No matter where a person ends up going on their fat bike, they need to carry at least a few essentials with them. The longer the trip, the more things a person needs to store properly on their bike, or at least somewhere on their body.
One of the most efficient ways to have some type of storage to count on is to purchase a bike frame bag. There are various sizes out there, and plenty of brands offer some fantastic options as well.
How much bag is too much? That is up to each individual, which is why there is a breakdown of different sizes below. Some people might be looking for the smallest bag possible to carry only the essentials, while others want to stay prepared on an extended bike packing trip. Whatever the occasion, there is a bike bag out there that will work.
Before jumping into the buying process, understanding what type of bags to shop for is usually the best way to go. There are many different places a person can put their bag, and this article focuses only on those that go directly on the frame.
Those who need additional spots to store other bags can put one on their seat, one on the top tube, and another one on the handlebars. Just understand that the more bags added, the heavier the entire bike becomes.
It might come in handy to spread a lot of different weight out by putting it in different areas, but most fat bikes are relatively heavy already. Most riders need to learn how to pick what goes on each ride, and what does not.
The advantage of a frame pack over other packs is that it is right in the middle of the bike. If extra weight is added to the front or back of the bike, it can throw off the balance a little bit more. It is often recommended to go with a frame pack in the very beginning because it does not mess with weight distribution much at all.
No bike bag is supposed to get in the way, but frame packs are also pretty easy to be separated from everything else. With a seat pack, a person needs to be worried about the bags sagging too much and messing up with the tire.
There is also the inconvenience of not really seeing the bag itself. If something is needed out of the pack during the ride, a person might have to stop to access everything fully.
A top tube bag can get in the way for people who are moving their hands around, and the same goes for handlebar bags. A bike frame pack will be right under the top frame, and pretty much out of sight. The only thing it could possibly get in the way of is the water bottle holder. Fortunately, there is usually plenty of space for that not to happen, unless the bag is huge.
The shape of a large bike frame bag is usually triangular to maximize the space allowed. Many are surprised just how much they can put into a bag like this, but there are some drawbacks.
For starters, most people need to find a new place to put their water bottle, since it usually extends a little too far down. More space also means more weight, which can start to hinder a person’s performance on their fat bike if they are not careful.
If a large bag is not needed, do not purchase one. This would only encourage a lot of people to overpack, which just hinders overall performance. These bags are only for longer rides, or bikepacking excursions.
This bag might not be as flashy as some of the other options out there, but for those people who just want as much space as possible (without breaking the bank), this is the way to go.
The frame bag has dimensions of 16“ x 17“ x 11“. This provides enough space for tools, food, wallet, keys, and anything else in person can think of.
It keeps its form pretty well, so a person does not have to worry about it getting in the way while pedaling. It also reduces the amount of wind resistance that some bags can start to create when not installed correctly.
Access to the bag is pretty easy, even if a person is in the middle of a ride. There are multiple compartments to keep everything separated, and the essentials usually go in the top zipper.
It is pretty much a given that a bag needs to be water-resistant for any fat bike riders, and this one keeps everything very dry. Even going through some rigorous tasks, it performs very well compared to the competition.
The final touch is that there is a bit of reflective trim on the bag, which helps in darker situations. It might not add that much to value, but being seen just a little bit better while riding is always a positive.
With the ability to fit most bikes, this is a great starter option for anyone looking for a large bag. Strap everything in and see how great it works from the beginning.
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Click here to view over 1000 5-star reviews for the Ibera bike frame bag from Amazon.
This bag is the more expensive option for people who want something big enough to carry a lot of things at once. Simply put, this bag will last a long time. Most people believe that it is more than worth the price tag, as it provides 14 L of space that is more than enough for a lot of riders.
With a bag this big, some might initially be scared off by what it will do as far as getting in the way. The good news is that there is a lot of different ways to customize the fit for any type of frame. Some people use this on a touring road bike, while others will use it on a fat bike frame.
It fits everything, and with plenty of ways to keep it locked in, no one has to worry about it rattling around.
Not only is the bag water-resistant, but one of the reasons why it cost so much is that it is incredibly durable. This bag can go through a lot, but the outer protection is second to none. They use only premium materials, and the black color makes sure that it does not really show too much dirt either.
Separation is key when storing multiple items in a single bag. There are many different compartments for people to keep everything separated and easily accessible. There are zippers on the side that might take a little bit of time to get used to, but access to just about anything is always there.
All in all, this is still a bag that is under $50, so it is not incredibly expensive that it is only for frequent riders. Think of it as an investment, and fat bike riders will get a lot of use out of it for years to come.
Pros
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Click Here for the current price for the Moosetreks Frame Bag from Amazon.
Not everyone needs to carry around that much when they are going on a fat bike ride. Maybe it is a short ride, so there is not much of a need to pack anything more than keys, a wallet, and a phone. Others might be trying to go as fast as possible, so they want to cut the weight on the bike. There is simply no need to add weight in a bag so that a small one will do the trick.
Small bags are usually a little more affordable, which is another added bonus. Just be aware that an additional bag might need to be purchased later on if it does not entirely do the trick.
There is still plenty of space to have a water bottle or anything else on the bike below, but there is an increased chance of needing a bag elsewhere as well.
For something that tucks away underneath the frame and almost seems like it is not even there, this option from NDakter is perfect. The bag has a straightforward design, but it does a great job of protecting valuables inside. Even though it is on the smaller side, it maximizes the space as much as possible without getting in the way.
The first selling point for this bag is that it is effortless to take on and off. Some people might like to ride their fat bike without a bag at all, but when it is needed, throwing this on takes no time at all. It has a quick-release system with the Velcro straps so that it can be moved from bike to bike as well.
The water-resistant fabric is an upgrade over the previous model, which certainly comes in handy. It is made of a carbon fiber material that feels and looks very expensive, but the bag is certainly not. It is completely capable of blocking rainwater, and people do not have to worry about anything while they ride in different types of weather.
The bag is easy enough to access while riding, but a lot of people will wait until they break so that they can search through everything. There are not as many compartments on the bag like this, so keep that in mind.
All in all, this is one of the best cheap options a person can invest in. It might not be able to store everything at once, but there is still enough space for the essentials. For example, putting a phone, small tire pump, glasses, repair tools, keys, and a wallet in the bag together is perfectly possible.
Pros
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Click here to read 5-star reviews for the NDakter Bike Pouch from Amazon.
This company makes a lot of really nice bags that not only look premium, but they provide the most amount of storage possible in a relatively small profile.
This half pack frame bag still allows for plenty of space for a water bottle, as it does not take up all the space in the triangle. Instead, it expands a little further along the frame, giving it is a unique shape not always seen out of bags.
First, it is important to note that the features of this bag are amazing. There is a full zip main component that is on the drive side of a bike, plus a half zip tool pocket on the other side.
It is very easy to open and close while riding, as the zippers have and add a grip for people to use easily even if they have gloves on.
The fabric they use is abrasion-resistant and pretty thick, with even the smallest build. The small has a capacity of 3 L, and the weight is just 6.5 ounces. There are larger options out there, but just keep everything in mind as far as overall space is concerned. The larger it gets, the more it starts to sag down and take away space for water bottles.
They are certainly more expensive bags out there, so do not be afraid to spend a little extra on this one. The quality will last a long time, and the variety of colors makes it pretty easy for people to match up with their bikes.
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Finding the best bike bag that fits your needs can be challenging. You might think you need a big bag but then regret filling it up full of needless things that make your fat bike too heavy to enjoy.
I hope this list clears up some confusion and gives you the information you need to purchase the perfect bag for all your fat biking needs.
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