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Birzman Roadster I Reflective Saddle Bag Birzman Roadster I Reflective Saddle Bag
Birzman Roadster Reflective Saddle Bag

Birzman Roadster I Reflective Saddle Bag

8
by David Arthur @davearthur
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Oct 31, 2013

5
£12.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Stylish minimalist saddle bag that doesn't ruin the looks of your nice bike.
Weight: 
48g
Contact: 
www.i-ride.co.uk
How we test

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You can either stuff your pockets, or use a small saddlebag like the excellent Birzman Roadster I/II Reflective Saddle Bag to carry a spare tube, multi-tool, levers and patches. Which you choose is purely down to personal preference, but I prefer a minimalist saddle bag for the essentials. This one ticks the boxes.

It's available in two sizes; I tested the smaller option. It's big enough for one tube, a decent sized multi-tool with a chain breaker and a tyre boot and handful of emergency patches. You could squeeze some tyre levers in there too, but I prefer to just use my thumbs. Granted you could simply put those items in a jersey pocket, but at this time of year I like to free up my pockets for carrying an lightweight jacket and extra bit of food. Having the saddlebag permanently attached to the road bike means I don't have to remember all those ride essentials every time I head out the front door.

The Roadster uses a long Velcro strip to wrap around the saddle rails, and there's enough overlap that you can pull the strap very tightly and squish the bag into the base of the saddle. This ensures its doesn't rattle or bounce around when you're riding.

A second Velcro strap loops around the seatpost. After the first ride, I realised this smaller Velcro strap was contributing very little to the bags stability. So I snipped it off, minimising an potential for scuffing the carbon seatpost on my road bike. Despite this, the saddle bag is rock solid and doesn't budge at all. That's because the main strap is sufficient to anchor the whole assembly into place.

There are generous reflective tabs on the side and rear panel giving a nice bit of extra visibility for night riding. There is also an LED loop for hanging a light off.

It's made from a water resistant material that does do well to keep a lot of the rain out, especially handy if you ride sans mudguards. Ride in such conditions long enough and the water will eventually seep inside.

Verdict

Stylish minimalist saddle bag that doesn't ruin the looks of your nice bike, is capacious enough for essentials and stays firmly secured under the saddle. Nice reflective details too.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Birzman Roadster I Reflective Saddle Bag

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?

New for 2014, the Roadster 2 is a tiny lightweight saddle bag with reflector straps on the sides, the back and an LED hook. It is large enough to keep your essentials in for the ride, but small enough to hide away under the saddle. This splash proof bag is the perfect companion to take with you on the road

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

The Roadster 1 is a tiny lightweight saddle bag with reflector straps on the sides, the back and an LED hook.

It is large enough to keep your essentials in for the ride, but small enough to hide away under the saddle.

This splash proof bag is the perfect companion to take with you on the road

Size: 13x4x7cm

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10

Just big enough for a tube and tool and that's yer lot. Remove the smaller Velcro strap (it doesn't need it) and it looks good any any road bike

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
7/10

It's so small you're prevented from overfilling it

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

It's not as cheap as filling your pockets, obviously, but as simple well-designed saddle bags go, it's a cracking bag.

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

Stays firmly put under the saddle, doesn't rattle, shake or sag.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

It's minimalist design and those generous reflective details.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The unnecessary smaller Velcro strap.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 31  Height: 180  Weight: 67

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, touring, mtb,

 

saddle bags
Birzman Roadster I Reflective Saddle Bag
David Arthur @davearthur

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes. 

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5 comments

Avatar
barkingfishes | 11 years ago
0 likes

I stuff all this into an old water bottle plus more and put this in a bottle cage. Does the trick.

Avatar
David Arthur @d... replied to barkingfishes | 11 years ago
0 likes
barkingfishes wrote:

I stuff all this into an old water bottle plus more and put this in a bottle cage. Does the trick.

Fine if you're good with just one water bottle for your ride though

Avatar
therevokid replied to barkingfishes | 11 years ago
0 likes
barkingfishes wrote:

I stuff all this into an old water bottle plus more and put this in a bottle cage. Does the trick.

And me .... then an 800ml bottle in the other cage ... job done 1

Avatar
kie7077 | 11 years ago
0 likes

Would it fit one of these in too? (CO2 cartridge pump)
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?s=c59b5841629ca133c6bc0ec9d8...

I like Birzman, they have some very nicely designed kit that doesn't break the bank, 48g multi-tool for £17.50 for example.

Avatar
Swindaloo | 11 years ago
0 likes

It would be nice to see a picture of it at night when it's main selling point would shine. ( 4 )

It would be great to have night pictures for future reviews of jackets/winter gear that has reflective piping etc. Getting a good idea of how visible things are at night can really help with deciding on buying something or not.

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