Bungees or Straps?

[Mellow]

Bungee Cords

* Pros
--> Cheap
--> Easy to use

* Cons
--> Energy is stored in cord - dangerous
--> The hooks can become sharp and pose additional danger
--> One slip while hooking up one end and the cord could "take an eye out"
--> Can't always tell the shape by looking at it

Nylon Straps (Recommended)

* Pros
--> No evergy stored in strap, very safe
--> Visually, very easy to tell when a strap needs to be replaced

* Cons
--> Not as cheap but very affordable
--> take a little getting used to with the several buckle/latch options

[Big Bandit]

I have never trusted bungee cords. I prefer 3/16" nylon rope. But I know how to tie knots, thanks to the cubscouts and my Chief when I was a firefighter. I have recently started using nylon straps with snap buckles but I still tie the extra strap across the snap buckle in case it fails. I have been using them for almost a year and the snap buckle has not failed yet.

[Doobage]

The longer my bungees stay attached, the less capable they seem to be. I've since quit having them strapped onto the "sheet" when not in use so that they retain some strength, but will most likely go to straps.

Motorcycle tie downs seem to hold on really well, easy to use and very heavy duty. I've been using them for 20 years, well past my dirt bike years and I suspect it willl work well on holding things onto my bike. My concern with straps is potentially having it too tight and also the lack of stretch in them means that if the object underneath gets loose, the strap does not tighten.

I wonder if there is a combo strap...a little bit of elastic to pull in incase it become loose?

[mongo]

I always used rope, I have been trying the new nylon straps with the snap buckles. They came on my Maggsbag that is 4 years old and never failed so I use a little of both old and new here.

[keanejamesf]

I've just been trying the compromise between bungee & strap... the ROK Strap. It's a nylon strap with a section of flattened bungee material and a Fastex buckle There's a loop at both ends and the fastex buckle is in the middle, with a few inches of adjustment at the buckles. The first "con" is that they are fairly expensive. You have to buy various sizes, since the stretch range is more limited than the usual bungee. Actuallt, that's the only "Con" I've discovered so far. In every other way they are superior to bungees. They loop around frame & body parts with the nylon strap portions so there is no chance of scratching paintwork. Nothing but nylon strap comes anywhere near the bike. The flat bungee section doesn't squash a tight groove into your load, especially important when carrying your foam sleeping pad & down bag. The inch wide flat bungee material also provides more surface area in contact with the load, thus more friction for a given degree of tension... it makes for a more secure load with less compression. So far I like 'em, except for the price.

[Blues Traveler]

I use straps, very few (2) since I got my Jesse top box and side bags. The straps are cheap at REI (about $2.50 each) and can be pulled tight to where nothing moves around. I still use a medium size bungee net over the top box down to the lids on each side box lid. Can still stuff an unwanted layer of clothing or a bag of chips ect. under the net when needed.:D

[wengland]

Uh, Rope?

I use bungies to set the stuff in position, then lash it down with rope. 50' roll is about $3 or less. Natural fibers hold better but get 'stuck' when wet.

Will

[Mellow]

I'd use rope too except I can barely tie my shoes much less a knot for my gear... LOL

I like straps just because they are quick for me, I have tried to untie a wet rope that's been knotted pretty good.. I felt like I was trying to solve a rubic's cube..

[nomad dan]

What about velcro, or "hook and loop" fastners. I mostly use bungees but for some things use velcro straps.

[mongo]

What about velcro, or "hook and loop" fastners. I mostly use bungees but for some things use velcro straps.

I have thought about velcro. We buy rolls of this stuff at work to straighten up bundles of cable. This stuff sure does stick in a climate controlled enviroment, but I don't think the climate would matter. As long as you strapped towards the rear of the bike so the wind wouldn't blow the wrap off, and there was enough overlap it should do good. Let us know how this works if you decide to use it.

[sandman]

I use yachtbraid rope. There is a fuzzy dacron rope made for yachts that won't harm the finish on the passenger handgrips. I've used this for 2 years now and I can fasten my gear down under any tension I choose without worrying about failure.

