THE RIDE VERDICT
Lots of options to keep your gear dry
THIS WAS ANOTHER difficult product test to call; if nothing else, it suggests that manufacturers are really upping their game when it comes to housing your kit safely and keeping water out. What was also interesting was to see so many different styles of roll-bags available, for different styles of bike.
There were three bags that topped the charts and coincidentally, showed very different approaches.
The Lomo roll-bag is extremely basic, with just a carry handle but it’s also exceptionally well made and kept all water out. And at just £11.50, it’s a bargain, even when you’ve bought straps to hold it on. On that basis, it is well deserving of a Recommended triangle.
The Kriega US20 is very well-made and thought-out and also kept the contents of the main body dry. The loading method makes it tricky to get to the contents once packed though and it is very expensive. But it’s worth a Recommended triangle.
When it comes to all-round performance, the Oxford Aqua T-20 does it all. It’s super-easy to load and to get to contents when it is loaded; it kept all water out of the main compartment; it’s easy to carry with its handle and included shoulder strap and it’s stable on the bike. The only criticism is the fixing method — add in some quick-release straps and it would be nigh-on perfect.
The T-50 took a Best Buy triangle in the past, so it’s no surprise that the T-20 version is also worthy of a RIDE Best Buy award.
NEXT MONTH...
High-end full-face sportstouring crash helmets
‘So many styles of roll-bags for different bikes’