Customers have been asking for some more information about our new roll top backpack, so here we go! I have attempted a video tour using the red roll top as an example, with the black and yellow bags are the same.
The roll top backpack has become a very popular style over the last year or so, with many brands doing their version of this very useful, expandable bag.
Some of the best features of a roll top backpack are:
* You can expand the capacity to fit more things inside the bag by rolling the bag up less. I sometimes even pack it so full of groceries that i leave it completely open :)
* You can attach other longer things to the bag - such as a yoga mat or large newspaper by lying them horizontally and using the straps to hold them in place.
* There is no main zip, and often with bags, when overfilled, the zip is the first thing to be damaged. So a roll top backpack can effectively last longer.
The roll top backpack has a really large capacity, in total 28.8L unrolled or 19.5L when rolled up. To some people this will not really mean anything, but to those people comparing our bag to other bags, you will definitely be able to fit a lot of things inside this one, compared to, for example the Rains roll top backpack with a capacity of 18L and has fewer outside pockets.
The beauty of the Goodordering roll top backpack / pannier is that it is cute and stylish as a regular backpack, if you don't ride a bike or don't have a bicycle pannier rack on your bicycle, then you have yourself a fine backpack with padded shoulder straps.
BUT... when you do have it filled with heavy things or if you are going for a nice long ride on your bike you have the freedom of attaching it onto your bicycle pannier rack to take some of the load off your shoulders. Some people ask whether having only one pannier bag unbalances your bike, and the answer is no, your body adjusts to the load and after a few minutes you don't even notice.
READ ARTICLE Balancing Panniers a previous article by Goodordering
We also get the question - how does the bag actually attach onto the pannier rack? The answer is that it attaches using webbing straps and two simple clips. Its not a high tech or complicated attachment system and this system certainly is not for everyone. Its not all that quick to attach your bag or remove your bag but it is relatively simple. You will need to get used to the action of feeding the strap through your pannier rack and clipping it on whilst leaning your bicycle up against a wall or rack.
We are working on better ways to attach the bag to the bicycle but like anything its a balancing act between cost and development. We definitely plan to constantly evaluate the attachment system and the designs of all our bags with the hope to keep improving things. So customer feedback is welcome.
If you are a commuter in a city like London, and you have a busy life going from work to social engagements, sometimes working from home, from cafes, and you have a lot of things to haul around with you, then this is a good bag for you. Our bags are designed for everyday use in cities, not so much for hardcore cycling expeditions or high performance endeavours. It will not compare on technical prowess to the likes of Ortlieb or some other cycling bag brands, but you will certainly have a stylish bag that will do the job for you if you are a casual commuter cyclist like me :)
Tips for keeping this bag in tip top shape can be found in another blog post that did here, How to care for your Goodordering bag. The main thing to remember is to try to keep it clean and don't drag it on the floor and be gentle with the clips. Also make sure that all the straps are always tucked in properly when you attach the bag to your bicycle.
The bag is made from coated nylon with polypropylene clips and nylon webbing. These bags are also VEGAN. We took on customer feedback and changed our leather branding tabs to non-leather so ensure that the product can be used by the growing number of vegans around.
We hope that you like this bag, we love it ! and although it can be a little fiddly to attach it onto your pannier rack, it also makes the bag very secure on your bicycle and allows you to use it as a backpack really easily.
Please give us any feedback or send us any questions you have about this bag or any of our other bags, we are always here to help and guide you on getting the best bag for your lifestyle and needs.
Jacqui & the Goodordering team :)