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review

Ride Pro Universal Bike Phone Bag

3
£15.00

VERDICT:

3
10
If you want your phone where you can see it, get a bar bag or a handlebar mount instead
Weight: 
124g
Contact: 
www.ridepro.co.uk

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Ride Pro's Universal Bike Phone Bag is a different kind of top-tube bag from dinky pouches like Topeak's TriBag. It holds your phone with the screen uppermost, visible - and operable - through a transparent pocket.

It's a big bag, given where it fits, measuring 20cm long by 9.5cm wide and deep. That's large enough for sandwiches, let alone energy gels. It's also the reason I hated it.

I hit my knees on on the Ride Pro bag when I was pedalling seated, I caught my thighs on it when I was pedalling out of the saddle, and when I stopped at a junction and went to stand astride the bike, the Ride Pro hit me in the testicles.

Since it's a wide bag, it doesn't always sit squarely on the top tube. There are two velcro straps for the top tube and one for the steerer tube or head tube; you'll need a few centimetres between top tube and stem to fit this. The straps are sufficient to stop it falling off, but the bag can get canted over to one side.

There's no rain cover for the bag and it's only 'splash proof' by itself. The instructions actually say: 'For even greater weather protection for your phone, put it in a poly sandwich bag before putting it in the Ride Pro bag.' Ha.

On the plus side, the PVC phone pocket does work as advertised. You can look down to check Google maps or whatever to make sure you're going the right way. You can even operate the touch screen through it. The top pocket keeps your phone from being banged around by whatever else you stashed in the bag too. There's even some reflectivity on the sides.

But I found it basically unusable. It terms of bulk, it's like strapping a Tupperware sandwich box to your top tube. Only unlike that, this isn't waterproof. If I wanted a top tube bag, I'd get something like Topeak's Tri DryBag.

The Ride Pro bag is available from Amazon, should you want one.

Verdict

If you want your phone where you can see it, get a bar bag or a handlebar mount instead.

If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website

road.cc test report

Make and model: Ride Pro Universal Bike Phone Bag

Size tested: Black Silver

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

They say: The original, patented, Ride Pro crossbar-mounted Phone Bag offers better crash protection for your phone that virtually any other bike phone holder available. By mounting your phone down on your frame, away from the exposed handlebar, your phone stands a much better chance of surviving a tumble. The bag mounts using two Velcro straps on your cross bar/top tube and a third strap on your stem/head set. The phone is mounted in the lid of the bag in its own padded and elasticated compartment. Below the phone there's room for tools, gels, camera, keys, money, phone battery pack and many other small items. Your phone operates as usual through the PVC window. For even greater weather protection for your phone, put it in a poly sandwich bag before putting it in the Ride Pro bag - the screen will still work - we've tested it! Although we recommend the bag is perfect for phones up to 140x75mm, the 150x80mm Samsung Galaxy Note/Note 2 will squeeze in there - it just won't be a perfect fit.

I say: it's an over-large top-tube bag with a non-waterproof phone pocket.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

20cm long, 9.5cm wide, 9.5cm high.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
3/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
3/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
5/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
2/10

Getting caught in the balls by it was an unpleasant surprise.

Rate the product for value:
 
3/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Poorly. The PVC-covered phone pocket works as advertised, but the bag isn't waterproof and its ergonomics are awful.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Nothing.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Not waterproof. Too big.

Did you enjoy using the product? No.

Would you consider buying the product? No.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? No.

Overall rating: 3/10

About the tester

Age: 42  Height: 1.78m  Weight: 65kg

I usually ride: Ridgeback Solo World fixed wheel  My best bike is: Planet X Pro Carbon Track (with front brake)

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, touring, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,

 

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