The Radavist

In 2016, Salsa launched its EXP Cradle and bag design, offering up production bags previously only offered through smaller shops and manufacturers. This was a huge step in progressing the availability of bikepacking and bicycle touring accessories. Four years later, they just announced a series of updates, with a top-loading dry bag design and a refreshed side-loading dry bag, both of which utilize a new purge valve and lash attachments. Included in this update is a robust EXP front pouch with zippered access which can also act as a stand-alone bag for your gravel or MTB.

The whole system can convert just about any bike to a more capable tourer and these updates come at a time when we’re all pining for some time away from home on our bikes. Check out the full range at Salsa today and head to your local dealer for ordering.

At just 25 g, this musette packs away small enough and light enough to only matter when you need it. Unlike the cotton bags you’d get as handouts at bike races, these musettes are made from ultra-strong Silnylon. They’re big enough to haul a dinner’s worth of groceries, water bottles, or pastries for a picnic. The musette bag packs so small that you can bring it on every ride. You won’t even notice it in your jersey pocket or strapped to your saddle bag.

Weight: 25g
Size: 11” x 13”
Price: $19

In stock now at René Herse.

The PTAP Designs Chonker is the perfect accessory for both your daily commute and your next bikepacking adventure. Influenced by classic English saddlebag design, the Chonker has added some new modern flourishes to work well for rack-less bicycle touring. The inspiration for its name comes from our resident chonky boi pupper Bodie.

Features include:
-Tapered side pockets that fold down flat when not in use
-Semi-rigid and removable HDPE liner to help keep shape whether empty or full
-Voile Nano straps and birch dowel for excellent mounting support
-Interior Dimensions 12”x7”x7”
-14L capacity
-Fully enclosed design for maximum water resistance

There are five total color options in case the floral is too flashy for your liking.

Additional Information:
When using rack-less as a front bag, please allow for a minimum of 9.5” clearance from the top of your handlebars to the tire. We recommend using a saddlebag support rack and a saddle that has saddle loops if you will be mounting it in the rear. The exterior of the bag measures roughly 14.5” wide (at its widest point) so make sure you have ample room if using drop bars

Retail is $170.00 with the pre-order live now, 8/24/2020 – 9/8/2020. Orders will be shipped mid to late September

Announced yesterday, but with our review of the Revelate Hopper, we decided to space it out a bit, Ibis has developed a direct-mount frame bag for select sizes of their Ripley, Ripmo, and Ripmo AF models. This bag uti­lizes a plas­tic free-float­ing brack­et to mount directly to your frame.  Check out this install video and see more at Ibis.

Full suspension bikes can be used for bikepacking. It just takes a little problem-solving in terms of bag design, fitment, and capacity. Yet, that’s not what we’re discussing here. Modern mountain bikes seem to be designed for shuttle runs in perfectly-groomed bike parts, not all-day rides on backcountry trials. Most new bike models fit a bottle and by “a bottle” I mean a small bottle. I ride XL-sized frames and every time I throw my leg over one, I’m baffled at the lack of bottle carrying capacity. This is a gripe for another day, however, because I recently found a way to solve this problem on my Starling Murmur 29er and it was easier than you’d think.

The Revelate Hopper Frame Bag is an off-the-shelf option that fits like a custom solution. Let’s check it out below. Yes, I’m excited about this one!

While Restrap markets their new Adventure Musette as an accessory bag for bicycle touring, we can’t help but note that packable bags like this reduce paper and plastic bag use. When they’re this small, you can stuff them anywhere. These 70g bags are made in the UK, come in three colors (safety orange, olive drab, and black) and are available for ordering at Restrap for $37.49.

One question I get a lot is “what is that rear rack?” when I post this bike. Well, it’s not a rack per se, it’s a bag support, compiled of Nitto components, dubbed the Pec Dec.

It’s almost always sold out but Rons Bikes has full stock today of this ingenious system, so jump on it now if you’ve been intrigued.  The price is $69.69.

