top tube bike bag
03-10-15, 03:25 PM
#1
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top tube bike bag
What is your favorite top tube bike bag, if you use one? I'm going to be in the saddle for 10+ hours (140 mile road/dirt combo) and I want to bring along my own tortilla wrap sandwiches (about 5 of them) plus a bunch of fig newtons or similar. I've been using a cheap handlebar bag for training rides and would prefer the weight to be off my handlebars.
03-10-15, 03:27 PM
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What is your favorite top tube bike bag, if you use one? I'm going to be in the saddle for 10+ hours (140 mile road/dirt combo) and I want to bring along my own tortilla wrap sandwiches (about 5 of them) plus a bunch of fig newtons or similar. I've been using a cheap handlebar bag for training rides and would prefer the weight to be off my handlebars.
03-10-15, 03:48 PM
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03-10-15, 04:26 PM
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When I tried using a top tube bag my knees kept hitting it when riding out of the saddle and I had to stop using it.
My advice is to mock something up (can be fake; not an actual bag) and see if you can live with an object there.
My advice is to mock something up (can be fake; not an actual bag) and see if you can live with an object there.
03-10-15, 05:27 PM
#5
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Good idea 'cause knees hitting the bag will make me crazy ... Looks like REI has the Revelate Gas Tank and their return policy is great so might try that.
Any other suggestions on other bike bags would be appreciated. I really don't want to go the handlebar route. Could consider a bigger rear seat bag but don't want too big. That's way less convenient for food. This is a timed event so panniers and stuff won't really work for speed.
Any other suggestions on other bike bags would be appreciated. I really don't want to go the handlebar route. Could consider a bigger rear seat bag but don't want too big. That's way less convenient for food. This is a timed event so panniers and stuff won't really work for speed.
03-10-15, 07:03 PM
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i've used the Jandd for a number of tours. it's made for frames made with round tubes. i've got the one that goes under the toptube.
here's one that goes above the toptube.
and here's one that goes under the toptube.
here's one that goes above the toptube.
and here's one that goes under the toptube.
03-11-15, 11:51 AM
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What is your favorite top tube bike bag, if you use one? I'm going to be in the saddle for 10+ hours (140 mile road/dirt combo) and I want to bring along my own tortilla wrap sandwiches (about 5 of them) plus a bunch of fig newtons or similar. I've been using a cheap handlebar bag for training rides and would prefer the weight to be off my handlebars.
I don't spend a lot of time out of the saddle so don't worry about hitting my legs but the EOGear doesn't hit them.
03-11-15, 12:17 PM
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Revelate gas tank (add a jerry can if you want, and or add a Tangle bag or full frame bag.
Gas Tank, Jerry Can (at seat post) and full frame bag...
revelate bags by mbeganyi, on Flickr
Tangle:
Revelate Tangle on the IF. by mbeganyi, on Flickr
Gas Tank, Jerry Can (at seat post) and full frame bag...
revelate bags by mbeganyi, on FlickrTangle:
Revelate Tangle on the IF. by mbeganyi, on Flickr
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So long. Been nice knowing you BF.... to all the friends I've made here and in real life... its been great. But this place needs an enema.
So long. Been nice knowing you BF.... to all the friends I've made here and in real life... its been great. But this place needs an enema.
Last edited by bmike; 03-11-15 at 04:17 PM. Reason: Spelling
03-11-15, 03:19 PM
#9
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I've tried many top tube bags. Some were not stable/rigid enough and so didn't stay in place well. Others were a bit too wide and so caused knee interference when standing on the pedals (e.g., a Porcelain Rocket model). My favourite, that ticks all the boxes for me is the Topeak Fuel Tank, Large.
03-11-15, 09:23 PM
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Since my bike frame is pretty tiny (to fit it's small passenger), I'm not a fan of top tube bags that dangle below the tube. They restrict me from reaching for my bidons. I use one similar to the topeak tri dribag which double up to carry my power bank on long brevets.
