The Upper Hand is Jay Ritchey’s Bags by Bird take on a half-frame bag with flip-top openings for easy one-handed access while riding. Why a flap opening? Well simply put, BXB wants to avoid zippers. Before life as a seamster, Jay documented long-distance bikepacking races like the Silk Road Mountain Race and he frequently saw zippers fail on frame bags in the middle of nowhere.
That memory remained as Jay later took to designing his own bags and wanted to offer a frame bag opening that wouldn’t fail mid-tour, something reliable, classic, and functional. Flap opening frame bags are nothing new as they have been around over a hundred years, but BXB has taken steps toward refining that idea; the flap has a plastic insert to keep it fastened securely, the entry hole is lined with a thick trim, and is triple stitched to remain strong when over stuffing, on the non-drive side there’s a separate pocket for small items and the stretch cord closure fastens around a metal hook which can be adjusted and repaired easily.
Specs:
- There’s four sizes for the Upper Hand framebag; 16″, 17″, 18.5″ and 19.5″ – the size indicates the length. See the sizing info-graphic for full dimensions (in the product photos).
- Full sized templates are available in PDF printouts to test on your frame HERE.
- One large compartment on the drive side & one slim compartment for a phone/wallet on the non drive side.
- Lace up attachment along top tube and rear (stretchy ‘shock cord’ included.
- Velcro attachment on head tube and down tube (Velcro included)
- Internal padding around the perimeter where the bag comes in contact with the frame.
- Water bladder hose / charge cable porthole
See more at BXB.
