Top tube bags

In my experience with my ludicrously overpriced Brooks Scape , no and no 🙂

I have a Restrap one with the QR bracket.  It’s handy, doesn’t get in the way unless really stuffed with things and so far (2 years) doesn’t appear to have scratched the frame or stem.

My knees always hit 'em.

Nope, it's a great spot for storage, mainly snacks.

Just don't put anything heavy in there, it'll start dunting off the top tube and you'll not figure out what's causing the noise and start thinking your frame is broken or something. As me how I know 🙄

The only one I've ever found that I didn't rub my knees on constantly is the tapered version from tailfin

https://ukgravelco.com/2023/07/13/tailfin-top-tube-pack-review/

I guess size comes into it, keep 'em compact!

TBH I’ve recently took mine off , but it was a small one I kept nibbles and money  in.

I find I prefer a feed bag or 2 on the bars/stem, I use them for water bottles/lightweight water jackets  and nibbles/batteries/keys/cakes/donuts (Spanish pink ones with marshmallows )

No and No.

No and no.

Get a Tailfin one. They are class. Well made and very secure. Can be fitted using the rubber straps or bolted on via pre-made holes in the base of the bag.

I've been using this Topeak Fast Fuel - I've got one on the gravel bike as pictured, + use one on the road bike and the TT bike in triathlons too for several years.

Bolted to the top tube on the Shand (+ head tube strap for more stability as I often fully load).  3 slotted holes in the base to suit different hole centres on the frame.

Straps used on the other 2 bikes. I've put a bit of helicopter tape on the top tubes just for extra certainty on protection.

The restrap and apidura ones are probably more waterproof than this one, as the zipper isn't waterproof. But if you're not putting stuff in there that doesn't matter when damp, it's a non issue really. (If you put loose jelly babies in there and ride when it's raining, it'll get messy !)

Treated myself to a Tailfin and very impressed. The rest will be going to the next club jumble sale.

Mine is currently strapped to the top tube of a road bike - absolutely rock solid despite no strap on the steerer.

I've found I had to keep it small and lightly loaded or it wobbled and hit knees.

I find my bar bag a better thing, and just add easy to reach.

I mostly keep tools and spares in mine, Very handy.

I hate the things get right in the way riding out of saddle with me

On MTB the strap around steerer tube will rub headset top cap and spacers - not significantly but enough to wear off some anodization and logos.

Get a Tailfin one.

As a cheapo alternative, I got one of the budget Lifeline ones from Wiggle, then used a horizontal strip of Gorilla Tape to pinch the side together at the back so it's tapered and no longer rubs. It's shonky for sure and I'll probably end up buying a Tailfin bag at some point, but it does the job and the bag itself is fine and cheap as chips.

They look just a bit too 'Triathlon' for my taste, and no-one wants to look like a triathlete. TBH I've never felt the need to have to get at food (or anything else really) so immediately that it needs an ugly bag strapped to the tube directly in front of me.

But than I'm pretty much "stuff strapped to the frame = covered in mud and shit with a side order of stupid looking" anyway. I'm right about this, and soon enough everyone else will realise it as well.

They look just a bit too ‘Triathlon’ for my taste, and no-one wants to look like a triathlete.

And, ironically, they're not great for triathlon either (*sometimes).

I remember doing an Ironman with the Topeak Bento box one and the end of the velcro strap gave me a proper nasty graze on the inside of my lower thigh. More modern bags without velcro probably better, but I'm put off having anything there.

and no-one wants to look like a triathlete.

Wise words! 😉

I have just started using a small restrap one on the road bike and well impressed, looks retro/ tourer but the extra space is great.  i have titanium frame so rubbing not an issue

I have a couple of the Revelate magnetic closure ones, one bolt-on and one strap-on ... ooh err 🙂

They are really good, though water can get in and I'm wary of things escaping but it's never happened.  I tend to use them for spare tube and snacks, rather that high value stuff for reasons above.

Have just ordered the small Tailfin zipper one for new gravel bike which has mounting bolts - it is supposed to be waterproof, and with a zipper the contents will be safe and dry, so will put in pump, tube, multitool and small spares.

The Brooks Scape waterproof and stable. I keep a small Z lock in it, keys, headphone case, and depending on what else I'm carrying/wearing, phone and snickers bars in it.

In the family we have a couple of Alpkit Fuel Pods, which are not waterproof and can be a bit floppy if not cinched up and loaded sensibly, and some excellent, super cheap and no longer available Pod Sac bags which are certainly shower proof.

I don't like carrying stuff on my back so think top tube bags are great.

76 Projects A.S.S. Top tube bag is genius. You stick a small plastic rail onto the top tube and replace a headset spacer with a plastic ring, then it clips on and off. No straps, no velcro, no paint damage and you can whip it off and take it with you at the cake stop.

*I'm fairly sure the stick on rail can also be bolted to the accessory mounts

Have just ordered the small Tailfin zipper one for new gravel bike which has mounting bolts – it is supposed to be waterproof, and with a zipper the contents will be safe and dry, so will put in pump, tube, multitool and small spares

arrived, and sent back…. The pre cut slots for the bolts were about 3mm too close together, so not able to attach unless I lengthened the slots, which would then possibly let water in.

"and no-one wants to look like a triathlete"

Some of us have the body for it, some if you haven't 😎

But than I’m pretty much “stuff strapped to the frame = covered in mud and shit with a side order of stupid looking” anyway. I’m right about this, and soon enough everyone else will realise it as well

Yet more stupid 'fashion above practicality' from the cycling world.

I’m fairly sure the stick on rail can also be bolted to the accessory mounts

It can

https://ukgravelco.com/76-projects-a-s-s-anti-strap-system/

I've mudguards on both gravel and MTB, top tube bag stays pretty clean.