Which half frame bag?

[boxelder]

For the second time, the zip has gone on my Ortlieb bag - it's my fault, overstuffing it with a tent. What's a good replacement, as I'm considering Tailfin - no velcro, tidy, waterproof and lots of sizes. It's speedy though......

[Bearbonesnorm]

How about something with a roll top? However, I am unsure as to what's currently out there.

[faustus]

If you want waterproof and no zip then there's not many options I can think of - i'd say something roll-top might be a good idea, as they seem better for 'stuffing'. So Ortlieb do a roll-top bag, and the tailfin ones would be excellent quality, and more choice of sizes to fit your frame. They are expensive, but worth it if they are durable and keep your stuff dry?

EDIT - there are other roll-top options I think from revelate and other US brands, but availability and cost might be an issue, and there are roll-tops that won't be fully waterproof too. I think Alpkit and restrap custom frame bags can be made roll-top as an option, but again not waterproof.

[Valerio]

Having had:
Half frame bags from MissGrape, Restrap and Tailfin and full frame bags from Apidura and MissGrape I feel I have enough experience to chip in

I would:
- absolutely avoid Apidura. Expensive, flimsy, not waterproof (in fact, it collects water) and the zip failed twice even after Apidura had repaired it.
- avoid Restrap although is decent quality and was a good fit on my previous bike. Like every single item I had from Restrap it eventually failed (they repaired it though, but I sold it after that).
- pick MissGrape (they also make bags for SanMarco, Wilier, Pedalled etc. They're identical and can be had for cheaper) for the sturdiness and longevity. Their zips are the best and burliest ones I've used. I only sold the half frame bag to get a Restrap one to match the rest of my kit (big mistake). It's not the lightest piece of kit if you count grams, and it's not waterproof but I wouldn't rely on any bag to be 100% waterproof.
- pick Tailfin for the waterproofness. Their zip isn't as sturdy as the MissGrape one but thanks to their design it doesn't get stressed/stretched so I'm expecting it to live long. The downside is that you can't overstuff it as much as with other bags....but that's not necessarily a bad thing. I've used it on very long downpours and it kept things pretty dry. I have two bikes and the Tailfins were a perfect match for each one, I ended up keeping the one that fits both frames.

[redefined_cycles]

I'm an Apidura welded bag sellout. In fact if I want to keep something super dry like electronics I've trusted their welded top tube and frame bags and they've not let me down.

Yes, the zips will fail if you stress em like Valerio ( ) but they're nicely priced IMHO and if you are careful with the zippers they should last many many years to come. In fact I've been so happy with various of mine that I'm gonna sell my medium 4L for my Giant road bike and get the 5L version.

Bit more volume and less stretched out so I don't need to stress the zips as much. Off course, you could go all out and get the ones James Hayden has made by the Italian maker (I forget the name but specifically buys into their waterproofness).

Why not stick to a normal non proof frame bag and do what the commoners do and get a couple of dry bags. I'm using my TreadLite Gear today and it's ace. Might give it a dunking later with all my electrics I'm (to see what it feels like to be an idiot ). They're well made and seam sealed in DCF flavour (frame bag might be expensive though and I wouldn't trust it to be fully proof).

[Valerio]

I'm an Apidura welded bag sellout. In fact if I want to keep something super dry like electronics I've trusted their welded top tube and frame bags and they've not let me down.

Yes, the zips will fail if you stress em like Valerio ( ) but they're nicely priced IMHO and if you are careful with the zippers they should last many many years to come. In fact I've been so happy with various of mine that I'm gonna sell my medium 4L for my Giant road bike and get the 5L version.

Bit more volume and less stretched out so I don't need to stress the zips as much. Off course, you could go all out and get the ones James Hayden has made by the Italian maker (I forget the name but specifically buys into their waterproofness).

Why not stick to a normal non proof frame bag and do what the commoners do and get a couple of dry bags. I'm using my TreadLite Gear today and it's ace. Might give it a dunking later with all my electrics I'm (to see what it feels like to be an idiot ). They're well made and seam sealed in DCF flavour (frame bag might be expensive though and I wouldn't trust it to be fully proof).

Nah, the zips will fail. Full stop.
I was very careful with it after Apidura had repaired it and it failed again. They're pretty flimsy.

This is how you're going to find your Apidura bag if it rains overnight. I'm not the only one this happened to, so if you want waterproofness I'd stay clear of Apidura (or at least, I wouldn't rely solely on the bag for it)
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/sybrnmb0 ... l53xk&dl=0

All bags get wet when exposed to rain for multiple hours. The issue with Apidura one is that due to their construction once the do get wet they will STAY wet and retain water.

