I review Revelate Design's Terrapin System, an important part of my bikepacking set-up. A great product, stay tuned to see the teeny-tiny flaw that you may miss!
Comment from Revelate Designs on the velcro question: "The reflective tab is to help you peel the velcro off once attached, because it is so strong, so it's quite helpful. In regards to the edge of the velcro making it difficult, the bag fits many seat posts without having to also slide that through the loop, but once its on there the idea is that you don't have to take the holster off constantly anyways, you can just remove the drybag, so hopefully it is a minimal inconvenience."
I am! Are there trails up that way? I thought that portion of Michigan was all sand! I'd like to do a bikepacking trip out that way. I'm not equipped or experienced enough for proper mountain biking.
I’ve used this seat bag for the last 4 years. No issues. I have the red. It is now more red/pink. Yes, it fades. Order the black if you want to use it for many years without this issue. Wish I had.
Mike, thanks for the review. I just ordered the same version you have (on sale because new version is out, and I’m cheap). Looking forward to using it on some long rides.
Ordered a viscacha on eBay this week and this showed up instead. Buyer was confused I guess. Was quite surprised but damn this bag looks impressive and removing the dry bag without the seat mounting piece is making me so excited for camp haha. My fifth piece of gear from RD and I love it all.
I would love to use this bag but I don't have the space between my back wheel and the saddle to use it. I have many other Revelate Design's bags which I love. Just wish it had more clearance.
I have the holster set up 👍 also . Im happy with the unit . Amazing how much stuff you can cram inside. It could use a single compression strap before it goes into the holster. 👍🤙 very good product.
Good review, thanks. I had same issues/questions with pulling through seat post apparatus too. Dry bag and vent is great, near genius, but it appears to me, if it rains long, water would get into the "shell", whether from running down the outside of the dry bag, or down the sides and into the shell? Been an issue for you?
I simply do not "get" the whole wagging tail bags when you can put a good rack on and hold way more stuff if needed. Also the bags that go on racks are way cheaper it seems. I know they don't look cool but I'm old and I don't care I guess.
Agree - but there are instances where a bikepacking setup makes sense. I've always toured on a converted mtb with standard racks and panniers. And that worked great for many years. But, I'm getting old enough now where I'm really starting to feel the weight. So I'm switching to my road bike, which has no eyelets for racks. And the idea is to drastically reduce weight, so I don't really want a setup that will allow me to take the kitchen sink along, because I probably would.
Not all bikes allow for racks, especially carbon fiber bikes. Many are looking for a bike as light as they can get. If you need to "hold way more stuff," then just get a big backpack or a trailer for those rare times. No need to lug around a rack and panniers just for putting, say, your jacket and pants in.
@@brunobaumanis7869 Thread locker (like blue Locktite) solves that problem. Put a drop or two on all your rack screws' threads before screwing them in and they'll never come loose no matter what you ride over. At least that has been my experience. Still easy enough to unscrew when you need to though.
@@garylewis327 I've never personally done that, but I can't help but worry about the frame in that case. At least the rack would come undone, but if it's threadlocked, I speculate that it might damage the bosses.
I wish they made an insulated insert that someone could use for carrying a LUNCH/ tire tools, socks underwear and a shirt... Still haven't found a better option than my heavy rack and Topeak MTX...
Nice thorough review. Thank you. Would you say that wobble is a problem when riding singletrack? Deciding between this and a UK based company called Restrap at the moment. To be honest both look very good.
Adrian Campbell-Howard the wobble is non existent. At leas with the load you saw in the picture, due to the way these types of bags need to be mounted, I don’t think it could be improved upon. I took it on single track with a rigid frame and it road like a dream. The only difficulty I had was the bike was much heavier and tougher to pedal uphill with the frame bag, terrapin and front roll. I’ll be making more reviews of bikepacking gear soon, consider subscribing. This is my bike set up at the moment: instagram.com/p/BjlPKVEAO3M/
Subscribed! really appreciate the response and look forward to more reviews! The idea of getting out and being able to take my time, take in the views, pitch a tent in a beautiful spot and all by bike is a dream. Would be fabulous to be able to get the adrenaline of some speedy blasts through single track and some good tough gravel climbs as well as the meandering moments as well though. Trying to find the best setup to allow all of this within balance is not easy. The Terrapin is looking good like a good shout!
@@MaxRothFitness Awesome man, good luck! If you need a review on any other Revelate or bike packing gear let me know. I've got a lot. Also! Look into seek outside tipis.
I'm looking for a bag to put on my bike that will carry a change of clothes and maybe some shoes, that's really it. I like that this dry bag is completely removable from the harness but I feel like it's going to be way too big for my needs. What do you think? And is there something else you would suggest? Thanks.
Comment from Revelate Designs on the velcro question: "The reflective tab is to help you peel the velcro off once attached, because it is so strong, so it's quite helpful. In regards to the edge of the velcro making it difficult, the bag fits many seat posts without having to also slide that through the loop, but once its on there the idea is that you don't have to take the holster off constantly anyways, you can just remove the drybag, so hopefully it is a minimal inconvenience."
Mike INC are you familiar with Gaylord MI?? We should definitely meet up and go mountain Biking sometime.
I am! Are there trails up that way? I thought that portion of Michigan was all sand! I'd like to do a bikepacking trip out that way. I'm not equipped or experienced enough for proper mountain biking.
Mike INC theres alot of Good trails easy and harder trails here in Gaylord.
