The Zefal Z Adventure F1 Handlebar Bag is a minimalist design, big enough to store plenty of essentials, but not large enough to affect the lines of your bike or your hand position on the bar. It also has external webbing, loops and side pockets to further boost its storage capacity. I’d have preferred it to be fully waterproof rather than just shrugging off showers, but it’s still looking good after 1,000 miles on the bike.
I really enjoyed using the Zefal Adventure F1. Its 1.2-litre capacity may not seem that much but it meant that I could remove storage from my stuffed jersey pocket. And it was enough to make me think, ‘actually, I’ll take that along too’.
I used it for tools, tubes, CO2 canisters, snacks, phone and sunglasses – exactly the sort of stuff that I usually cram into my jersey pockets.
Because of its moderate size the bag didn’t affect the bike’s handling, and it didn’t put a dink in my average speed either. I had the idea that it would somehow affect the ‘aero-ness’ of my bike, and while it clearly must have had some sort of effect, it wasn’t enough to be noticeable in the real world.
It may be small, but as far as I’m concerned it was absolutely perfect for my needs, and it weighs just 132g.
Its size meant I could tuck it just below my Wahoo cycling computer and lights, so it was completely out of the way. In fact, I didn’t have to change anything about my handlebar setup on any of my three bikes – hybrid, gravel and road. It comes with six foam pads that allow you to tailor the gap between your fingers and the bag, and I opted for just two each side, as I preferred it a little closer to the bar.
The Zefal doesn’t bounce around when it’s fitted. The straps pull the bag tightly to the bar, and with the elastic-cord firmly hooked around my handlebar spacers, it stayed put.
I liked the storage webbing on the front of the bag, which I found handy for all sorts of stuff. Big bananas, energy bars and gels, even a gilet or a tightly packed jacket will go in, with a simple slide-pull adjuster allowing you to pull it tight.
The side pocket is also handy to access quickly, and this will take a couple of small bars or gels.
The water-resistant zip is easy enough to unzip and zip up while you’re riding, as long as you keep the stuff you need easiest access to – sunnies, snacks – at the top of the pouch. The bright red lining inside makes the contents easier to spot as well.
My main criticism of the bag is that it’s water-resistant rather than genuinely waterproof. This means it’ll shrug off a shower, but in a full-on storm the contents will get wet. After getting caught out once, I wrapped my tools in plastic sandwich bags, which also meant they no longer clonked together.
But it’s a tough little bag overall, well put together and still looking good after 1,000 miles on the bike – so I’ve no worries about its long-term durability.
Value
I think the Zefal Adventure F1 is a decent price for the features it offers.
The Restrap Canister handlebar bag is decent value at £45 but it doesn’t have any external webbing, and like the Zefal it’s not fully waterproof.
The Cycology Secret Garden Aqua Handlebar Bag costs £35 and has similar features plus a handy shoulder strap and some rather funky styling. But in spite of the Aqua name, it’s still not fully waterproof.
Topeak’s neat 1.5-litre Tubular Bar Bag costs the same as the Zefal, though it lacks the front webbing and is still only also water-resistant.
Our sister site off.road.cc has a handlebar bag buyer’s guide for other alternatives, while our best bikepacking bags buyer’s guide covers all sorts of on-bike luggage options.
Conclusion
I really liked the Zefal Z adventure F1. Its weight isn’t noticeable, it’s easy to swap between bikes and the webbing, front loops and side pocket are great for a bit of extra storage. It’s good value too, with a decent among of features for the price. I’d like to think a future version would offer improved waterproofing, but that’s about the only downside on what is a very good bag.
Verdict
Good value, practical features, easy to use and to swap between bikes – though I’d have liked more water-resistance
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Zefal Z Adventure F1 Handlebar Bag
Size tested: 1.2 litres
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?
Zefal says:
“The lightweight, practical Z Adventure F1, with a capacity of 1.2 litres, is ideal for carrying all your essentials when you’re out and about on your bike, while preserving its lines. This bag is roomy enough to hold a phone, wallet, keys, multitool and even a mini-pump. It has pockets and compartments for easy organisation. You won’t need to overload your jersey pockets.
“The Z Adventure F1 handlebar bag is made from water-repellent fabric and has a waterproof zip to protect your gear from the elements. The bungee cord at the top of the pannier lets you carry a light garment for unexpected weather changes.
“The locking drawcord ensures that the bag stays securely on your bike, even over rough terrain. The foam pads allow you to move the Z Adventure F1 away from the handlebars to leave enough space for your hands.”
I found it a minimalist design, big enough to store plenty of essentials, but not so big as to affect the lines of your bike, or your hand positioning on the handlebar. And I found the webbing, loops and side pockets very handy for storing stuff externally too.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Made of Polyester 420D TPU (Water resistant)
Dimension : Width 200mm x Depth 90mm x Height 90mm
Six foam spacers, 3 each side, each adding 1cm spacing from bar.
Capacity 1.2 litres, small side pouch
Front bungee straps with adjustable cord
Two rows of Molle-style webbing for hooking on small accessories (lights, keyrings)
Extra security hook for handlebar stem/spacers, to stop rotation.
Water repellent zip with garage and red toggle
Red lined inner for easy spotting of stuff inside
The Z Adventure F1 bag is well put together. I had it on the bike for about 1,000 miles and apart from it looking a little grubby, it’s still in good condition.
I have no doubt that it’ll last you a long time.
This gives an extra boost of storage that is just handy enough that you think ‘actually I can take that along too’. I appreciated not having to load up my jersey pockets any more, choosing to shove stuff in the bar bag instead.
The only real downside is that it’s water-resistant rather than being genuinely waterproof. So, while it can shrug off a shower, if you’re caught in a downpour the contents will get wet, which isn’t what you want for a phone of tools.
I think if you’re regularly swapping it between bikes, or continually adjusting the foam pads, they could see some minor wear from constant swapping or adjusting.
The interior lining could be prone to damage if metal tools are allowed to constantly rattle around in it. I’d recommend wrapping tools in a few sandwich bags to prevent wear to the interior lining.
At just 132g, this feels as light as a pencil case.
It’s got a ‘barely there’ feel to it, has no effect on the bike’s handling and tucked in just below my Wahoo cycling computer and lights.
I had to change nothing about my handlebar set up for it to work on any of my three bikes – hybrid, gravel and road. I opted for just two foam pads each side, as I preferred it a little closer to the bar. And as mentioned, I’d wrap metal tools in waterproof bags.
At £36.99 I think the Zefal is very good value for the size, construction quality and performance it offers.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Really, really well, enjoyed the extra storage on offer, loved it’s “barely there” performance, and how it doesnt seem to affect bike handling or average speed/
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
The extra storage, freeing up my jersey pockets. The front webbing is a superb addition for things like bananas and jackets!
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
I’d have preferred it to be genuinely waterproof. Yes, it’ll shrug off showers and you can always improvise, but I’d have appreaciated a higher level of water-resistance.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
Its very good value. Considering it’s at the cheaper end of the market, I think it’s packing some great features for the money.
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 overall score
I really rated the Zefal Z adventure F1, its ‘barely there’ weight, its stability on the bars, the ease of use and how easy it is to swap between bikes. The front webbing is a great addition too. A future version would do well to include full waterproofing, but this is still a very good bar bag.
About the tester
Age: 43 Height: 181 Weight: 92 Kilos
I usually ride: GT Grade My best bike is: Boardman ASR 8.9
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: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, mtb, Zwifting
1 thought on “Zefal Z Adventure F1 Handlebar Bag”
If you want waterproof you
If you want waterproof you could get one of these, although Road.cc only gave it 7/10.