I’ve been looking for a top tube bag/box (preferably somewhat rigid) for my gravel bike for a long time and my search has led me to this article - https://www.slowtwitch.com/Gravel/Gravel_From_The_Ground_Up_Tires_Pressure_7081.html
The zipp bag looks ideal in shape but I cannot find it in a bolt-on version. Closest match was this https://www.bike24.com/p2155528.html with straps. Does anyone know where to find it with holes for bolts?
Or of a similar bag, around 0.5L
I’ve also considered some from other bike manufacturers like the BMC, Focus atlas bag, Canyon top tube bag slim or Cervelo Smartpak 400 but availability is an issue.
Looking for recommendations for such a “bag”. Thanks in advance
PS: I am incredibly jealous of tri bikes and their on-bike storage options, above the rear wheel, under the bottle cages etc.
Woogha,
I went through a time with my gravel bike trying to find the perfect one and I landed on the Oru Case. I think you’d dig it
https://www.orucase.com/collections/frame-bags/products/top-tube-bag
Ian
Tailfin makes the best stuff
https://www.tailfin.cc/category/small-packs/?v=3e8d115eb4b3
.
I bought a DarkSpeedWorks top tube bag because he’s on this forum and I like what he posts. I’ve never met him, but he comes off as a genuine, nice person who wants to learn and wants to help others.
It’s been a good bag for me for years and I’ve recommended them to lots of people.
With all that said, the tailfin bag does look pretty sweet too.
It sits up a bit higher than I’d like, but this is an awesome bag. The zipper is extremely robust and the pack is fully waterproof.
Check out the Bontrager adventure top tube bag or the pro speed box.
Hellhole Outfitters
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Apidura makes a bolt on in two sizes. I have used it racing gravel and could open it one handed providing the course allowed. Mounts with two bosses and velcro for stem. One very long day in non stop rain and most of the contents were still dry.
Maybe I’m just really picky. They are all either too big, not available in europe, not available in bolt, and generally too expensive.
My favorite options remain the canyon, cervelo, BMC and atlas (i think those last 2 are the same but are out of stock)
I’d consider the apidura and tailfin bags but I’m not ready to drop 70€ with shipping for something that doesn’t look as slick and might rub against my knees.
Also wondering how much a MYOG custom from a local might cost. Surely not too much more than 70?
Forum member DarkSpeedWorks makes some pretty nice bags.
Forum member DarkSpeedWorks makes some pretty nice bags.
https://darkspeedworks.com/sp693D.htm
I have two bags from Dark Speed Works, the 483 for my roadie and 693D for my gravel bike. I like them a lot, they have everything you need and nothing you don’t.
The price and the unavailability in europe.
I recently ordered a Rogue Panda bolt on top tube pack for my Checkpoint, it’s actually supposed to arrive today so I’ll report back once I see it in person. Overall the customization and ordering process has been seamless and really fast.
I recently ordered a Rogue Panda bolt on top tube pack for my Checkpoint, it’s actually supposed to arrive today so I’ll report back once I see it in person. Overall the customization and ordering process has been seamless and really fast.
https://roguepanda.com/products/alamo-top-tube-bag-builder
Looks great. But out of budget and NA only
I’m happy with my XLab Stealth 200xp. They have some other sizes as well. Not sure about Euro availability. https://www.xlab-usa.com/stealth-pocket-200xp.html
I recently ordered a Rogue Panda bolt on top tube pack for my Checkpoint, it’s actually supposed to arrive today so I’ll report back once I see it in person. Overall the customization and ordering process has been seamless and really fast.
https://roguepanda.com/products/alamo-top-tube-bag-builder
Looks great. But out of budget and NA only
We have similar wants. Bolt on, reasonable size, affordable. I hate it when it sticks way up over the height of the stem. I think this bag will work.
https://profile-design.com/collections/storage/products/e-pack-1
I recently ordered a Rogue Panda bolt on top tube pack for my Checkpoint, it’s actually supposed to arrive today so I’ll report back once I see it in person. Overall the customization and ordering process has been seamless and really fast.