Gordon

[mongo]

I've just been trying the compromise between bungee & strap... the ROK Strap. It's a nylon strap with a section of flattened bungee material and a Fastex buckle There's a loop at both ends and the fastex buckle is in the middle, with a few inches of adjustment at the buckles. The first "con" is that they are fairly expensive. You have to buy various sizes, since the stretch range is more limited than the usual bungee. Actuallt, that's the only "Con" I've discovered so far. In every other way they are superior to bungees. They loop around frame & body parts with the nylon strap portions so there is no chance of scratching paintwork. Nothing but nylon strap comes anywhere near the bike. The flat bungee section doesn't squash a tight groove into your load, especially important when carrying your foam sleeping pad & down bag. The inch wide flat bungee material also provides more surface area in contact with the load, thus more friction for a given degree of tension... it makes for a more secure load with less compression. So far I like 'em, except for the price.

I recently bought a set of ROK straps, and have to agree these are great, the best I've used yet.

[Tombstone]

I use parachute cord, and a "spider web", which is several bungies connected together. Between the two I've not lost anything...yet. ;)

[ChipSTer]

What? You guys don't know about ROK straps? :confused:
Best thing since sliced bread!!! :D
:cool:

[Trailace]

What? You guys don't know about ROK straps? :confused:
Best thing since sliced bread!!! :D
:cool:

Anything that stores energy could come back to bite ya. How long have you been using them?

[Tx White Knight]

Anything that stores energy could come back to bite ya. How long have you been using them?

Yep, there is a lady here that had them. She had a hook break on one and it hit her in the eye, she has been over a year trying to get decent sight back in that eye.

[ChipSTer]

Anything that stores energy could come back to bite ya. How long have you been using them?
Over a year... And if they weren't latched properly, the energy they store is only equal to the amount you put into it... Not stored up like a regular bungee cord that is stretched to the max -with a hook in the end... :D
:cool:

[punk_emo_tx]

What? You guys don't know about ROK straps? :confused:
Best thing since sliced bread!!! :D
:cool:


Someone posted about Rok straps 1 1/2 years ago. :run1:


Me likey ROC straps. :)


http://www.rokstraps.com/motorbike_adjustable.html

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m20/ArkansasCampgrounds/DCP03796.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m20/ArkansasCampgrounds/DCP03797.jpg

[ChipSTer]

Yep... That's when I bought mine.... Works a charm!!! :D
:cool:

[Swashplate]

I like my adjustable ROK straps. I paid 18.95 for a set of 2 at http://store.mm411.com/catalog/index.cfm?fuseaction=product&id=1000and that included free shipping.

[Alan]

I've been using the ROK straps all summer and they are great straps, work better than any other kind. They really give you confidence that your gear will not be bouncing down the highway because you didn't tighten the old style straps enough.

[ParkerBill]

I'm with the ROK strap group. I've been using them for a couple of years and love them. I had a large duffel strapped down with them when I crashed and totalled my first '06 ST1300 in July of 2006. The duffel was friction-burned a bit on one end, but it was right where I strapped it down. The ROK straps didn't budge! I'm a believer in them. In fact, I'm going to buy another set or two and use them exclusively. Right now I still use a few bungies for smaller items when my ROK straps are already in use.

[kooler2]

The ROK Strap Rocks. Got me a couple and their the best things i have used in my 30 plus years on a bike, I'll never use anything else.

[gadgetman59]

I've used all of them, but prefer straps then bungees and lastly rope. Mostly depends on what I am going to secure and if it can take the strain.

