I have the torhan bento and I like that it’s solid and hugs my P5 perfectly however access is no good for me. I’ve even cut the rubber on top to try to gain more access but getting things in/out while riding is very difficult.
I’m thinking of trying out the x-lab stealth 500. Anyone have any input?
Other suggestions? I’d really like to have the bontrager/speed concept bento. Those rubber flaps are super easy access. Thought about it but the front turns up and I don’t think would sit well on a P5.
I’ve also thought of cutting off the rubber torhan top completely and making my own top. Anyone tried that? Not sure what I’d want to do for a top tho.
Sure, there are some other options out there. If you’re looking for an aero and highly functional design, you may want to take a look at our US-made Speedpack 483D. Because super-secure but very easy access is one of the things we tried hard to improve. Here is a pic of a 483D mounted on a P5. And here is one as a kind of rolling race buffet …
ETA - for the OP, I can’t personally believe that Torhans bento made it into production. It’s one of the most useless (in terms of functionality) bentos I have ever seen as it doesn’t function as a bento.
I like the DSW designs but, depending on what bike/spacer stack you have it may or may not be a faster or slower option than what you have on there. I’ve personally had good luck with the X Lab 300 on my P5 (w/ 1 x aduro spacer) as it lines up perfectly with the top of the stem (sits just below) and is very close to the stem without being wider. Both of those things are crucial to actually IMPROVing the aerodynamics of your bike, not detracting.
apples to oranges
Perhaps. But unless you test every single model of advanced TT bike with every single model of advanced cockpit with every single model of bento pack out there (which would be a lot of possible combinations, way over a 1000), you gotta draw some conclusions, solid conclusions based on the data.
you gotta draw some conclusions, solid conclusions based on the data.
Quick question based on those principles: Which bag is best for bikes with cables entering between the bag and the stem, where you can’t put the bag flush against the stem? (Like with the p2 you linked. I have a Blue Triad if it helps)
Would a ‘flat’ fronted bag like the rocket pocket or a rounded one like the stealth pocket 400 be better from an aero point of view? (All else equal) I can see both ways. The flat fronted ones would have less separation between the bag an the stem for air to get in, but the rounded one is a more efficient shape on its own …
I hadn’t thought about height. I don’t have much there.
But I think the Torhans is going to lose its lid. Worth a shot as I’ve already got it. If I come up with anything that really works out I’ll report back.
I hadn’t thought about height. I don’t have much there.
Sure, height is important. But, if the the shape on the front is right, you could have an effective and aero bento pack that is slightly higher than your stem. Remember that an airfoil has a leading edge radius quite a bit smaller than the max thickness of the airfoil. Plus, how the pack tapers in the very back also matters, and matters a lot once you introduce any yaw into the airflow picture (you and your bike experience yaw nearly any time you go riding in the real world). Then you also gotta consider that a bento is not there for decoration, it actually does have carry enough stuff for your needs, plus that stuff has to be easily accessible, and the pack has to be smooth and secure.
Any idea what is the penalty is vs the rocket pocket xl?
Don’t know, don’t have hard data. But if you look at some pics of bikes with the packs you’re considering mounted on them, you can likely make some educated guesses (we have a bunch posted on our fb page). Shape matters.
As you have a P5 you may want to look at the Stealth Pocket 200 or 300, so that the bag sits flush with the 3T stem/cover. If you have any dip in airflow there will be some turbulent air that will have drag associated with it. Same if you have a box/bag that is higher than the stem.
Below is an image from the P5 technical paper (page 35) so you can see the CFD analysis of a bag flush with the height of the stem
