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Lezyne M Caddy Quick ReleaseLezyne M Caddy Quick Release

Lezyne M Caddy Quick Release

8
by David Else
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Apr 15, 2013

1
£21.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Perfect size to carry all the spares and tools you need
Weight: 
136g
Contact: 
www.upgradebikes.co.uk
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The Lezyne M Caddy Quick Release is a very neat and useful saddle-bag.

Lezyne have a range of small bags that fit under your saddle, including this M Caddy QR. The M stands for medium, and the QR stands for quick release. It's perfectly sized for carrying all the kit you need for a day out - and you can attach it to your bike (and take it off again) very quickly indeed.

Most saddle-packs attach to the saddle rails with straps and Velcro, but as this Caddy is the quick release version there's a plastic bracket that bolts to the saddle rails, and the bag has a small plastic socket on top, which clips onto (and off) the bracket in a matter of moments.

The clip holds the bag tight, so it doesn't need a second strap to go round the seat post. It also means the bag hangs out behind the saddle, rather than directly under it, which is especially useful for anyone that finds some saddle-bags rub against the backs of their thighs when cycling.

There's plenty of room in the bag for a spare inner-tube, plus levers, patches, CO2 canister, keys, money and an energy bar. If you keep your food in your pocket (and you're a pessimist when it comes to punctures), there's just enough room for two lightweight tubes and two canisters, plus levers and patches.

The main part of the bag is made from tough nylon fabric. There are three internal pockets (made from softer neoprene, so slightly padded) which hold tyre levers and other bits of kit to prevent chafing the inner tube. There's also a very handy external pocket designed to carry a multi-tool.

The zip and access flap at the back of the bag are water resistant, but not waterproof, which means you'll still need to dry out your stuff after a ride in the rain.

Other features include a loop of tape for clipping a rear light onto, but it's too thin to hold the light firmly, meaning the light shines downwards rather than straight back out towards approaching cars. Other manufacturers such as Topeak use much thicker tape on the back of their saddle-packs which hold rear lights in a much better position.

The M Caddy QR's full retail price is £21.99 but you can find it for just under £20 at your LBS or the usual on-line stores. It's usually a couple of quid more than the standard M Caddy with the Velcro straps that go round saddle rails and seat post.

Verdict

Perfect size to carry all the spares and tools you need.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Lezyne M Caddy Quick Release

Size tested: Medium, black

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?

This saddle bag is designed to fix under your saddle to carry all the tools and spares you need, for short or long rides.

The manufacturers website says: "The M Caddy QR is a medium sized, wedge-shaped Caddy is designed to carry just the right amount of tire repair for most rides."

This is fair. Once you've got your tools in, there's not much room for anything else. If you want to carry tools, food, phone and a few other items, then you'll need something bigger.

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

The manufacturers website goes on to say: "The QR mounting system attaches the Caddy to the saddle rails. Durable woven nylon fabrics, a water resistant zipper and reflective tail light loop make this caddy ready for all weather. The main compartment features neoprene pockets for organizing tire repair and money. It also has an easily accessible, external compartment for a medium sized multi-tool.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

Construction quality is very good, with strong stitching and sturdy fabric.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

Performance is very good. This bag fits well, looks neat, and has room for a spare inner-tube, plus levers, patches, CO2 canister, keys, money and an energy bar. Or keep your food in your pocket and swap the bar for another tube or canister.

Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10

Construction is very good, and durability of other Lezyne bags I've used is good, so durability of this M Caddy is likely to be very good too.

Weight is fine for a bag of this type. The pastic clip may means it's a tad heavier than the version with velcro straps, but we're talking gnats.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
9/10

Comfort is very good, as the clip holds the bag out behind the saddle, rather than directly under it, which is especially useful for anyone that finds some saddle-bags rub against the backs of their thighs when cycling.

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Lezyne bag is not cheap compared to similar clip-on (as opposed to strap-on) bags from other manufacturers, although the construction and material quality is very good, so this may explain the slight premium.

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

The bag performed very well indeed.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The QR clip, the position of the bag in relation to the saddle, the padded inner pockets, the multi-tool external pocket

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The loop of tape for clipping a rear light onto is too thin to hold the light firmly, meaning the light shines downwards rather than straight back out towards approaching cars.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes, if they didn't want to fit their only back light to it.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

This is an excellent piece of kit, and almost gets an overall score of 9. The price and the ineffective light loop brings the overall score down to 8.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 51  Height: 5ft 10 / 178cm  Weight: 11 stone / 70kg

I usually ride: an old Marin Alp, or an old steel classic  My best bike is: an old Giant Cadex (can you see a theme here?)

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: A few times a week  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: touring, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding,

 

saddlebag
Lezyne M Caddy Quick Release
Lezyne

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1 comments

Avatar
Dr_Lex | 11 years ago
0 likes

I liked the look of these when I saw mention of them a number of weeks back, and thought it ideal to swap quickly between bikes, so emailed Lezyne to ask whether the mounts were available separately.

Still waiting for a reply...

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