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review
£69.99
VERDICT:
A neat and minimalistic alternative to loading up your pockets
Weight:
390g
Contact:
At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.
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Bulging pockets are the sign of a well-prepared roadie, but there are alternatives if you don't fancy overloading your jersey. This Deuter Road One rucksack, for instance, is slim and unobtrusive while managing to carry more than the essentials.
Over the course of a week I can ride up to five different bikes, all with differing inner tube requirements or tools for fixing bits and bobs and the like, which makes for a faff when it comes to sorting what kit I need for the day's ride, especially considering how disorganised I am in general.
> Find your nearest dealer here
The Road One is actually a really good solution, with loads of pockets for storage and quite a decent amount of room inside for a few extra things considering its rather small 5-litre capacity.
Inside you get five pockets. Undoing the main zip fully and opening the bag flat will reveal two mesh ones on the front half, with a pump pocket, a deep and elasticated pocket for clothing, and a small zipped valuables one on the rear that's easily roomy enough for a phone, wallet and a set of keys.
Inside the pockets there is little in the way of segregation, so if you are the type of person who likes to have their tools organised then this might get on your nerves a bit, but everything stayed in place even when riding off-road.
I could easily carry four inner tubes, puncture repair kit, a couple of multi-tools, tyre levers, pump and a rain jacket, with room for more if necessary, like some gels or bars.
The bottom of the bag is quite narrow, so if you do want to get anything out of it you will need to open it fully, which I'd say is the only real downside at the side of the road. That said, for anything that you are likely to need often on a ride there is quite a large zipped front pocket on the outside.
Not everybody is a fan of carrying things on their back, but when I was commuting it was always my preferred method and I've got through a lot of rucksacks over the years.
The Road One is very comfortable in use, thanks largely to the mesh padding it uses to rest on your back. It's firm enough to keep it seated in position without applying too much pressure to your body plus it's breathable too. There is also a central channel between the pads to let heat escape from the middle of your back.
It isn't quite as effective as my own Osprey Syncro model, which uses an aluminium frame to keep the bag away from your skin, but it's impressive nonetheless.
The straps are easy to adjust and again are very comfortable, plus you also get a sternum strap to stop the bag from swinging sideways when riding out of the saddle.
Both straps have a small amount of reflective detailing on the front, plus one has a sleeve where you can hang your glasses by the arm should the need arise.
There is plenty more reflective detailing running down both sides of the bag, plus a loop at the bottom to hang a rear light from.
Positioned at the bottom in its own storage pouch is a bright yellow rain cover. It's a welcome addition as the Road One isn't that waterproof on its own, with a decent downpour soaking through in 10 or so minutes.
I've had Deuter rucksacks in the past and they are built to withstand a lot of abuse; this one looks to be no different. The Matrix RS 150D Nylon used on the external panels is created in a diagonal pattern with ripstop threads. It's tough as old boots and has shrugged off everything I’ve thrown at it, including being scuffed on thorn bushes and gravel while out testing cyclo-cross bikes.
Value-wise, decent rucksacks can be expensive and I'd say at £69.99 the Road One can be placed in that category when you can pick up much cheaper, bigger rucksacks, such as this 15-litre one from dhb for £23.99. But it is possible for the Deuter to redeem itself, in part because of that durability; I got five years of daily commuting out of my old one, using it in every weather conceivable without incident. The only reason I changed it was because I was bored of the colour.
> Buyer's Guide: 13 of the best cycling rucksacks
Also the comfort levels are so good that you barely realise you are carrying it, unless you put something really heavy into it. The shape is spot on too. It's narrow enough that it never hinders your visibility over your shoulders, plus it is also short enough that if you do want to keep something in your jersey pocket you can reach it without having to stop riding.
So there you have it, the One Road is the ideal companion for a minimalist commute or just a long day-ride. Shop around for the best possible price and you'll have a bag that'll serve you well for years.
Verdict
A neat and minimalistic alternative to loading up your pockets
road.cc test report
Make and model: Deuter Road One backpack
Size tested: Volume 5L
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?