[voyagerrider]

I always used bungees with metal hooks on them, but all you can find anymore are the ones with plastic hooks. They are bigger, and they break easier. I still like the bungee nets, but again the ones with the plastic coated metal hooks are getting hard to find. Bungee nets work well for like securing a helmet to the back seat or a couple of bags of ice for the cooler back at camp.
I have gone to these for Attaching other stuff to the bike . . .

http://piggybackstraps.com/

They use d-rings like on your helmet chin strap. Saw them in MCN. they work well the couple of times I have tried them. They are also less like to scratch paint as the metal hooks will.
Marty

[DAD]

ROK straps hands down, work great, pack small and they take a lickin and keep on tickin!:D

[LionLady]

I wonder if there is a combo strap...a little bit of elastic to pull in incase it become loose?

Check out Rok Straps. Nylon web strap with a short length of HEAVY DUTY rubber strap as well. Just enough "give" but not too much.

P

[braindead0]

been using bungees for longer than I can remember, never had a problem. I think a lot depends on how much/heavy/where things are being loaded. I see no reason to need a 10,000lb tensile strength tie down strap for a 3lb sleeping bag. I think the ROK straps are a bit pricey for what you get...I'm cheap ;-)

Oh yeah, I've also got a box with 3000' of un-oiled sisel... that cost less than one set of ROK straps ;-)

[Alphafang]

I like my bungee net but dont like bungees if the net lets go it usually grabs it's self not me. Bungees on the other hand have a will all of there own. I like the idea of the Rok Straps though they seem a bit excpensive, and not real easy to find over here in the UK. only ever seen them on fleabay.
Paul

[Jetfixer]

Well, I'm officially a convert. I've always used bungies until I read this thread so I went and got some cheapo straps from academy sports and tried them out on my big bend trip last week. I always roll the sleeping bag and air mattress up together and make it the same size as the roll with the tent and poles and put the two rolls in a duffle then lay it across the luggage rack. This time I compressed the duffle with 3 straps and laid it across the luggage rack and strapped it down with 3 more straps. The straps worked so much better than bungies at compressing everything and holding it steady on the rack. I'll never go back to bungies. Excellent topic!

[GoldWingGL]

I just picked up a set of these; mostly to secure stuff to the top of the Trailer. A little overkill, but hey?lol

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=47726

[braindead0]

I plan on getting some straps, OR even better (as far a I'm concerned) getting the webbing strap and fittings and making my own. Seems that way I could create perfect straps for what I'm doing....

[motomac]

I plan on getting some straps, OR even better (as far a I'm concerned) getting the webbing strap and fittings and making my own. Seems that way I could create perfect straps for what I'm doing....
If you find a place that sells D-Rings at a decent price please post it. I have looked a lot of places and can only find little dinky ones that don't work well for motorcylce packing purposes.

[GoldWingGL]

If you find a place that sells D-Rings at a decent price please post it. I have looked a lot of places and can only find little dinky ones that don't work well for motorcylce packing purposes.

Mac,

Have you tried a backpacking or climbing supply store? Have not been to it in a while, but there was one here that had all kinds of rings, latches, clips and assorted things of that nature. I might just take a trip over there again to see what they have...

[Trekker]

Mac- Fabric stores?

[braindead0]

If you find a place that sells D-Rings at a decent price please post it. I have looked a lot of places and can only find little dinky ones that don't work well for motorcylce packing purposes.
http://www.uswebbing.biz

They're in Erie PA, seem to have all the parts, webbing... d-rings, cam buckles, slides... you name it. May be better prices out there.

edit: found cheaper place, much cheaper: http://www.jontay.com
Being that your in the area, you might want to try the hardware store in hartville off 619 (used to be a tru-value, but I"m not sure if they are anymore). They tend to have tons and tons of hardware of the most obscure kinds.

[GoldWingGL]

Mac- Fabric stores?

Dave,

What are you doing in a Fabric store?LOL

[braindead0]

Dave,

What are you doing in a Fabric store?LOLare you insinuating something?

I can sew quite well, make my own clothes, spin my own yarn... weave my own fabric if need be..... Anybody that can't is a girly man :D

[GoldWingGL]

http://www.uswebbing.biz

They're in Erie PA, seem to have all the parts, webbing... d-rings, cam buckles, slides... you name it. May be better prices out there.

edit: found cheaper place, much cheaper: http://www.jontay.com
Being that your in the area, you might want to try the hardware store in hartville off 619 (used to be a tru-value, but I"m not sure if they are anymore). They tend to have tons and tons of hardware of the most obscure kinds.

