Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

review

Lezyne Energy Caddy

8
£16.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Compact no-fuss top-tube bag. Slim, neat and fairly priced. Not big, but that's its plus point.
Weight: 
74g
Contact: 
www.upgradebikes.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.

What the road.cc scores mean

Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.

  • Exceptional
  • Excellent
  • Very Good
  • Good
  • Quite good
  • Average
  • Not so good
  • Poor
  • Bad
  • Appalling

If you need access to gels and bars while riding, the Lezyne Energy Caddy does the job well without extra bulk or fluff.

The Lezyne Energy Caddy is a small bag that fits to your bike's top tube. It's light and compact, and ideal for carrying a few items, such as gels or a phone, in addition to the usual stuff in saddlebag your or jersey pocket. It's also pretty slim, so it doesn't scrape your knees when you're riding out of the saddle.

This bag is attached to your bike's top tube and behind the stem using three Velcro straps. These are strong and plenty long enough to go round all but the chunkiest of tubes, and they hold the bag firmly in position, assuming your top-tube is round, square-section or more or less flat-topped.

The two side panels of the bag are made from stiff plastic with a fabric cover so the bag stays nicely in place and doesn't flop around, even when empty. The two ends of the bag are elasticated, so the mouth of the bag stretches open, clam-like, which makes it very easy to get stuff in and out.

It also means your stuff is held firmly in place when you're on the move, even crossing cattle grids or London potholes, as long as you close the lid securely and don't try to force too much into the bag.

Simple mesh lid

The lid is simply a mesh flap, held in place when closed with a long strip of Velcro along one side of the bag. That means this bag isn't waterproof, but that's no problem if you're using it to carry gels or bars. If you're carrying something electronic, like a phone, it'll need weather protection (aka a plastic bag), which is not a big issue.

Compared to many bags of this type, this Energy Caddy is pretty small, but that's its big advantage. Larger bags of this type can be top-heavy and hang sideways, or be quite wide so that some riders find their knees chafe against the bag when climbing out of the saddle. That's exacerbated when bags have pull-over waterproof covers.

New, improved design

Previous versions of the Lezyne Energy Caddy had a flap that opened long-ways, and was secured only at the end, leaving two large gaps at either side. This meant stuff fell out. The new version is a totally different design and an infinite improvement.

Our test bag is black. This bag is also available with grey side panels.

On cost, the Caddy's recommended retail is £17 but you can find it cheaper at your local bike shop and at the usual on-line stores. This is about on a par with similar products from other brands (which range from about £10 to £20, depending on size and features) and represents fair value.

To conclude, yes, this bag is small and has a mesh lid. If you want something capacious and waterproof, you need to buy another bag. But if you want something light, slim and very functional, for carrying just a few items, then this Lezyne Energy Caddy is highly recommended.

Verdict

Compact no-fuss top-tube bag. Slim, neat and fairly priced. Not big, but that's its plus point.

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: Lezyne Energy Caddy

Size tested: Black

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?

This is a bag to fit on the front of your bike, attached to the top-tube and the back of the stem. This type of bag is also known as a top-tube bag or a tri-bag, or sometimes a handlebar bag (although that latter term also refers to a bag which is in front of the bars). The Lezyne website says:

'The Lezyne Energy Caddy is a nutrition bag made of EVA foam molded sides and has three Velcro straps that attach it securely to the top tube and steerer tube. The elastic mid section expands to accommodate a wide variety of contents while the mesh velcro cover provides quick access while riding. Ideal for energy gels, energy bars and small multi-tool or mobile device.'

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

The website goes on to give the following spec:

WEIGHT : 65g

DIMENSIONS : 135x55x80 mm

CARGO : 21.4in� | 0.35L

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Construction seems good, though not excellent: there were a few loose threads on the internal seams which might catch or start to fray in time.

Rate the product for performance:
 
10/10

As top-tube bags go, this Energy Caddy is excellent: small, neat, slim, and with easy access.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
9/10

The caddy weighs in a 65g - putting it among the lightest options for a bag of this sort.

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

This bag's recommended retail price is a penny under £17 - less at your local bike shop and usual on-line stores. This is about on a par with similar products from other brands, and represents fair value.

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

This product performed very well. If you want something light, slim and very functional, for carrying just a few items, then this Lezyne Energy Caddy is highly recommended.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Slim design. Much less chafing on the knees than other top-tube bags I've tried.

Did you enjoy using the product? yes

Would you consider buying the product? yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? yes

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

This Energy Caddy is very well-designed. Its small size and minimal features are its plus-points. If you want to carry a lot of stuff, you need another bag. If you want a no-fuss bag to carry just a few items then this Energy Caddy is recommended. It scores 9 for design and performance, but gets a point knocked off for the price, which although fair isn't a bargain, giving an overall score of 8.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 51  Height: 5ft 10 / 178cm  Weight: 11 stone / 70kg

I usually ride: an old Marin Alp, or an old steel classic  My best bike is: an old Giant Cadex (can you see a theme here?)

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: A few times a week  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: touring, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding,

 

Add new comment

2 comments

Latest Comments