The Swift Industries Zeitgeist bag is a lightweight, saddle or handlebar bag, inspired by traditional touring bags with a flap closure but updated in a durable, lightweight material. These retail for $195, come in three color options (black, navy, and coyote) and are available for pre-order now, with a hopeful delivery of mid-to-late August.

In other Swift-related news, their popular Bandito Bags are back in stock now for $90, in three colors (black, navy, and coyote) and are shipping today!

For those wanting a secure and dry spot to keep extra items for your next backcountry loop or bikepacking trip, check out the new Apidura Expedition Downtube Pack. This 1.5L bag attaches to your bike’s downtube and utilizes a rolltop construction for secure packing. There’s enough space to hold a 710ml water bottle or camp fuel and is not recommended for fork legs or tubes smaller than 30mm in diameter. Check out more at Apidura.

Our friends at Hoot Ventures are putting together a fundraiser raffle to benefit the Minnesota Freedom Fund, in the wake of the murder of George Floyd by police and the subsequent protests. Head to Hoot to raise some money for a great cause!

Wizard Works used a very UK material for their new collaboration products. This dry wax canvas is produced by British Milleraine, who has been making wax canvas in the UK since 1880. This move wasn’t just an aesthetic choice, as British Milleraine uses zero waste and water use in the wax process, and the fabric is free from fluorinated carbons often found in water repellent fabrics.

There are five Lil Presto! Barrel Bag and five Voila! Snack Bags available on 6pm BST Monday, June 1st for £70 each, so set your alarms!

CHPT3 and Restrap have pulled together a collaboration, featuring CHPT3’s Devesa pattern, inspired by the bark of the trees in Girona. These bags feature monotone patterning with a bright orange label. Three Restrap products, the Canister Bag, Tool Roll, and classic Musette Bag, are screen printed by hand and laser cut in-house. See more information at Restrap!

Dyed in the Wool is a German bicycle bag makers and the XL Bar bag is their interpretation of the ultimate handlebar bag. This isn’t a reproduction of a bag, this is 100% designed from scratch with a fully-waterproof shell, reinforced with an HD foam and HDPE liner, making a rigid bag that maintains its shape when it’s attached to the bike, eliminating the need for a rack. If you did want to use a rack, the XL Bar Bag mates nicely with the Nitto F-16.

The outside of the bag is wrapped with Molle webbing allowing you to play with attachment points and mount lights as well as other accessories creating a really versatile platform no matter what you need to carry.

The XL Bar Bag retails for €180,00.

Features:
-YKK Water Resistant zippers
-HDPE liner
-DH foam liner
-Recycled ripstop lining
-1000D coated Codura
-Coated Xpac
-Dyneema Paracord
-MOLLE webbing

Taiwanese bicycle bag company WOHO just launched its limited-edition bikepacking bag system, in collaboration with Basel’s OPEN CYCLE, using the WI.DE. model to reveal WOHO’s new CYBER-CAMO BLACK special edition.

In addition to this OPEN WI.DE collaboration, WOHO has upgraded its Xtouring Bikepacking Series. The bikepacking product line was redesigned with feedback from riders all over the world and includes refined details that enhance WOHO’s bags.

Only a limited number of the new Cyber Camo Xtouring bags will be bundled with this limited OPEN WI.DE collaboration frame. This project comes in at a retail of $4,186.90 USD for the frameset (XS-XL) and bags. Check out photos of this project below and head to WOHO to order. Yes, they ship to the USA and accept Paypal.

Path Less Pedaled takes us on a deep dive into Swift Industries and asks the question I’ve personally heard numerous times: why are bike bags so expensive?

In the world of custom bags, it ain’t easy to create a unique style. At the end of the day, most bags will look very similar because they are designed to do a simple task. However, once in a while, we come across someone doing something unique. That’s what turned us on to Boge Works, a small maker out of Seattle. These bags have a true-to-form functionality with some clever details. Boge makes bags, all in the USA. There isn’t much information on their Instagram profile but you can message them if you’re interested. We’re excited to see where this brand goes!