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General Category >> Technical >> Bent Up Cycles - Aero Bag review
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Message started by AustinSkater on Nov 28^th, 2009, 8:36am

Title: Bent Up Cycles - Aero Bag review
Post by AustinSkater on Nov 28^th, 2009, 8:36am

I recently replaced added a Bent Up Cycles Aero Bag to my Corsa, replacing the home made "speed" bag that I've used all Summer. Here is my review.

Pros:

Capacity. While most mfgs love to list the capacity of their bags in Cubic Inches, that doesn't help unless you've measured everything. After yesterday's ride I emptied my AB and discovered what it will really hold.

Clearance. I tend to have my seat laid back, which is why I can't use any of the Bachhetta bags without rubbing the tire. I had plenty of clearance with the AB

Zippers. The AB has dual zippers, unlike other bags which only have one that must be run all the way to the front edge of the bag. I prefer that style.

Safety. The AB comes with a reflective strip around the bag, another good feature.

Removeable bags. The AB has an internal velcro strip and comes with two small zippered bags that can be used to hold tools, wallets, etc. for easy access.

Cons:

No Mesh pocket. I use speedplay pedals, and every other bag I've tried has external mesh pockets that are perfect for storing cleat covers in, so you don't have to open the bag to get to them. Time to get out the sewing kit.

No hose feed through. For those who prefer bladders instead of bottles, you would have to leave the zippers open a little to let the hose out. I am one of those who prefers the bladders so I can drink while descending.

The Jury is still out on:

Side bottle pockets. The main feature of the AB is the two side pockets for holding bottles. Due to the location of my light bar I cannot place the bottles into them while riding, so I am not sure how useful they are without seat mounted bottle holders as well. Having the ability to carry four bottles is good, I'd just have to stop and swap at some point. Those pockets could be used with a bottle sized tool pouch.

Overall construction. The AB looks good out of the box, let's see how it looks after a full riding season.

Cost. It is a bit pricey ($139 plus shipping), but it let's me carry what I need for the winter season without having to change my seat position, so for me it is worth it.

Title: Re: Bent Up Cycles - Aero Bag review
Post by jayg on Nov 28^th, 2009, 5:12pm

I have one AB that I switch between my Carbent and Corsa. Increased its capacity by removing the plastic stiffener in the top. The bag is silent on the Carbent, but bounces against the back of the carbon seat pan on the Corsa (Problem could be probably solved by installing some Velcro). I like the bag a lot more than the giant brain bag I used to have on the Corsa. In my opinion it is just the right size and looks great.

Title: Re: Bent Up Cycles - Aero Bag review
Post by aikigreg on Nov 30^th, 2009, 9:58am

My pink bag is the first run of the Aero bag. I definitely like it much more than most bags I've tried, including the brain bag. It's theoretically smaller than the brain bag but with the design of the bag I feel like I can fit more into it. It's certainly more accessible.

It's designed to be a race bag, not a rando bag. If you use the bottle holders, I recommend just using it to swap out a bottle on the bike instead of trying to get it in and out, but it's still not much fuss. That's why there's no pockets. I love the dual zippers for sure. Shouldbe as durable as anything else since it's essentially the same material.

Bryan, if you like the bladders, as I do, many of us use the fastback LS for them insteadof our rear bags. The bikes seem to like the weight there anyway, and it frees up a lot of bag space too.

I will keep using my brain bag as my winter/rainy bag, and my BU bag in the dry summer - that way I keep it looking fresh and neat. I'd hate to get mud over my nice pink gear!

Title: Re: Bent Up Cycles - Aero Bag review
Post by Killer Bee on Nov 30^th, 2009, 3:21pm

Bryan, as you know, I really like the look of the AB(and excellent write-up). I'm considering either the AB or Angletech Aeropod. Both are pricey. I was curious as the fit of the AB, if it's not a snug fit(like the brain box), that could sway my decision.

