Frame Bag issue with Reynolds Tubes

[ebgt]

Hi

I'm looking to get a couple of different frame bags for my Club Tour. I ordered one of these:

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/luggage/topeak-tribag-drybag-black-06-litre/?sessionid=f905a6189d2243664a3464f9f40b17fcbac134de[url]]https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/luggage/topeak-tribag-drybag-black-06-litre/?sessionid=f905a6189d2243664a3464f9f40b17fcbac134dehttp://

But had to send it back when I found that the straps aren't designed for the kind of narrow steel tubes on Thorn bikes. They're made for the "fat" alloy frames and won't go tight enough.

i wrote to SJS who said:

"Unfortunately most of the other bags of this style we stock are all going to fit in a similar way so there is going to be one that is necessarily any better at fitting onto the narrow frame tubes of your Club Tour".

Which isn't massively helpful...

Does anyone know a decent make of frame bag that will fit on Club Tour tubes?

Thanks

[RonS]

Hi, and welcome to the forum!
Have a look at the bags from Revelate Designs in Alaska USA. I have a Tangle frame bag on my Raven. The attachment system fits most tubes down to quite small diameter. There should be something that meets your needs. The website lists their worldwide distributors.
All the best.
Ron

[PH]

I can't get your link to work, is that the small bag that sits on top of the top tube?
I have one and it doesn't fit well on any tube!  Tends to flop over until the strap that goes round the steerer stops it.
I also have a larger version from Alpkit, this has the advantage of being able to set the front strap  higher which reduces the flop. But again it's hard to get it tight, even on a fat tubed bike.  I'm considering a small bit of foam pipe lagging, which might both improve the fit and protect the paintwork.
https://www.alpkit.com/products/fuel-pod-large
I've been trying these as alternatives to my handlebar bag, not entirely successfully, I may just end up going back to that.

[David Simpson]

I can't get your link to work, is that the small bag that sits on top of the top tube?

The original link has extra stuff that wasn't needed. Here is the actual link:
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/luggage/topeak-tribag-drybag-black-06-litre

- DaveS

[ajbenie]

I second the offerings from Alpkit in the UK. I have a custom stingray on my nomad that i’m very happy with and can fit a lot of stuff in. An alternative could be one of their saddle bags which can swalllow a huge ammount of stuff and work well on my bike
/Andy

[PH]

I can't get your link to work, is that the small bag that sits on top of the top tube?

The original link has extra stuff that wasn't needed. Here is the actual link:
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/luggage/topeak-tribag-drybag-black-06-litre

- DaveS

Thanks Dave, mine is a similar size but isn't waterproof unless you add the cover.

[julk]

ebgt,
I also use a Revelate Tangle Bag on my Thorn eXpr.
It fits to ‘normal size’ steel tubes with no problem.
Not the cheapest to buy but excellently made and wearing well.
Julian.

[mickeg]

If that Toppeak bag has straps that can't go tight enough, I have no suggestion.  Lots of companies make almost identical little bags to carry some gels or powerbars or car keys or whatever.  I used a similar bag to carry a spare tube on my Florida tour last winter on top of my top tube next to the steerer tube.

But there are lots of similar sized bags that will go under the back of the saddle.  You have to get off the bike to access those however.

[John Saxby]

+1 for Revelate products.

I have two Tangle frame bags, one a Medium, the other a Large. Both fit my Raven very nicely, and I use the Medium on my ti-framed Eclipse derailleur bike as well.

Not "bargains", but they're good value, for sure.

[jags]

would you not sus out a good  small barbag  hold loads more than those top tube bags and looks far better.just a thought

anto

[PH]

I also have a larger version from Alpkit, this has the advantage of being able to set the front strap  higher which reduces the flop. But again it's hard to get it tight, even on a fat tubed bike. 

I sold the large version of the Alpkit bag and bought the medium (Oddly there isn't a small!) Despite the differences in dimensions seemingly minimal, there's quite a bit of difference when you see them side by side.  Used it over the weekend on two Audax, it's just big enough for my camera (Compact, but not the smallest) and a small power pack to keep the Garmin charged. It isn't perfect, slightly brushes my thigh when out of the saddle and can get a little knocked askew when I have a foot down at a junction, but not by much. Of course it doesn't have the same easy on/off of a bar bag and isn't really as accessible on the move.  On the whole I like it and will continue to use it for day rides, for touring I'll probably stick the bar bag on and look for an easy way of adding and removing the fitting.

Alpkit bag by Paul, on Flickr

other colours are available
https://www.alpkit.com/products/fuel-pod-medium
Just seen it's gone up by £7 in the week since I bought it
 

[JohnR]

I'm resurrecting an old thread but thought it pertinent to note that I've had good experience with this Altura bag https://www.amazon.co.uk/Altura-Unisexs-Vortex-Waterproof-Black/dp/B07HYG6Y5L on which the front velcro strap is high enough to stop it flopping to one side or the other. It's a waterproof material with a waterproof zip and my collection of cereal bars didn't get wet on the LEJOG.

I've also bought this small frame bag https://www.wiggle.co.uk/evoc-multiframe-pack-bag-medium?sku=103071669 which can be fitted in many positions inside the triangle. It's not yet been used but I've fitted it to check that it will fit underneath the bag noted above.