Messenger Bag
by Mark Peterson
Based on 7 reviews
About This Project
I am an avid cyclist and advocate of alternate transportation. I commute to work and I am on the verge of becoming “car Free”. I work for a firm that is on the forefront of green technologies in architecture, and we pride ourselves on our green factor. When I became aware of the Ample Sample design contest I knew exactly what I was going to design, a Carpet Messenger Bag. I wanted to use nothing but reclaimed materials, so I incorporated many different sources for my design. The design that I have submitted is 95% reclaimed, and the next bag that I make will be 100% reclaimed, but I did use new bolts and lock nuts.
Here’s how I did it- I started with one of my old MT. bike tires. I cut the tire all the way through at the 9 o’clock position. I then used two 24”x 24” square rubber backed carpet samples to create two 24” dia. Carpet disks. I then placed the disks inside the used tire. I then used a sodering iron to poke 5 EQ. distant holes from 8:30 to 3:30 viewing the tire like a clock, through the tire and the carpet placing a bolt and washer on the outside and a washer and a lock nut on the inside. I then cut the tire along the bead in the shoulder strap section (from 9 o’clock to 3 o’clock) to thin out the tire so it would be comfortable on my shoulder. I cut the front carpet disk off where I felt the front lip of the body of the messenger bag would work the best. I used an old golf bag strap to golf and Velcro into the shoulder strap section of the tire, giving it lots of padding. I used two old snowboard binding straps and ratchets to close and secure the shoulder strap and the bag closure.
And just like that I had my new bag. I use it all the time, and I am incorporating many new features in my second Carpet Messenger Bag. I am also making a variety of “Terrain Specific” Carpet Messenger Bags, ranging from MT bike through BMX and Road bikes. I hope that the creation of this bag will inspire some one to get creative through reclaimed or recycled projects.
Project Feedback
I second that!!! i love the fact that you actually made something and not some idea put out on paper. Its better to see the actual object and also put to good use i might add..Check out my “Coffee” Table Mark, you could throw that bag on it after a long day of bike riding..hehe
Marsss - Fri, May 16, 2008
WOW what a cool bag. I love it, make me one… what great way to be sustainable, reuse and make something that will take it, take it, take it, and still be functional and cool… way to go
jaredp - Thu, May 22, 2008
I like the fact that you can make this bag look entirely different by using different tires and carpets. You could make one for every outfit!
Tracy - Tue, May 27, 2008
Nice design. It shows some great creativity. I first saw this a few weeks back while you were getting off the train from commuting and thought, how unique and clever. You could use this concept in many bicycling ideas for sure.
What a great bike bag! It’s good to see that someone actually constructed something rather than just conceptualizing about it on the computer. Kudos for the re-use of old bike tires. Awesome entry.
joemilillo - Fri, May 16, 2008