Bike Bags For Adventurers

Get Set for Bikepacking and Cycle Touring

Did you know that when the Youth Hostel Association started, overnight guests were not allowed to arrive by car! Yes, you had to hike or bike to stay the night, and they opened a whole new world of adventure for a new generation of young people. Today, our National Park areas still have a great selection of YHA and Independent Hostels, as well as Airbnb, Inn’s and guesthouses, all waiting for you to explore these beautiful areas.
With a good gravel bike, cross-country mountain bike or touring bag, the addition of a set of high-quality bike bags will open up a world of exciting new adventures for you too. Thankfully, at Chevin Cycles, we’ve got just what you need, with bags from Bontrager, EVOC and Yorkshire-based brand, ReStrap. Let’s take a look at the various bags that you’ll need.

Handlebar Pack

A good handlebar pack gives you flexible storage to carry compressible items on long-distance cycling adventures and is ideal for carrying a sleeping bag, mat or a jacket and other items. Having used them extensively myself, they’re perfect for having that extra fleece or waterproof handy on long days in the saddle, as you head for the next destination.

EVOC Handlebar Pack BOA 5L
Italian brand, EVOC, made some of the best bags in the world, and this handlebar pack is spacious, waterproof and quick to fix to the handlebar, with its Boa® Fit System. It has an adjustable capacity due to roll-top closure, is super durable and waterproof, and will look after your gear in the worst of weather.
Restrap Bar Bag (17 litres)
This #carryeverything rack-less bar bag connects securely to your handlebars for bike packing, touring or commuting. With no mounts or screws, the bag attaches in seconds to any bike. The holster fits up to a 14-litre dry bag and is secured with a hard-wearing buckle that’s easy to adjust, even whilst wearing gloves. The bag is a hard case for easy loading and is made from textured nylon and with nylon webbing for extra strength. Your stuff is held securely, even at speed. Contains a magnetic pin system for add-on food pouch which holds up to 3 litres. Hand-made in the ReStrap Yorkshire workshop, all bags are finished with the classic Restrap label.
Bontrager Adventure Handlebar Bag
This bag is one tough cookie and will last you for many years of exciting adventures. Bontrager prides itself on making quality, innovative components, with a rider-first, no-compromise mentality. It’s a no-nonsense rugged and waterproof handlebar pack, made with top-quality materials. It has a roll-top closure that secure, keeping your gear safe and dry; Two nylon handlebar straps and single stem strap provide secure attachment;1.5 L Hydra Pak hydration bladder fits securely in the front zipped pocket; Silicone hose port and magnetic hose clasp keep hydration hose securely in place; Water-resistant construction helps keep your gear dry; Durable materials are made to last with additional reinforcement in high-wear areas; a 9 L capacity and bungee up top offers additional quick and easy storage – it’s an epic bag for travellers, and one that thoroughly recommends.

Frame bags

Choosing the right frame bag isn’t as easy as you’d imagine. For me, having cycle toured in Europe for weeks at a time, it’s best to use a medium-sized bag, allowing for water bottles to be easily accessible. You also need to ensure that the bags are strong, well made and weather-proof. I tend to utilise my frame bag, with a power pack inside and wire coming out, fixed to my phone, which I fasten onto the stem using a Quad Lock (personal choice). This way, I know that my phone will stay powered, play music and allow Google Maps to navigate me. Yes, Google Maps is perfect for cycle touring navigation! Anyway, let’s take a look at our recommendations for frame bags.

Restrap Frame bag Medium
The #carryeverything frame bag from Yorkshire brand, ReStrap, allows you to easily increase the load you carry for comfortable bike packing and touring. With no mounts or screws, the bags come in three different sizes to suit any frame. They have strong zips, a textured nylon outer and technical fabrics, making these bags tough, durable and versatile. Rubberised strapping provides extra grip to the frame and reflective paracord zip pulls give additional security. Inner mesh pockets keep you organised whilst on the road and the medium and large bags contain an additional document pocket. An extra cable slot is provided for dynamo cabling – but use this for your phone charger pack. Capacity – 2.5L/3.5L/4.5L (small/medium/large)
Bontrager Adventure Boss Frame Bag
This frame bag from Bontrager is available in six sizes, ensuring that it fits just about every bike frame. With one main pocket and a smaller compartment pocket, it’s easy to stay organised on the ride, and the medium-sized bag holds all that you’re likely to need. It has a hi-vis lining and internal mesh pockets to make finding your gear easy; and it’s also water-resistant, helping to keep your gear dry. The attachment straps feature a soft rubber coating to reduce abrasion against the frame, and optional thumb screws allow for threaded boss mounting on the new Trek Checkpoint.
EVOC Frame Pack 3.5L
We really do try to bring you the very best products for your cycling adventures, and this frame bag from leading brand EVOC typifies their adherence to quality and excellence. This pack is easy to attach securely onto various frame types and it offers space to transport a rain jacket, pump and inner tube, etc. without scratching the frame. It has 5 fixing straps, to keep it stable, frame protection stickers, and is made from a waterproof material – and looks quite stylish too! Inside, it has two compartments, and one smaller compartment, allowing for small things to be located easily. Best of all, it has two full-length zippers, making it accessible from both sides – voila!

Seat packs

This is an area to get right, as a good choice of seat pack can make or break a short two-day adventure (or longer). A well-made, well-balanced and large seat pack will hold everything that you need for a short trip and keep things dry too. Let’s take a look at our favourite options for your next adventure.
EVOC Seat Pack BOA 3L
This seat pack comes with an adjustable capacity, due to the roll-top closure system. It’s compatible with dropper posts too, meaning that it’ll be useful on your mountain bike adventures. It comes with soft TPE protection for the seat post, a flexible main compartment, as mentioned, which will hold a few items of clothing and a wash bag, and a superb Boa® Fit System for easy and secure fixing to the bike. It’s also 100% waterproof, which is essential for any seat pack.
Restrap Saddle Bag (8 litres)
This pack from ReStrap is part of their Part of the #carryeverything range. Their rack-less saddle bag connects securely to your seat post for bike packing, touring or commuting. With no mounts or screws, the bag attaches in seconds to any bike. The holster fits up to an 8-litre dry bag and is secured with a Fidlock magnetic buckle that’s easy to adjust, even whilst wearing gloves. The bag is a hard case for easy loading and is fastened with reflective military paracord and reinforced eyelets. Made from textured nylon and with nylon webbing for extra strength, this product is made to last. Handmade in the ReStrap Yorkshire workshop, all bags are finished with the classic Restrap label, made from vegan-friendly PU.
Bontrager Adventure Saddle Bag
Bontrager has really gone to town with this adventure seat pack. It has so many superb features and is built to last for years of adventures. It comes with the usual roll-top closure, with a secure buckle that keeps your gear safe and dry; two nylon seat rail buckles and a single seat post strap to provide secure attachment to the bike. It just does what is needed in a simple and very effective way. Zipped side entry offers easy access, and it has removable internal poly frame which helps to maintain the bag shape without taking up space Water-resistant construction helps keep your gear dry and the bag has additional reinforcement in high-wear areas. On the outside, there are bungee straps which give you additional quick and easy storage.

With the right packs and bags attached to your bike, you can head into the hills on your gravel bike, for a few days of exploration and adventure. Just remember to pack light and to make the most of accommodation options, to really enjoy the trip. If you want a longer adventure and need even more carrying options, then click the link below and take a look at our cycle pannier range too. If you need any advice on what nags suit your own travel ideas, then ask one of our trained staff in-store and let Chevin Cycles share our vast expertise with you.

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