The BikeBackbone story

Built on the road.

Before BikeBackbone was a company, it was one rider, one overloaded backpack, and thousands of miles ahead.

The BikeBackbone story

Born on the road.

TraveledStill ahead

Valparaiso, Indiana · setting out

A journey toward Argentina.

One rider, a 44-liter hiking backpack, and Argentina on the horizon. The problem that would create BikeBackbone was already on Adam’s shoulders.

Valparaiso, Indiana · The departure

A journey toward Argentina.

Founder Adam Keen left Valparaiso, Indiana—outside Chicago—on a bicycle with a 44-liter hiking backpack and Argentina on the horizon. The journey began as exploration. The problem that would create BikeBackbone was already on his shoulders.

Across the United States and Mexico · The problem

A hiking backpack. A punishing ride.

Across thousands of miles, the same tradeoff returned every day: Adam’s hiking backpack was useful away from the bicycle, but carrying its weight on his body was punishing during long hours in the saddle. He needed the bike to carry the load without losing the freedom of a backpack.

Flores, Guatemala · The breakthrough

The idea takes shape.

In Flores, Adam built a pole-like support behind the saddle that carried the backpack’s weight while he continued wearing it. It was rough, immediate, and functional—the first Backbone.

Flores → Yaviza · The road test

The prototype goes south.

The first Backbone continued through El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. Heat, rain, rough roads, and daily use turned the journey itself into the test.

Yaviza, Panama · First leg complete

10 months. The road runs out.

Ten months after leaving Valparaiso, Adam reached Yaviza at the edge of the Darién Gap. The road ended there. The journey—and the development of the Backbone—did not.

Barranquilla, Colombia · The second leg

Across the gap, development continues.

On the other side of the Darién Gap, the route resumed in Barranquilla. The ride toward Neiva became six more months of testing, adjusting, and learning from the Backbone in real travel conditions.

Neiva, Colombia · Six months later

The road becomes a company.

Across two separate legs, the journey totaled 16 months: 10 months from the Chicago area to Yaviza, Panama, followed by six months from Barranquilla to Neiva, Colombia. Along the way, the expedition became a development process. Adam kept refining and fabricating the Backbone, and nearly two years and seven versions after the first idea, the consumer-ready BikeBackbone launched in August 2022.

BikeBackbone today

Built from the road. Ready for yours.

BikeBackbone is a bicycle-accessory company shaped by real travel and a simple standard: solve a genuine rider problem, keep the design intuitive, and build it to stay on the road.

Road-born

Our ideas begin with real riders and real conditions—not invented problems.

Purpose-led

We support mobility, independence, and a more comfortable way to carry what matters.

Built to give back

A portion of profits supports people experiencing homelessness through our giving program.

Find Your Backbone How we give back See How It Works

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