https://roguepanda.com/products/alamo-top-tube-bag-builder
Looks great. But out of budget and NA only
We have similar wants. Bolt on, reasonable size, affordable. I hate it when it sticks way up over the height of the stem. I think this bag will work.
https://profile-design.com/...ge/products/e-pack-1
Great suggestion thanks, fits my needs a lot more than everything else that was suggested. I think I’d still prefer canyon’s bag as it is 15€ cheaper, only had one zipper, looks more minimal (I don’t need side mesh pockets) and is easily available (looks like pofile designs operate in europe but resellers are all out of stock)
However this one caught my eye: https://www.profile-design-eu.com/collections/storage/products/tank
Just under 0.5L, bolt option, very slick and can be had for 36€ before shipping (canyon’s is 40€ with shipping for reference). Hard to find more pictures of it but seems like a strong contender
edit: found this video but my russian is not good enough to understand everything https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgSElVc4cZQ
Maybe I’m just really picky. They are all either too big, not available in europe, not available in bolt, and generally too expensive.
My favorite options remain the canyon, cervelo, BMC and atlas (i think those last 2 are the same but are out of stock)
I’d consider the apidura and tailfin bags but I’m not ready to drop 70€ with shipping for something that doesn’t look as slick and might rub against my knees.
Also wondering how much a MYOG custom from a local might cost. Surely not too much more than 70?
Maybe you are really picky; I would say in a perfectly appropriate way. I went through this same dilemma about 12 months ago. Ended up deciding only the cervelo speedpak 400 was the way to go. Couldn’t get it anywhere. Kept searching, bought a few others in between times thinking they’d be okay.
They weren’t. I kept searching, eventually found a speedpak 400. Paid more than I thought was sensible for a top tube bag, but it was worth it. So much better than any others I have. Such a simple product, seemingly so hard to perfect.
Keep searching online and look internationally, don’t settle……
Maybe I’m just really picky. They are all either too big, not available in europe, not available in bolt, and generally too expensive.
My favorite options remain the canyon, cervelo, BMC and atlas (i think those last 2 are the same but are out of stock)
I’d consider the apidura and tailfin bags but I’m not ready to drop 70€ with shipping for something that doesn’t look as slick and might rub against my knees.
Also wondering how much a MYOG custom from a local might cost. Surely not too much more than 70?
Maybe you are really picky; I would say in a perfectly appropriate way. I went through this same dilemma about 12 months ago. Ended up deciding only the cervelo speedpak 400 was the way to go. Couldn’t get it anywhere. Kept searching, bought a few others in between times thinking they’d be okay.
They weren’t. I kept searching, eventually found a speedpak 400. Paid more than I thought was sensible for a top tube bag, but it was worth it. So much better than any others I have. Such a simple product, seemingly so hard to perfect.
Keep searching online and look internationally, don’t settle……
Thanks for confirming I’m not (that) crazy. I wouldn’t want to spend 70 on a top tube bag, but if that really is the best option… I’m pretty sure the cervelo smartpak and the focus atlas bag I linked in my original post are the same. Neither are available online but there is a focus dealer 40km from me (no cervelo within 100km). I might ride there to ask if they can order one once the snow has melted. If not, I think I’ll suck it up and order from canyon.
I’m just frustrated that out of all the bag makers, bike brands themselves would be closer to my ideal product…
Here’s a +1 on the Apidura bags.
I’ve got several of their bags on the gravel bike for touring ,bime packing as the kidz call itnthese days). Quality and details are excellent and waterproof. British based so should be available in Europe, despite the Brexit clusterfhook. Either direct or from a few retailers (I got my rear bag from Sigma Sports).
The alternative I use on the road bike and TT bike is a Topeak FastFuel Tri bag. Can be strapped or bolted on. Not as waterproof as the Apidura stuff though, if that matters to you.