom port or pocket to my bag?
- Most likely yes. Shoot us an email with what you’re thinking and we’ll do our best to work with you.
Order Questions
- Can I order a frame bag if I don’t have my new bike yet?
- Yes, by placing an order you’ll get in our work queue. We won’t be able to start on your bag right away, so the bike photo can wait until you have your bike.
- Can I modify my order if I change my mind?
- Yes, just reply to your order confirmation email with any modifications. If you haven’t made up your mind about colors, options, etc., but know you need a bag for an upcoming trip or race, go ahead and place an order to get in our work queue and don’t sweat the details.
- How long will it take to make my bag?
- Our lead time reflects the number of orders in our work queue. Regardless of the level of customization, this lead time applies to all handmade products.
- When will I receive my new gear?
- We do our best to ship your gear out within the lead time stated in your confirmation email, but this does not include shipping transit time or delays.
- Will you send tracking information when my gear is shipped?
- Yes you will receive an email with a tracking number when your gear is on the way.
- Do you ship internationally?
- Yes we ship internationally. Shipping costs will be automatically calculated during checkout. If the cost seems too high, let us know and we can check shipping rates from different providers.
- Can you ship with Fedex or UPS?
- Our preferred shipping method is USPS, but if you need something shipped with a different provider just let us know.
Warranty
- We design and create gear that we depend on out in the backcountry. We spend a fair amount of time going on big rides and we pay attention to wear, function, and annoyances that influence our designs. Any bag design we sell has been thoroughly ridden and abused before it’s offered on our site. Materials have been selected intentionally and high stress areas are always reinforced to provide long lasting, reliable gear.
- Our bags come with a lifetime repair warranty. If your bag is in need of a repair, we’ll fix it for free. Just email us and we’ll do our best to get you back out there as soon as we can.
