Minimalist Seat Bag - Silca Matone or Asymetirco?
 

Title says it. Any opinions?
Minimalist Seat Bag - Silca Matone or Asymetirco?

I have a Silca Mattone, but I’m not that impressed with its lack of water resistance or the zip, which is very sticky when it gets wet and gritty. The BOA works well though and I like the compact size. But I wouldn’t buy another.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ce14cd0b7e.jpg
Metamucil container with two Cage Straps. Its Water Proof and easily transferable to my other bikes. This one is for my gravel bike. I have a smaller one for my road bikes. If I toured I would probably use a bigger one... Ha

I have the asymmetrico and hate it

I have the asymmetrico and like it. Small, fits what I need, cinches up tight.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d19087e5c.jpeg

Those Silca saddlebags are always way too complicated, way too over-engineered. Using a Boa dial seems a bit Rube Goldberg-ian for such a simple task. There are plenty of great seat bags that use much simpler and more foolproof fasteners, like this one.

I'm a fan of the ALMSTHRE saddle bag. Small, simple, classic approach. https://almsthre.com/collections/saddle-bags

Even more minimalist is the Ornot bag. https://www.ornotbike.com/products/seat-bag-black

How about Lezyne Micro Caddy: Lezyne Micro Caddy [1-SB-CADDY-V1MCS04] (biketiresdirect.com)?

I have recently (and reluctantly) started to carry a medium (on group rides); it is also available in small, which is a whole inch shorter.

The medium one has separate pockets for tire levers, CO2 cartridge, and multitool so these do not poke a hole in one's spare tube.

Like the size- hate that it falls off on gravel rides if it gets too rough

That's a deal-breaker.

Those both look great. Velcro ftw!

Eric, I presume that bag holds on tightly even over rough gravel trails? If so, I might order one. I'm always on the lookout for another good saddlebag.

I've been surprised by how much stuff I can actually fit in the ALMSTHRE bag - full gravel race tool kit (2 TPU tubes, 3 CO2s + adapter, multi tool, dynaplug, 2 levers, 2 quick links). The only tool I carry outside of that is a mini pump at the bottom of my hydro pack. I like the seat bag enough that I got the matching top tube bag for snacks.

On the road, I use a slim zipper case in my middle jersey pocket.

Zero issues with coming loose. Pack carefully so things aren't damaging each other, and cinch it down tight so it doesn't flop or rattle. Depending on your preference, it will also fit nicely in a jersey pocket.

Thanks for the info. Ordered one. I'll let you know what I think after using it.

I've probably got 5-6 saddle bags in my garage. Between using different bags on different bikes, and using different bags for different types of rides on the same bike, things have gotten a little out of control. :lol:

I also have multiple saddle bags for the same reasons as Koyote, 4 that I use regularly.

For small ones, I have an Orucase and the Lezyne that I like. I think the Lezyne is the "road caddy", and looks like the ALMSTHRE. The securing mechanism is pretty solid (wide nylon straps with a plastic loop and velcro attachment). I actually use it on my MTB with no issue.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...fa528533e8.png

I haven't experienced that problem. Once the Boa is cinched tight, mine doesn't move.

Another vote for Lezyne micro caddy.

Although neither Asymmetrico nor Mattone immediately strike me as minimalist, I guess given some of the massive, complicated, and visually awkward seat bags out there, I’ll concede that they are. Certainly the Mattone; Asym is pushing it a little more with all the “technical features,” though.

Anyway, I use a Mattone, and like it pretty much, although there are a few things Silca should tidy up with a v2.0 Mattone, e.g. better water resistance, the zipper fflap moved to the upper to make access easier, and the removal of that silly, internal divider. I’d also like to see a slimmer variant; there’s plenty of space in there gravel essentials, and more than enough for road…assuming the desire for a minimalist bag coincides with a minimalist road repair kit.

I use Mattone for gravel, and like the Boa because it’s easier to keep clean than hook and loop. I also like that it’s lined, which give a refined feel, as does the Boa strap, although the Boa loses a lot of potential functionality because the pack is essentially upside down, with the flap on the bottom, meaning you can’t loosen the strap to dig around in the bag because everything would just fall out. With the zip on top, it would allow quick access. Again, an easy v2.0 upgrade.

I also use the Lezyne Micro Caddy, which is definitely minimalist and just fine, but mostly I’ve used Cyckit Aeroclam on my main roadies over the past 10 years. Minimalist in terms of packing capacity (for the standard model), I’m not sure if a seat-hugging, molded hardcase can be considered minimalist, but it fits high n’ tight to the saddle, and I like them.


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...576fcc4ca9.jpg
Cyckit Aeroclam

[QUOTE=Eric F;23216270]I'm a fan of the ALMSTHRE saddle bag. ...... /QUOTE]

I had one of these at one point, forgot to take it off my bike when I was commuting with a secondary bike, it got stolen. I really liked it, but I ended up putting on an older bag I had so I never replaced it. I did like it though.

The Lezyne Micro Caddy (medium) is a tad small and now I may want an Almsthre one too. Does it have compartments inside? If it does, do you mind posting a shot of the inside?

I've had one of these for years and years. Mine's just black nylon though, not the carbon look. Maybe you can still find that, as I wouldn't buy this specific one.

Holds a tube, c02 and inflator, and a couple of tire levers just fine.

https://sciconsports.com/us_en/elan-...ck-sb026010705

Similar, but different material that I like is the Arundel Pico. The micro caddy and the mentioned Almsthre are all generally similar designs.

https://www.arundelbike.com/product/pico/

I actually quite like the BOA on my Mattone. I prefer it to velcro or buckled straps for this application. But the actual bag itself is not that great as per my previous post.

I've been using the Silca Mattone for about a year now and like it pretty well. Initially I had trouble getting it attached to the seat but I've gotten better at that with practice and honestly don't take it off that often. I do wish it was slightly bigger. Initially I struggled to fit a tube, inflator, lever, and single CO2 cart. I got a TPU tube and that made it easier but it's still a tight fit. I've had zero issues with any BOA, either on the bag or on shoes so don't worry much about that.

That Almsthree bag looks like it's bigger and still minimalist. Would like to see one in person.