Best Bicycle Saddlebags of 2017: Reviews & Buying Guide

At times, you might want to carry things while biking to your work or errands or long trips. You can use a daypack or messenger bag. However, bags that fit on to your bicycle such as bicycle baskets or bike saddlebags are now available to simplify this.

Various parameters have to be considered while selecting bicycle storage such as accessibility, adjustability and water resistance. Further, attachment options with bike also have to be considered to avoid instances of loss of balance and control. Carrying loads lower in the bike is ideal as carrying loads higher might affect your balance and maneuverability. Further, these saddle bags have to be securely attached to the bike. If the attachment is loose, the bag can shift while biking causing loss of balance and control.

We enlist ten top bicycle storage alternative for you.

Bicycle Frame Pannier Rack Tube Bag

This stylish looking bag with sides in texture is both durable and practical. It make a great utility bag with a main compartment of 10L, side pockets (2) and a bottle pocket. Cotton interlining and EVA padding grant great protection. This bag can also be used as a shoulder bag or handbag. It installs easily with help of Velcro straps. They can be utilized on any bike having a back seat.

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Bicycle Quick Clip-on Pannier from Ibera

Ibera presents the Pannier which clips on the bicycle without use of straps. You may use it as a set or as a sole unit. Reflective strips are provided for safe use at night and hand-carry bands make it useful for off-street use. A base made from ABS and 1680 nylon makes it very durable. An inbuilt rain cover protects from the elements. The rain cover itself is easily stored in its concealed compartment.

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Avenir Metro Panniers

This is a wonderful bag for urban bicycle riders who require convenient storage on-the-go. It is extremely durable and well designed bag with large capacity of 1,380 cubic inches. The bag is extremely durable, made of nylon. It has a large main compartment along with internal pockets and a shoulder band. Reflective pipe lining grants good night visibility. The Velcro straps are wide and two in number that fasten to the frame.

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BV Bicycle Panniers with Carrying Handle and Adjustable Hooks

The BV Bicycle Panniers has fantastic features such as extra-size pockets with zipper, Light reflective trim from 3M Scotch and carry handle for off-road use. To provide adequate pedaling space, the pockets are designed in an angled design. These panniers are adequately secured with help of sewn shelves straps (4 numbers) at the middle section. A rigid back panel provides adequate structure to the pannier for easy accessibility.

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Double Day Tripper Bicycle Pannier by M-Wave

M-Wave presents this great pannier that has extra large capacity to take lots of snacks, more clothes or many more things easily. It is made from strong nylon 600-denier making it tear resistant, and has a plastic framework support inside. It weighs less and keeps things secured. It securely attaches to the back carrier rack with help of slots on the bag-tops.

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Pair of Bicycle Grocery Pannier Cycling Rack Basket by Bushwhacker

Bushwhacker presents these panniers can each grasp a large-size grocery bag and folds flat for storage. These bags have a mounting system of three-points to secure firmly to your bicycle. The grocery panniers are ideal for grocery shopping trips.

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MTX Trunk Bicycle Bag with Rigid Molded Panels by Topeak

Topeak presents this extra size MTX trunk bicycle bag that features rigid foam panels of EVA and water-repellant nylon of 420D. This bicycle bag incorporates a split main compartment, side panels (2) with enlargeable panniers plus a reflective strip from 3M. Now securely carry groceries, clothes, tools in your bicycle easily.

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Bike Panniers by Ibera

Ibera launches a wonderful panniers combo for daily commuting to work or to school. The panniers easily & quickly unfasten from the bicycle with a hook and strap. Therefore, it serves the purpose of a messenger bag. Adequate leg room is bestowed due to the angled design of its pocket. A rigid back panel helps maintain the bag structure for easy accessibility.

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Bicycle Strap-Pm Seat Bag/Saddle Bag by BV

BV presents this extraordinary saddle bag that makes it to number two on our list. Velcro straps assist quick fastening to the seat post and the seat. The bag is extremely convenient to store keys, patch kits, small items, tire levers, wallets, etc. Reflective trimming from 3M Scotch Lite enhances visibility and safety during low light and night time. Taillight hangers can accommodate bigger tools and extra lights. Medium and Large saddle bags are enlargeable to improve capacity.

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Saddle Bag by Stan Sport

Stan Support presents this cool saddle bag that grants extra storage space and security. It is made using cotton duck heavy duty) along with strengthening vinyl backing. This saddle bag features large pockets (two numbers) and flap covers (double-strapped along with D loop closures). The design ensures that all stress points get toughened.

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Motorcycle Saddlebags Buying Guide

Depending on the particular saddlebag itself, they look very differently than one another and they may also have a unique way of usage as well. The first saddlebags on the market were just the regular “every day” saddles that were placed at the back of your bike; the modern solutions are much more than that. Designed from a range of different materials and coming in different shapes and sizes, today’s motorbike saddlebags are designed to provide both comfort and safety at the same time.

Many motorbike drivers will be pleased with the default solutions that are already implemented by the bike manufacturers themselves but many others will want the saddlebags that are designed to please their own individual needs and that are independent per se. And that is when a saddlebag buyer needs to prepare properly and to get the right information before heading over to purchase the one for him/her. This short article will strive to guide you through and provide everything you need for a successful and worthy purchase when it comes to your own motorcycle saddlebag. It’s time to head over to the real thing!

