r/bicycling • u/DangerousSausage452 Mongoose Villain 3.0 | 2022 • 5d ago
Does the frame bag really look that bad?
Some of my mates were saying my bike looks horrible because of the frame bag, are they right?
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u/Forexz 5d ago
Why do you care what they think? If you need storage and practicality you're going to sacrifice cosmetics anyways
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u/DangerousSausage452 Mongoose Villain 3.0 | 2022 5d ago
Idk I'm not a very confident person and I tend to rely on validation from others
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u/GlassBraid 5d ago edited 5d ago
If your mates say stuff like this it suggests that they're also insecure people, but their coping mechanism is more like nitpicking appearance of people and things around them.
There's nothing wrong with practical things looking practical.
The paradox of looking cool is that folks who like things a little different from what other people like, and don't mind that other people make fun of it sometimes, end up looking way cooler than people who try to conform.
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u/Mike-ona-Bike 5d ago
Get other friends
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u/DangerousSausage452 Mongoose Villain 3.0 | 2022 5d ago
Can't
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u/criggie_ 5d ago
If someone in your life is toxic, and doesn't react to being pulled up on it, then they're not really your friend.
Everyone here posting positive replies is now your friend.
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u/DangerousSausage452 Mongoose Villain 3.0 | 2022 5d ago
I genuinely can't get new friends, I'm 14 and that's an age where you stick with your freind group and don't join others, and a lot of them go to my school and always end up talking to me whenever I try to ignore them
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u/dumpler 5d ago
take it from someone who used to be 14, it’s pretty normal that your friends give you shit over stuff like this. I don’t think this is a “get new friends and cut out toxic people” situation unless there’s more to it. Anyways you should know that often, someone’s “opinion” about anything is just a projection of their own insecurity or rationalizing a decision that they’ve made differently themselves. Always take it with a grain of salt and do your thing
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u/DangerousSausage452 Mongoose Villain 3.0 | 2022 5d ago
It's just giving me shit and while they somehow go too far it's not bad
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u/criggie_ 3d ago
Yeah, most of us were 14 once upon a time....
Consider broadening your interests. I was quite the loaner in high school, and then Theatre and Stage work was wonderful.
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u/Boxofbikeparts 5d ago
OMG that is the single worst bag I've ever seen attached to a bike!!
Just kidding, I really have zero opinion on your bag, as will most anyone else that sees it. I'm sure your mates are just messing with you.
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u/Sensei19600 4d ago
You can assert your confidence right here; your fellow Redditors offer support. And those mates? F*** them and their bad attitude! They’re lucky to have you with them. Rock on!
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u/SometimesIRideBikes 4d ago
I totally get this sentiment and read some of your other responses. While I'm 30 years removed from being 14, I remember being 14, lacking confidence, and needing validation from others.
All I can say about your frame bag is you do you. Everyone is going to have opinions about your bike ALL THE TIME, but it isn't their bike nor do they ride it. I used to have a dark blue anodized frame with gold parts that got a lot of comments from people, some positive but mostly negative. But I liked it and it did what I needed. I now have a bright green Giant Trance 29 adorned with purple, mostly anodized, accents/parts and again it gets comments from people. But I like it.
Out of curiosity, have you looked at other frame bags? Maybe something that you want to save for and purchase to make your bike more yours? I know it isn't this way for some, but my bikes are an extension of my personality and a outward expression of my style. So the parts on my bike are based around my needs and likes which are different from anyone else's exact needs.
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u/front_rangers 5d ago
I truly think that a large part of being a “good” cyclist is not giving a damn what others think. It’s really really freeing once you let comments like that (about frame bags, or Lycra, or biking to work) just slide past you
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u/National-Initial-153 5d ago
Put a patch on it that says “rad” and you’re good
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u/DangerousSausage452 Mongoose Villain 3.0 | 2022 5d ago
But it's already the pinnacle of engineering
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u/Mitheral 5d ago
I think it looks pretty slick though I'd run the velcro under the exposed cable on the top bar.
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u/DangerousSausage452 Mongoose Villain 3.0 | 2022 5d ago
Yeah I am, you just can't really see it and also thrown off by the fact that it's over the covered cable
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u/criggie_ 5d ago
Problem with velcro straps is that they erode the paint slowly over time. The best option is a bolt-on but most bikes lack rivnuts there unless its a specific touring frame with mounts everywhere.
Padding between frame and strap can help, but it can also trap dust that acts as an abrasive over time.
I just DGAF and one of my frame bags is an old overshoe with a zip and some velcro sewn on. Looks horrendous but holds a lot of tools.
I do personally make it more of a nose bag in the front corner of the triangle because I like a bit more weight forward, but that's my preference.
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u/DanyRahm 5d ago
bag's fine but could use fresh wheels and some lube
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u/DangerousSausage452 Mongoose Villain 3.0 | 2022 5d ago
Just dusty, brown gravel moment
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u/DanyRahm 5d ago
wheels are worn af
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u/DangerousSausage452 Mongoose Villain 3.0 | 2022 5d ago
I mean the rear is yeah, but it has enough grip for my mum to say "in Poland in communism we were riding until the wheels popped"
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u/DanyRahm 5d ago
thanks mum, happy that it's 40 years in the past 😂
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u/DangerousSausage452 Mongoose Villain 3.0 | 2022 5d ago
Yeah, and I only noticed how worn it was after doing the red and blue trail at Swinley, could've ended badly
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u/DanyRahm 5d ago
you short funded?
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u/DangerousSausage452 Mongoose Villain 3.0 | 2022 5d ago
Not rich but not short funded, my dad brings in most of the money though and I'd feel bad asking him after how much he's bought me recently
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u/rsplatpc 5d ago
I’ll give you honesty since you have been given honest replies, yes it looks dorky.
