Avenir Metro 2.0 Seat Bag (140 - Cubic Inches) Review

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(More customer reviews)It appears that this is a good product that's vexed by some bad marketing by Avenir or Amazon (or both). First problem is that the bag is not 140 cubic inches, nor is it the 75 cubic inch capacity indicated on the bag's packaging. My measurements and math say that it's just over 100 cubic inches capacity; it's shape is a cylinder 4 inches across by 8 inches long (pi times the radius squared times the length equals the volume) making it 100.48 cubic inches in capacity. Second problem seems to be that the packaging doesn't indicate to insert the ends of the plastic liner into the pockets on the inside on either side of the zipper. This keeps the liner from sliding around and can be further secured in the pockets by some double sided tape or no-iron hem mending tape (I used some of the later and seems to work well). The third problem I noticed is that the "product features" section says: "Fits most bicycle disc brakes" and "Larger handle for better grip and torque". I do not see how that applies to a seat bag; a replacement brake lever, perhaps. On the positive side, this seat bag is well priced and performs it's intended function. Great for carrying small accessories like a pencil gauge, compact tool kit, compact first aid kit and a couple of cargo nets and bungee cords. I installed this seat bag to the front of my rear carrier rack, leaving plenty of room under the seat for the suspension post to work properly. This product should get more sales *if* it's marketed properly; I would have given it 5 stars, if not for the above problems.

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Serfas Speed Bag Review

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(More customer reviews)Big fan of this bag. So much so I'm using it on 2 of my bikes. Wanted something that had enough room for a tube, patches, tire levers and a multi-purpose tool yet still allow me cram in a phone and keys. I went with the medium bag and it holds all that and still carries a sleek look on a race-ready machine. It's also expandable if you need the extra space although it does start to get bulky then. I also appreciate little things like having dual zippers making it even easier to access while riding the bike.

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Fox Racing Fox Seat Bag Review

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(More customer reviews)A lot of reviews on FOX seat bags on the internet have been negative and misguided. Most reviews complain and blame FOX for what are user error problems. Things don't just fall out unless you tear the bag, overstuff it, leave it opened, or fail to check its secure. If you throw your bike under water, yes things inside the bag will get wet if submerged. Things will bounce around in the bag if you don't pack it properly.
So after purchasing this product I figure a review was needed because overall this is a decent product.
I previously owned the FOX Small Seat Bag which I used for one biking season. The small bag aside from some mud stains is good as new and served its purpose well...I upgraded to this product the FOX Big Seat Bag simply to get more room for supplies and gear. The small version has two compartments, a big main one and a small credit card slot style one. This Big one has one large compartment, the bottom zippers allow you to expand the size of the bag. I use this big seat bag on a Jamis front suspension off road mountain bike.
Pros:
Capacity: Very generous, if packed properly and/or making use of the expandable feature you can pack everything you need. I currently have a soft case first aid kit (about hand sized), Blackberry smartphone, keys, granola bars, Crank Brothers 18 piece repair tool, tire changing tool kit, and this is with the bag NOT in the expanded configuration. If expanded I could add my wallet, a CO2 air cartridge, spare tube, additional snacks, and a few other tools.
The last one I had lasted a year no problem and is still in good shape, only replaced for more space. The fabric and materials are thin in spots but strong. The bag can stretch slightly and is flexible on the sides. Its unlikely you'll puncture the case if you pack your gear properly. While not waterproof this can easily protect whats inside against mud, puddle splashes and some rain (The seat itself offers some protection of the bag anyways). It can take bouncing around, mud, jarring stops, and still stay intact and attached. The velcro is strong and the zippers are sturdy. If installed properly it'll hold pretty tight although if you don't fully pack it it may move around a bit. Style: Looks good. Being a brand name FOX also makes style and fashion clothing so some style is to be expected. It has reflective pieces on it but could use more. It fits well under the seat and even expanded it doesn't extend out far past the seat or too close to the tire.
Cons:
- FOX could have added a small reflective piece to the bag, although the name FOX does reflect slightly.
-FOX could have added a bottom loop to help further secure the velcro strap. While secure if installed properly I think it would have added another layer of stability.
- You my need to loosen the velcro strap to lower the bag to fully open the compartment for loading/unloading.
- If too loose the little zipper pulls may dangle and hit the tire.
Overall this bag does its job, looks good doing it, and will last a few seasons. Ignore many of the negative reviews based on criteria that doesn't matter. For example the material is soft and there isn't much padding. But this makes the pack lighter and less likely to snap or puncture when filled up. Naturally the bag is protected from sharp direct impacts by the seat, seat post, and seat tire should you crash your bike its may take a hit but unlikely a direct hit. Keep in mind FOX is a brand and you may pay a little more for the brand name, but when its on sale its a great deal. Tip: The bottom has a zipper that unzips allowing you to expand the storage capacity by probably about 35%. I've found that you can unzip this to expand it fully while loading it up with gear. When finished loading, tighten the main bag strap and carefully rezip the expander zipper. This compresses everything together making the bag compact and keeps things from bouncing around inside. So basically I can use the expander option to load stuff in, then close it back up to make it tight and secure. Proper packing of gear and supplies will reduce sway and reduce bouncing around inside the bag.


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