Fidlock Pinclip Saddle Bag M + Saddle Base

The Fidlock Pinclip Saddle Bag M + Saddle Base has a large capacity, an excellent fixing system and impressive waterproofing. However, this sort of quality does comes with a correspondingly high price.

> Buy now: Fidlock Pinclip Saddle Bag M for £49 from Merlin

Size

The Fidlock Pinclip M is a medium-sized bag, weighing in at 182g and with a 0.7-litre capacity. To give you an idea of what this means, it will take a pair of inner tubes, a multi tool, tyre levers and an electric mini pump. Two elastic straps help secure small items, ideal to hold tyre levers and a multi tool. However, more dividers could be added, especially given the size of the bag.

I appreciated the extra capacity during some long-distance or solo rides. If you don’t need the additional space, the roll-top closure allows it to be compressed into a smaller size.

The bag is semi-rigid with a plastic structure that forms a rectangular shape; it appears sleeker than its capacity suggests. The 0.4l option will likely suit most riders better, especially if your set up is tubeless or you carry TPU spares.

Fixing

The attaching system uses a base fixed to the saddle rails with a hex key. The bag then connects via a strong magnet and the PINCLIP quick-release system. Once fitted, it feels solid and secure. To remove it, you pull a strap to release the magnet, and the bag comes off easily.

This design makes it quicker to access the bag and lets you take it with you if it holds valuables.

On the road, the bag stayed rock solid, with no rattling or movement, unlike Velcro straps that can loosen over time. I haven’t tested it on gravel or off-road, but Bristol’s rutted roads do a fair impression of both.

The mount also doubles up as an action camera mount if you don’t want to fit a saddle bag.

An extra clip costs about £11 and makes swapping the bag between bikes easy. You could move the whole mount instead, but that’s slower than swapping a Velcro bag.

Closure

The other key feature is the V-Buckle, a magnetic fixing clip used to open and close the bag. Once you’ve figured it out, it works better than a standard zip –though I’d strongly recommend reading the instructions.

Waterproofing

For weather protection, the bag is rated to IPX5, meaning it withstands low-pressure water jets from any direction. As with a bikepacking or dry bag, you need to fold the roll top over three times to prevent water ingress. During a very dry summer, I was caught in a heavy rainstorm, and the contents remained dry even after an hour.

The material feels durable and should last much longer than many rival bags, which often fail after a winter or two of riding.

Extras

There is some good reflective detailing on the back to aid visibility. The interior is black and grey, though a lighter lining would make it easier to see the contents.

You can attach a light with a clip to the bag, though I still had enough seatpost visible to mount a light on it.

Value

At £59.99, this is expensive for a saddle bag. There’s also a 0.4l small available priced at £49.99.

The Silca Mattone Grande has the same capacity and is slightly cheaper at £55, while Stu thought the Restrap Tool Pouch was very good and that’s now £34.99.

If you are looking to spend a lot less, the Topeak Elementa received a very positive review back in 2023 and is surprisingly still just £19.99 for the medium.

Overall

The Fidlock Pinclip Saddle Bag M is a high-quality choice with excellent waterproofing and a rock-solid fixing system. It’s pricier than most rivals, but if you value easy access, security and durability, you won’t be disappointed.

> Buy now: Fidlock Pinclip Saddle Bag M for £49 from Merlin

Verdict

High-capacity saddlebag with a great fixing system and impressive waterproofing – but it comes with a premium price

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