Navigating challenging terrains, whether it’s a muddy Level-B road, a rocky mountain trail, or deep snow, often requires cyclists to engage in hike-a-bike. The BANDito Sling, a creation from the minds behind BIKEIOWA.com and Pogie Lites, is engineered to simplify these moments. This multi-functional strap isn’t just a bike-carry tool; it’s a versatile companion for various cycling needs, designed to make carrying your bike easier, more comfortable, and significantly more controlled. Imagine using a single tool as a bike carry solution, a tow rope in emergencies, a bikepacking clothesline, or even a temporary bike stand – the BANDito Sling delivers all this and more.
Pro Tip: For extra value, use the discount code Bandito3Buck at checkout to save $3, effectively reducing your shipping costs!
Effortless Bike Carrying: How to Use Your Sling Bike Strap
Simplicity is at the heart of the BANDito Sling’s design. To use it as a bike carry strap, just follow these straightforward steps:
- Secure one loop around your seat post, positioning it towards the nose of your seat.
- Attach the other loop to your handlebars.
- Lift the strap over your shoulder.
Instantly, your bike is ready to be carried, freeing you to tackle any obstacle on foot. Reversing this process quickly prepares you to ride again as soon as the terrain allows.
Usage Tips for Optimal Bike Carry:
- Adjust for Terrain and Height: Customize the loop positions to find the ideal carry height for your body and the specific terrain. Higher positions are better for rocky or uneven paths.
- Front Wheel Control: Notice how the front wheel naturally turns to the left. This design keeps it out of your walking path, enhancing maneuverability.
- Pedal Positioning: If the pedal occasionally brushes against your leg, a slight backward spin of the pedal will resolve this, ensuring a comfortable carry.
Usage Video: While our original usage video from 2017 features the Daisy Chain model, the fundamental carrying technique remains the same for the BANDito Sling. We are planning to release an updated video soon to showcase the latest features.
Why the BANDito Sling is Essential for Every Cyclist
The BANDito Sling isn’t just an accessory; it’s a solution to common cycling challenges across different disciplines:
- Gravel Cyclists’ Ally: Gravel adventures, especially long races, often involve muddy or unpaved Level-B roads. These conditions can quickly clog tires and drastically increase bike weight. The experienced cyclist’s wisdom is clear: dismount, sling your bike, and carry it until you reach rideable terrain. The BANDito Sling makes this transition seamless and less strenuous.
- Mountain Biker’s Best Friend: Mountain biking frequently demands navigating hike-a-bike sections. Whether it’s scaling steep rock faces, traversing fallen logs, or pushing through unrideable inclines, the BANDito Sling becomes indispensable. It frees your hands for balance and momentum, allowing you to conquer challenging terrain with greater ease and confidence.
- Fat Biking in Deep Snow: Fat bikes are designed for snow, but even they have limits. When snow becomes too deep to pedal or even push through, the BANDito Sling transforms your fat bike into a manageable load to carry. Keep exploring winter landscapes without being bogged down.
Key Benefits of the BANDito Sling Bike Carry Strap
Investing in a BANDito Sling means investing in your cycling comfort and efficiency:
- Shoulder Protection and Comfort: Carrying a bike, especially on demanding terrains like muddy Level-B roads, is physically taxing. The BANDito Sling significantly reduces strain on your shoulder and arms, helping you conserve energy and stay fresher for longer rides.
- Hands-Free Freedom: With your bike securely slung across your shoulder, your hands are completely free. This is crucial for tasks like grabbing nutrition, consulting route cues, staying hydrated, clearing trailside obstacles, or even using your hands to climb steep embankments.
- Customizable Carry Height: The intelligent multi-loop design of the BANDito Sling allows for adjustable carry height. For particularly rocky or unstable ground, simply use loops closer to the center to raise the bike higher, providing extra clearance.
- Universal Fit for All Riders: Regardless of your torso length or body size, the adjustable loops ensure a comfortable and balanced bike carry. Customize the sling to match your height and the demands of the trail ahead.
Beyond Bike Carrying: Unleashing Versatility
While primarily designed as a superior bike carry strap, the BANDito Sling’s utility extends far beyond. It’s a resourceful tool for numerous unexpected situations:
- Improvised Bike Repair Stand: Need to perform trailside maintenance like chain lubrication or derailleur adjustments? Utilize the sling to suspend your bike from a tree branch, creating a makeshift repair stand for quick and easy fixes.
