The 5 Best Mountain Bike Bags

The Deuter Cabazon FB bag is an affordable yet efficient solution that's quick to load.

 While it doesn't offer as much crush protection as its competitors, such as EVOC and Polaris bags, it fits easily onto most bikes while remaining cost-effective.

If you prefer long bikepacking trips and require large capacities, consider the Patagonia Dirt Roamer 20L pack.

 Built from sustainable materials and featuring an ample main compartment for water and gear storage, this durable option from Patagonia stands up well against competition.

 The 5 Best Mountain Bike Bags

1. Swift Industries Hold Fast Frame Bag

Swift Industries Hold Fast Half Frame Bag provides an ideal place for you to store tent poles, pumps and hydration bladders as well as small items you want within reach such as snacks or your phone.

The Hold Fast uses large Velcro straps that connect directly to d-rings on a bike frame and feed through its top tube, creating an adjustable system that ensures secure fitting on most bikes.

 Although these straps cannot be moved around freely, their placement and size provide for optimal fitting across a wide variety of bikes.

The Hold Fast features a convenient zippered pocket on its non-drive side of its frame for storing small tools, locks and any other necessities you might need for short rides or bikepacking trips.

Deuter's Cabazon FB bag differs from most others we tested by not being designed to be bolted directly onto a frame, lacking extra threaded bosses for mounting.

 Instead, this rigid frame bag boasts thick foam sewn into its panels and polymer sheets welded along its front panel that prevent creases or hits during pedal strokes, significantly decreasing rider fatigue.

 The 5 Best Mountain Bike Bags

2. Deuter Cabazon FB

If you need a bag that can carry plenty of gear and fit securely on the top tube, seat tube, or down tube of your bike without feeling cumbersome or bulky, check out the Deuter Cabazon FB half-frame bag - fully waterproof with various mounting points that fits a wide variety of bike shapes; its waterproof material makes for reliable operation while the spacious storage capacity provides enough capacity without feeling bulky or heavy.

This Scott version of Evoc's classic design utilizes thin aluminium poles to keep its upper form, much like tent poles, while internal fixings securely fastening it to your frame and separate compartments house wheels up to 29in in diameter.

 Although larger than some rivals, this model can easily accommodate full-on enduro bikes with maximum wheelbase of 1,280mm; nevertheless it still falls short in comparison with true soft cases.

An EVOC Pro case features a combination of rigid base and soft upper sections for greater protection, while some models from Dakine even come equipped with workstands so you can assemble your bike upon reaching its destination.

 The 5 Best Mountain Bike Bags

3. Topeak Midloader Half-Frame Bag

Frame bags require more customization than handlebar or saddle bags; however, they provide a great place to store your gear without interfering with cables, gears or brake systems.

 This Topeak Midloader frame bag is a sturdy yet practical option which works exceptionally well.

The outer fabric is made of textured nylon while its undersides feature hardwearing plastic piped around their interface with your bike for extra protection against rubbing and premature wear. Unlike some frame bags, its main opening sits on the drive side while there's also a small zipper pocket on the non-drive side for quick storage of gel packs or bars.

Topeak has designed this bag with adjustable velcro straps that provide for more customized fits and minimize sway, providing for a better customized ride and reduced sway.

 Furthermore, these thick and burly straps help grip thin steel tubes to prevent frame bags from moving around while you ride.

 Furthermore, its waterproof zipper has large toggles which are easy to grab with gloves on.

4. Velcro Straps Frame Bag

An ideal frame bag for those wanting to move riding essentials from their back and arms onto their bike.

 Wide straps (though perhaps too long) sewn directly into the Cordura outer offer multiple mounting positions; waterproof zipper is covered by velcro flap to keep water out; additional rigid plastic base above rear suspension pivot helps prevent too much sagging of bag.

Frame mounts are quick and simple to set up, with one locking the bag to the top tube and another on the seat tube.

 Its compact design enables it to fit easily on smaller frames while leaving enough room for bottle bosses and bottle bosses.

 Furthermore, this bag handles well while remaining secure during rough terrain rides.

3.8-litre capacity makes this frame bag quite roomy for its size; however, more organization would have been helpful.

 Also fairly heavy but less noticeable than some larger bags due to carbon strut support keeping the contents secure from sagging or bumping into legs.

 The 5 Best Mountain Bike Bags

5. Trek Tube Bag

This frame bag is made from stiff and thick materials; its main fabric is thin ripstop nylon while a layer of polymer was sewn to its panel on top tube to form an extremely rigid bag - this means less chance for sag that might interfere with pedal stroke, like some thinner frame bags we tested.

 Furthermore, there's a wide zipper pocket and three interior mesh pockets to store small things like pumps.

The bag uses movable Velcro straps to securely fasten it to the bike, and comes in three sizes to ensure a proper fit.

 Each of its long straps are equipped with rubber O-rings to contain excess length - providing effective bag security despite leaving potential entryways for water in heavy rainfall conditions.

The Trek Tube Bag features internal storage for BITS-compliant frame tools (such as spare tube, tire levers and CO2 inflator) so you're prepared for a flat without fuss or delay.

 Unfortunately, this feature is not available on all bikes but remains an attractive option when available.