Backpack Bike Holder

Description

Have you ever sat on your bike with your favorite backpack and noticed how uncomfortable it is for your back?

That’s something I can easily change if I have a 3D printer, I thought. Quickly designed something, printed it, tested it, improved it, printed it again, tested it... nice! I'll make it available to others so they can enjoy it too.

Assembly instructions

What you need:

• 3D-printed parts

• 2x backing plates (the plates with just four holes)

• 2x hook plates (the ones with the hooks ;)

• 4x magnetic cubus 5x5x5mm (option)

• 4x each of: screws, nuts, and washers

• A nail or an old knitting needle

• A lighter

• Your favorite backpack

Finding the right position

First, choose the spots on the backpack where the two mounts should go—ideally, high up. Measure a fitting distance on the Luggage rack of your bike. The mounts should be positioned on the backpack within this distance of each other horizontally.

Important: The backing plate consists of a front and a back section that will later be joined together with four screws. Start by placing the backing plate on the outside of the backpack, right where the straps run. Check briefly to ensure the position makes sense and that nothing important is in the way. After all, the goal is to attach the mount—not accidentally create a new ventilation hole.

Creating the holes in the backpack

Now for the slightly adventurous part. Take a nail or a knitting needle and carefully heat the tip with a lighter.

⚠ Caution: The knitting needle or nail will get very hot! Hold it by the far end or use pliers if necessary. It is best to work on a fireproof surface, such as a glass sheet or a stovetop (turned off, of course). Also, please don't juggle the lighter right next to the backpack.

Then, press the heated tip through the pre-drilled holes in the positioned backing plate and into the backpack. This creates the necessary holes without you having to force your way through the material. Repeat this for all four holes. Afterward, you can proudly declare, "Mission Hole-Drilling Successful" or "Indiana Jones, eat your heart out!"

Assembling the sandwich

Now for the real trick. The backing plate (without hooks) goes on the inside of the backpack. The hook mount goes on the outside, with the hook opening facing downwards. The backpack sits between the two parts—creating a sort of backpack sandwich.

Inserting the screws

Now, take the four screws and the accompanying hardware (washers and nuts). Insert the screws through the hook mount from the outside. In other words:

Screw → Hook mount → Backpack wall → Backing plate → Washer → Nut

Slide all four screws—or just one to start with—through the corresponding holes. It is probably best to simply insert all four screws first before fully tightening any of them; this makes it easier to align the parts.

Tighten from the inside

Now the backing plate comes into play. Place the appropriate nuts onto the protruding screws on the inside of the backpack. Then tighten the nuts so that the hook mount and backing plate securely sandwich the backpack fabric between them.

Repeat the process for the second mount Once the first mount is successfully installed: congratulations! Now repeat the entire process for the second mount

Once both mounts are installed, do a final check to ensure all eight screws are tight and the mounts are securely attached to the backpack. And then you can officially regard your backpack as a technically upgraded, high-end carrying system dream :)