Bolt on Top Tube Bags?

Hey all, anyone know of a list of bolt on top tube bags? I know of the Revelate and Salsa EXP, and that is about it. Seems like that mounting option would solve my issues with TT bags, I would just like to know if I am missing anything. I want to be able to hold an iPhone 8, some sunglasses, and maybe some other stuff, but those are the two important ones. 

I've not used them, so I'm not basing this on personal experience, but I do know a few folks who like their Dark Speedworks bag, which come in various sizes and strap on and bolt on versions

http://darkspeedworks.com/buy.htm

It's not top tube specific, but I found the bag finder on this site pretty helpful:
http://ridinggravel.com/bike-bag-finder/

Jim_H wrote:I've not used them, so I'm not basing this on personal experience, but I do know a few folks who like their Dark Speedworks bag, which come in various sizes and strap on and bolt on versions

http://darkspeedworks.com/buy.htm

+1 on this recommendation.

Jim_H wrote:I've not used them, so I'm not basing this on personal experience, but I do know a few folks who like their Dark Speedworks bag, which come in various sizes and strap on and bolt on versions

http://darkspeedworks.com/buy.htm

My only issue with those is they don't look very big, or at least tall. The others I have seen are less long and slender and a little taller. 

garciawork wrote:

My only issue with those is they don't look very big, or at least tall. The others I have seen are less long and slender and a little taller. 

There are two sizes.  The larger one is plenty big enough, but to be fair, these were really designed primarily with Tri bikes in mind (I believe Cervelo Tri Bikes were the first to have the top tube mount bolts)...

garciawork wrote:

My only issue with those is they don't look very big, or at least tall. The others I have seen are less long and slender and a little taller. 

Understandable. The number in the name is cubic centimeters of volume. The 915 is pretty dang big and Greg made it sound like it was designed for gravel/bikepacking and not triathlon. You can see one on their social media feed here.

The other thing is you can figure out what you want to carry, how big it is and make sure it it fits using their handy specifications on their website (also pasted below).

Specifications:

 Capacity: approx 915cc (55.5 ci) -- holds 9-10 full-size 2.4 oz Clif bars

 Length: 30cm (12") Height: 10cm (4") Width: 5.7cm (2.25")

dangle wrote:

Understandable. The number in the name is cubic centimeters of volume. The 915 is pretty dang big and Greg made it sound like it was designed for gravel/bikepacking and not triathlon. You can see one on their social media feed here.

The other thing is you can figure out what you want to carry, how big it is and make sure it it fits using their handy specifications on their website (also pasted below).

Specifications:

 Capacity: approx 915cc (55.5 ci) -- holds 9-10 full-size 2.4 oz Clif bars

 Length: 30cm (12") Height: 10cm (4") Width: 5.7cm (2.25")

Well, if they posted a photo of it on the product page ON A BIKE for reference, I would see that it is, in fact, massive. In the online photo, it looks really short, which would make fitting a phone and some other stuff a bit tricky, but that looks like it'll hold a lot!

Edit, I do see it now on the 915 page, I didn't make it down that car and the other pages don't have a lot of info. 

Question to those that have tried, the few others I have found all have a steerer tube strap to keep it from flopping about, is this one just more secure without that?

Turns out a shop nearby carries revelate gear! Saw in person, sold!

garciawork wrote:Turns out a shop nearby carries revelate gear! Saw in person, sold!

I just bought the strap version of this bag, and it has the potential of being really good.  However, it only has one top tube strap and relies on the front post strap to keep it upright.  I run a slammed stem, so unfortunately it doesn't work for me.

I have an XLab bolt on. Works great but it's very small.  I've been looking for something larger that has the side pockets like the XLab. No luck so far

simplemind wrote:
I just bought the strap version of this bag, and it has the potential of being really good.  However, it only has one top tube strap and relies on the front post strap to keep it upright.  I run a slammed stem, so unfortunately it doesn't work for me.

Because the top tube strap can rotate around the top tube, you are absolutely right. That is why the bolt-on bags are fantastic in my book - they lock down the bottom and eliminate all of that.

I recently added the Revelate Mag Tank bolt-on to my gravel bike, and actually just removed the front strap that it came with. (Having top tube mounts was one of the things I was looking for when I got a new frame last summer)

That on the top tube and a revelate feed bag next to it seems to be a happy combination for me.

I'm using a Geosmina top tube bag that I've adapted to be bolt on. I've seen DIY on YouTube using a piece of plastic but it seemed to not be sturdy enough. I whipped up a baseplate in Fusion 360 and 3d printed it. Marked the holes with a Sharpie then used a soldering iron to make the holes in bag. No grommets needed since the soldering iron sealed up the holes nicely. I think I could forgo the stem strap as well it hold so well. 
     

Oveja Negra 

https://www.ovejanegrabikepacking.com
   

simplemind wrote:
I just bought the strap version of this bag, and it has the potential of being really good.  However, it only has one top tube strap and relies on the front post strap to keep it upright.  I run a slammed stem, so unfortunately it doesn't work for me.

If it helps, we make a couple of strap mount top tube packs (the Speedpack 483 and the Speedpack 915) that use an advanced strap system that is able to mount to just the top tube (no need to attach to a steerer) with ZERO slipping or sliding. We designed these packs to exactly solve issues like yours, where a slammed stem makes the steerer tube unavailable). Lots of photos and more info at the links below.

I've looked at a number of top tube bags, even considered getting one made using some custom map printed fabric of where I grew up (like this, you can barely see the top tube bag here: https://www.rodeo-labs.com/shop/bags/rodeo-x-exile-designs-custom-frame-bag/), but ended up with the Revelate Mag Tank because 1) the LBS had it in stock when I went to pick up some new sealant and 2) the magnetic/hooked latch on the top makes life on the bike so easy. I've got big hands and I fumble with zippers (I've been known to completely pull a zipper puller off when I'm not paying a lot of attention) when I'm sweaty/tired, so it's easy to just flip the closure up and down on the Revelate. Granted, it makes it less than waterproof and I suppose, if you had it just jam packed, it might be easier for something to fall out. I haven't had this issue yet and, when I'm in the rain, I never have anything in there that can't get wet/use a ziplock. Lately, I've been putting two granola bars, tire levers, core tool, Wolf Tooth multi tool (yes, I know, it has a built in core tool, but a dedicated core tool is so much faster), and an 8 ounce bottle of Pickle Juice in there. 

Yeah, the Revelate Mag Tank bag just is too easy to use.  I’ve never had anything fall out or get wet, so in spite of the odd design of the over-flap, it just works. Also I find with zippers, they tend to get dirt in the track and get sluggish with time. Until someone comes up with another magnetic cover, I’ll stick with the Mag Tank.

I feel like I should reply. I ended up with the Relevate, and used it till I decided to sell my RLT. Great bag. I needed a better bag for my road bike, and went with a Rogue Panda with straps, and... I swear that thing moves less than the Relevate. So, if you need straps, Rogue Panda all the way. But the Relevate had zero issues throughout my usage.