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review

Birzman Belly S top tube bag

7
£14.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Small, simple bag giving easy access to sweets and gels for those times when you just can't stop
Weight: 
45g
Contact: 
www.i-ride.co.uk

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The Birzman Belly S (for small) top tube bag provides a handy little spot on your top tube to stash a few gels or jelly babies if your ride planning somehow fails to include a cake stop.

Top tube bags are an alternative to the more commonly used saddle packs if you want to keep stuff handy to access while you're riding. They are used by triathletes in particular to facilitate the taking on of energy for those times when a cake-stop just won't fit in the schedule. Some people might find it surprising that cyclists plan a bike ride without allowing time for cake, but I have been assured that it happens.

If you've stuffed your gels in the saddle pack then you'll struggle to get at them without stopping, but with the Birzman Belly you can easily grab one even when you're hammering along. This also helps avoid annoying fumbling in jersey pockets trying to extricate the last unopened gel sachet from among the sticky empties. You do take your empties home, don't you?

A couple of Velcro straps attach to the steerer and the top tube - you won't want to attach it too tightly to the steerer for obvious reasons, but with the top-tube strap done up nice and tight it stays put reasonably well.

The Belly is available in a couple of sizes - this is the smaller one and it really is pretty small. Using the universal unit of measurement for such things, your reviewer can confirm it will accomodate a generoius handful of Bassett's Jelly Babies.

I found it would also take a handful of gels or a small multi-tool and some tyre levers - you'll struggle to get a phone, wallet or even spare tube in here. But you probably wouldn't really want to use it for a spare tube, as you don't generally need to get at these while you're riding. Energy gels or sweets are likely to be the main usage.

The bag itself has very limited protection from the elements. A simple Velcro flap covers the opening but not in a way that would really stop rain getting in - not a problem for gels though. It does come with an elasticated rain cover, but having to take this off makes access a bit less convenient. The absence of a zipped closure does mean that getting access is a piece of, well, cake - one-handed entry is very quick and easy.

The Belly is fairly aerodynamic, sitting quite neatly behind the steerer and hardly any wider. Some people might not like the look of this on a bike - it's certainly quite in your face when you're riding and might be thought to spoil the lines from the side too. That may the price you pay for not planning your ride correctly and allowing time for cake.

It has tiny pockets on the side which I've yet to find a use for. You could fit an aspirin in there but not a great deal more.

I can't currently find a single UK retailer selling this on the web, so you may struggle to find it. There are similar products available from a number of other manufacturers quite widely available, however.

Verdict

Small, simple bag giving easy access to sweets and gels for those times when you just can't stop. Unlikely to improve the looks of your bike (but less obtrusive than some) - those concerned by such things will probably just keep using their jersey pockets.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Birzman Belly S Top Tube Bag

Size tested: Medium 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?

A midsize top tube bag designed for easy access of all necessities during a ride. Velcro top access for easy entry and reach of tools, energy bars, phone, money or any other small gear with rain cover.

I think "midsize" is over-stating it a bit, really.

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

Size:13x6x4.5cm

Material: 300D*300D PU

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10

Nothing fancy but it all seems well stitched together - should last a fair while.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

Does its job well - holds securely in place and is easy to get into. Whether it's a job that you consider necessary is another matter.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10

Lightweight enough for what it is.

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

Comparable to similarly-sized top tube and saddle bags.

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

For holding energy gels or other small items which don't mind the rain, the Belly bag makes it easy to get access while riding.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Quick to put on the bike, quick to get into.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

I'm not wild about how my bike looks with a top tube bag. That's a comment on top-tube bags in general rather than this one, which is perhaps neater than some of the competitors.

Would be improved if the Velcro flap was more weather-proof, thus removing the need for the rain cover.

Did you enjoy using the product? Not as much as I would enjoy stopping for cake.

Would you consider buying the product? Possibly, if I was planning long rides where I couldn't stop.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 35  Height: 6  Weight: 78kg

I usually ride: Boardman CX team for the daily commute  My best bike is: Rose Xeon CRS

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, commuting, touring, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,

 

Jez spends his days making robots that drive cars but is happiest when on two wheels.  His roots are in mountain biking but he spends more time nowadays on the road, occasionally racing but more often just riding. 

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8 comments

Avatar
allez neg | 10 years ago
0 likes

Last year I used the bag from the Brompton cover and saddlebag strapped onto my bars as a nosebag for gels and bars and cakes.

Yes, it looked silly (and I lost a nice high 5 energy bar and a very nice protein bar when hopping up a kerb) but I'll be using it again on my next big road ride.

Avatar
Jez Ash | 10 years ago
0 likes

KiwiMike - there's no way on earth you could fit a decent camera in this.

Avatar
KiwiMike replied to Jez Ash | 10 years ago
0 likes
Jez Ash wrote:

KiwiMike - there's no way on earth you could fit a decent camera in this.

I meant in the Topeak one. Agreed, the Birzman one is a toy.

Avatar
KiwiMike | 10 years ago
0 likes

There's no other practical option for carrying a decent camera on an all-dayer. I'll happily put up with looks of condescension from Velominati adherents and have my 150+ piccys of an Alpine Brevet or two.

Avatar
mike1611 | 10 years ago
0 likes

Oh no!!

They are bad enough behind the saddle but at least you don't have to look at it. As Goldfever said its just not right.

Avatar
KiwiMike | 10 years ago
0 likes

The Topeak Tribag with raincover does all this and fits phone/camera/keys/CO2 too. I suppose this might be handy if all you wanted to carry in it was snacks.

Avatar
Welsh boy | 10 years ago
0 likes

A friend of mine uses one, it makes me cringe every time i see it. Oh so practical but oh so naff, a bit like a manbag or shorts with a jacket and tie, you know it is practical but so wrong in practice.

Avatar
Goldfever4 | 10 years ago
0 likes

Side pocket - electrolyte tab?

Looks decent for more competitively-minded sportive riders.

First perfectly into the 'begrudgingly useful but you won't see me dead with that on my steed' category of cycling accessories.

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