That is just the kind of stuff I was talking about. Not sure about the prices here but I might find out today.

[GoldWingGL]

are you insinuating something?

I can sew quite well, make my own clothes, spin my own yarn... weave my own fabric if need be..... Anybody that can't is a girly man :D

Ok ok?LOL

I took that class in school too?.I have the skill, I just don?t use it?lol

[braindead0]

Ok ok?LOL

I took that class in school too?.I have the skill, I just don?t use it?lolThere's a class for it? Heck I've been spinning/weaving/sewing and various other textile arts as a hobby for 2 decades...

I guess though a class means you're not a girly man ;-)

I checked prices on that jontay site:

100yards of polypropylene 1" heavy duty, $20 (not sure what would be the best, just chose the poly as an example)
1" single adjusting plastic buckles 50 for $28 or 1.49 each
1" nickel plated d-rings, 50 for $16.50 or .99 each.

They also sell elastic cord (bungee cord with no hooks), although not by the foot it seems.

Pretty darned reasonable. Seems to me you could whip up 50 straps for about a buck each and a little bit of elbow grease.

[GoldWingGL]

I checked prices on that jontay site:

100yards of polypropylene 1" heavy duty, $20 (not sure what would be the best, just chose the poly as an example)
1" single adjusting plastic buckles 50 for $28 or 1.49 each
1" nickel plated d-rings, 50 for $16.50 or .99 each.

They also sell elastic cord (bungee cord with no hooks), although not by the foot it seems.

Pretty darned reasonable. Seems to me you could whip up 50 straps for about a buck each and a little bit of elbow grease.

Those prices don?t seem too bad at all?

[braindead0]

Those prices don?t seem too bad at all?I'm not sure what type of web strap would be the best for our uses, polypro seems like it would work well enough.

Anybody have any info on that? Nylon seems the most common, polypro seems common on cheap ties downs (I've got a few of those). Nylon might be a bit less abrasive on attach points.

[mongo]

http://www.uswebbing.biz

They're in Erie PA, seem to have all the parts, webbing... d-rings, cam buckles, slides... you name it. May be better prices out there.

edit: found cheaper place, much cheaper: http://www.jontay.com
Being that your in the area, you might want to try the hardware store in hartville off 619 (used to be a tru-value, but I"m not sure if they are anymore). They tend to have tons and tons of hardware of the most obscure kinds.

Thanks for the sites, hard to find stuff.

[LionLady]

Remember that your home made straps are only as strong as your hardware and the thread/glue that fixes the strapping to the hardware.

P

[braindead0]

Indeed, the cheaper site has spools of the appropriate thread (in various colors). Hand stitching this type of thing (I've done is several times, even on bike tie-downs) is very easy and takes me about 5-7 minutes per end if I'm doing something else (usually watching TV, chit chatting with the wifey..whatever). For the purposes of strapping down gear on a bike, it's not nearly as critical as serious load bearing tie downs.

The key with these is that the thread only has to resist shearing forces, if you use an appropriate adhesive (I tend to use fabric glue, works really well) also then the shearing forces applied to the actual thread are very minimal short of mongo the the wonder ape hauling the straps down. I tested mine in the past by doing a brisk pull up (250# and by brisk I mean a jerk up..er..sorry..that sounds a bit filthy ;-). Never had a failure.

I would be more concerned about wear, but if you inspect them it's easy enough to repair.

[motomac]

Mac- Fabric stores?
Thanks Dave, but I've tried Joann Fabrics, Pat Catan's, and Michaels.
Braindead0, I've been to the True Value in Hartville and Lehman's in Kidron. No luck. Joann's has little dinky ones that I did buy and sew them on a strap, but they don't allow an easy release once you cinch the strap around what ever your strapping down. Really have to work at loosening the strap. Thanks for the info.

