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SKS Race bag XSSKS Race Pack XS

SKS Race bag XS

8
by dave atkinson
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Jul 13, 2011

0
£16.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Well made, waterproof, rattle-free seatpack for the bare necessities
Weight: 
137g
Contact: 
www.chickencyclekit.com, www.madison.co.uk, www.raleigh.co.uk
How we test

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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Small but perfectly formed, the SKS Race Bag XS is an ideal way of stowing the absolute essentials for a ride on your bike. It's simple to fit and remove, sturdy, keeps out the weather and doesn't rattle. Only the size might be an issue for you, but if it is larger versions are available.

The bag is made from waterproofed nylon hanging from a solid plastic top section. There's a single zip, and inside there's a neoprene sleeve to keep your tool from rattling around and enough room left over for a tube and a CO2 inflator, and that's about it. Even squeezing a puncture kit in there took some doing.

The Race Bag attaches to your saddle via a rotating lock; there's a section attached to the rails permanently, and you just twist the bag through 90 degrees to release it. That's super handy when you've stopped as you don't need to stoop down to dig out your tools. Once in place it feels sturdy and rattle free. There's a light loop on the back, and reflective piping too.

Our test sample got some rotten conditions to play with - most notably a very soggy Fred Whitton Challenge over tough Cumbrian roads in tough Cumbrian conditions - and it stayed dry inside throughout. Okay it's a bit of a squeeze to get everything in, but there's plenty of bigger seatpacks out there, even within this range, so there's no point moaning that this one is small; aside from that it performed admirably and it looks smart on the bike too.

Verdict

Well made, waterproof, rattle-free seatpack for the bare necessities

road.cc test report

Make and model: SKS Race bag XS

Size tested: Extra Small

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

The SKS RACE BAG XS can easily be attached to the saddle rails with no tools. A separate

compartment inside for a multi tool and water resistant material ensure all items are protected.

Other features: attachment loop for safety light and reflective piping.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

Very nicely put together

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

No fuss, no frills, just what you need.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

No problems during testing and it had some bad weather to deal with

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
7/10

If you're complaining about a bag this big holding you back, you're scratching around for an excuse

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

Decent value for the spend

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

Very well

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Well made, rattle-free

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

on the limit of what you might deem a useful size...

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 38  Height: 190cm  Weight: 98kg

I usually ride: whatever I'm testing...  My best bike is: Genesis Equilibrium with SRAM Apex

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mtb, Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling, track

SKS Race bag XS
SKS
Saddle bag
Seatpack
Dave Atkinson

Dave is a founding father of road.cc, having previously worked on Cycling Plus and What Mountain Bike magazines back in the day. He also writes about e-bikes for our sister publication ebiketips. He's won three mountain bike bog snorkelling World Championships, and races at the back of the third cats.

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