Best Bike Bags for Every Cyclist: Top Picks and Reviews 2024

Introduction to the Best Bike Bags for 2024

Cycling travel has become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more cyclists embarking on long-distance trips and adventures. Whether you’re planning a multi-day bikepacking trip or simply need to transport your bike on a plane or train, having the right bike bags is essential for protecting your bike and reducing travel stress. In this article, we’ll take a look at the best bike bags for 2024, including top picks for bike travel bags and bikepacking bags.

Why You Need a Quality Bike Bag

A quality bike bag is an investment that will pay off in the long run. Not only will it protect your bike from damage during transport, but it will also make cycling travel much easier and less stressful. With the right bag, you can simply pack up your bike and hit the road, without worrying about disassembly or potential damage.

When choosing a bike bag, there are several factors to consider, such as the type of travel you’ll be doing, the size and weight of your bike, and your budget. Some bags are designed specifically for air travel, while others are better suited for car or train travel. You’ll also want to look for features like padding, reinforced corners, and easy-to-use zippers and straps.

Types of Bike Bags

There are several different types of bike bags to choose from, depending on your needs and preferences. Here are some of the most common types:

• Bike travel bags: These bags are designed specifically for transporting your bike on planes, trains, or buses. They typically have a soft or hard shell, with padding and straps to secure your bike in place.
• Bikepacking bags: These bags are designed for multi-day trips and adventures, and are typically smaller and more lightweight than travel bags. They attach directly to your bike frame, handlebars, or seat post, and are designed to carry essentials like food, water, and camping gear.
• Bike panniers: These bags attach to your bike’s rear rack and are great for commuting or short trips. They come in a variety of sizes and styles, from small single bags to large dual-sided panniers.

Top Picks for Bike Travel Bags

If you’re planning a trip with your bike, a travel bag is an essential piece of gear. Here are some of the best bike travel bags for 2024:

Scicon AeroComfort 3.0: Best Overall

The Scicon AeroComfort 3.0 is our top pick for the best overall bike travel bag. It features a lightweight, soft shell design with minimal disassembly required, making it easy to pack and transport your bike. The bag also includes a metal structure that securely holds your bike frame in place, reducing the risk of damage during travel.

Evoc Bike Travel Bag: Best for Ease of Use

The Evoc Bike Travel Bag is a great choice for cyclists who prioritize ease of use. The bag features a large side opening that makes it easy to load and unload your bike, as well as ample padding to protect your frame and components. It’s also lightweight and easy to maneuver, thanks to its sturdy wheels and comfortable handles.

LifeLine EVA Bike Pod: Best Value

If you’re looking for a high-quality bike bag that won’t break the bank, the LifeLine EVA Bike Pod is an excellent choice. This semi-rigid bag offers good protection for your bike, while still being lightweight and compact enough for easy transport. It’s also an excellent value, with a price point that’s much lower than many other high-end bike bags.

Orucase B2: Most Portable

For cyclists who prioritize portability, the Orucase B2 is a great choice. This bag features a unique design that allows it to be carried like a backpack, with rucksack-style straps and a compact size. However, it does require more disassembly than some other bags, and can feel unbalanced when wheeled.

Thule RoundTrip Pro XT: Best with Integrated Stand

The Thule RoundTrip Pro XT is a great choice for cyclists who want a bag that doubles as a workstand. The bag features a reinforced internal frame that can be used to hold your bike securely while you work on it, making it a great choice for race day or pre-ride maintenance.

VeloVault2: Most Robust

For cyclists who need the ultimate in protection, the VeloVault2 is the way to go. This heavy-duty bike box offers excellent protection for your bike, with a robust construction and plenty of padding. However, it is one of the heavier options on the market, which may impact your baggage allowance when flying.

Best Bikepacking Bags

If you’re planning a multi-day bikepacking trip, having the right bags is essential for carrying all your gear. Here are some of the best bikepacking bags for 2024:

Domino Handlebar Bag: Best Handlebar Bag

The Domino Handlebar Bag from Po Campo is our top pick for the best handlebar bag. It scored an impressive 93 points in our testing, thanks to its 4.3L capacity, stylish design, and detachable strap. The bag also features five pockets for organizing your gear, and is fully waterproof to keep your belongings dry.

Beyonder Saddlebag Panniers: Best Pannier

The Beyonder Saddlebag Panniers are our top pick for the best pannier, scoring an impressive 96 points in our testing. These bags offer a generous 25L capacity, and are designed for easy use with a versatile mounting system. They’re also water-resistant and durable enough for long-distance trips.

Mag-Tank Top Tube Bag: Best Top Tube Bag

The Mag-Tank Top Tube Bag is our top pick for the best top tube bag, scoring 94 points in our testing. This bag is designed for quick access to snacks and other essentials while riding, with a easy-to-use magnetic closure and a slim profile that won’t get in the way of your knees.

ECOPAK Shrew Seat Bag: Best Seat Bag

The ECOPAK Shrew Seat Bag is our top pick for the best seat bag, also scoring 94 points in our testing. This bag is designed to mount securely under your saddle without interfering with dropper posts, and features a roll-top closure and water-resistant construction to keep your gear dry.

Seat Roll Asymmetrico Saddle Pack: Best Saddle Pack

The Seat Roll Asymmetrico Saddle Pack is our top pick for the best saddle pack, scoring 94 points in our testing. This pack is designed to organize your tools and other small items, with multiple pockets and a secure attachment system that keeps everything in place.

TrunkBag DXP: Best Trunk Bag

The TrunkBag DXP is our top pick for the best trunk bag, scoring 94 points in our testing. This bag is designed to fit on a rear rack, and features expandable side pockets for extra storage. It’s also made from durable materials and includes a rain cover for wet weather.

Back-Roller Panniers: Best Waterproof Panniers

The Back-Roller Panniers from Ortlieb are our top pick for the best waterproof panniers, scoring 92 points in our testing. These bags are fully waterproof and very durable, making them a great choice for bike commuting or touring in wet weather.

Hopper Frame Bag: Best Frame Bag

The Hopper Frame Bag is our top pick for the best frame bag, scoring 92 points in our testing. This bag is lightweight and offers a good volume-to-weight ratio, making it a great choice for storing food, tools, or other small items.

Ortlieb Handlebar Pack: Best for Bikepacking

The Ortlieb Handlebar Pack is our top pick for the best bikepacking bag, scoring 92 points in our testing. This waterproof bag is designed specifically for multi-day adventures, with a spacious 15L capacity and a secure attachment system that keeps it stable on rough roads.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Bike Bag for Your Needs

With so many great bike bags on the market, it can be tough to choose the right one for your needs. Here are a few factors to consider when making your decision:

Factors to Consider When Buying a Bike Bag

• Type of travel: Are you planning to fly with your bike, or will you be doing mostly car or train travel? Different bags are better suited for different types of travel.
• Size and weight of your bike: Make sure to choose a bag that’s big enough to fit your bike, but not so big that it’s difficult to manage. Consider the weight of the bag as well, especially if you’ll be flying with it.
• Ease of use: Look for bags with features like easy-to-use zippers and straps, as well as clear instructions for packing and unpacking your bike.
• Durability: Choose a bag made from high-quality materials that will hold up to the rigors of travel. Look for features like reinforced corners and water-resistant fabrics.
• Price: Bike bags can range in price from around $100 to $500 or more. While it’s important to invest in a quality bag, there are plenty of great options available at lower price points as well.

Final Recommendations

Based on our testing and research, here are our final recommendations for the best bike bags for 2024:

No matter which bike bag you choose, investing in a quality option will make your cycling travel and adventures much more enjoyable. Happy riding!