Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Bicycle Seat Covers

I've had a couple people ask me about seat covers recently so I thought I'd sit down and smash out a real nice design. This is what I've got so far: No Velcro, no elastic, no top seams, no coming off and no water getting in.
It's made from two pieces of Gore-Tex-like fabric*, where the water-resistant laminate is facing inwards to reduce wear. So it's ready for all day in the rain.
[*It's really nice fabric, but I bought it off eBay, so it could be Gore-Tex, or it could be a generic. I've been using my seat cover for a few years and it's going strong.]

Real simple cord-and-grommets tightening action. You can wrap that cord back under the seat to keep it outta the way.
I'm still working on how best to reinforce the grommets since this fabric is kinda slippery and stretchy and I don't want the grommets popping off. I've been sandwiching stiffer material in between the fabric and that's been working pretty well. Though, it doubles the sewing time. So I'm still working on the construction logistics.
If you're interested in one, you can send me an email for updates: coryleif@gmail.com




This was built around a Brooks B17 leather saddle. It fits smaller saddles just fine and will fit wider ones like the B18 Lady, but the nose might not fit that snug...but you'll get full coverage.

If you're looking for something a bit fancier than this, jump on over to Randi Jo Fabrications. Their seat covers are pretty sharp.

Woo-hoo!

Leif Labs: Where you sit.

Drink Holder Installation Guide

These're pretty easy to install, so you'll be on the road to carrying whatever you want in no time.
If you have a single drink holder your instructions are here.
The trickiest part of this is attaching the strap that loops under the down tube--the chin strap of the rig, if you will. I've used a tri-glide (or double-back) buckle here for its simplicity, low profile, and relative theft-resistance compared to Velcro or any other standard buckle. I have full confidence that you will be able to install this without a problem.

First let's go through buckling it off the bike:


Doublin' back.

After you tighten the chin strap, wrap the other two straps like so. The red dot in the middle is where the head tube will be.


Okay, now here it is on the bike.
I know in the picture below it has the straps going into the cam buckles, but they should be loose...I forgot to take that picture. But that's where you put it--right up against the head tube (the tube the fork goes through).

The webbing goes up.
And then goes down.
Here's how the other webbing wraps around the front.
Into the cam buckles.

And you can tuck the loose webbing into the side there.
Happy trails.

Bicycle Drink Holders

AKA Double Troubles.
Maybe you'd like to hold more water bottles, or just have your beverage in easy reach. If so, the Double Trouble is right for you. Ha.
Anyway...1000d CORDURA® shell, nylon packcloth liner, quarter-inch foam for rigidity & insulation, cam buckles for perfect adjustability.

The top. Round construction.
Cam buckles from ITW Nexus.
Front.
Bottom.

Throw me an email for quotes, availability, or questions. Singles coming soon.
coryleif@gmail.com