There’s not a great deal you can say about a saddlebag – but this one from Pro warrants a special mention as it’s just about spot on.

Saddlebags are a necessary evil. For some riders they sacrilege on a machine of a certain calibre, but they provide valuable storage space, particularly now we’re heading into autumn/winter and jersey pockets are best saved for additional clothing.

So you want something that’s as discreet as can be; part of the bike, almost. This medium saddlebag from Pro, a subsidiary of Shimano distributed in the UK by Madison, sits in the middle of a three-strong range and retails at £19.99.

Inside there’s enough space (0.6 litres) to fit an inner tube, tyre levers, multi-tool and energy bar – all you need – while a zipped pocket on the side provides a secure space to store cash or a door key. I keep a £10 note in there for emergencies.

The saddlebag’s manufactured using a lightweight, water resistant material, keeping everything inside dry. It’d take prolonged, torrential rain for the contents to get wet. The material’s also easy to wipe down when splattered with grime from the road. The material also has a reflective logo and piping for added visibility in low light conditions.

Crucially, the saddlebag is quick and easy to fit, with two Velcro straps which attach to the saddle rails, and one which wraps around the seat post. If you’re concerned about Velcro, the bag hasn’t come close to falling off in nearly a year’s use and you can swap it between bikes in a flash.

As good as a saddlebag’s going to get.

www.madison.co.uk
www.pro-bikegear.com

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