[braindead0]

Thanks Dave, but I've tried Joann Fabrics, Pat Catan's, and Michaels.
Braindead0, I've been to the True Value in Hartville and Lehman's in Kidron. No luck. Joann's has little dinky ones that I did buy and sew them on a strap, but they don't allow an easy release once you cinch the strap around what ever your strapping down. Really have to work at loosening the strap. Thanks for the info.Wanna split on an order? I don't think I need 100yards of webbing, 50 would probably be enough. They've got various sizes, I didn't check the max d-ring width they have, but I'm sure it's not dinky.

[LionLady]

www.seattlefabrics.com They've got amazing stuff for outdoor gear, including webbing in every sort of material.

They've even got silicon impregnated fabric - you could make your own tent, if you wanted to!!!

P

[GoldWingGL]

www.seattlefabrics.com They've got amazing stuff for outdoor gear, including webbing in every sort of material.

They've even got silicon impregnated fabric - you could make your own tent, if you wanted to!!!

P

They have a lot of stuff but I was just in the Backpackers Supply Store here in Tacoma and the prices seem to be less than half of some of the prices of what I have seen on the Seattle Fabrics site.
I went through some of the items in their catalog with an employee and the prices were very good. They don?t list items online but you can order a catalog.
http://www.marmotmountain.com/store-tacoma.htm

[braindead0]

www.seattlefabrics.com They've got amazing stuff for outdoor gear, including webbing in every sort of material.

They've even got silicon impregnated fabric - you could make your own tent, if you wanted to!!!

PYikes, prices are over twice what jontay.com lists for 1" wide polypro webbing. They do surely have a much bigger selection of other stuff though.

[Lat]

The only good bungee cord is a dead bungee cord...

http://jlphotos.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Wrenching/photo/746368287_377Hd-L-1.jpg

Well, that is a little harsh, I guess. I do have a bungee net that I use for a six pack or light stuff from the grocery sometimes. Otherwise, I use straps with D-rings. I wish I could let go enough to trust the ROK straps. The D-ring straps are easier to use as they get older, more broken in. Might have something to do with hand oils?

I got mine from Helen when she still owned Helen TwoWheels (http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/product/7914/Helen_Twowheels_Super_Pack_Straps). ~Jeff

[STraddler]

I'm a huge fan of the ROK straps . They're awesome.

[Bruce Storts]

I started out in '80 with bungees and was introduced to straps shotly there after. Still useing them. Now on third bike. You can really put some sench down on your gear. I have one cheep set and the others are heaver duty and I like them the best. The better ones came REI and campmor.

[jeepinbanditrider]

I use the "Flat Staps" from Wal Mart. I can buy enough for any load I'd put on the bike for 8 dollars and even if I only use them for one trip I'm not worried if I loose them or let soemone borrow them and they never come back. They also have high density plastic hooks on them so no worry about them becoming sharp unless you are griding them on the ground.

I've used the light duty ratchet straps a few times also for heavier stuff but they are definatly over kill for anything on a bike.

IMO bungie type strap rather they be round or flat work for 99 percent of the stuff you will haul around on a motorcycle as long as you have something on the bike to hook them to.........which I've never had a problem finding on any bike short of a full on Sportbike.

[quadancer]

I got the REI straps in two lengths. We almost lost our sleeping bags the first trip when the straps slipped off, because I had them atop the saddle bags and the straps went across the p-pad, and couldn't be pulled real tight. The rule with non-elastic straps is that the load itself is the elastic; the straps have to be tight.
Still, 50 years of bungee cords and I had one accident: hauling lumber on a flatbed truck, a sun-weathered load strap broke, hook hit me in the eye and I went down on my knees in the hot sun...almost passed out.
Keep rubber out of the sun.
The ball-type bungees you can get at Lowe's something like 10 for $10 in a can...they actually work quite well. A mix of bungees, straps and ball-ends gives me a lot of versatility to camp with.

