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review

Proviz Rucksack Triviz Comp & Light Triviz System USB Lithion Battery

8
£39.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Greatly improved bag for commuting and trail duties, with the excellent TriViz technology
Weight: 
622g
Contact: 
www.todayscyclist.co.uk

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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Pro Viz has certainly tweaked quality control as well as the technology when it comes to their Hi Viz rucksack and tri-viz reflective triangle. Starting with the bag, this retains the rip stop nylon/Codura mix of its forbears but seems a more durable blend and those padded straps have been grazing on steroids. Speaking of which, there are 10 and 30 litre capacities in either day glow yellow or softer-spoken black/Scotchlite.

A deep external sleeve with Velcro closure is handy for waterproof jackets (or indeed medium length armoured cable locks) while there's just enough room in the main for a change of clothes alongside spare tubes, multi tool and some lunch. Dedicated cubbyholes hold wallets and smart phones, continuing the organised feel. Padding has been beefed up considerably too for cargo protection.

Storage space for hydration bladders is nice idea for hot summer trail fun. This time round because the electrics are separate, detachable entities, the bag can take a tour de washing machine when things start looking grubby.

Talking of wet, one of the soggiest Decembers on record hasn't managed to penetrate the fabric and the waterproof zippers seem to do their stuff very well, although I noticed some trace dampness following five minutes' hosepipe testing. External mesh pockets with elasticated cuffs take keys, change and other stuff you'll need at a moments notice. Mind you; my gaoler's bunch is threatening to gnaw its way through after a few weeks.

Now let's take a look at the Tri-Viz. Essentially, this is the brands' electro luminescent technology squeezed into a 16x16x16cm warning triangle that attaches across the Nightrider range via a Velcro landing strip. So you could scoot back and forth to work with it aboard the rucksack/messenger bag, swapping to the jacket to be unhampered as suits.

Switchgear and little silicone clad cell live inside the zippered grey pouch, the latter demanding four hour port plug-ins in return for between 12 and fifteen hour run times, depending on mode and to some extent temperature.

As a package, overall performance is superb; the bag sits nicely against the back, low enough not to interfere with helmets when looking over the shoulders. Beefy straps minimise sway or tiring bounce-even when heavily laden. However, in keeping with most rider-worn luggage, ten maybe twelve miles are about as far as I'd want to commute with any frequency but it makes a comfortable trail companion when moderately laden.

Visibility wise, the fluro yellow cuts a swathe through early morning gloom and the tri-viz is literally brilliant, particularly since the blue triangle cannot be confused or lost amongst competing town centre neon and precise alignment with driver eye-level seems to captivate attention at around three hundred metres, nearer four in the sticks. I only hope that Pro-viz will introduce a universal mount, allowing it to be retrofitted to previous models and other brands.

Verdict

Greatly improved bag for commuting and trail duties, with the excellent TriViz technology.

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Proviz Rucksack Triviz Comp & Light Triviz System USB Lithion Battery £39.99 622g, 29.99 120g

Size tested: One size

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?

'The PROVIZ Nightrider rucksack is designed to give you everything you need all in one pack. Highly visible, reflective, water-resistant and ample storage along with being liquid bladder ready should you wish to add one on those hotter days. The rucksack is also compatible with our unique USB rechargeable TRIVIZ light pack that is attachable/detachable in seconds

Whatever activity you are doing on the roads, simply remove the reflective booster triangle and replace it with the TRIVIZ to ensure you are highly visible above the sea of red and white lights on the roads'

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

Bag: Codura/Nylon Mix in 10 or 30 litre capacities. Tri-Viz electro luminescent warning triangle fuelled by USB charged lithium ion cell.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Superior to previous models.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
7/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
7/10
Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

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

I have mixed feelings about integrated systems but the rucksack and warning triangle make a brilliant commuting package, burning through early morning gloom and nocturnal metropolis alike. Comfort is generally very good when moderately laden to around the ten/twelve mile mark and being machine washable extends its horizons to weekend trail fun.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Brilliant lighting concept that has been really well executed, improved comfort and buld quality bag-wise.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Would love to see a universal mounting option for the Tri Viz.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 38  Height: 1m 81  Weight: 70 kilos

I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset  My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road

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

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,

 

Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)

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1 comments

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ironbloke | 11 years ago
0 likes

40 notes! Lidl rucksack £15 with 4xblinking light strips £4 and a few beer tokens left over

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