Bags

With mobile phones worth so much, both on a financial and personal level, it's crucial to have some way of protecting your communication device when you choose to take it along on a ride that'what Aquapac's Stormproof Phone Pouch is all about.

Ortlieb know a thing or two about making quality bike luggage and the Ultimate 5 Plus Bar Bag has been on their books for a while now, but it's starting to look a little expensive and basic.

Basically the love child of messenger bag and office satchel, Lezyne's town caddy is literally organised down to the last millimetre and undeniably very stylish for shorter hops. Codura/nylon construction is what you'd expect at this end of the market and does a very reasonable job of keeping the contents safe and dry while resisting the rough and tumble of urban riding. However, the omissions of stabilising strap(s) (or even Klick fix brackets allowing it to cadge lifts on a rack) mean it's impractical for faster paced/longer haul duties.

For those riding regularly, riding long miles or just plain forgetful a saddle bag like the Pro Maxi is an essential piece of kit. PRO, the accessory arm of Shimano, like its parent company manages to turn out a large amount of very respectable kit and the Maxi saddlebag is no exception. It's a well-made, well proportioned, securely fitting and water resistant pouch for your essentials.

At first glance these Canyon Prestige waterproof panniers look good. Unfortunately they are let down by cheap fittings and a lack of pockets.

The pannier fabric is a rubberised material that looks almost identical to the PVC-coated polyester that's used for Ortlieb's Back Rollers. Construction is sturdy, with welded seams. Closure is via a roll-top, plus two straps to keep the top snugged down. There's a detachable carry strap and a thick rubber grab handle. So far, so good.

If there were a word for a suitcase that can be carried on your back, then the Slicks Suit25 would be the definition of that word. And by suitcase, I mean just that: luggage that will carry a suit in it. On your back.

Having to wear a suit at work can complicate plans to cycle there because - unless you're so close you simply wear it and ride there - you will need to transport it without it looking like you have just picked it up off your bedroom floor. The Slicks Suit25 carries your suit, shirt, and even shoes in stylish, business-like backpack.

​Levrier is French (I think) for greyhound (je pense) so I'm pretty sure these courier bags will make you go like the clappers on your bike (possiblement).

You'll probably know Abus as the German lock-meisters but the Dryve is part of their march into the world of bags and helmets.

The Dryve seems to be designed with the British cyclist in mind, made as it is from waterproof sturdy and durable 1000D Kodra, with waterproof seams, waterproof external zips and with a drawstring baffle over the main compartment to further keep the elements from the cargo, although the last feature can get in the way of swift contents access.

Schwalbe’s Marathon Supreme is the quickest big volume semi-slick I’ve used to date, rolling a lot faster than its two-inch profile or 600g weight would suggest. The tyre is aimed at tarmac-riding touring cyclists. Its centre section uses harder rubber designed for optimum durability and reduced rolling resistance, while softer shoulders and Liteskin sidewalls improve cornering and shave a few grams. Schwalbe call this construction ‘triple nano compound’.

I don't know why Mission Workshop chose the name Vandal for this backpack. It’s built so strongly that the only thing likely to break is your back, after loading it up. It swallows 30 litres initially but can swell like a bullfrog’s throat to accommodate a super-sized 65. I used it to carry all my kit to Eurobike for the week, including laptop and riding kit, and with ample space for all the show loot I could get hold of.