03-12-15, 05:09 PM
#11
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I just ordered the Topeak. REI has both the Revelate ($55) and the Topeak (on sale $21.73 - the website says $29.73 but I was charged $21.73 ??). The Topeak is a medium but it might work. The medium is ~7" long; the Revelate is ~9".
I've tried many top tube bags. Some were not stable/rigid enough and so didn't stay in place well. Others were a bit too wide and so caused knee interference when standing on the pedals (e.g., a Porcelain Rocket model). My favourite, that ticks all the boxes for me is the Topeak Fuel Tank, Large.
03-12-15, 06:49 PM
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Not the best pic but I had this bag custom made by Tupper Becker (Becker Bike bags and custom gear!) and really love it. My knees will occasionally brush the bag but I got used to that very quickly. I really like how I can carry a ton of food that is very easy to reach, it is not quite big enough for clothing other than arm warmers but it does exactly what I wanted.
03-12-15, 09:46 PM
#13
The Left Coast, USA
What is your favorite top tube bike bag, if you use one? I'm going to be in the saddle for 10+ hours (140 mile road/dirt combo) and I want to bring along my own tortilla wrap sandwiches (about 5 of them) plus a bunch of fig newtons or similar. I've been using a cheap handlebar bag for training rides and would prefer the weight to be off my handlebars.
03-17-15, 06:01 PM
#14
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Topeak medium is definitely too small. large is on order. nice construction, though, and medium would be perfect for phone, wallet and snacks - just not space for food for an all day ride.
03-18-15, 09:24 AM
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Revelate bags are nice. Good for the guy having REI sell them, though I suppose he isn't stitching every single one personally. I bought mine ~8 years ago and had to wait weeks to get them.
The Gas Tank is as narrow as my steel top tube, and as a result doesn't hold a whole lot. OTOH, I've had no leg interference with it. I like it a lot, it's just limited on space.
The Tangle bag makes my water bottles (on a 58mm frame) too much of a PITA to use. My generation of the bag also doesn't have any support on the sides to keep it thin (and don't know if the design changed), and depending what's put in it can balloon out and be far worse than a too large top tube bag.
The Gas Tank is as narrow as my steel top tube, and as a result doesn't hold a whole lot. OTOH, I've had no leg interference with it. I like it a lot, it's just limited on space.
The Tangle bag makes my water bottles (on a 58mm frame) too much of a PITA to use. My generation of the bag also doesn't have any support on the sides to keep it thin (and don't know if the design changed), and depending what's put in it can balloon out and be far worse than a too large top tube bag.
03-19-15, 01:12 AM
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I just bought a Vaude Cruiser, but I haven't tested it out yet. I know it fits a shirt and a pair of shorts, but I'm not sure if it will hit my legs. I might give it a test later this week.
I do know that it interferes with my 2nd water bottle, but I have one of those ugly small frames with a sloping top tube.
I do know that it interferes with my 2nd water bottle, but I have one of those ugly small frames with a sloping top tube.
03-20-15, 04:55 AM
#17
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One of the issues I have found in puddling around with these tri-type bags is that if you don't sufficient "stack height" with spacers under the stem, you might have issues keeping the bag straight because the strap doesn't really work that well.
Honestly, I am not quite sure that the issue is with a handlebar bag that is properly attached and supported. My favourite has been the older, now defunct MEC bar bag, then the Ortleib which was acquired with the Bike Friday. Topeak also made a modular one, the Dynapak that is quite small, but I like it a lot; unfortunately, Topeak doesn't seem to list it on its website anymore.
Honestly, I am not quite sure that the issue is with a handlebar bag that is properly attached and supported. My favourite has been the older, now defunct MEC bar bag, then the Ortleib which was acquired with the Bike Friday. Topeak also made a modular one, the Dynapak that is quite small, but I like it a lot; unfortunately, Topeak doesn't seem to list it on its website anymore.