- Emergency Towing Solution: Mechanical failures can strike at any time. In a pinch, the BANDito Sling can serve as an emergency tow rope. Loop one end to a fellow cyclist’s seat and the other to your pedal or handlebar for a temporary towing solution. While not ideal for long distances, it’s effective for short tows to safety or assistance.
- Bikepacking and Camping Multitool: For bikepacking and camping trips, the sling’s versatility shines. Use it as a convenient clothesline to dry garments, a robust firewood carrier, a handy pannier hanger, or even as lumbar support when resting. It can also be used to safely dip your water bottle into streams from higher banks, avoiding getting muddy or wet yourself.
- Bike Stabilizer: In windy conditions, or when camping, secure your bike against trees, fences, or other supports using the sling to prevent tip-overs. Suspending your bike from a tree overnight can also deter curious critters.
- Quick Security Lock: For brief stops in less secure areas, loop the sling through your bike frame and wheels. It’s not a replacement for a robust U-lock, but it adds a deterrent layer of security for quick errands.
- Backup Hammock Strap: Carry a D-ring, and your BANDito Sling can double as a spare hammock strap, adding to its backcountry versatility.
The more you incorporate the BANDito Sling into your cycling adventures, the more innovative uses you’ll discover. Its adaptability is limited only by your creativity!
Efficient Packing and Unpacking
The BANDito Sling is designed for convenience in every aspect, including packing:
- Quick Release: To unpack, simply hold the BIKEIOWA label with one hand and pull the strap out with the other. It’s designed for rapid deployment when you need it most.
- Compact Repacking: To repack, just stuff the strap back into its integrated bag. The snug fit is intentional, minimizing pack size and saving valuable space in your cycling gear. Leave the large loop (opposite the bag) partially out for quicker access next time you need it.
For race scenarios, speed is crucial. It’s often more efficient to keep the sling un-stuffed in a jersey pocket or bag for immediate access, as repacking, while simple, does require a moment and both hands.
BANDito Sling: The Refined Alternative to Daisy Chains
While traditional climber’s daisy chains might seem similar, the BANDito Sling offers significant improvements specifically for cyclists:
- Optimized Compactness: Designed to be as small as possible, the BANDito Sling saves space because it’s engineered for bike carry, not load-bearing body weight.
- Lightweight Efficiency: Loops are strategically placed only where needed for effective hike-a-bike use, eliminating unnecessary bulk and weight found in generic daisy chains.
Specifically built for the needs of cyclists, the BANDito Sling is optimized for performance and convenience on any trail.
Technical Specifications
- Strap Width: 3/4″
- Strap Length: 46″
- Bag Size: 4″ tall x 2.75″ wide (increases by 1″ in height when sling is packed)
- Small Loops: 5 loops, each 3″
- Big Loops: 2 loops, each 5″, located at each end
- Strap Color: Black
- Bag Color: Black
- Micro-cord Color: Black & White
- Micro-cord length: 10 inches
- Micro-cord Specs: 100lb tensile strength
- Toggle Color: Black
- Total Weight: An incredibly light 1.5 ounces!
Caring for Your BANDito Sling
Durability is built into every BANDito Sling, using robust materials like heavy-duty strapping, rip-stop fabric for the bag, strong micro-cord, and a reliable toggle. To ensure longevity, treat it as you would any high-quality bikepacking gear. Clean it if it gets dirty, but avoid machine drying, which can degrade the fabric over time. Hand washing and air drying are recommended to maintain its integrity.
The Story Behind the BANDito Sling Logo
The distinctive BANDito Sling logo is inspired by a moment captured of our friend Tyler Johnson. His resourceful use of a sling before tackling a particularly challenging muddy Level-B road section sparked the visual concept for the abstract logo you see today – a tribute to practical problem-solving in cycling.
Proudly Made in the USA, Crafted in Iowa
Every BANDito Sling is a product of local craftsmanship. Cut, sewn, and assembled in Central Iowa, these slings are made by the same dedicated team behind BIKEIOWA.com and Pogie Lites. Produced in small batches, each BANDito Sling reflects a commitment to quality and supports American manufacturing.
