Straight Reduce Design Dropper Seatpost Saddlebag Overview

compose Miles Arbour
time Jul 13, 2023
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We’re dwelling within the golden age of bikepacking baggage and gear-hauling choices. There are such a lot of choices as of late, from the most recent light-weight racks suitable with full-suspension mountain bikes to high-capacity roll-top baggage styled after extra conventional saddle baggage. We can also’t overlook in regards to the in style dropper-compatible seat bag, which was and in some circumstances nonetheless is the best choice for bikepacking journeys or occasions the place quick and tight is the reply. In actuality, trendy dropper submit seat baggage are simply bigger, extra refined variations of the tiny under-saddle baggage which have been round for ages. Nonetheless, not like these little baggage, some trendy choices can maintain upward of 10 liters and are designed particularly for dropper posts.

Whereas there are just a few distinctive takes on the dropper submit seat bag, most connect to the dropper’s stanchion and loop up beneath the saddle rails, cinching up beneath the saddle. Manufacturers together with Bedrock Luggage, Ortlieb, and Blackburn stabilize their baggage with stiff “mini wings” that connect on to the saddle rails, and nearly all of the baggage depend on Wolf Tooth’s Valais dropper stanchion clamp to offer a decrease attachment level whereas additionally defending your dropper submit.

The Straight Reduce Design Dropper Seatpost Saddlebag makes use of a extra conventional design, utilizing easy webbing straps beneath the saddle rails and a big velcro strap that secures round a Valais clamp, not too dissimilar from the JPaks DropperPak I reviewed right here. One factor that’s barely totally different is the place of the decrease strap, which permits the Wolf Tooth Valais to take a seat proper up on the prime of the stanchion, due to this fact solely lowering your dropper submit’s journey by about 25mm, assuming the bag clears the tire.

The Straight Reduce Design Dropper Saddlebag is made out of your alternative of X-Pac or Liteskin material and an internal material in a wide range of colour choices. The panel going through the saddle is made out of a sturdy and water resistant 1000d Cordura, and there are inner HDPE shims that wrap across the base to the highest and aspect panels to offer construction and rigidity. Whereas the materials used are both waterproof or water resistant, the bag doesn’t have sealed seams, so it isn’t 100% waterproof. Straight Reduce says the bag was designed deliberately to restrict the variety of seams and potential ingress spots, although. In any other case, the bag is pretty normal with locking aspect compression straps, a roll-top closure with a safe cam buckle compression strap, and a easy velcro strap that loops across the Valais.

So far as compatibly goes, Straight Reduce recommends at the very least 150mm (6″) between the center-top of the seatpost and the closest fringe of the tire. On hardtail or absolutely inflexible bikes, that is fairly straightforward to measure, however on full-suspension bikes, you’ll must account for rear shock motion. For comparability’s sake, most dropper submit baggage requires round 5-6″ of tire clearance. The Rogue Panda Ripsey is an outlier and requires simply 3″ of clearance with the included bag at half capability. This measurement is essential for shorter riders and smaller bikes, the place the clearance between the rear tire and saddle is minimal. This could get even trickier for people operating long-travel dropper posts, which is nice for driving however reduces tire clearance with the saddle dropped proper down.

When packed tight and cinched up tightly, the saddle bag solely has a barely wobble/bounce to it whereas driving actually tough terrain. As a result of its smaller dimension, this was hardly noticeable whereas on the bike. The HDPE inserts do job at preserving the bag’s form and in the end assist it really feel strong whereas driving. The primary insert runs from the higher saddle rail straps alongside the backbone of the bag to the place the Valais strap is and continues alongside the bottom of the bag the place the primary roll-top closure strap is secured. With all straps secured to HDPE inserts, pressure is constant all through. Plus, the additional advantage of locking buckles means it doesn’t loosen up after just a few hours of driving, which is much too widespread for primary non-locking buckles.

It’s these good little particulars that make Straight Reduce’s tackle a dropper submit saddle bag surprisingly practical regardless of its considerably normal look. It’s additionally nice to see the Valais strap so near the saddle rail straps, which permits the saddle clamp to take a seat proper up towards the highest of the dropper’s stanchion with out limiting the bag’s capability or rubbing awkwardly. There are even some small repurposed highway tubes hooked up onto each strap to assist maintain extra webbing and a small plastic tab on the roll-top closure to assist create a clear roll.

Being very choosy, the one actual drawbacks I can see are the bag’s smaller dimension, its place on sure saddles, and the worth. At 4.5L, it’s not big and can be reserved for light-weight summer season journeys right here in British Columbia. Whereas this isn’t unique to this bag, it’s additionally value noting that on sure saddles, the bag can lengthen up above the again of the saddle, which may contact your bum while you’re shredding onerous. Lastly, it’s not an affordable bag at £170 (~$290 USD), however you’re getting a thoughtfully designed dropper submit seat bag that’s handmade by a one-person operation, so I believe it may be justified for some people—particularly these dwelling in Scotland.

• Capability: 4.5L
• Materials (as examined): White X-Pac, Cordura
• Weight: 265 grams (9.3oz) (with out Wolf Tooth Valais)
• Place of Manufacture: Edinburgh, Scotland
• Value: £170 (~$290 USD)
• Producer’s Particulars: StraightCutDesign.com

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