Behold my glorious DIY bridge hammock (Bic/HikingDad design)

**SandmanBravo** · 09-20-2018, 05:55

Looks like you're a cottage vendor in the making!

**scrope** · 09-20-2018, 09:30

Originally Posted by No-sage

I made one of these also, it’s a nice project. I would make it a touch wider then the plan if I did it again.

That's my thinking as well. I was OK with it until I got my RidgeRunner and found the added width of the RR was nice. It's all a tradeoff but for a slight increase in cost/weight my preference is for a slightly wider hammock. Still, it's a great hammock and was easy to make.

**scrope** · 09-20-2018, 09:35

Originally Posted by Baka Dasai

Now with saddle bags added, as per Bic's video instructions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANG-nVU8LPM

I like the look of the saddle bags (especially since I've fallen in love with my RidgeRunner's saddlebags). The RR has "sections" to their bags with one being shallower and one being deeper. I keep a few things that I always need in the shallow ends like my lamp and reading glasses. Other stuff goes in the deeper section.

Do you have any issues with the larger saddlebags by having everything in a single large bag? Is it easy to find the small stuff or does it just get lost in the big compartment with the other stuff?

**Baka Dasai** · 09-20-2018, 11:57

Originally Posted by scrope

I like the look of the saddle bags (especially since I've fallen in love with my RidgeRunner's saddlebags). The RR has "sections" to their bags with one being shallower and one being deeper. I keep a few things that I always need in the shallow ends like my lamp and reading glasses. Other stuff goes in the deeper section.

Do you have any issues with the larger saddlebags by having everything in a single large bag? Is it easy to find the small stuff or does it just get lost in the big compartment with the other stuff?

It's a bit early to tell cos i haven't used it much yet, but it seems like small things could get a bit lost in these big saddle bags, especially if there were clothes or other bulky stuff in there. On the other hand, things seem to stay more or less where you leave them, so a small item in a corner will probably stay there and be findable. Time will tell, though I already know that I love the general concept of saddle bags.

Thinking...I could run a seam about 2/3rds among the bags to create a partition...hmmm

**MiteyF** · 09-20-2018, 19:44

I did a modified Bic bridge last year and got some guff on my overly heavy (albeit free) spreader brackets. LOVE the bobbin idea.

**Baka Dasai** · 09-21-2018, 20:23

Originally Posted by scrope

I was OK with it until I got my RidgeRunner and found the added width of the RR was nice. It's all a tradeoff but for a slight increase in cost/weight my preference is for a slightly wider hammock.

Can you tell me if the quilts designed for the Ridgerunner will also fit a Bic bridge? I'm currently using my Hammockgear Incubator, but it's not ideal, and it makes it impossible to use the saddlebags.

Originally Posted by MiteyF

I did a modified Bic bridge last year and got some guff on my overly heavy (albeit free) spreader brackets. LOVE the bobbin idea.

I've now made them heavier by adding a little Sugru for tarp protection:

**XJ35S** · 09-22-2018, 09:08

That sugru is awesome stuff. Any chance we can see someone laying in the hammock? In bic's video it looked like the girl was laying upside down (head end low). I'm very curious about this. You've done an excellent job !!

**gmcttr** · 09-25-2018, 05:31

Originally Posted by Baka Dasai

...I'll try and bend the outer rim of the bobbin inwards a little so that the edge of the bobbin is less likely to cut into the tarp when the hammock swings around while I'm getting in and out of it. Alternatively (or in addition) I'll mold some Sugru to the outside of the bobbin as a "bumper"....

You can also remove the bobbin as it is not needed.

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**Baka Dasai** · 09-25-2018, 06:17

Originally Posted by gmcttr

You can also remove the bobbin as it is not needed.

IMG_0338cropped (Large).jpg IMG_3397 (Medium).JPG

Yes, I've tried that, and I'm a bit torn. I like the simplicity of it, and I'm generally predisposed to "no-hardware", but the bobbin does make it easier to insert and remove the spreader bars, and also adds some tarp-protection.