Review of an affordable frame bag from LIDL: Clever details, poor build quality!

Conclusion by Max Fuchs, BIKE test editor

The Crivit frame bag It gets off to a surprisingly strong start. It sits securely within the frame triangle, reliably protects the contents from water and features a clever, virtually airtight zip that even allows you to compress your luggage under vacuum. At €9.99, it sounds like a real hidden gem. But the good impression doesn’t last long. After just around three months and only a few rides, the adhesive fastening loops come away from the bag. As a result, it practically loses its function as a frame bag entirely. An affordable bag may have to make compromises – but there’s no excuse for such poor workmanship.

Key points at a glance

• Price: 9.99 euros
• Capacity: 4 litres
• Weight: 140 grams
• Waterproof to IP67 standard
• Six Velcro fastenings for securing
• Suitable for most diamond frames
• Very easy to fit
• Significant shortcomings in terms of shelf life

Crivit: Lidl’s bicycle brand

Crivit is Lidl’s own brand for sports and outdoor products. The range extends from cycling clothing and accessories to e-bikes. In the bikepacking sector in particular, Crivit regularly attracts customers with prices that are well below those of established brands. The strategy behind this is to offer plenty of kit for little money. This is precisely why the products are particularly popular with beginners.

The installation is carried out to the highest standard

The frame bag makes a good impression right from the moment you unpack it. Crivit includes no fewer than six Velcro straps. This allows the bag to be attached quickly and intuitively to almost any standard diamond-shaped frame. The flexible outer material requires a secure fit. As Crivit has opted not to include any structural reinforcement, the bag collapses slightly when empty and bulges noticeably when loaded.

With a capacity of four litres, it offers plenty of space for tools, snacks, a rain jacket or a power bank. Despite weighing just 140 grams, you’ll hardly notice it on your bike.

A clever idea – the airtight zip

The zip is a particularly pleasant surprise. It reliably protects the contents from water and dust. If you pull the zip firmly over the sealing lip at the end, the bag closes almost airtight.

This has a handy side benefit: you can squeeze the air out of the bag before sealing it shut. The contents are compressed in much the same way as in a vacuum bag, meaning they take up significantly less space. This proves to be a clever feature, particularly on longer gravel or bikepacking tours.

However, the downside of this design becomes apparent straight away. The waterproof zip is extremely stiff. You usually need both hands to open it. So if you want to quickly grab an energy bar or a gel whilst cycling, you’ll be out of luck.

Total write-off after three months

Its biggest weakness lies in its shelf life.

After around three months’ use and just a handful of trips, the fastening loops have come away from the bag. The reason is immediately obvious: Crivit does not sew the loops on, but simply sticks them to the bag’s fabric.

It is precisely these adhesive joints that fail after a short time. Several straps tear away completely. As a result, the bag – particularly at the front of the frame triangle – hangs out of the frame when loaded. It is no longer securely held in place, and so it is simply no longer fit for use as a frame bag.

Editorial commentary

The Crivit frame bag is a prime example of why a low price doesn’t automatically mean you’re getting a bargain. At first glance, its functionality, water resistance and mounting system are impressive across the board. Even the unusually tight zip seems well thought out. This makes the build quality of the attachment points all the more disappointing. It is precisely these that determine the lifespan of a frame bag. Anyone who only goes on the occasional day ride might be happy with this bag. Unfortunately, the frame bag is not well-made enough to withstand the rigours of regular gravel or bikepacking adventures.

Advantages

• Very reasonable price
• Simple and flexible installation
• Waterproof to IP67 standard
• A clever, virtually airtight zip
• Efficient use of space thanks to compressible contents
• Lightweight

Disadvantages

• Fastening loops are simply glued rather than sewn
• Significant damage to the material after just a few months
• The zip is very stiff
• Do not open with one hand whilst driving
• Shelf life is disappointing