Deuter says: "Our backpack specifically engineered for road cycling brings the end of bulging jersey pockets on long rides. Camera, wind protection, or a small first aid kit can all be stored in this minimalist, aerodynamic road expert."
The Road One is the ideal size for long day-rides for those who just don't like carrying everything in their pockets.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Deuter lists these features:
Comfortable, breathable shoulder straps
Mesh pockets inside
Lightweight Aircontact back system with Wide Air Mesh lining
Easily adjustable chest strap
Main compartment with all-round zip
Clever attachment for glasses on shoulder straps
Attachment for pump
Zipped front pocket
Wet laundry compartment
Internal valuables pocket
Reflective 3M prints
5L
Reflective loop for safety light
Detachable rain cover
Material: Super-Polytex / 33D Pocket Rip
Rate the product for quality of construction:
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
9/10
Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
8/10
Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
8/10
Rate the product for value:
6/10
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
It carries the essentials and is very comfortable.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Plenty of storage pockets.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
You need to open it fully to get something out of the bottom of the bag.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your score
The Road One is a good all-rounder for carrying your ride essentials and it's so robust it'll last for ages, which goes some way to offset the cost.
About the tester
Age: 38
I usually ride: This month's test bike My best bike is: Kinesis Aithein
I've been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed
As part of the tech team here at F-At Digital, senior product reviewer Stu spends the majority of his time writing in-depth reviews for road.cc, off-road.cc and ebiketips using the knowledge gained from testing over 1,500 pieces of kit (plus 100's of bikes) since starting out as a freelancer back in 2009. After first throwing his leg over a race bike back in 2000, Stu's ridden more than 170,000 miles on road, time-trial, track, and gravel bikes, and while he's put his racing days behind him, he still likes to smash the pedals rather than take things easy. With a background in design and engineering, he has an obsession with how things are developed and manufactured, has a borderline fetish for handbuilt metal frames and finds a rim braked road bike very aesthetically pleasing!
Latest Comments
- don simon fbpe 58 sec ago
Have you seen my truck? Covered in the bloody things...
- eburtthebike 13 min 47 sec ago
Thanks for the tip. I didn't realise the Forest of Dean was inside the M25.
- Adam Sutton 18 min 22 sec ago
Chances are you live in London or somehwere where you have decent public transport, to make such a dumb comment
- Hirsute 24 min 49 sec ago
Although it says special patches, it would be worth trying https://www.parktool.com/en-int/product/super-patch-kit-gp-2 first if you have any or 2...
- Secret_squirrel 3 hours 26 min ago
Those calipers arent the prettiest. Makes them look like Post-mount.
- Dnnnnnn 4 hours 9 min ago
I'm all for a much more socialist approach to the sorts of things you mention, where there are clear market failures and a need for decent...
- David9694 4 hours 9 min ago
Zorbing balls - if it saves just one life
- 11waterloo 4 hours 15 min ago
12 corners in just over 2km is a terrifying prospect if it rains!
Add new comment
8 comments
Following on from my intial comment:
My second bag from Deuter. My first being the Race EXP Air (2016) which has served and still continues to serve me very well for my commuting and day pack needs.
The Road one is of the same high quality. A very low profile and minimalist bag to carry just the essentials for a training ride or quick sprint into the city and back.
It has some many well thought out features like the hoop for sunglasses, loops for hydration bladder and pockets for a manner of things including a bicycle pump. Ive also purchased a Platypus 'softbottle' to go along with mine to give me some extended range and a backup water source as regular plastic bottles like 750ml coke bottles and the like either wont fit comfortably or at all due to their shape and the low profile stature of the bag and this issue is compounded if you are carrying other things inside, so hence why I chose partner my bag up with a softbottle. (Its very flat and as thick as a peice of cardboard when its empty and compressed down)
I have used the bag on short training rides (30-35miles) and I find that my back doesnt get too sweaty. which is the regular and main complaint when it comes to using backpacks for cycling but i do tend to get pretty sweaty so YMMV.
