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My Alpkit stuff is ok. Just ok.
But the toptube bag however is shite - slops all over the place and not 'pert' enough for my liking. And the straps are making a mess of the paint on the frame - probably because it moves about too much (though I could just helitape my top tubes - I don't have any bikes with those fancy pants top tube boss mounts...yet).
What's better rather than just more expensive? In a cuffs and collars need to match OCD way I have a horrible feeling whatever I buy I'll end up replacing all the others to the same brand in time. I'll probably buy a rear top tube bag at the same time anyway.
Tainfin looks good. And I'm aware of Apidura and Restrap.
Tailfin are very good, secure with either bolts or straps and they stay in shape well.
Picture to feed your OCD 😎
Another vote for Tailfin.
Excellent quality, really good customer service and support. I've got various frame and top tube bags from them, just need the rack system now!
Love a consensus! Thanks.
+1 on Alpkit half frame bag is 'OK', but not stellar.
It is somewhat floppy, has an odd 'corner', seems to just be a few litres too small for fitting everyday things like waterproof in it, and yes the straps rub..
Another vote for Tailfin, top quality but top price. At the other end of the scale have a look at beer babe.co.uk. Handmade bags made from old inner tubes, can be custom made. Excellent quality, good price and personal service.
I have bags from both and can't complain about either.
I'm using a Restrap on my Topstone but that's bolted.
I currently have a Revelate on my road bike as I've been doing some longer days. The strap around the steerer help stops it slipping as does the tape I've applied to stop frame rub. The frame is a very shiny carbon so marks and slippage are otherwise pretty much guaranteed.
Another vote for Tailfin.
Their kit is expensive but it’s well designed and made.
I went the Tailfin route to...
I didn't end up using the rear top tube bag as didn't need the space and would occasionally catch my inner thighs on it.
I’ve got Alpkit and Restrap top tube bags but they were both annoyingly sloppy. Replaced with a stupidly expensive Tailfin for my last trip back from Athens and so much better in every way. Well worth the money.
I despise my Restrap top tube bag, too saggy to use one handed. Going to replace with a Tailfin one, the flap ones look v good
anyone use the Tailfin bar bag on an MTB? looks really good, but i fear all the cables wont be happy.
I like the alpkit toptube bag with another velcro strap stabilising it and some tape underneath
the flap ones look v good
That's what I have, the one downside of the flap is that the bag is very slightly wider on one side, so if your thigh to bag clearance is tight, you're very slightly more likely to get contact on that side. Otherwise though it's great, and easy to access stuff on the move ime. I haven't used the Tailfin zipped bag, so can't compare directly.
The nice thing about the Tailfin bags is that they'll ether bolt on, if you have the fittings, or have excellent fitment straps that hold the bag super stable. No headtube strap needed unlike most other bags, doesn't flop or move around ime, just a really secure fit and very nicely made.
TBH I think there's a limit with top tube bags in terms of weight and bulk, I opted for a Tri style rigid thing, it's got a stiff plastic "taco" that bolts on and a rubber sleeve over it, obviously intended to hold Gels and bars, I keep a multitool/TPU tube/Lever and other (smaller) spares in it...
would strapping a second bag at the other end of the top-tube (by the seat post) be an option to distribute the same items across two smaller bags?
Just get the Tailfin top tube bag. Way more stable than anything else whether bolted or strapped, and easy to use whilst riding. Well worth the money.
Right - just watched one of the Tailfin videos.
I might have a bit of a crush....watched all the other videos to just make sure - yep!
So Tailfin it is. Off to print out the template for the half frame bag too, just in case I decide to enlarge the order!
If we're judging bike packing bags based on crushes on the staff, my vote goes for 7roads. no idea if theyre any good mind:
I have a small topeak one which is crap. Flops all over the place, even when mounted via bolts. The mount is also crap with bolts as they just deform the plastic. It was so crap I took a punt on a rhinowalk one. It is so much better, does not wobble and is a more robust shape. Only draw back is that the one sided flap does not sit flat if you stuff slightly too much in (it's fine when not stuffed). Was also much cheaper though delivery was not the fastest.
I had a couple of Alpkit tt bags but both were rubbish and persuaded by a thread on here I went Tailfin and haven’t regretted it I use it on my main mtb and it just doesn’t move and seems to not interfere with cables
I have a small Alpkit one which is garbage, flops about and doesn't hold its shape.
I recently got one from Brae which is much more stable. I have their fork bags and a stem bag too. Good quality kit and very reasonable prices.
Not the best pic, but you just can see it here.
My Rockbros frame bag is beautifuly made and not really stuff stiff. If i was in the market for a top tube bag of give it a go.
