Zefal Z Race Frame Bag

Zefal's Z Race is a sleek and discreet bag with a Tardis-like capacity, a transparent window and handy magnetic opening rather than a zip. It fits neatly on your top tube and, mostly, keeps out of the way of your knees.

• Pros: Holds plenty, easy to access, sits securely on the top tube
• Cons: Pricey, and can open accidentally

It's not the most robust feeling bag and I'd be wary of carrying anything weighty and valuable – a phone or camera for example – in it. But for a stash of jelly sweets and chunks of banana loaf it does the job just fine.

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It has three Velcro straps, or screws if your bike has the fittings, that keep the Z Race snug and straight on your top tube. It can slump out of true if you bash it, but otherwise it's a fairly secure fit.

The magnetic opening seems at first flimsy and perhaps not to be trusted, but it locks securely yet lightly enough to allow you to get your fingers inside for some well-earned grub on the go.

Movable dividers allow you to arrange the internal space to your liking.

One disadvantage of the magnetic opening against a zip-up bag is that, should your carelessly unattended bike take a tumble, it will amuse, for example, a waiting queue of daytrippers at Longleat safari park by spilling its contents across the road.

> What should you carry on your rides?

Zefal doesn't make any claims about its waterproof qualities. However the interior has remained completely dry during numerous showers and one sustained exposure to Scottish wind, rain and road spray.

On a long day ride it's important to keep fuelled between pitstops and this is where the Z Race earns its keep. Its 0.5L capacity means you can pack in enough of whatever helps to keep your legs moving without having to perform contortions through layers of inner and outer clothing, or even get off your bike, to reach your back pockets.

Now winter's on its way and we're layering up, that makes the Z Race, and the top tube bag in general, a really useful accessory on your bike. Extra carrying capacity right where and whenever you need it.

> Beginner's guide to carrying luggage on your bike

The only real negative is that it's a bit pricey, though it's well made and a good size. Apidura's Expedition bag is more expensive at £47, but it is bigger – although that means it can get in the way of your knees. Restrap's Top Tube Bag is cheaper at £29.99 and was highly rated, but you can pay a lot less for similar products: Deuter's Energy bag is just £15 or less online.

Verdict

Really useful extra storage for longer rides that fits nicely and is easy to access, but it is a bit expensive