Brief History of Motorcycle Saddlebags

Motorcycle saddlebags have quite a long history and it can be said that they date to a period when people were massively using horses (and other animals) as their primary source of transportation. Those first solutions were very basic and yet they were made of quality materials (such as the leather) which boosted their popularity early on already. Those saddles were just thrown at the rear of the bike and they did provide a certain degree of protection but not in the case of a major accident or a bigger event in general.

The transportation was in a serious expansion after the Vietnam War and that is when the motorbikes became fairly popular as well. A new concept was developed around the middle of the 20th Century and the motorbike makers started drilling holes near the back fenders in order to attach the saddlebags properly. That is when the first official “fully secured” saddleback was made.

As these hard-mounted saddlebags were gaining popularity, the motorbike makers also started implementing different struts to prevent the need for hole drilling when mounting the saddlebag. Basically, they didn’t want to cause any damage to the bikes just so that the saddlebag can be properly placed. That is why they figured it was time for a new concept to be born.

Over the next years, the motorbike makers were constantly thinking of new ways to create better motorbikes but also to create bigger and safer saddlebags that will be comfortable for long driving as well. As a result, the fiberglass saddlebags were created. This is the latest addition to the saddlebags assortment and it provides the best quality during the long rides.

Types of Motorcycle Saddlebags

Saddle Bags: The Different Kinds

Even if you are packed up with experience already, choosing the ideal saddlebag can be quite a pain. As always, you need the right info and you need to know what you really want and need as well. There are 3 types that I will mention here – Pommel, Cantle, and Wither. These 3 are also the most popular types on the market for quite a long time already and we will now look into them to see what makes them so special.

1. Pommel Saddle Bags:  The pommel refers to a front part of the saddle and/or a part that is raised above the rest of the seat itself. The pommel bag is a bag that is connected to a pommel either with D-rings or by just spreading around the saddle horn. These saddlebags are most often used to carry around practical things (like bottles of water, mobile phones, or food) that a driver needs during longer rides. The benefit comes from the fact that you don’t need to stop and dismount to use any of these bags. There is also no risk that your balance might go off while you are accessing them either.
2. Cantle Saddle Bags: These saddlebags have quite a long history and they are among the first ever “recognized” types of saddlebags as well. They are placed at the back of the motorcycle and they are commonly used to store things that you don’t really need at that point but that may come very handy later on( like the emergency kits, for example). You can use the D-rings to attach it to the cantle or you can just tie it up to the saddle strings. There are either 2 bags that are placed on a particular side of the horse or a single long bag that is spread all over the horse’s back.
3. Wither Saddle Bags: Yet another type that is highly convenient and that is connected at the front of the saddle. You will typically find a wither placed between the horse’s shoulders and that is also the safest available place to put the bags on.
4. Leather and fiberglass saddlebags:  If we look at hard-mounted saddles and the materials that they are made of, we can mention 2 additional types of saddlebags – the leather and the fiberglass saddlebags. There is no real agreement which of these 2 is a better solution since both of them have their own fair share of upsides and downsides and it mostly boils down to a personal preference. But you should still try to inform yourself properly before making the final purchase.

Factors to Consider When Shopping for Motorcycle Saddlebags

There is not just a single important factor to be considered when buying your own motorbike saddlebag. Heck, not even 2 of them – but a whole array. And right now, we are going to list the most important things that you need to consider before proceeding with your purchase.

The dimensions

The first and the most important thing to consider when buying a motorbike saddlebag is whether the dimensions are appropriate. You don’t want a saddlebag that doesn’t fit your bike. You should always try to get a saddlebag that is designed for your type of motorbike. In that case, any chance of issues when it comes to dimensions is fairly minimal. There are some custom designed solutions as well (for individual bikes specifically) but the price may be a deal breaker if you low on your budget.

The capacity

The capacity is the next important thing to consider. Although this is usually linked to the size it isn’t really a general rule that the bigger saddlebag also means the bigger capacity as well. The connection actually exists between the capacity and the weight so a heavier motorcycle will require a bigger saddlebag. On the other hand, if you have a sports motorcycle, you should look for a smaller saddlebag because that type of bikes is very light in weight.

The quality

There is not much philosophy here. The amount of money that you have or you are willing to pay directly dictates the overall quality of your saddlebag. The solutions that are made of cheap, rusty and low-quality materials won’t last long. On the other hand, the saddlebags that are made of high-quality materials will cost money but will also last long. Don’t regret spending your money on a good solution. Even if you are short on your budget, save the money for a better occasion. It will pay off in the very end and you won’t end up wasting anything.

Shopping for Motorcycle Saddlebags

The first solution is to visit one of your local shops and retailers. They should all have a solid assortment but the problem is that it may be limited. That is why I recommend buying your saddlebag online. There are plenty of solutions to be found and Google is your best friend here. I can recommend Amazon. You will likely find what you are looking for here already.

Conclusion

I hope that even if you have read this guide briefly, you managed to figure out how practical the motorbike saddlebags are and how much they can help you out and make your ride (even) more enjoyable. It is essential to get a good and proper saddlebag so that you can carry a range of different things smoothly without the need to stop driving and without the risk of losing your balance.

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