Roam
Roam is a bag and set of tools that assists bikers in transporting versatile tools to maintain trails to foster community collaboration in outdoor spaces. Roam is designed to work for any bike frame without hindering the performance and experience for the rider.
Spring 2024
10 week project
The goal of this project is to create a better method to transport full sized tools on trails that would allow riders to ride the trail and do trail maintenance.
The handle and the head of the tools connect together through the castellated ratchet lock. This allows the user to twist together the components quickly while also providing optimal strength. Roam stores the full size tools in a bike frame bag rather than storing them in a backpack which effects the balance of the rider. The Roam tools provide more affective work rather than smaller tools which are inconvenient or large tools that don’t travel well.
If there’s one essential ingredient to creating trails and trail systems, it’s people.
-In Support of Trails: A Guide to Successful Trail Advocacy, 1993
User Problems
Rider is exited to start riding a familiar trail at the beginning of the season.
Wants to ride old jump but it is run down and only a small pile.
Needs to be careful on berms that have washed out from rain and common use.
Store tools on bike frame without interfering with bike mechanics.
Modularize tools to create optimal tool utility and verity.
Gets swiped by overgrown nettles and blackberry bushes reaching over the trail.
Can’t cut down branches that have grown in the way of jumps.
Ends the ride wishing that they could fix parts of the trail so it is more enjoyable.
Insights
Large tools are inconvenient to transport and small tools are difficult to use.
Users want to ride the trail and conduct trail maintenance.
Transporting tools in a back pack tires down the rider and changes the center of gravity.
Goals
Optimize storage volume to prevent incumbering the rider.
Design a product for mountain bikers to hold full size trail maintenance gear that packs into a bike frame bag.
Final Design
Tools
Shovel
Used to dig large holes or move soil. It can also be used to move rocks or remove roots on a trail.
McLeod
Moves soil to flatten area or plant debris. Also can tamp ground giving it more structure to ride on.
Folding Saw
Used to cut down small trees or branches by locking more handles to increase reach.
Machete
Used to quickly clear out overgrowth on trails such as blackberries or nettles.
Shears
Used to cut back thicker brush or smaller branches that are reaching into the trails.
The handle and the head of the tools connect together through the castellated ratchet lock. This allows the user to twist together the components quickly while also providing optimal strength.
Locking Mechanism
Bike Frame Bag
The bike frame bag is designed to fit any bike frame without impeding the performance of the rider while also maximizing volume to store tools.
Adjustment
The bag has 5 adjustable straps to secure and position the bag according to the users needs.
There are three storage compartments per side. The large side is used for the tools while the smaller side pockets are used for small flat objects.
Storage
When the ground is muddy the bag can be strapped on a tree to elevate the bag and make retrieval of tools easier.
Deploy
Quiver
Extra handles can be stored in the quiver when a rider is carrying extra tools for more people.
Goals
Tools fit within bike frame bag that can fit any bike.
Tools have multable functions and length options.
All tools and handles fit within bag as well as several smaller objects in pockets.
Design Process
User Journey
Mood Board
Embody endurance and efficiency with the rugged outdoors along with utility.
Focus on utility and sturdy structure with clear contact points. Utilizing a tactical and modular design strategy.
Detail Board
Tools utilize sturdy materials to handle the rough terrain and weather.
Silicone grips
Steel
Rolled Carbon Fiber
CMF Tools
Bag utilizes thick durable canvas and nylon to create a water resistant and easy to clean bag.
Canvas Fabric
Nylon Straps
CMF Bag
2x2 matrix to determine what form features of tools should be incorporated in the design for efficiency.
