[Closed] Durable but cheapish small saddle or frame bag - any recommendations?

Have had one of those expandable (well, its always expanded when I use it) Topeak bags for about 8 years now on the road bike. Biggest benefit is having zips that aren't made of cheese.

Second Topeak ones - GoOutdoors have them in a lot at bargain prices.

Used to use a Topeak expandable too. Never shown any sign of wear/damage. Always struck me as well made and not really expensive.

This little Decathlon does a job for me. It's small, very basic and seems pretty indestructible.
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/04-ltr-bike-saddle-bag-id_8036818.html

Thanks guys, but those bags look very much like the cheap Lidl and Dunlop ones I've used to date, and some reviews on Wiggle suggest they too are prone to the stitching going.

Has anybody used one offroad several hours a week throughout a wet muddy Welsh winter? I wonder if I'm just asking too much...

I think unless you go for a very small one tucked tight under the saddle then sustained off road use will knock it around and it will fail. A few mates successfully use the tiny Spesh ones, with just a tool and tubes etc for off road. Personally prefer a lightly loaded Camelbak

chrispo, mine has lived under my hardtail saddle for 5+ years without issue. It's small so doesn't carry much weight, a tube, a multi-tool, keys and some levers. It's not waterproof but it is pretty tough, certainly tougher than the kind Aldi were dropping out last week. It's also very basic, velcro on the saddle rails and no clips so less to go wrong.

You could try the Ortlieb mini saddlebag. It's waterproof, tough and has a folding closure, so there's no zip to get full of muck and sieze up. Only downside is that the clip attaching it to the saddle is a bit rattly so I put a toestrap round mine to keep it quiet.

I have a JandD frame bag and its superb.
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Cost about £30 I think and I got stung for import duty. [url= http://www.cyclecomponents.com/jandd-frame-pack-svart.html ]There's a stockist in Sweden[/url] that has them for the same price, but no import duty as they're EU.
Big enough for tools, spare tube and a large soreen. Perfect.

Thanks

Idiot frame bag question: If attached at rear, don't you lose a bottle? If attached at front, don't your knees catch on it?

PS re JanDD - Swedish site says out of stock anyway

Check out beerbabes custom frame bags. Mine worked out at £20 ish

I have a topeak survival wedge 2,it's brand new and I don't use it,£20 posted if you like.

Ortlieb every time.

My vaude frame bag has survived years of cycling. It has loops that you put Velcro through so no stitching to worry about.

I put mine at the front and it doesn't affect my knees.

For saddle bags invest in an ortlieb one.

+1 for Beerbabe

I have had a rear triangle pack, a larger custom pack and a saddle bag, very good build and if it does fail she'll happily repair!!

http://www.beerbabe.co.uk/ourshop/cat_898657-Packs.html

Thanks everyone for the tips. I've bought one from Beerbabe, it's just the right size and it's coped with the wet to date, looking good!