HUNGRY🇦🇺
I went to Australia last November.
The purpose of the visit was going to Heaps Good Garage, Crust’s Australian warehouse.
I spent a wonderful time spending time with Matt and Cheech at their place.
The video above is from when we did a bike camping event. It was an opened event, so many cool people showed up, but I’d like to introduce one of the people who was at the event.
This is Harry, the owner of a handmade bike bag brand called “Hungry”.
I didn’t know who was coming until the day of the event, so it was a surprise for me. I was very psyched to see him in person. I knew about the brand through Crust’s socials, but I didn’t expect to see him!
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This was the Evasion that Harry rode. Back then, Heaps Good Garage didn’t exist and the Australian distributors of Crust was run by Jambi Jambi. She also showed up at the event and was using Hungry bags.
Keith from Kumo Cycles also had their bags on his bike.
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(Keith just posted his new bike build as I was writing this blog. The bike of course is fully kitted with custom bags!)
I could tell that Hungry bags plays an important role in their community.
And I’m very excited to announce that we have become the official dealer for Hungry Bags. I’d like to show 4 of their products that got delivered and a short interview I did with harry, which would be at the end of this blog.
All the bag I am about to show are each made by hand, so all of them are one of its kind.
The Smorgasbord V2
A huge handlebar bag. This I think is the first product made by Harry, who is a bikepacking enthusiast.
The size of the bags are similar to the Fairweather Handlebar bag ADV or the Fab’s Chest by Ron’s Bikes.
The huge side pockets are one of the charms of these bags. It can easily fit 1l Nalgene bottles. The main compartment features a roll-top closure, so you can expand the main compartment if needed.
You can compress the bag when there’s few stuff in there, but you could also extend the flap and…
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Do a massive packing like Harry in this post.
Yue and Wentz was coincidently riding a drop bar bike with a single speed lever, which they were able to mount the bags without a problem.
This is not something you should watch out for Hungry bags, but you need to be careful or your bar width, if you’re running drop bars, or if your bike is rack-less for this type of big bar bags.
If you have a front rack with riser bars, it shouldn’t be a problem.
I was able to put them on my bike without a rack. My bike is a medium Crust Evasion Trail 140.
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With that said, it is more safe to have a rack or a bag supporter on your bike, regardless of your frame size.
There are three sizes for the SMORGASBORD V2. The main difference in size is the width.
Height : 22cm
Depth : 18cm
Width :
S : 28cm (46cm including the side pockets)
M : 33cm (51cm including the side pockets)
L : 38cm (56cm including the side pockets)
If you have approximately 24-25cm of clearance between the bar clamp and front tires, you’ll be able to clear the bag.
Fancy Tote
A tote bag full of bright colors. They are the perfect size for loading onto Wald baskets.
These are also huge bags. It can fit up to 30L of load. The main compartment and the side pockets feature zippers and they also have waterproof linings.
This thing can fit pretty much anything! Most Hungry bags have bright orange linings. Not only its cool, but it makes it easier to find what you need in the dark.
If you’re a fan of 139 baskets, they offer these totes perfect for them, which fits 43L of load! They’re great for daily use and bikepacking for sure.
The totes come with the B. Keeper straps, which are patent pending. You can use these to secure the bags onto the basket.
You can attach and detach easily with a simple buckle.
I’m currently looking for a cargo bike, so if I get one, I’d love to use the 139 tote.
The Muncher v2.0
The Big Lunch is a handlebar bag/waist bag/shoulder bag.
They have roll-top closure and could stow up to 9L when the flap is opened and 5-6L when closed. These are also waterproof, so they should be a great daily carry bag.
They feature mesh fabric in the back, making it breathable. The shoulder strap can be stowed inside this mesh fabric, so it won’t bother you when using them as handlebar bags.
There is a small room in the main compartment which has a waterproof zipper. You can stow somethings you’d like to take out quickly in here during the ride.
If you run out of room in the bag, you can use the buckle strap on the front side of the bag like in the image above.
I personally bought the V2.69 version of these bags at Crumb Works 5 years ago, and I still use it til this day. I love that they keep updating the bags.
The Muncher v2.0
Last but not least, stem bags! I love all their product names!
A cool stem bag with nice color panels. According to Harry, he started putting foam padding in the bags from the v2.0. This makes the bag to stay in shape, which makes it easier to put stuff in and out from the bag.
Just like the other products, its got orange linings and has drain holes, which are important for stem bags. The side pocket was so easy to stow smart phones too!
Those were all the products we got from this delivery. I couldn’t show all the color-ways, so please go on to the website to see all of them.
Now of the interview! Harry kindly sent some photos of his workshop, so I think it’s a super enjoyable interview. I hope you guys like it. (Thank you so much Harry!)
– Could you please introduce yourself?
Hey Ming! I’m so excited to be in Blue Lug, what a treat! I’m Harry – born and raised in Sydney, Australia! Now living in Armidale in Northern NSW (about 2 hours inland from Crust!). It’s Australia’s highest city at 1000 metres! Lot’s of nice open country up here, great riding and it’s nice and cold.
