{"id":113,"date":"2021-10-22T08:00:26","date_gmt":"2021-10-22T06:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=649684"},"modified":"2021-10-22T08:14:14","modified_gmt":"2021-10-22T06:14:14","slug":"smart-bikepacking-bags-a-lightweight-urban-backpack-plus-autumn-shoes-and-protective-mtb-shorts","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/smart-bikepacking-bags-a-lightweight-urban-backpack-plus-autumn-shoes-and-protective-mtb-shorts\/","title":{"rendered":"Smart bikepacking bags, a lightweight urban backpack, plus autumn shoes and protective MTB shorts"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By Tom Marvin\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Friday, 22 October 2021 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

While we may have enjoyed a warm, calm spell of weather last week in the (bulk of the) UK, sadly this week the weather systems firmly kicked the sunlight from our skies. But that\u2019s okay because, deep down, we all love a little bit of slithering about in the woods, don\u2019t we?<\/p>\n

The nights are drawing in, too, like a curtain being closed to keep the heat in your house, but this doesn\u2019t mean we can\u2019t still get out and ride. So we\u2019ve published our guide to road riding in the dark<\/a>, which is full of top tips to keep you active in the darker months.<\/p>\n

We also updated our best Gore-Tex Shakedry cycling rain jackets<\/a> list, as well as our list of the best winter cycling shoes<\/a> to keep your tootsies warm and dry too.<\/p>\n

If you really don\u2019t want to go out, Zwift has thankfully got a new route for you to ride called Neokyo<\/a>, which is inspired by bustling Japanese cities and can be found in its Makuri Islands<\/a>\u00a0virtual world.<\/p>\n

On the mountain bike side of things, we\u2019ve reviewed trail\/enduro wheels, including the Zipp 3ZERO MOTO<\/a> and Hunt Enduro Wide V2<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Finally, everyone should drool over some of the best bikes at Bespoked 2021<\/a> \u2013 a showcase for the best independent custom frame builders.<\/p>\n

BigxTop bar bag<\/h2>\n
\""Big\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
BigxTop is back with new products for 2021.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

After a four year hiatus, BigxTop is back.<\/p>\n

This small UK-based brand is run by Jordan Trent and is one of our favourite bag makers, offering truly well-made gear for a very reasonable price \u2013 some eight years after Jack Luke, BikeRadar\u2019s deputy editor, bought his BigxTop saddle roll<\/a>, it\u2019s still in use.<\/p>\n

New for 2021 is this mid-sized bar bag, which we think could be perfect for lightweight, overnight trips.<\/p>\n

\""BigxTop\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The bar bag is big enough to carry all of your kit for a long day in the saddle, or one cauliflower soft toy.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The barrel-shaped bar bag measures 265mm wide, 180mm tall and 180mm deep. This is quite a bit larger than a typical \u2018burrito\u2019 bar bag, but not quite as capacious as something like a Carradice saddle bag.<\/p>\n

The bag is built around a sturdy plastic liner that helps it hold its shape when used without a supporting front rack.<\/p>\n

The bag attaches via two included locking straps that go around your bike\u2019s bar and an elasticated cord that threads around the head tube (or steerer, if you have a particularly upright position).<\/p>\n

\""BigxTop\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The included hardware is very high quality.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

There is an internal alloy stiffening bar on the top of the bag that keeps everything feeling really solid once cinched up.<\/p>\n

The bag is held shut with a wide strip of Velcro that runs along its edge. In addition, two eyelets allow you to thread through a length of elastic cord and hook this over the back of the stem, as is often done with traditional randonneur style bags.<\/p>\n

A small pouch on the front keeps small items separate, while pockets on either side are useful for stuffing away used wrappers. There\u2019s also a pair of plastic loops on either edge of the bag for attaching a shoulder strap.<\/p>\n

Like all BigxTop bags, it\u2019s is lined with a free-floating light coloured liner. This really improves visibility and makes it a lot easier to find stuff when rooting around in the gloaming.<\/p>\n

\""BigxTop\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
We really like the \u2018coyote\u2019 colour option.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The bag is available in a variety of lovely colours, including the pictured \u2018coyote\u2019, which is a perfect match for Jack\u2019s much-loved saddle roll.<\/p>\n

At \u00a385, the bag is competitively priced for being handmade in the UK and, given our experience with BigxTops other bags, we have little doubt this one will last for many years to come.<\/p>\n