Transfer and Saddle Bag by Sinead Burke

ILE Transfer Race Day/Saddle Bag Review

Inside Line Equipment make a range of bags, created specifically with cyclists in mind and all handmade in California. As a brand ambassador, I’ve had the chance to try out both their Transfer Race Day bag and seat bag. I’ve had plenty of opportunity to try them out over the last couple of months. Here’s what I think…

First up, the seat bag. It’s only a little bag, made of nylon cordura, which attaches to your saddle rails using a simple (but very secure) strap/buckle and closes with a Velcro tab. When I first used it, I was a bit concerned about how much it could actually hold, as it looks so small. However I’ve been surprised and impressed by just how much goes in. It’s designed to hold a 23c tube, CO2 inflator and multi tool. I don’t use CO2 canisters, but have managed to fit in a 23c tube, puncture kit, multi tool, chain tool, a couple of gels and an energy bar. It’s not quite long enough for my mini-pump, but I usually stick that in my pocket anyway.

In addition to being fairly Tardis-like, it’s very neat; I’ve had compliments from quite a few fellow cyclists on how good it looks for a seat bag. It tucks perfectly out of the way under the saddle and with the adjustable strap tightened up, there’s no rattling about. It also seems pretty waterproof, my kit has always been dry at the end of rides, but I’d still be hesitant to put a phone in it.

Overall, I’m very impressed with this little bag. Far big enough to carry what you need for longer training rides without being too bulky, it seems very durable and it looks good – something that most saddle bags fail to do.

Next up, the transfer race day bag. This is a bag designed specifically for carrying cycling kit, I’ve been using it to cart my stuff to and from races. It has loads of pockets in addition to the main compartment, including 4 bidon pockets, a drawstring pouch for shoes/wet kit, 2 zippered mesh pouches, a mesh helmet pocket and a zippered pocket for phones/keys etc. Plenty of space!

The best bit about this bag is the two zips down either side, meaning it can be opened from the top (like a traditional rucksack), or unzipped and opened like a suitcase. This makes it a lot easier to find things which easily get buried at the bottom of bags – things like your computer and gels spring to mind.

The drawstring pouch is my next favourite feature, living in Yorkshire I’m always getting soaked and it’s so useful for keeping my wet kit separate. The 2 zippered pouches on the inside are excellent for holding things like food, gels, gloves and glasses, while the pocket on top holds your valuables securely.

The 4 bidon pockets is a good idea, however their positioning, (2 inside, 2 outside) makes it a bit difficult to use all four at once. I ended up using the inner pockets to store smaller things, such as my heart rate strap and warming gel instead.

The straps are well padded, as is the back of the bag, so it’s easy and comfortable to carry on the bike. Being quite a small person though, I found that the straps were a bit too wide for my shoulders and started to rub after a while. However, this is a common issue for me with rucksacks, so I don’t really fault the bag.

Would I recommend the Transfer bag? Definitely. I’ve found getting sorted at races much easier since I’ve been using it. It seems well made and durable, with no signs of wear despite a fair amount of use. It’s quite pricey at £159, but I can honestly say that it’s worth the investment.

To get your hands on one check out:
http://www.vamperformance.com/en-GB/Where-to-buy