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As per title really, bit annoyed (first world problem I know) that the Zefal saddle pack I had has had its zip split apart rendering it useless after a day shy of 12 months. Merlin won’t refund the postage for me to return it for a warranty and it’ll cost me most of what I paid to do so, so I’m looking elsewhere.
Had a Topeak before which was fine but again the zip quickly became very hard to use and eventually broke.
Are they all designed with zips that can’t cope with a bit of wet (which given location and use is a bit of an issue 😂)? I just need something to hold a few bits on the gravel bike
Buy a bag which rolls up to close thus preventing zip problems.
Go big to carry more stuff and less elsewhere on your body or other parts of the bike.
After similar issues I am thinking/shopping for a frame bag instead for the gravel bike to carry what would go in a saddle pack (+a coat/extra layer more easily). It seems to me it's a bit further from the muck being inside the front triangle.
I got this to replace my previous zipped Topeak, due to exactly the issues you're talking about. Very happy with it.
https://www.wiggle.com/p/topeak-drybag-wedge-strap-mount-saddle-bag
I have a wee Topeak one that folds over onto velcro then has two plastic clips to shut it. It is pretty waterproof. It's a very small version of this
https://www.topeak.com/global/en/product/329-WEDGE-DRYBAG
Unfortunately it's too small for all my kit as I always have an asthma inhaler and that just won't fit with a tube, levers and multi tool.
I got a small castelli bag with a road bike. It's good, but I don't use it much so can't comment on the longevity
I like the look of these Silca ones with the boa closure, and at this price I think I may just buy one!
https://silcavelo.eu/products/seat-roll-asymmetrico
I got one of these for my Camino, but not really had it long enough to comment on longevity. Had it about 9 months.
https://www.cyclestore.co.uk/altura_nightvision_large_saddle_bag-ID_83939
They also do one without a zip, but the quick release fitting makes it hang down quite a bit and it looks a bit, erm, shit.
https://www.cyclestore.co.uk/altura_quick_release_0_8_litre_saddle_bag_medium-ID_80419
https://restrap.com/products/tool-pouch
I've got these on both my road and gravel bikes, fits all the essentials and seems to be very well made, no zips either.
Anything Carradice.
Well the small ones on page 2 are probably what you are looking for but generally Carradice kit lasts longer than most bikes.
https://carradice.co.uk/collections/saddlebags
Im sure one of mine came with a removable cover. Like a backpack cover but smaller.
Restrap.
They are having flash sales this week if you sign up to their newsletter.
I’ve got a few of their bags and every one of them is perfect.
I've a roll top Altura that's about 4 years in and going strong. It's a tad loose fabric wise (poorly cut), but that makes no functional difference.
Another vote for Ortlieb.
I have the 0.8l micro with all my tools and spare tube in, and for longer rides a 4.1l saddle bag two which uses the same bracket - the micro fits inside it with room for a proper spare layer (eg normal waterproof (not a thin miracle one) or warm long sleeve jersey) and some grub. There'd be a bit more room if I packed the tools in neatly rather than just chucking the micro in (I'm no weight weenie!). Buying 2 also got me 2 brackets, one for each bike (tho I have to remember to swap the tube to the right size).
I don't use them, frame bags (of any size) are for more useful and out of the way of crap etc.
And as I never carry anything in my pockets, big enough for all eventualities.
Thanks everyone, some great ideas and options I hadn’t considered. Also reassuring it isn’t just me killing the traditional zipped ones!
+ 1 Ortleib. Only thing after many years is baggy elastics and this can easily be sorted. Brackets on different bikes so simly hop the saddle bag across.
"Anything Carradice.<br style="box-sizing: border-box; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; color: #000000; font-family: Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Noto Sans', sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; background-color: #eeeeee;" />Well the small ones on page 2 are probably what you are looking for but generally Carradice kit lasts longer than most bikes.<br style="box-sizing: border-box; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; color: #000000; font-family: Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Noto Sans', sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; background-color: #eeeeee;" />Saddlebags"
Have you actually used the little ones on page 2? They are utter shite! probably the worst bag I have ever used. Why Carradice still sell these is beyond me. Totally devalues the brand . I won't be buying any of their other stuff in a hurry, despite the esteem in which they are held....
I got a handmade wee cog one. Really really tough. Made out of cordura. Minimal things to break. Simple. ....however looks like they are no longer around...sorry...
The Relevate Designs shrew is what I use.
Another roll top.
Works well with dropper seat post as well.
Not a cheap choice though!
Expands quite well and also not too big if lightly loaded . Scrunches down nicely.
Used when frame bag is full.
Frame bag/ cockpit bag is my goto bike bag set up.
Timely as my beloved Fizik with the saddle clip has failed at the zip. Can probably reuse the clip. But silva ordered. I also have a small Castelli that isn’t bad but tiny and zipped.
Decathlon have a range of no-zip saddlebags - just velcro loops and rolltop closures. The 2.5 litre is just big enough to stuff a Montane Prism in for the really chilly days where I like to carry an emergency warm top. smaller versions there as well if you look for their 'Riverside' brand.
I've also killed a Topeak zipped wedge. I don't fancy anything with a zip in the grit zone again, especially when it's on the corner, going round corners. Asking for trouble!
Dakine Hot laps gripper is good under the seat.
I was tempted by the Silca jobby, then read a 1 star review, and also realised it wouldn't have room for a mtb tube.
I've got an old, zipped Blackburn saddle bag that the strap came off years ago. Currently using that, secured to the rails with a voile strap (with the zip facing forward!). You can cinch it up really tight to the rails with the strap, whether it's stuffed full or a bit empty.
Not waterproof, so I've just bought a 1litre rolltop drybag to use with the voile strap instead of the old blackburn. Rolltop, should be perfect! I reckon that's the ultimate cheap, good, durable solution.
This has a nice saddle bag, should be quite robust:
Ortleib. they just work and keep on working.
aggsFree Member<br />The Relevate Designs shrew is what I use.<br />Another roll top.<br />Works well with dropper seat post as well.<br />Not a cheap choice though!<br />Expands quite well and also not too big if lightly loaded . Scrunches down nicely
+1, or in fact 2, as I have one on each gravel bike 🙂
Ortlieb roll top bag, I have a small and a large which both fit on the same bracket. Had them for years.
Exactly the same. Great bags and a great way to attach quickly to multiple bikes.
Another shout out for aWeecog.
A key factor for me is that it be small enough to not impede my Varia, or rigid enough to provide a stable mount for it.
Carradice. End of thread...
Cannot recommend WeeCog enough, made of decent materials, lives in the mud and sh1t* and has been awesome, mine must be ten years old by now at least and has seen my through many bikes.
IIRC there might even be a discount code in members area, maybe, dont hold me to it.
James