Jerrycan Bag Mods To Fit Diverge Gravel Bike

The mini Jerrycan bag, top tube mount.

You always need more storage for those long rides. No real usable space on the handlebar for a bag, especially if I mount the GoPro camera, Garmin computer and Cygolite there. The Diverge already has a nice Revelate "Gas Tank" bag. This works really well and holds stuff while not getting in the way of my legs.

I've been eyeing the other bag for the top-tube.. called the Jerrycan. It sits up against the seatpost. After an incident a few weeks back, where I should have lost my wallet & keys from my seat bag, the Jerrycan should work good for that. The price for this little bag was outrageous... from $42 to $56!

Not enough holding power on the Diverge top-tube.

Joe Morgan from The Bike Shop in Temecula to the rescue. Price was way down, so I ordered one from him. He also got one for his new gravel bike. Two days later,  I plugged in a rando ride up to Temecula to pick it up (among other things like tire sealant).

This well made little bag fits the top-tube/seat post real good. Revelate offers 2 models: one for 90 degree junction and the other for like 120 degree junction. I got the regular 90 degree one. I noted there is a additional loop to move the back (seat post) Velcro strap up higher on the bag for more secure fitment to the post. That was excellent.

Added a piece of glue-on Velcro and a few stitches

The bottom strap has a "gripper" back that sticks to the top tube. However the strap was way to long for my top tube. No problem there, as you usually trip the length to fit so it doesn't flap around and rub you leg. I also noticed that the Velcro only meshed for about 1" (only 1" of connection to hold the bag to the top-tube.) This wasn't adequate for me.

Solution: I'll add on a additional 1.5" of Velcro to the bag to lengthen the strap connection. I had
some commercial stick-on Velcro in my box I could use.  I prepped the side of the bag with alcohol and stuck on the trimmed down Velcro 1.5" piece. After 24 hrs dry time, the Velcro sticks well to the bag surface. Not good enough. I'll need some additional holding power with a few stitches. I've done this with several other bags and it's not that easy.

You can't just stick a heavy needle thru the stick-on Velcro. It drags the adhesive along with the needle and gums up the needle. I heated up the needle with a Christmas candle and made stitch holes first. Then came the heavy duty nylon thread to complete the task. Not easy, as there is little room inside the bag to work. After a few "pricks" the sewing was complete. After a final fitment, the extra long strap was trimmed to fit. Walla!

Now have a nice secure top tube strap and the bag can be moved to a bike with a larger top tube if needed.

- randorides