MYOG: Building Your Own Bike Gear From Scratch

By Christian Jensen - 31.05.2026

There’s something uniquely satisfying about creating your own gear. Not buying it, not modifying it, but building it from the ground up. In the cycling world this philosophy is known as MYOG, short for Make Your Own Gear. It’s a mindset that fits naturally with anyone who enjoys understanding their bike from spoke tension to brake cable routing. When you know how things work, you enjoy the ride more. And when you build something yourself, you enjoy it even more.

Over the past few years I’ve experimented with MYOG projects ranging from simple prototypes to fully functional framebags. The process has been equal parts problem‑solving, creativity and trial‑and‑error. This article brings together the entire journey and shows how you can approach your own MYOG builds, whether you’re sewing a bag or fabricating something more advanced.

Why MYOG Matters

Cycling gear is often expensive, and even high‑quality products rarely fit every bike perfectly. Custom frames, unusual geometries, eMTBs with large batteries or curved downtubes. All of these make standard bags and accessories less than ideal. MYOG solves that problem. You build exactly what you need, in the exact shape you need it.

It also gives you:

• a deeper understanding of your equipment
• the ability to repair or modify your own gear
• the freedom to experiment
• the satisfaction of using something you built with your own hands

And most importantly: MYOG encourages creativity. You stop thinking like a consumer and start thinking like a maker.

Starting With Templates: Paper, Tape and Patience

Every MYOG project begins with one thing: a template.

For my first framebag, the bike’s geometry was far from standard. No commercial bag would fit properly, so I built the shape myself using nothing more than paper and masking tape. Piece by piece, I taped sections together until the outline matched the frame perfectly.

A few lessons became clear immediately:

• Templates should be as large as possible
• Avoid unnecessary bends and curves
• Check that nothing interferes with pedalling
• Expect to adjust the shape several times

Once the paper model fits, you can transfer it to fabric. This is where seam allowances and cutting margins become important. A good template saves hours of frustration later.

Cutting, Sewing and Building Structure

With the templates ready, the next step is cutting the fabric. For my projects I’ve used:

• Ripstop Nylon for durability
• EVA foam for structure
• Bright inner fabric for visibility
• Heavy‑duty zippers
• Velcro straps for mounting

The process is straightforward but requires patience:

1. Cut all panels with seam allowance
2. Sew in the zipper first
3. Add internal foam or stiffeners
4. Join the panels from the inside out
5. Reinforce stress points
6. Add mounting straps last

The first framebag I made was functional but not perfect. The seams were messy and the shape had too many small details. It worked, but it taught me the most important MYOG lesson: simplicity wins.

Iteration: The Second Attempt

My second framebag project was a direct response to everything I learned the first time. I simplified the design, reduced the number of seams and used a modelling tool to get the panel shapes right before cutting fabric.

I still used paper templates to test the fit, but this time I adjusted the width early to avoid bulging. Once the shape was correct, I cut the fabric, added EVA foam for structure and built the bag from the zipper outward.

The result was a clean, functional bag that fit the frame perfectly. Not factory‑perfect, but exactly what I needed. It holds a tube, pump, first‑aid kit, multitool and a few extras. Enough to leave the backpack at home on shorter rides.

Other MYOG Projects You Can Build

Framebags are just the beginning. Once you understand the basics, MYOG opens the door to a huge range of custom gear:

• Top‑tube bags: Perfect for snacks, tools or a small camera. Easy to sew and highly useful.
• Handlebar rolls: Great for bikepacking. Can be made with dry‑bag material and simple straps.
• Battery mounts for eMTB accessories: 3D‑printed brackets or foam‑reinforced pouches for lights, GPS units or power banks.
• Tool rolls: A simple project that keeps your essentials organised.
• Camera puches: Especially useful if you ride with a compact camera and want quick access.
• Protective covers: For suspension pivots, battery ports or exposed cables.

Once you start thinking in MYOG terms, you see opportunities everywhere.

What I Learned Along the Way

MYOG is not about perfection. It’s about solving problems with the tools you have. A few key takeaways from my builds:

• Templates are everything
• Fewer seams make a stronger, cleaner product
• Foam adds structure without weight
• Bright inner fabric makes it easier to find things
• You will make mistakes, and that’s part of the process
• The second version is always better than the first

Most importantly: MYOG makes you more connected to your bike. You understand it better, you trust your gear more, and you gain confidence in your ability to fix or improve things.

Final Thoughts

Building your own gear is a rewarding way to combine creativity, problem‑solving and cycling. Whether you’re sewing a framebag, designing a tool roll or experimenting with 3D‑printed mounts, MYOG gives you the freedom to create exactly what you need.

It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to work. And when it does, you’ll feel a sense of ownership that no store‑bought product can match.

If you’re curious about MYOG, start small. Make a simple pouch or a top‑tube bag. Learn the basics. Then build something bigger. Before long, you’ll be riding with gear that exists nowhere else in the world. Except on your bike.