Following on from the (practical but not really aesthetic) success of my fork mount bottles and then seeing a picture of a Tour Divide bike with fork mounted dry bags I though i'd give it a go and i'm glad I did. I really enjoyed making the minimalist brackets and they are really rock solid on the bike. These alongside my framebag and barbag give me all the packing options I think I require. I used 8l Alpkit bags because I already had them, using round bags would mean you could tuck them in a bit tighter towards the back of the fork.

2012_0328evolution0012 by youngray50, on Flickr
2012_0328evolution0011 by youngray50, on Flickr

2012_0328evolution0013 by youngray50, on Flickr

The cost of this project was cheap and easy to make with a few basic tools.
Get a piece of 20 or 25mmx2mmx1m aluminium from Homebase for about £5. Cut two pieces the same length as the loops on the drybag are, drill holes to take the cross pieces and the fork mounts.

2012_0328evolution0001 by youngray50, on Flickr
Cut four crosspieces and bend them to fit the bag, I measured 2 cm increments and used a straight edged offcut and molegrips to get the bend. try to get each bend in one or two goes because alloy is brittle and if you bend it lots it will snap. You will also need four lengths of webbing with overlap for velcro or attaching buckles.

2012_0328evolution0005 by youngray50, on Flickr

2012_0328evolution0002 by youngray50, on Flickr
You will need four 22mm plastic pipe clips from Homebase costing £2. These are your fork leg mounts, they are a soft plastic and with a firm push will fit quite large diameter tubes.

2012_0328evolution0003 by youngray50, on Flickr

2012_0328evolution0004 by youngray50, on Flickr
Next assemble the parts to look like this.

2012_0328evolution0006 by youngray50, on Flickr
Make sure the bolt does not come past the pipe clip or else you will scratch or damage your fork leg.

2012_0328evolution0007 by youngray50, on Flickr
Next use two jubilee clips to attach the each bracket to the fork, note the use of a bit of rubber at the back of the leg to stop the clip marking the fork.

2012_0328evolution0009 by youngray50, on Flickr
I also wound some old inner tube around the bracket to cover any sharp edges and add some extra grip.

2012_0328evolution0010 by youngray50, on Flickr
On the first trial I had this mounted to the bottom of the bracket to add support to the bag but found it wasn't needed.

2012_0328evolution0008 by youngray50, on Flickr
Hope you like it cos I do :D .

Nice job Ray ... reckon you've just reinvented the Anything cage

nice, 8l are big though!

Well done that man 8-)

Although there's a whiff of panniers about them

restlessnative wrote:nice, 8l are big though!

Hi restless, 8l are big but you don't need to pack them full and on a long trip they will allow me to take the extra stuff you need, I might also consider some 5l ones which have almost the same loop spacing.

Took these out for a field test today but before I went I moved them towards the back of the forks salsa style which reduced the overall width by 6cm. One had my down sleeping bag and the other a down jacket and lightweight change of clothes, they stayed put no matter what terrain I tackled so I'm happy with them. Just ordered another 8l dry bag so along with my other two 8l and my 13l I can mix n match to my hearts content for a lightweight overnighter or extended tour. It also means that I can probably get rid of my bumbag so nothing on my back at all.