[kayakinbiker]

The only good bungee cord is a dead bungee cord...

http://jlphotos.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Wrenching/photo/746368287_377Hd-L-1.jpg

Well, that is a little harsh, I guess. I do have a bungee net that I use for a six pack or light stuff from the grocery sometimes. Otherwise, I use straps with D-rings. I wish I could let go enough to trust the ROK straps. The D-ring straps are easier to use as they get older, more broken in. Might have something to do with hand oils?

I got mine from Helen when she still owned Helen TwoWheels (http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/product/7914/Helen_Twowheels_Super_Pack_Straps). ~Jeff

I have a set of the dring ropes from H2W and have 3 of her bags..LOVE the bags but HATE packing them on my bike and I am going to have to repack most days while on my trip this summer.. good topic and I think I will get a pair of those Rok straps.. I have been usinf the dring straps I got with my bags..didn't get them long enough, so I have to use bungees.. don't trust them 100% as I often haul heavy packs....sooo I also was using ratchet straps.. they hold well, but are a pain if ya get the straps tangled...ROK here I come!

BTW my bags have NEVER leaked even in downpours....

[quadancer]

I just had a weird idea; maybe it's good...I have a few straps around from the ratchet straps where the ratchets rusted up or broke or got run over...
I wonder if I could take a couple chain links and use them like D rings? Hmmm...

[Tx White Knight]

Linda ...
Look on e-bay for good deals on the ROK straps ... I bought a couple of sets from there ...cheap ... P^

+1 on the ROK straps, I held a duffel and a mc cover in speeds of er ahhh well lets just north of 70 a ways and stuff never even wiggeled :D

[ImRubicon]

Another one for rok straps as in they have lasteds longer and none have popped and smacked me . They hold pretty darn well at speeds and little to no adjustment needed for length of trip. I connect tighten and pretty much forget them unti lI undo them .
Best ad is I would buy more of them and I pretty much only use bungee cords for light stuff once in awhile because Im to lazy to go get more rok straps LOL and have bungees left to use up

[kayakinbiker]

FINALLY ordered my Rok straps!! Got the adjustable ones as I feel i will have a mountain on my bike by the time I get thru adding Georgia's lil carrier! HAHA!! I am on my way to thinking about going on a couple small starter trips for her and much needed getaways for me!

Still need to hear when I go for my surgery and then I can know better whether I will be able to do these lil trips....at any rate I will have to pay more attention to the bumps in the road..HAHA!!!!

[kaitiff]

I bought a set of mc packing straps from Helen 2 wheels and they ROCK. Wife has a perty bike and refused to use anything with hooks so as not to cause paint damage.. but with her solo rack needed something that could pull tight. She had a load on behind her that was almost taller than she was and after using the straps on it I think I could have picked her bike up with them. Nylon web w/ D-rings on em and loops on the other to attach to very hard to reach spots on the bike.
http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/category/Helen_Twowheels_Super_Pack_Straps/?r=H2W

[kayakinbiker]

I have a set of H2W straps for my back gear and they work pretty good.. I still wanted something that might be even better as I am going to be carrying precious cargo.. my lil Georgia, and she will actually be riding on top of 1 of the tightly-packed H2W bags...i may have to move her to the back carrier.. we shall have to ride with a friend following for the 1st couple of times...

[RCLafnjack]

I"m a tweener... I use straps on some things, bungie cords on others and rope on still others. Bunge cords work well if you have a good place to hook them, stretching to far can have hurtful results.

Everything in moderation I say...

[STraddler]

I'm a big fan of ROK straps .

[Whosoever]

I"m a tweener... I use straps on some things, bungie cords on others and rope on still others. Bunge cords work well if you have a good place to hook them, stretching to far can have hurtful results.

Everything in moderation I say...

Agree! I don't have any of the ROK straps....yet. But looking at their construction on line aren't they actually a combination of both only in a more controlled method. Those I looked at had a small elastic section attached to buckle and the other part solid strap webbing with a hook or loop on the ends. Kinda the best of both worlds.