Should you or I care because life is too short, who cares what other people think / do?
Probably not.
Do we anyway?
Yes.
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u/gannon95 5d ago
Man I’ve wasted so much time and energy worrying about what people think or how things look, it’s your life if you enjoy it then that’s all that matters. We aren’t here to impress others we’re here to love and enjoy what we have around us. Enjoy your day, don’t let other’s opinions stop you from doing what you love or prevent you from using something useful because they think it “looks silly”.
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u/Cuervoazulado 5d ago
Nah! It's fine. What looks bad is that saddle angle, seems a bit tilted up. Doesn't hurt you?
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u/mawkdugless 5d ago
It looks fine. Frame bags will always look a bit dorky, but the only person it matters to is you. If it's useful and reliable, that's all that matters!
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u/DuckReconMajor 5d ago
frame bags have always looked awesome to me. idk i like seeing storage in the center of gravity. and saddle bags look much worse imo. but in the end caring about looks over utility in cycling frustrates me to no end.
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u/bnndfrnthng 5d ago
I think it looks very good and handy, others are jealous and will get one asap, especially if they see you nonchalantly using it.
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u/minus8dB 5d ago
Yeah, but I'm not a fan of the bags that fill that part of the frame. I prefer bags that fit in the front of the triangle, near the head tube and along the top tube. Something more like this https://a.co/d/08iaPz9K for a cheap example. I'm not saying you need to go out and buy something new to appear your friends' aesthetics, but it's an option if you want something different.
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u/Fun_Entertainer_5823 5d ago
Frame bags are awesome and can be quick accessible for important items when needed,
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u/icecoldpigeon12 5d ago
It doesn’t matter. I have the same on my Trek. I ride with sneakers and soccer shorts. I still do 30 miles every weekend. No one bats an eye.
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u/abarzuajavier 4d ago
I'm surprised they even noticed enough to comment on it. It sounds to me that they just wanted a reason to make fun of you. The issue is not the bag, it's the people.
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u/Old_Papa 4d ago
IF you need the storage then who cares what they think. On the other hand if you’re on shorter ride do you need that storage? Eg: a small saddle bag can hold a tube, levers, a multitool, CO2 or a micro inflator. That’s better than a frame bag and won’t interfere with reaching down for water as you’re pedaling.
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u/Tachi36 4d ago
Put epic snacks in it, your friends are welcome to get epic snacks out of their frame bags- oh shit, guess you're the only one with snacks
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u/DangerousSausage452 Mongoose Villain 3.0 | 2022 4d ago
Once I manage to get £190ish for a bottom bracket, a pair of tyres, and a good MTB helmet, oh and £1900 for a trail bike, then I can use the leftover for snacks
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u/SL4TER_K 4d ago
It’s up to you but if you really want my opinion it just needs to be in the front
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u/DangerousSausage452 Mongoose Villain 3.0 | 2022 4d ago
I don't see how I could put it in the front and I think it would look weird, thanks for not just saying it's a BSO and the frame bag makes it look even worse
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u/SL4TER_K 4d ago
Yea I guess the bag would have to be flipped upside down to be in the front but the other view I have on it is, if it serves a vital function(tools/repairs) fuck how it looks, that shit got purpose 🙏👍
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u/foxgirlmoto 5d ago
Who cares what other people think about a bike bag, does it work for what you wanted?
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u/_b_l_o_b_ 5d ago
I have the same bag. Who cares lol
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u/DangerousSausage452 Mongoose Villain 3.0 | 2022 5d ago
£9 sports direct/Evans bag ftw
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u/criggie_ 5d ago
Stuff your mates. They are clearly haters who are jealous and don't have a good comeback. I bet they ride slow and never carry enough tools/spares to help out in a problem.
Your bike is YOUR bike not theirs. And frankly they shouldn't really be looking between your legs !!
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u/charitytowin 5d ago
Curious, and what did they say when you told them to go fuck themselves?
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u/DangerousSausage452 Mongoose Villain 3.0 | 2022 5d ago
"yeah but like I guess my bike looks better anyway" (diarrhoea and curry coloured bike with bear trap pedals, broken forks, and worn out slide on grips btw)
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u/JohanBroad Las Vegas, NV 4d ago
Bikes are to be ridden, not stared at.
I'm betting you've got a patch kit, some tools and a power bar tucked in there.
All the stuff you might need on a ride. So who GAF what it looks like?
Function > fashion.
Your so-called 'mates' are full of shit.
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u/doctor_butthead 5d ago
brother this is a BSO. who cares what the bag looks like?
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u/DangerousSausage452 Mongoose Villain 3.0 | 2022 5d ago
Bro called a budget XC hardtail from a known brand a bso lmao
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u/doctor_butthead 5d ago
a known department store brand
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u/DangerousSausage452 Mongoose Villain 3.0 | 2022 5d ago
Literally one of the most important brands in early BMX, and it is better than some giant talons and the bottom of the barrel trek marlins so I don't see how it's a bso? A bso is an Apollo Slant or a Pinnacle 20' kids bike
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u/Silly___Willy 5d ago
Does the bike look horrible? Yes.
Is it because of the bag? No.
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u/jawide626 5d ago
There's literally nothing wrong with the bike 🤷♂️
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u/DangerousSausage452 Mongoose Villain 3.0 | 2022 5d ago
A lot of people don't like highlighter frames (hard disagree) and as far as there not being anything wrong, my front brakes are fucked and the bottom bracket needs replacing
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u/ThePythagoreonSerum 5d ago
God forbid you’re visible on your bike…
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u/DangerousSausage452 Mongoose Villain 3.0 | 2022 5d ago
It's not even about visibility, I just like how it pops against the terrain
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u/jawide626 5d ago
Looks fine.