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review

Passport Priority QR Seat Pack

7
£19.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Likeable medium capacity wedge pack, but it faces stiff competition from in-house brands
Weight: 
197g

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The Passport Priority QR Seat Pack is precisely that: a highly weather-resistant, quick-release, under-the-saddle caddy for lugging spare tube, tyre levers, multi-tools, keys and similar ride essentials. Despite moderate capacity, with careful organisation, I've managed to transfer everything over from the 2.5L Axiom Gran-Fondo I tested earlier this year. 

The best part of £20 is relatively expensive given increased competition from in-house superstore brands such as BTwin, but the Priority is Passport's flagship model and well made compared with some commanding a tenner or so more.

> Find your nearest dealer here

> Buy this online here

Quick release brackets are very convenient, though they can be of variable quality. This one is accurately cut, rock steady and said to entertain most 7mm saddle rails – I've had 100 per cent success rate among my fleet.

Passport Priority QR Seat Pack - qr.jpg

The bracket secures via a 5mm Allen key and 10mm bolt, which sits within a recessed groove. Getting everything installed is pretty straightforward, although I found seating the bolt in situ with a drop of PVA glue prevented it escaping when lining everything up.

From there, the PVC-coated nylon bag clicks smoothly and audibly into place. Loop the Velcro stabilising strap around the seatpost and you're ready to load your essentials.

One minor niggle with the clip-in genre is that they struggle to embrace suspension seatposts, in particular my Cane Creek Thudbuster. The Priority is better than most but still felt a little strained, which may be a consideration for mountain bikers, gravel riders/rough stuff tourists who like this kind of boing.

Peeling the sensibly proportioned zipper tag (easily mastered wearing winter-weight gloves) opens the drawbridge type door, which incorporates an unusual, though reassuringly secure, LED tab and, inside, a fluoro credit card/note holder, the theory being this makes spotting stuff easier after dark, though I've still needed a blinkie to find an elusive green tyre lever down a country lane some 12 miles from base.

Passport Priority QR Seat Pack - back.jpg

Talking of which, it's one of those semi-rigid floor types that hold their shape well but can give rise to the tool-kit jingle – a non-event in this instance, thankfully, even with some cavalier packing. It gobbled two tyre levers, two slimline 20-function multi-tools, 10mm ring spanner, 26x1.95 goo-filled tube, CO2 cartridge, inflator, AAA batteries and a fiver. By this point, it literally couldn't take a message but there was sufficient give so the zipper could go the distance.

Following that, I've been completely oblivious of it – no sway, no jingling, it's just clung on dependably.

> Check out our guide to carrying luggage on your bike

Close-range blasts from the garden hose suggest the material itself is nigh-on impervious, though its stitched construction means some dampness eventually crept inside. In the real-world sense, short of bog snorkelling, even on bikes without mudguards water ingress hasn't been an issue. And that oily gritty spatter thrown up by the rear wheel on those wet rides is effortlessly wiped away with a damp cloth, even when you've carelessly allowed it to cake on.

Summing up, I've really enjoyed using the Passport Priority, but although sensibly sized and well made for the money, it faces stiff competition from the likes of Decathlon, where you can buy a fully waterproof model (albeit non Q/R) with a two-year warranty for a fiver less.

Verdict

Likeable medium capacity wedge pack, but it faces stiff competition from in-house brands

road.cc test report

Make and model: Passport Priority QR Seat Pack

Size tested: n/a

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Passport says: "An excellent size for a spare inner tube, tyre levers, multi-tool, keys, and mobile phone."

Decent mid range weather-resistant wedge pack with tardis-like capacity and some nice touches.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Wedge shape waterproof PVC coated material with semi-rigid internal frame.

* Secure, fast & easy to fit QR bracket, with 1 velco stability strap.

* Water resistant zip closure.

* Large, full access, bottom hinged rear flap.

* Internal small item rear flap pocket.

* Hi-Viz internal liner to help find your possessions.

* Small day-glow red reflective logo patch.

* Semi-rigid plastic rear light bracket (for lightweight LED lights clip-on lamps)

* Water resistant, semi-padded nylon material.

* 197g including QR bracket.

Fits most conventional 7mm rail saddles with inline or short offset seat posts.

All Gloss Black or Satin Black with contrast Gloss seams.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10

Generally well made.

Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10

Rugged and well insulated seat pack with tardis like internal capacity and highly water resistant.

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

Holding up very well so far and plastics employed in the quick release hardware seems pretty sturdy.

Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
6/10
Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
 
7/10

Easy to access and close, even wearing full-finger gloves.

Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

Well conceived and good value but faces stiff competition from some store brands offering waterproof models for a fiver less.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Overall, I've been pleasantly surprised by the Priority seat pack. The water-repelling outer shell is rugged and easy to care for, the semi-rigid inner floor doesn't create that irritating tool kit jingle over bumpy surfaces. Water resistant, rather than waterproof, fabrics lock out even heavy storms, which should be adequate for most riders. However, stitched, rather than welded seams permitted some water inside during my garden hose test. At the time of review, Ison Distribution is looking into offering spare brackets, so it can be swapped between bikes, which would be a definite plus.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Nice design, decent capacity.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing given the design brief. Bigger sibling would be welcomed.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your score

Nicely conceived all-weather wedge pack with decent capacity. Not quite a bargain but decent value for money.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 42  Height: 1m 81cm  Weight: 70kg

I usually ride: Rough stuff tourer based around 4130 Univega mountain biking frameset  My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo-cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mountain biking

Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)

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5 comments

Avatar
bechdan | 8 years ago
0 likes

because I wouldnt know what was 'special' about it until Id read the article, thats why I read it, and having done so I realised that there isnt anything special about it, its just another quick release saddle bag. The question should be, why has it made the road.cc news ?

Avatar
psling replied to bechdan | 8 years ago
1 like
bechdan wrote:

...The question should be, why has it made the road.cc news ?

 

News? It's under Product Reviews, subcategory Bags!

Avatar
bechdan | 8 years ago
0 likes

yet another saddle bag, yawn.

Avatar
hawkinspeter replied to bechdan | 8 years ago
5 likes
bechdan wrote:

yet another saddle bag, yawn.

I'm puzzled why you bother reading a saddle bag review (and then take the time to comment on it) if you're not interested in saddle bags? When I see a review that I'm not interested in, I just don't bother reading it.

Avatar
Yorky-M | 8 years ago
0 likes

Would like a QR model without the seatpost velcro for my thigh rub. Easier than losing weight

 

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