Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
A First Look at the Jack’s Sacks ODS (On-Demand Sack)
Teased at the MADE bike show earlier this year, the Jack’s Sacks ODS is a clever deployable storage bag that mounts on the top tube for those times when you need a temporary boost in carrying capacity. We had a chance to take a closer look ahead of today’s launch…
A lightweight, minimal bikepacking setup is great if the goal is to maintain your bike’s natural handling characteristics. When I choose to ditch my spacious top-opening handlebar bag or mini panniers for a small handlebar roll or saddle bag, it’s because I want to keep my setup light and tight. However, there’s no question that a minimal kit has some downsides over bags with more capacity.
I can’t count the number of times I’ve rolled into a town before riding out to camp, purchased way too many frosted mini donuts and Pop-Tarts, and struggled to find somewhere to stash them all. If there’s one thing worse than a dangling titanium mug on a seat pack, it’s a dangling bag of Fritos being chokeholded by a Voile strap. If only there were an option for a deployable storage bag that lives on your bike, ready when you need it, but tucked out of the way when you don’t. That’s where the Jack’s Sacks ODS comes in.
Wes of Jack’s Sacks was at the MADE bike show in Portland this year, displaying a stunning Haute titanium hardtail wrapped in denim bags. Between all the bold stitching, buttons, and rivets, Wes had a clever new bag design on display, but it was easy to miss. The Jack’s Sacks ODS, which stands for “On Demand Sacks” or “On Demand Storage,” is a deployable top tube-mounted feed bag that can be unrolled when extra packing space is needed or rolled away when not in use. Instead of being made from a burly exterior fabric, the ODS is made from a lightweight ripstop nylon like the fabric used as the cinch top on other stem bags.
When rolled up, the small ODS can pack down to the size of a box of cards, providing discreet and lightweight storage. The large version is almost double the size. It attaches to your top tube, handlebar, or wherever else you want on-demand storage using two included velcro straps that loop through a small Cordura daisy chain on the bag.
The ODS is extremely minimal, with no integrated structure or padding. Although this allows it to roll up out of the way when not in use, it also means it’s not going to compete with a proper stem bag for more permanent storage. The ODS, as the name suggests, is for on-demand storage when you need it. The smaller model doesn’t have a lower attachment point, so when loaded up, it has a tendency to bounce around. The larger version has a small webbing loop on the bottom, and Jack’s Sacks includes a bungee and a cord lock to secure it to your frame or fork without adding much extra bulk or weight. The lower attachment point substantially increases the overall stability of the ODS, and I told Wes at Jack’s Sacks that I wish both sizes had this, so he’s planning to add that into the next batch he makes.
As far as sizing goes, the small model is roughly the size of a Nalgene bottle, with plenty of room for two or three canned beverages or a good-sized burrito. The large ODS is massive, with room for four or five canned beverages or loads of snacks. I think where the ODS is really going to shine is during group rides when someone wants to be the hero at camp, riding a few miles with some camp treats for everyone to enjoy. Despite the lack of structure, the cinch closure does a good job at keeping everything inside, so even if they bounce around a bit, your precious camp sodas will stay put.
Although I didn’t have a chance to try it this way, there’s no reason why the ODS couldn’t be attached to a rear rack or handlebar, as long as there’s something behind it to rest against. On the top tube, having a frame bag behind it really helps to keep it from flopping all over the place. However, this also means it can obstruct the opening of your bag. Understanding that the ODS is for short-term storage makes it easy to ignore some of these shortcomings.
- Material: Diamond Ripstop
- Weight: 32 grams (small) / 56 grams (large)
- Place of Manufacture: Virginia, USA
- Price: $33 (small) / $38 (large)
- Manufacturer’s Details: JacksBikeSacks.com
Pros
- Lightweight and packable, thanks to simple roll-up design
- Versatile mounting with two velcro straps
- Cinch closure keeps contents inside
- Functions as intended, for short-term, on-demand storage
Cons
- Not a replacement for more sturdy, bounce-free feed bags
- First batch has no lower attachment on the small version, but the next batch will
- Can get a little awkward mounting them with some frame bags
Wrap Up
I would have missed the ODS at MADE this year if it wasn’t for Wes unravelling it for me. At first, I didn’t really see the point of a lightweight, packable stem bag. However, thinking back on the number of times I’ve rolled through a town on the way to camp, wishing I had a quickly accessible stash spot for a couple of cold drinks or a dinner to go, I can see their value. The Jack’s Sacks ODS adds next to no weight to your setup, rolls up small and out of the way when not in use, and unpacks to provide some functional overflow storage when you need it. While this is only a first look, I look forward to continuing to test them on some upcoming trips.
Further Reading
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