J Hayden uses Rusjan.

[redefined_cycles]

Yes, Rusjan us the name I was thinking of thanks Valerio. Bit difficult to order though as it seems an Italian language only site? Plus the price is probably restrictive for many

Sorry to hear of your constant Apidura Problems, aside from the one zipper failure I don't think I've had the rest of the issues. Had 2 half framebags and only full. Could it be leaving em laid on the sides in a sustained downpour as I've always been careful to stand upright and have been through some terrible weather with mine.

Always thought the zips were YKK but the site doesn't say anything. I'll check when I get home but if it is then I guess it's YKK also being the heart of the problem?

Will be interesting to see what you decide on Boxelder.

[due]

I actually think the frame bags are the one Tailfin product that are quite keenly priced - £100-125 depending on size is about the going rate for most brands

[RIP]

Surprised nobody's mentioned Wildcat Ocelot. Waterproof zip, mine's been fine for this Rain God. Also doubt you'll get a lighter one. Various sizes.

https://wildcat.cc/products/ocelot-frame-bag

[voodoo_simon]

Revelate designs - bought mine second hand and was used quite abit before but mine is still going well after several years of weekly use. I’d certainly buy again. Got the small, can take a pump, repair kit, mars bar, wind shirt and 2 tubes and there’s still a tiny bit of space left

Had a look at the Tailfin ones at Bespoked and spoke with one of their chaps. He said they put a strengthener in their bags that help to reduce bulging on their bags. They also looked a lot neater than my revelate one and a little better thought out if you wanted to add a top tube bag

[voodoo_simon]

Surprised nobody's mentioned Wildcat Ocelot. Waterproof zip, mine's been fine for this Rain God. Also doubt you'll get a lighter one. Various sizes.

https://wildcat.cc/products/ocelot-frame-bag

Does anyone know what’s happening with Wildcat? I thought Stolen Goat had bought them out last year but nothing on the web.

Had two of the bar harnesses and a seat pack from them and they were marvellous

[BridlewayBimbler]

For absolute waterproofing.....but zero 'Gram cool points,. LOMO all day long.
Also Hard Knott are excellent. I think Sigma Sport used to sell them? Again, not remotely cool, or sexy, but IME, absolutely waterproof.

[PaulB2]

I’ve got 3 ocelots, the older style, two of which I got 2nd hand. Theoretically not waterproof but I’ve never noticed anything getting wet inside even after 3 days of largely torrential rain

[Bearlegged]

I had a chat with Harry from Wizard Works recently, their take on zips is to use big chunky ones, and that lace up attachment along the top tube can provide a bit of 'give' that can relieve the strain on zips. Their bags aren't waterproof though.

If you want something with welded seams, the Alpkit stuff is worth a look. I've been using one of their Analoko bags for a while now with no issues and no wet contents.

[Tomwoodbury]

I like the look of the tailfin half frame bags but the lack
of straps at each end really puts me off.

I’ve had a Revelate Tangle which was excellent but didn’t fit my new frame so sold on.

I have a few Wizard Works items that are brilliantly designed and constructed. Uk made and nice people so my new frame bag will be from them. Stuff I want to keep dry will just go in a little waterproof pouch.

[fatbikephil]

I had a chat with Harry from Wizard Works recently, their take on zips is to use big chunky ones, and that lace up attachment along the top tube can provide a bit of 'give' that can relieve the strain on zips. Their bags aren't waterproof though.

If you want something with welded seams, the Alpkit stuff is worth a look. I've been using one of their Analoko bags for a while now with no issues and no wet contents.

I've had a WW half frame bag for about 18 months now. Very well made and fits the stragg perfect. Zip is chunky but a tooth broke off mine. It still closes you just have to be careful. At some point I'll get them to fix it.

My Alpkit deluge bag has been fine but the zip looks a bit weedy.

[redefined_cycles]

Revelate also went to the chunky (no8 I think) YKK zippers a few years ago. That's what I had on the full frame bag by them and it was probably my best ever bag yet. Not waterproof though (as them zippers aren't designed to be such). When I uprated the zip on my Wildcat I also whacked the chunky zip on. They are rather ace.

[boxelder]

Thanks all. With birthday soon I've gone for Tailfin. I like the attachment system and printable templates let me check sizing on 3 bikes. 0.8l bigger than Ortlieb.

[redefined_cycles]

I checked my Apidura btw. Yes, WTH, it's got a no name zipper on all zips (bar the tiny one inside for passport). Poor standards like Valerio said earlier. Hopefully mime will keep going. Good choice on the tailfin btw.