eoGEAR — Cycling Bag Overview
We currently offer four styles of bags that attach to a bicycle.
1. An eoGEAR top tube “Century” Bags attach to the top tube of the bike, right behind the stem. Sewn into them are the necessary attachment straps: two on the bottom and one around the stem.
2. An eoGEAR SeatBag™ attaches to the saddle and/or seatpost in the back of a bicycle. The mounting hardware is built in, so no bracket is needed.- Our SeatBag series differ slightly from the RandoBag series as they have the attachment method built into the bag. That makes for a simpler design, but, depending on the bag, they may require “saddle to tire” clearance — a problem with smaller bicycle frames (i.e. 54cm road bikes or 29er MTB frames for folks 5' 8" [172cm] or shorter).
- The bags are also semi soft-sided as they squish down, keeping the contents from rattling around — this design, which is similar to most internal frame backpacks, compensates for any clothing that you might add or remove during long days in the saddle.
- This modular bag system mounts to your saddle with a two-part method. The first part of the system is an alloy or webbing bracket that attaches to the rails of a saddle. This is different than many beam rack systems that attach it to the seatpost (no fear of attaching your bag to a “fragile” carbon post). Once configured, the alloy bracket pretty much stays on your saddle.
- The second part of the system is the bag itself which attaches to the bracket. They quickly attach to the bracket with our proprietary Dual Tab System (DTS), which is a double-Velcro™ type attachment method.
- The bags are also semi soft-sided as they squish down, keeping the contents from rattling around — this design, which is similar to most internal frame backpacks, compensates for any clothing that you might add or remove during long days in the saddle.
- Because of the separate bracket, this series of bags are best suited for smaller-framed bikes as some of the brackets (i.e. Highboy’s) elevate the bag up higher, giving you more clearance above the rear tire.
- Most of our RandoBags, because of their modular design, can be also mounted onto the handlebars of a road or mountain bike with either a bar-specific bracket or strap set.
- Our smallest bag, the 2.3 (i.e. 2.3 liters), is often used for 200K brevets or summer century rides, as long as the weather forecast is near perfect. It has a zippered opening and the inside of it is just large enough for two tubes, a patch kit and a small bike tool. It doesn’t have enough capacity for extra clothing (other than perhaps a pair of arm warmers), however, extra clothing can be attached to the outside of the bag with the included pair of Velcro-type attachment straps.
- For a double-century rides, 300Ks the SeatBag 4.8 is a good choice. It sometimes used for shorter rides when the weather looks marginal and rain gear might be required. For longer events, such as credit card touring or 400, 600 or 1200K brevets, we suggest either the 6.8 or 10.0 bags (they hold 6.8 or 10 liters of volume respectively) sized bag to accommodate extra clothing, unless you have a support vehicle nearby. If you expect to be riding at night, then then something that has six liters or more is generally needed so you have room for reflective clothing which is typically stowed during the day.
- The Zippered RandoBag 6.8 has more pockets and is better for those that like compartments for organizing gear. It has the option to add internal dividers. The waterproof stuff sack cannot be used when the dividers are in place. The volume of the RollTop bags allows overstuffing so one can “cheat up” a little on the stated volume.
- The 12.0 is useful for bikepacking where camping gear is carried on the bike.
- Storage of Glasses. On longer rides, where one might be riding at night, and extra glasses are required consider this: an extra pair can be stashed under the saddle Equinox Horizontal Pack Pocket (thus not getting crushed in the main compressible bag compartment). This option only works with the with the Standard or Supersize brackets. I carry two pair of prescription glasses — one pair of sunglasses and one pair of clear glasses for use at night.
1. If your saddle is compatible with our bracket system
2. Which style of bracket you need, based on the size of your bike frame
Compatibility with Carbon Rails
I have used the bag system on alloy, titanium and carbon rails w/o issues. Remember, if you are worried about a 10-pound bag putting too much pressure on your carbon fiber saddle rails, then you should switch to chromoly, as your body weight is at least 10 to 20 times that amount. The bracket attaches in similar fashion to your seatpost as does your saddle...putting pressure on the top and bottom of the rails and not loading from the sides.
4. H-Bags are handlebar bags that only attach to your handlebars. Some of them will attach to your waistbelt for off-bike use.
Helpful Links, instructional & Assembly Information — see our How To Page