Decathlon Riverside small frame bag review

At times it seems that every thread about kit and gear comes around to a recommendation to a Decathlon product, and rightfully so, as they often provide a great products as a very competitive price. This is the same for the assuming small frame bag that is in the link below.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/1-5-l-frame-bag-actv-100-black/_/R-p-346752?mc=8801439&c=coriander%20brown

I’ve spent a fair bit of time looking for the perfect small bag I can fit to my bike, this includes buying several.

For a standard ride, I need a bag big enough to carry a few essential items that I either don’t have the capacity of  or do not want to carry in pockets or a small carry bag. And this bag is ideal for this purpose.

It’s just a simple small unobtrusive bike bag that is easily fitted or moved from different bikes, either my gravel, road or mountain bikes. All the ones I’ve seen or tried have been decent but also have their downsides, whether that is in the line of fire from the rear tyre (saddle bags), clashing with bar mounted lights, bike computer etc (bar bags), are quite expensive or are massive or just a bit too big to allow all it’s contents to rattle about unless fully loaded.

I’ve been using this bag on virtually every ride I’ve been on since I bought it a few weeks ago, on multiple bikes. It’s size is perfect for fitting a jacket, snacks, keys, a few spares, some arm warmers, tools and whatever else you normally put into your pockets, or small hip pack. The zips move very freely, so its really easy to access whilst riding one handed, so much cycling kit’s zips are stiff and require two hands, which is no good if you want to make an adjustment whilst riding (my Rapha long sleeve jersey is guilty of this, so annoying).

It comes with three very good Velcro compression straps, that lock it into position. It has multiple mounting points so can be fitted inside the frame or on top of the frame.

With so much choice out there, you’d think that a cheap bag I bought on impulse from a big chain store – when shopping for gear cables – wouldn’t really deserve such a glowing review. But I think it really does as it as close to a perfect ride bag I’ve come across, especially for the price.

All for £13.99! Cheap enough to fit one to each of your bikes.

It’s clear that their bags are well thought out and represent great value.

I’ve several Decathlon Riverside bikepacking bags, all of which have been excellent and have so far survived several 5-10 day trips.  Favourite is probably the large tail bag with seat and post mounting carrier.  I love the wee compression locking air valve on the dry bag and the clever, simple means of fitting and removal at each end of the day.  The carrier has a bungy on top for a jacket, a tail lamp mount that’s adjustable and holds firm; the whole thing compresses neatly and has reflective stripes on the back that are visible, whether lightly loaded or full.  All straps are stout rather than minimal, some with alloy buckles.

On the larger stem bag, there’s a really clever single handed opening and closing cord.  It’s simple and it works.  The strappage includes a tiny link down to your fork crown, stopping any chance of a loaded bag flapping about.

Inside the frame, I’ve the Riverside frame bag, the large and simple size with internal strapping, roll top waterproofing, semi rigid sides and an effective port for a bladder hose.  The Apidura frame bag bladder works neatly with this, routing the hose up to fix on a strap attached to their larger stem bag.  It all just works; nothing has failed, become torn or cracked, despite a couple of thousand miles of use, mostly in the Highlands and much of it off road..