I’ve used this seat bag for the last 4 years. No issues. I have the red. It is now more red/pink. Yes, it fades. Order the black if you want to use it for many years without this issue. Wish I had.
Thanks Mike for the good review. I am looking for a good seatbag for a couple of audax trips. Was very helpful!
Mike, thanks for the review. I just ordered the same version you have (on sale because new version is out, and I’m cheap). Looking forward to using it on some long rides.
Ordered a viscacha on eBay this week and this showed up instead. Buyer was confused I guess. Was quite surprised but damn this bag looks impressive and removing the dry bag without the seat mounting piece is making me so excited for camp haha. My fifth piece of gear from RD and I love it all.
They should simply have made the buckle wider, making it easier for the velcro band to pass through.
I would love to use this bag but I don't have the space between my back wheel and the saddle to use it. I have many other Revelate Design's bags which I love. Just wish it had more clearance.
I think they have a smaller one now! The vole maybe?
Good review just shared looking at the same bag for last 4 months i think it is the best option out there for sure
I think so too! I'm even buying a second one (in red) for my wife. Thanks for sharing!
Great review. Has helped me decide to get one. Now, about the surly bridge club....... any reviews done yet?
I have the holster set up 👍 also . Im happy with the unit . Amazing how much stuff you can cram inside. It could use a single compression strap before it goes into the holster. 👍🤙 very good product.
Great review
Thank you
Where can you mount a tail light. Like the Garmin Varia radar?
Good review, thanks. I had same issues/questions with pulling through seat post apparatus too.
Dry bag and vent is great, near genius, but it appears to me, if it rains long, water would get into the "shell", whether from running down the outside of the dry bag, or down the sides and into the shell? Been an issue for you?
"Im giving my wife this boring one. Im getting myself one with flare"!. lol
How do you attach the strap that goes under the seat?
How much clearance would you need between the seatpost and top of the tire?
Why this style over something like Revelate Designs Spinelock?
I simply do not "get" the whole wagging tail bags when you can put a good rack on and hold way more stuff if needed. Also the bags that go on racks are way cheaper it seems. I know they don't look cool but I'm old and I don't care I guess.
Agree - but there are instances where a bikepacking setup makes sense. I've always toured on a converted mtb with standard racks and panniers. And that worked great for many years. But, I'm getting old enough now where I'm really starting to feel the weight. So I'm switching to my road bike, which has no eyelets for racks. And the idea is to drastically reduce weight, so I don't really want a setup that will allow me to take the kitchen sink along, because I probably would.
Mark Jacobs if you go over rough stuff, the racks will eventually come loose.
Not all bikes allow for racks, especially carbon fiber bikes. Many are looking for a bike as light as they can get. If you need to "hold way more stuff," then just get a big backpack or a trailer for those rare times. No need to lug around a rack and panniers just for putting, say, your jacket and pants in.
@@brunobaumanis7869 Thread locker (like blue Locktite) solves that problem. Put a drop or two on all your rack screws' threads before screwing them in and they'll never come loose no matter what you ride over. At least that has been my experience. Still easy enough to unscrew when you need to though.
@@garylewis327 I've never personally done that, but I can't help but worry about the frame in that case. At least the rack would come undone, but if it's threadlocked, I speculate that it might damage the bosses.
I wish they made an insulated insert that someone could use for carrying a LUNCH/ tire tools, socks underwear and a shirt...
Still haven't found a better option than my heavy rack and Topeak MTX...
Maybe just throw in one of the soft sided insulated lunch boxes? lotta extra weight though...
good bag 영상 잘보고 갑니다.
Nice thorough review. Thank you. Would you say that wobble is a problem when riding singletrack? Deciding between this and a UK based company called Restrap at the moment. To be honest both look very good.
Adrian Campbell-Howard the wobble is non existent. At leas with the load you saw in the picture, due to the way these types of bags need to be mounted, I don’t think it could be improved upon. I took it on single track with a rigid frame and it road like a dream. The only difficulty I had was the bike was much heavier and tougher to pedal uphill with the frame bag, terrapin and front roll. I’ll be making more reviews of bikepacking gear soon, consider subscribing. This is my bike set up at the moment: instagram.com/p/BjlPKVEAO3M/
Subscribed! really appreciate the response and look forward to more reviews! The idea of getting out and being able to take my time, take in the views, pitch a tent in a beautiful spot and all by bike is a dream. Would be fabulous to be able to get the adrenaline of some speedy blasts through single track and some good tough gravel climbs as well as the meandering moments as well though. Trying to find the best setup to allow all of this within balance is not easy. The Terrapin is looking good like a good shout!
just ordered mine :)))
Awesome! I've lived out of it for over 4 weeks and it's worked great!
Mike INC same plane over here will be using it for my solo ride across America
@@MaxRothFitness Awesome man, good luck! If you need a review on any other Revelate or bike packing gear let me know. I've got a lot. Also! Look into seek outside tipis.
I'm looking for a bag to put on my bike that will carry a change of clothes and maybe some shoes, that's really it. I like that this dry bag is completely removable from the harness but I feel like it's going to be way too big for my needs.
What do you think? And is there something else you would suggest? Thanks.
This is a good bag. You can keep rolling the dry bag down to get a tight fit. It will also room for a down
Jacket or larger clothing
this is the 14L bag, there is an 8L bag as well
What do you mean by "three rolls"?
You need to roll the top of the bag three times to create a water tight seal.
Too mnany weak points. Prefer Adupura