Elite Byasi Container: Quick Review
Elite Byasi Container: Quick Review – by Guitar Ted
Okay, I got an e-mail and the subject line was “Byasi for you both“. It made me screw up my face and think, “Byasi? What is THAT?!“. Well, besides being a village in Nepal, the Byasi is a container that fits any standard water bottle cage and is meant for storage of tools and repair items you might need while out on your bike. The Byasi container is made by Elite, the company known for its water bottles, cages, and home trainers, and is an Italian company founded in 1979. This Byasi container, which is being reviewed here, is Elite’s take on what many have dubbed a “tool keg”.
What It Is: The Byasi Container comes in two sizes- a 550ml size in white (tested) or black, or a 750ml size in black only. The materials are exactly as found in Elite’s sports bottles, BPA free and Polyethylene. The construction is also not unlike their water bottles then, and you get a very good grip on the forgiving material when you grasp the container.
Where the Byasi differs is what the inside of the container is like. You first notice that the cap is a bit deeper, for better grip when twisting the top off, and that the opening is very wide, to facilitate getting items in and out. However; Elite also did something else which I thought was rather clever. Instead of having one, cavernous space, the Byasi is divided into two parts. The upper ‘cup’ sits above the lower and much larger open space. Elite did this so you can separate smaller items, or items you use more often, from the rest of your cargo. Of course, you can leave the upper ‘cup’ out completely for the full, standard cargo space of 550ml in the case of our white test Byasi container.
The Byasi in the 550ml size costs $9.99 and the 750ml one goes for a buck more at $10.99. See the options and more details here: https://www.elite-it.com/en/products/water-bottles/sport/byasi
Ride Performance: As I contemplated how I would use the Byasi, I had a ‘light bulb‘ moment. In these days when self-sufficiency as a cyclist is a very important thing to consider, my two biggest concerns are having enough water and enough to eat as I ride. Granted, many gravel category bikes have multiple water bottle mounting options, with many placing a set of bosses down under the bike, near the bottom bracket. As many of you know, this is a difficult place to have a water bottle as everything your front tire flings up strikes that opening you are going to put your lips on. yeesh! The mere thought of what I could be splattering on that bottle makes it so that I never actually drink from the bottle I put down there, but I use it to replenish ones I drain from other mounting points on the bike. And of course, a ‘tool keg’ has become popular in this position on a bike for similar reasons.
As I was thinking about all of this, it occurred to me while I was volunteering at an event recently that one of the riders at the checkpoint I was stationed at was futzing with a food baggie, the type with the typical interlocking plastic channels, you know the ones. Anyway, this rider had a drink mix that he was desperately trying not to spill as he fumbled with cycling gloves on so that he could pour said mix into an awaiting bottle of water. His struggles gave me the inspiration to think of the Byasi not as a ‘tool keg’, but as a food keg.
So, when I got home I found a sleeve of dried powdered drink mix, opened it, and put it in the upper ‘cup’ portion of the Byasi. In the lower portion I placed a nut butter packet and a handful of dried cranberries. Twist on the top for protection against……I’d rather not think about that! Then I placed the bottle under the bike and went for a ride.
It was cold, ‘real feel’ temperature was about 30°F. So, you know, your hands may not be as dexterous as they are when it is 80°F and Sunny. This system I came up with worked beautifully halfway into my two hour ride. I had easily poured the powdered drink mix into my bottle with loss of any of the powder, and then enjoyed a handful of dried cranberries. Washing it down with my freshly made iced coffee drink was awesome. I dubbed my test of my idea a rousing success and headed back to the ride start.
At The Finish: Whether or not you are in for a ‘tool keg’ or not, the Byasi Container is a brilliantly made and easy to use solution for storage on the bike. Yes, I like my ‘food keg’ idea, and it works great for that as well. Considering the quality of materials here, the price, and the versatility, I give the Byasi Container my recommendation as a great product to check out. It could be just the thing for your next big bike packing trip, solo self-supported rural ride, or just as a way to be better organized on your bike.
Note: Riding Gravel was sent two Byasi Containers, (one went to Grannygear), for test and review. We were not paid, nor bribed for this review and we always strive to give our honest thoughts and views throughout.