Apidura Backcountry Top Tube Bag Review: A Disappointing Experience?

This review examines the Apidura Backcountry Top Tube Bag, a product marketed for its waterproof capabilities and superior design. The author purchased both the front and rear versions, expecting a significant upgrade from their previous, less functional top tube bag, justifying the higher price point of approximately 65 Euros. Initial hopes were high, fueled by Apidura's reputation for quality cycling gear. However, the experience quickly soured, revealing a critical design flaw that overshadowed the bag's otherwise positive attributes.The primary issue centered around the bag's velcro straps, which proved insufficient to securely attach the bag to the bicycle frame. Despite being significantly more expensive than comparable alternatives, the straps consistently failed to prevent the bags from sliding, posing a safety risk, especially during longer rides. This fundamental weakness necessitated the author's use of aftermarket rubber straps, a modification that highlights the significant shortcoming of the Apidura's design and significantly compromises the value proposition of a premium-priced product.

Pros And Cons

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Initial Impressions and Expectations

I recently purchased the Apidura Backcountry Top Tube Bag, drawn to its advertised waterproof capabilities and reputation. The price point, around 65 Euros, seemed reasonable for a high-quality bag intended to replace my old, less practical plastic top tube bag. I anticipated a well-designed, durable product that would be a significant improvement.

My previous bag was cumbersome and difficult to use; accessing items was a struggle, often resulting in injured fingers. I hoped this Apidura bag would solve these problems.

Velcro Strap Issues: The Major Disappointment

My initial enthusiasm quickly waned upon encountering the velcro straps. Despite costing twice as much as comparable bags, the design of the straps proved to be a significant flaw. The straps' poor functionality rendered them ineffective at securing the bag to my bike.

The bag slid side-to-side, even when tightened as much as possible. This lack of secure attachment is a serious concern, particularly during longer rides where movement could be problematic and potentially dangerous.

Alternative Strapping Solution: A Much-Needed Improvement

To rectify the issues with the Apidura straps, I decided to use alternative, rubberized straps, often referred to as 'boiler straps'. These straps provided far superior grip and leverage, allowing for a much more secure fit.

The rubber material and the additional tightening leverage eliminated the unwanted sliding and movement, a problem entirely absent with the replacement straps. This simple swap significantly improved the bag's performance and security.

Front Top Tube Bag and Additional Modifications

I also purchased the Apidura Backcountry Front Top Tube Bag. This bag presented similar challenges to the rear bag, with the same velcro strap issues causing significant sliding. To resolve this, I needed to modify the bag.

I had to cut a hole in the bag's attachment to accommodate the alternative straps. While this provided a solution, it was an unnecessary modification that shouldn't be required for a premium-priced product. This highlights the flawed design of the original attachment system.

Conclusion and Overall Assessment

Overall, the Apidura Backcountry Top Tube Bags, while well-constructed and waterproof, suffer from a major design flaw: their velcro straps are inadequate. This is exacerbated by the lack of non-slip material on the straps or bag base, resulting in excessive movement and an insecure fit.

The bags themselves are well-made but fail in the most basic aspect of their intended use – securing the bag to the bike. The necessity for modification with alternative straps highlights this critical design flaw. While functionality can be improved through DIY modifications, this detracts from the overall value proposition of a premium product. Unless Apidura addresses this issue, I cannot recommend these bags without reservations.