Arundel Pico Seatbag

Waterproof and big enough for tubes and other little essentials, the Arundel Pico Seatbag is ideal for winter cycling. It's easy to use, light and compact, looks smart and is reasonably priced.

• Pros: Small, durable, waterproof, reflective zip
• Cons: Not enough Velcro to get a really secure fit

I reckon a seat bag, or saddle pack as it's invariably called, is essential at this time of year, when the risk of puncturing on wet roads is increased. You definitely want to be taking at least one spare tube with you and a few other essential tools – at the very least a multi-tool with chain breaker, tyre levers and maybe a CO2 inflator.

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The Pico is made from a nylon fabric impregnated with thermoplastic polyurethane and the seams are sonic welded. The zip is waterproof with a small garage to cover the end. It attaches to the saddle rails using a simple Velcro strap with a metal hoop – a nice nod towards durability.

Fitting the saddlebag to the bike is easy, except that on the Fabric Scoop saddle I tested it with I couldn't cinch the Velcro strap up tight enough to compress the bag against the underside of the saddle. It never came detached or loose while riding, but I was never quite happy that it wasn't more securely locked into place. A wider section of Velcro on the strap would remedy this.

One nice detail you can see in the photos is the reflective zip, just to add a bit more visibility on the road.

The Pico is the smallest of three sizes (there's the larger Medio and Gordo) and Arundel says on its website it's large enough for a 700C gravel tube plus gas, filler and levers. That implies that the company thinks the waterproof construction will be ideal for the wet and muddy conditions that typify gravel riding at this time of year in the UK, and it's not wrong.

You can stuff quite a few bits and bobs in the bag, with some careful packing. It's about the same size as the Castelli Mini which I also have. It's enough for the essentials, but if you like to travel with a comprehensive set of spares it likely won't be big enough.

> Emergency essentials: 10 things to take with you on every ride

I'd say the Pico is reasonably priced – it's cheaper than the Castelli Mini at rrp, but you can spend less and get a similarly sized pack. The Lezyne Road Caddy is a compact saddlebag with a wide Velcro strap and costs £19.99, but it's not waterproof like the Pico.

Giant's WP Waterproof Saddle Bag is small and waterproof, and £16.99, but the fitment system is a little more complicated.

All in all, the Pico is a neat little bag with a waterproof and solid construction, but a bit more Velcro to enable a really secure fit would be appreciated.

Verdict

Waterproof and tough, but not the most secure fit