BBB bikepacking bags: Inexpensive - and pretty good! New bags for handlebars & saddle
Marc Strucken
· 13.04.2024
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An itchy nose - pollen - burning nails - spring sun - and your legs are twitching, ready to set off on the first bikepacking tour of the year! The manufacturer of pretty much everything you need for cycling, BBB Cycling, comes in handy with an equally wide range of bikepacking bags. BBB is a Dutch company, founded by two ex-professional cyclists, Chris Koppert and Frank Moons, which stands out above all for its favourable pricing. And - this much can be said - also with good quality, at least as far as our two bags in the test are concerned.
The basic bikepacking equipment: handlebar bag & arse rocket or saddle bag
Everyone who gets on a gravel bike and heads out into the countryside has different preferences when it comes to the bags and panniers on the frame - due to the amount of luggage you need for a day trip, an overnighter or a 7-day tour. We have therefore opted for the lowest common denominator: The handlebar bag - because it can actually always be used - and the large saddle bag, also known as the arse rocket or kebab bag. However, BBB offers a wide range of products, from the small top tube bag to the large frame bag. Only pannier rack bags... they seem to be missing at the moment.
The handlebar bag: BBB "Front Fellow"
The Handlebar bag from BBB bears the friendly name Front Fellow and consists of two parts. The first is a kind of waterproof pack sack with a volume of 10 litres and a roll closure. This can be removed, loaded and unloaded from the second part of the ensemble, the holder. A wide Velcro strip is attached to it, the counterpart of which is sewn to the holder. This prevents the bag from slipping out of the holster, which is open on both sides. But be careful: when completely full, the bag may no longer fit between the hoods on the Gravellenker. Unrolled, it is around 60 centimetres long and 27 centimetres wide.
The holder is folded around the pack sack and fastened with two or even four straps. Two are sewn to the bracket. A second strap provides additional support when it is routed around the stem and also clicked onto the bracket with two buckles. The Front Fellow is also mounted with three straps on the handlebars and steering head. On the handlebars, two Velcro straps first bring everything into position and the straps then provide the load-bearing capacity. BBB also supplies foam rubber spacers so that the distance to the handlebars and steering head is correct.
Review of the handlebar bag BBB Front Fellow
Everything seems to be very stable, well stitched and durable. The bag is not made of the finest and therefore thinnest material, so the handlebar bag, holder and spacer weigh a total of 365 grams. On the other hand, the price of 70 euros is also attractive for people who don't tie their things to the bike every day or go on day-long tours. Bonus: You can also replace the existing pannier with other bags or, for example, a tent bag.
The BBB Front Fellow bikepacking bag in brief
- Lightweight handlebar bag with waterproof carrier bag/packing bag
- 3 attachment points for stability
- Quick-release buckles for the carrier bag so that the holder remains attached
- Spacer for the handlebars
- Works well with various dry bags and tent rolls
- Reflective applications
- Volume: 10 litres
- Bracket dimensions: approx. 280 x 210 mm (self-measured)
- Pack sack dimensions: approx. 600 x 270 mm (self-measured)
- Weight: 365 g (self-weighed)
- Price: 69.95 euros (RRP) >> at Bike Components available at a reduced price
The saddle bag: BBB "Seat Sidekick"
The BBB saddle bag with the equally amusing name Seat Sidekick also consists of a holder and a conically cut pannier with carrying strap. The holder can therefore also be fitted with other bags.
The Seat Sidekick is mounted in the classic way with two straps for the seat stays and two wide straps for the seat post. At this point of contact, the bracket is covered with a rubber material that is also integrated into the straps to some extent. This is probably to prevent slipping and rubbing on the seat post - good! The bracket is therefore quickly fitted to the bike. The large flap of the holder is then also lashed around the contents with a strap. The strap is correspondingly long, but can be rolled into an elasticated band and doesn't flap around. The inside of the holder is made entirely of sturdy plastic walls, making it very stable, but also not ultra-light. Large reflective strips on both sides ensure lateral visibility.
The bag is similar to the handlebar bag, it is just - typically Arschrakete - conically cut. Otherwise, it is made from the same material, so it is waterproof and presumably quite robust. This pannier can also protrude very far out of the holder.
Review of the saddle bag BBB Seat Sidekick
The saddle bag from BBB Cycling also makes a stable, robust and durable impression. A positive feature is that the straps for the saddle rails are not sewn to the bag, so the seams do not have to hold the weight directly. There are also three different positions where this strap can be threaded through, allowing you to choose the position of the bracket between the saddle and seat post. Simple and practical!
You can find out more about bikepacking bags here:
A unusual extraThe additional saddle holder (100 g; we weighed it ourselves) is a special feature that we did not need during the test. It is designed to prevent the saddlebag from swinging when the load is high or when pedalling. It is also screwed to the saddle rails instead of or in addition to the straps for the saddle rails (no information on compatibility with carbon saddle rails). A strap is then placed around the Seat Sidekick, the arms of the bonus bracket can hold the saddlebag firmly in place.
The BBB Seat Sidekick bikepacking bag in brief
- Lightweight nylon saddle bag with waterproof carrier bag/packing bag
- Easy attachment to seat stays and seat post
- Quick-release buckle for the carrier bag so that the holder remains attached
- Robust, easy-to-clean base on the outside - also serves as a mudguard
- Reflective applications
- Volume: 10 litres
- Bracket dimensions: approx. 380 x 170 x 170 mm (self-measured)
- Pack sack dimensions: approx. 600 x 350 mm (narrowing to 160 mm; self-measured)
- Weight: 498 g (self-weighed)
- Price: 91.95 Euro (RRP) >> at Tradeinn available at a reduced price
Marc Strucken
Editor