Pre-HUNGRY I was a bike messenger for about 4 years which was a lot of fun. Then I had an office job that wasn’t very fun, but that’s when I bought a sewing machine and started making bags so that was good at least!
And yes we also have two kids! An almost 3 year old and an almost 8 month old. A lot of my time is spent with them but I do get a bit of work done sometimes too, just the right balance I’d say!
– Could you tell us the history of Hungry?
When I was working in that office job I didn’t really have much of a creative outlet so wasn’t super happy… I had sewn a few small things (camping tarps and stuff sacks kinda things) on borrowed machines and really enjoyed the process, so I bought an industrial sewing machine and started making my own bike bags. I made my first framebag at the start of 2018 for my Evasion, it was pretty rough but I remember being so stoked on it! I’ve done over 500 framebags now and a few thousand other bags so things have certainly gotten a bit better since then. Always more to learn, though!
I *officially* started HUNGRY on July 6th, 2018. I have moved the studio seven times since starting! I think I’ll be in the current spot until I open an actual store, maybe in a few years.
– What are some things that you keep in mind when making your products?
I personally thought you mainly made bags for bikepacking, but I’ve noticed that The Smörgåsbord was a pretty recent product so is that not the case? We’re also pretty excited about the bags that are good for daily use, such as the Fancy Tote and the Big Lunch. I have big lunch v2.69 got from CRUMB 5years ago haha!
I think I’d say I make bikepacking bags that work just as well when you’re not bikepacking – and don’t really look too much like “Bikepacking” bags. The Smorgasbord is a good example – you can pack lots in and take it camping, or you can fold down the roll top and run it like a basket for your day rides. It’s nice and adaptable.
I think having kids made me change my bag philosophy a little bit too. I used to think about everything having a place and lots of little pockets for things, but now think more about how things can be practical, simple and easy to use. If I’m packing for a day out I want the important things in one place, and everything else in another place that I can access easily. It’s really easy to get bogged down when designing but I’m really happy with the things I’ve been making lately.
– What bikes have you ridden so far? I’ve heard you rode BMX for a long time. I remember you riding the Karate Monkey at the ride in Australia. You also said that the bike is umbreakable😂
Yeah I am a serial bike buyer and seller so I’ve been through a few! I rode BMX through school and for a few years after, I still get it out every once in a while but I’m on big wheels mostly now. I had track bikes back in the 2010s, then onto CX bikes and MTBs. The tyres just kept getting wider!
Nowadays I try to ride off road as much as possible – mostly gravel and MTB. My KM I’ve had for 9 years now! Easily the longest I’ve ever owned a bike, don’t think I’ll ever get rid of it! It’s got a seat on it now for my daughter so we’re often out on the trails together 🙂
I’m about to get a custom Kumo trail bike too!! Super excited for that. I’ve been friends with Keith for over a decade so really keen to finally own a bike of his.
– Could you tell us about the bike scene in Australia especially Sydney and NSW?
There’s a lot of variety over here!! We’ve been living in a really small town for the last few years so unfortunately haven’t seen heaps of it outside of instagram, but there are lots of people doing really cool things like you mentioned.
We moved to Armidale at the start of the year and there’s a good bike scene here! Mostly XC MTB and Gravel riding, but it’s all fun! I even got a number on for a race a few times (I got smoked by all the plastic e-bikes but that’s okay!).
I don’t have heaps of time to get out on big trips at the moment but there are some really good bikepacking routes in this area that I’m keen to get into when I can. Jorja (Jambi Jambi) has been putting on great events that aren’t races too!! I’m very much not competitive so it’s nice to see events based more around a vibe than a clock <3 Maybe you guys can come back next year for it!?
CMWC looked like a lot of fun! I was too busy that weekend hanging out with you guys though!! I went to CMWC in 2013, 15 and 16 and they were all so fun.
– I found out about HUNGRY through Crust Bikes. How did you guys meet them?
First time I met Matt I was just riding through Sydney and spotted him on his Evasion (must have been the first one?). I only knew him on Instagram so I messaged him when I got home, and was on my way to meet up and I got hit by a car and broke my wrist!! I still blame him for that! That was 11 years ago!! I think I saw him the next day though and he gave me a patch so thanks Matt.
It’s been great to watch them grow, and Matt really helped me out stocking HUNGRY at Crust in the US a few years ago. I still owe him for a Tamiya RC Kit. I might have to ride down to his place and give him cash soon.
– Have you ever been to Japan? You are allways welcome!
Not yet!! It’s absolutely top of my list. I know I’ll love it – hopefully I can get over there soon. It’s hard with young kids, but we’ll make it happen in the next few years 🙂
– Have you ever been to Japan? You are always welcome!
Not yet!! It’s absolutely top of my list. I know I’ll love it – hopefully I can get over there soon. It’s hard with young kids, but we’ll make it happen in the next few years 🙂
And that’s it! Thanks again Harry and thank you all for reading til the end.
– Ming