Plenty of reflective detailing to make sure youre seen day and night. Chest strap to keep the bag in place even though its not really necessary if since you only pack light and the bag stays in position pretty well even without.
I suggest using the bag to carry things like gilets, arm/leg warmers, a waterproof jacket, bike pump, snacks and your mobile phone while your puncture repair tools, Co2 and what not can be carried in a small saddlebag of your choice which is how I use mine.
Come to think of it, There is plenty of space to carry a few Capri-Sun pouches - Just anything that comes in pouches like capri-sun will work very very well with this bag!
If i had to think of anything negative to say a bout the bag. I would say the lack of some sort of clip to carry your helmet for when youre off the bike like Osprey has on their bags. That would really elevate this bag to god tier status. My Race EXP Air had some webbing that held my helmet when off the bike so why cant this have a similar feature or one borrowed from Osprey??
---- Its a very small niggle. Definitely a feature that would be nice to have but doesnt affect the overall functionality or performance of the bag, It just means I'll have to settle for using a carabiner or velcro straps to hold my helmet.
if anyone ever comes across this review - Ive got one of these bags off amazon for a fair bit cheaper than the RRP on order. As an owner of a Race EXP Air (2016) for many years, i'll be sure to leave an opinion on it.
I was on the lookout for a small capcity bag like this Deuter and whats available either has long been discontinued, the price is too expensive or they dont have the colour that i want.
my 'top choices' were:
Osprey Syncro 5 (discontinued/wrong colour)
Vaude uphill 9 (discontinued/wrong colour)
Deuter Race 8 (didnt quite like the shape, 8L is not 'minimalist' enough for my needs and the price of the Road One was cheaper though this would of been second choice)
Chrome Industries Kadet sling/messenger bag (9L wasnt minimalist enough and i already have about 2 or 3 different messenger bags i can wear on and off the bike. Didnt really like the price but im well aware of Chrome Industries excellent quality)
Salomon Agile 2/Agile 6 (-- Again the pricing was way over what i was willing to pay)
------------------------------------
Some of the prices for what is basically camelback without the waterbladder is just beyond silly.
Just to put into context. im not one to get normally get fully decked out in lyrcra and i dont always wear cycling jerseys despite owning a suitcase full of them. my EXP Air and messenger bag that i have used for most cycling trips are too big for what i want it for so having a small bag like the Road One is the perfect choice for me. Ive got a saddle bag to carry my innertubes, tools, repair kits and a small top tube bag for some snacks/gels but I got nowhere to stow my phone or a jacket/gilet. keys and other small bits and peices away for day rides and my exp air is too big and my messenger becomes uncomfy after a few hours of it hanging on one shoulder (not to mention the sweaty back it causes when its empty...)
I'll be sure to come back and give an update.
I've got 2 Deuter's I have roundly abused for years. They hardly show a scratch, and absolutely nothing has failed/needed repairing ever. Get what you pay for.
£70 for 5L rucksack? Really? At that cost to capacity ratio my winter backpacking MacPac would be £1400!
Its not even a particularly technical design and will give you the same sweaty back as a very cheap one. That sternum strap will only stop it swinging around because it's so tiny, any bigger and it would need a waist strap too.
As we all know, anything aimed at cyclists carries the same kind of premium you might expect on bespoke space station parts or specialist surgical equipment. Companies think anyone who pays what we do for a bicycle must have more money than sense, any who buy this are proving them right.
Its not even waterproof ffs!
Looks like a camelback without the water to me.
Interesting review. This backpack has been out for a few years now, and I appreciate road.cc finally giving their two cents' worth on it.
The way I see it, it's probably not something to commute with...but would be very useful for a self-supported audax. Would a couple spare folding-bead tires fit in it? I reckon it would swallow them plus a couple spare inner tubes just fine, plus maybe some energy bars and an external battery pack for USB-powered electronics.
Ah, just bought one to commute with
I stand corrected then
How'd you get on with using it?