The Brain box on the CA2.0 does NOT have much clearance.

Title: Re: Bent Up Cycles - Aero Bag review
Post by AustinSkater on Nov 30^th, 2009, 4:51pm

Killer Bee wrote:

I saw one write up on it stating that it was a bit loose on a carbon seat, and the owner solved that problem with Velcro, so I'm guessing that it's not snug. If you bring a carbon seat to the Christmas party, we can check the snugness then (or you could borrow it between now and then and drop it on your bike)

Title: Re: Bent Up Cycles - Aero Bag review
Post by Killer Bee on Nov 30^th, 2009, 5:00pm

That's right, I was thinking you had the the AB on the carbon seat, but it was the Euro-mesh seat. I really like the bottle holders(and I don't using a bladder to drink from)on the AB.

I won't be able to bring a carbon seat to the LSR X-mas party, the carbon seat you were using is out on loan.

Title: Re: Bent Up Cycles - Aero Bag review
Post by Bud_Bent on Nov 30^th, 2009, 5:44pm

Most carbon seats are narrower than the Euromesh. My CCK is quite a bit narrower. So, you can expect a more loose fit. Even with my Euromesh, I added velcro to my brain box so it wouldn't slip.

Title: Re: Bent Up Cycles - Aero Bag review
Post by Killer Bee on Nov 30^th, 2009, 7:11pm

Bud_Bent wrote:

Most carbon seats are narrower than the Euromesh. My CCK is quite a bit narrower. So, you can expect a more loose fit. Even with my Euromesh, I added velcro to my brain box so it wouldn't slip.

I hate slippage. [smiley=evil.gif]

Title: Re: Bent Up Cycles - Aero Bag review
Post by jayg on Nov 30^th, 2009, 7:33pm

Killer Bee wrote:

The AB is a fairly snug fit on the Bacchetta carbon seat. Snug enough to prevent lateral movement of the bag. However, it is not snug enough to prevent the bottom from swiveling slightly (the back end of the bag moves vertically about 1/2 inch). On rough pavement the plastic sheet-reinforced bottom repeatedly hits the back of the seat and makes a noise. May not be objectionable to some, but it is to me. I plan to install velcro to stop it from swiveling.

Title: Re: Bent Up Cycles - Aero Bag review
Post by evblazer on Nov 30^th, 2009, 9:45pm

Killer Bee wrote:

Title: Re: Bent Up Cycles - Aero Bag review
Post by Killer Bee on Nov 30^th, 2009, 11:05pm

evblazer wrote:

[quote author=Killer Bee link=1259418986/0#3 date=1259616081]Bryan, as you know, I really like the look of the AB(and excellent write-up). I'm considering either the AB or Angletech Aeropod. Both are pricey. I was curious as the fit of the AB, if it's not a snug fit(like the brain box), that could sway my decision.

The Brain box on the CA2.0 does NOT have much clearance.

While you hold out for an AB you can try out that aeropod I used to use on rando rides if you like. If Ray is going to the holiday LSR party I could try and guilt him into bringing along for you to borrow for a while and try out. If he isn't we can figure something else out as I have a few days off coming and might head out for a little trip in your direction on the hurricane.[/quote]

EV, that' s right, Ray has a carbon seat with the aeropod. I'll have to ask his thoughts of the aeropod on the carbon seat. The downside(besides the price) is that the aeropod doesn't have the exterior bottle holders.

Title: Re: Bent Up Cycles - Aero Bag review
Post by Kwijybow on Dec 1^st, 2009, 8:35am

I really like the look of the Bentup bag with the bottle holders, not so much the pink though. I tried out Greg's against my Barcroft at the TTTs and it looked like it would do well, whereas a brainbag will hit the rear wheel. I have a carbon seat mounted on the Corsa at the moment, and the brainbag is hitting the wheel there as well. For a brevet it looks like about the right size. -- Nelson.