🚴 Le Rouquin qui roule: Brittany, where adventure happens!
Let me take you behind the scenes of bags like no other. At"Le Rouquin qui roule", we swear by the circular economy: nothing is lost, everything is transformed! Imagine scraps of clothing fabric, a volume of surplus, or even end-of-life objects reborn as sturdy, waterproof, lightweight products. It's a bit of magic, but with a screwdriver and a sewing machine (and a lot of work! 💪 )!
And who says eco-design, says meticulous choice of materials. We're talking coated acrylic canvas, robust polyester, and even X-PAC, all sourced from heavyweight local partners like the Guy Cotten factory or nautical saddlery workshops. It's serious, robust, but always with that little Breton touch that makes the difference (crêpes de Bretagne not included though 😕😊).
In the workshop of Patrick Pardy, head tailor, every bicycle saddle, handlebar or frame finds its ideal pannier, custom-made or in stock, to make your cycling trip as unique as it is comfortable. And if you thought bike bags were dull, think again! Here, we juggle colors, shapes and functions to make each model a little rolling work of art. 🎨
🏞️ Velocidade: Ariège, in the heart of the Pyrenees!
In the heart of the Pyrenees, in Mirepoix, a small revolution is underway in the world of bikepacking. Velocidade is the name that has cycle and nature enthusiasts buzzing. 🚴♂️
In this workshop nestled in the mountains, each pannier is an ode to craftsmanship and respect for the environment. Velocidade is more than a brand, it's a promise of quality and durability. The materials chosen? Waterproof, UV-resistant Oeko Tex fabric made in France. 🌦️
But that's not all. Velocidade takes its commitment to the planet seriously. One percent of every sale goes directly to associations dedicated to preserving the environment. Not bad, eh? 🌍
Ricardo Vieira, the founder, is a true artist with needle and thread. Inspired by his grandfather, who gave him his first sewing machine, he embarked on the Velocidade adventure with passion and determination. A vegetarian for over two decades, Ricardo embodies the spirit of localism and happy sobriety (no, he doesn't sew his bags while eating tofu! Let's not exaggerate! 🤣).
With a production of over 1,000 bags and 61,000 meters of sewing thread used, Velocidade offers 18 different models of equipment. Each one is designed to last a long time, repairable if necessary, and thought out to minimize the use of raw materials. Now that's what we call sustainable design! 💪
🌿 La Sacoche Filante: Drôme, where style meets lavender!
Imagine a bike bag that's as rainproof as a rock and as pretty as a heart. That's La Sacoche Filante 's challenge: to combine the useful with the pleasurable, the practical with the charming. Because travelling through beautiful landscapes with luggage that looks good is priceless! 😎
The icing on the cake is overcycling. La Sacoche Filante gives a second life to materials that would otherwise have ended up in the garbage can. The ugly duckling becomes a magnificent swan, but in a leather satchel version. ♻️
The story of these bags begins like a fairy tale, or almost. A scorching day in Peru, an adventure in America, and a broken pannier fastener lead Jonathan, our craftsman-seamstress, to a revelation: to create panniers that won't let you down, even at the end of the world. This dream has become reality, with the added bonus of Made In France craftsmanship. 🌎
⚓ Bakkie: Charente-Maritime, between sea and robustness!
At Bakkie, we don't do things by halves. Each bag is a marvel of sturdiness and versatility. Ever thought of carrying a crate of fish or a crate of vegetables on your bike? Well, with Bakkie, it's not only possible, but incredibly stylish too! 🐟
Made in the Hauts-de-France region of France, these bags are designed to be durable and easy to repair. A quick trip to the local cobbler or saddler before your errands, and your Bakkie bag is ready to set off again for thousands of kilometers. That's the magic of Made in France! 🎉
Let's introduce Bruno, the creative mind behind Bakkie. A former skipper and restaurateur, Bruno has an unrivalled flair for keepingthings simple and effective. His passion for cycling and his taste for sustainable solutions led him to create Bakkie (you can't go from sailing boats to bicycles without losing your bearings!) ⛵
Bakkie's story begins with a birthday present turned into a prototype for an all-purpose bike bag. A towing rack that becomes a revolutionary accessory. That's the Bakkie spirit: transforming everyday life with simple, sustainable solutions. 🎁
Today, Bakkie offers a range of utilitarian accessories that are simple and, of course, repairable. And guess what? Prototypes and handmade bags are made in Fouras, while mass-produced bags see the light of day in the North. (Because, after all, why choose between the North and the South when you can have the best of both?) 🚲💪
🛠️ Zefal : Loiret, where tradition meets innovation!
Zéfal is the story of over 140 years of cycling passion. Here, equipment innovation isn't just a buzzword, it's a daily mission. Their goal? To ensure that nothing dampens your passion for cycling, not rain, not wind, not even the passage of time. 🚴♂️
Matthieu and Aurélien Brunet, two sporty brothers, hold the handlebars firmly and are determined to continue the tradition of innovation and quality. 👨👦👦
But Zéfal's greatest strength is its team, a large family of one hundred employees , all passionate about bicycles. Imagine a place where everyone contributes their grain of salt to create panniers that are stronger, more waterproof, and more clever than ever. 🍲
What about Made in France? At Zéfal, it's more than a label, it's a conviction. Over 60% of our accessories are made in our Jargeau factory. Each bag is a hymn to French know-how. (Like good wine, it improves with age, and it's better when it's local!) 🍷
As part of the French Fab, Zéfal proudly embodies French industry, with a strong commitment to the local economy and sustainable development. (Because manufacturing in France also means taking care of our beautiful planet!) 🌍
👍 Bonus: La Virgule, the art of responsible upcycling
Come on, a little bonus brand (we love you so much! 🥰 ). Introducing La Virgule, a brand that redefines the elegance of made-in-France bicycle bags with an international twist. Their products, sourced from France, Portugal and Germany, embody sustainability and local know-how. 🧑🏭
The brand is renowned for its inclusive approach, transforming old lifeboats into sturdy canvas for panniers, thanks to the meticulous work of social integration enterprises. It's no longer recycling, it's industrial upcycling! 🎇
Each product is carefully hand-sewn in workshops in northern Portugal and France, guaranteeing exceptional quality and longevity. With La Virgule, each satchel is not just an accessory, it's a lasting piece of art, a testament to refined, eco-responsible fashion. Hats off to you! 🎩