We were searching for the best top tube bag as it helps enhance every biking adventure with lightweight, sturdy gear: a top tube bag. These bags are long, narrow packs mounted to the top bike frame tube, usually behind the handlebars, providing the most convenient access while riding. We have explored the many options that the market has to offer and chose our favorite – the Topeak Toploader.
Biking enthusiasts come in many forms. Mountain biking on the weekend, speed racing on a bike path, commuting to work as an urban cyclist, taking a family bike ride, or even trying bikepacking – the newest outdoor trend that combines all-terrain biking with self-supported backpacking.
Big or small, every journey needs the right equipment. Top tube bags are the best way to keep your precious cargo (phone, earbuds, snacks, keys, and other small accessories) right at your fingertips during your ride.
You can also look at our Handlebar Bags recommendations.
The Topeak Toploader is our choice for the best top tube bag. As a leader in industry standards, Topeak has been providing high-quality cycling gear for professionals and weekend bikers alike. In particular, this classic bag is adaptable to all kinds of bikers. It’s comfortable, durable, and stylish.
However, as mentioned, there are many models out there. With designs including a variety of features that are best suited for each kind of activity, there’s a “just right” top tube bag for you. Read on to see our favorite top tube bags in 2022 and what features made them stand out!
The Best Top Tube Bags are
- Topeak Toploader – Best Overall Top tube Bag
- Topeak Fastfuel Drybag X – Best for All-Weather Biking
- Acmind Phone Mount Bag – Best for Urban Cycling
- ROCKBROS EVA Bike Storage Pouch – Best for Mountain Biking
- Topeak Fast Fuel TriBag – Best for Competitive Cycling
- SLS3 Cycling Top Tube AERO Bag – Best For Racing
Best Top Tube Bags Detailed Reviews:
Topeak Toploader – Best Overall
This classic top tube bag gives us everything we’re looking for in durability, convenience, and style. Perfect for most cycling adventures, the Toploader top tube bag gives peace of mind because it is easy to attach, stable during the ride, and has a large capacity to fit all your essentials. Made with lightweight, water-repellant, and stain-resistant material, it is easy to clean and maintain.
For a beginner rider or a seasoned cyclist, this traditional top tube bag won’t disappoint. It will keep everything safe while allowing you to quickly and easily unzip the top and access what you need while riding. It is currently available in black or olive green.
The Topeak Toploader top tube bag is our top pick due to its classic versatility and affordability.
- Design: Traditional “gas tank” style with top zipper, mounted behind handlebars or upside down inside frame corner
- Capacity: Large, .75 Liter
- Dimensions: 9.3 x 4.7 x 2.8 inches
- Weight: 169 grams (Black), 155 grams (Green)
- Material: Polyethylene / nylon
- Interior: Padded with the main area divided
- Mount: Integrated hook and adjustable nylon loop straps
- Features: Comes with integrated rain cover
- 2 mounting positions
- Price: $$$
Topeak Fastfuel Drybag X – Best for All-Weather Biking
Are you an all-weather cyclist? Plan to hit a mountain trail full of rocks and mud? Or spending the weekend camping and need to carry more gear on your bike? When you need something bigger and stronger, the Topeak Fastfuel Drybag X is your must-have top tube bag.
It features a tough outer shell made of Thermoplastic Polyurethane, a plastic material excellent at absorbing impact shock while maintaining its shape and durability. It also has a long, thin design to avoid leg contact. It is big enough to fit all your essentials (including a 6.5″ smartphone) and has adjustable straps that can be moved to 3 different positions to attach to different size bikes.
The Topeak Fastfuel Drybag X is our top choice for those that need a top tube bag with a burly design without sacrificing comfort.
- Design: Longer, streamlined shape with top zipper
- Capacity: Extra-large, 1 Liter
- Dimensions: 8.9 x 3.6 x 2.4 inches
- Weight: 119 grams
- Material: TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)
- Interior: 1 main compartment
- Mount: Adjustable nylon straps, 3 optional positions
- Features: Waterproof top zipper
- Price: $$$$
Acmind Phone Mount Bag – Best for Urban Cycling
Get around town while staying connected. For every urban bike commuter, bike messenger, delivery driver, or casual cycling enthusiast who needs to stay in touch or utilize GPS, this stylish top tube phone mount is for you.
In addition to providing a safe place for your supplies such as sunglasses, earbuds, wallet, or keys, this bag offers a waterproof touch screen phone case that allows you to use your phone while en route. Made of high-quality TPU material, you can see your phone clearly and use the screen to operate your phone. Velcro inside the bag secures your phone throughout your ride.
This top tube bag offers other goodies such as double zippers that allow earphone cables out without letting any rain in, a sun visor to help visibility of your phone during sunny days, hard construction of bottom and sides, wear-resistant and easy-to-clean fabric, and a separate rain cover.
The Acmind Phone Mount Bag is our pick for the best value. It offers the lowest price tag with the most features.
- Design: Sturdy rectangular bag, phone case on top
- Capacity: Large
- Dimensions: 8 x 5.5 x 3.5 inches
- Material: Pressure resistant EVA material for the bag, TPU for top phone case
- Interior: Main compartment with internal mesh pocket
- Mount: 1 front strap, 2 on the lower bottom
- Features: Waterproof, touch screen phone case
- Sunvisor
- Separate rain cover
- Sealed double zipper closure
- Price: $
ROCKBROS EVA Bike Storage Pouch – Best for Mountain Biking
Every hardcore mountain biker who needs a top tube bag that won’t crumble under the pressure needs to check this one out. Specifically designed with an EVA 3D shell, this strong bag won’t be crushed or deformed. Its slim design also ensures your knees won’t hit or scrape against it either.
This unique top tube bag is covered in water-resistant carbon fiber PU (Polyurethane) material to create a durable and weather & scratch-resistant outer shell. It attaches with 3 strong hook & loop straps to bikes with a thin front frame.
The bag opens up with double-sealed zippers, splitting the main compartment into 2 sides. The bottom compartment has 2 mesh pockets. The upper compartment has a mesh design with a built-in zipper. Keep everything safe and organized! It is currently available in 2 sizes: Medium (1.1L capacity) and Large (1.5L capacity).
The ROCKBROS EVA Bike Storage Pouch is our choice for its clever combination of strength and comfort.
- Design: Long, thin shape, hard outer shell, double zippers along the middle
- Capacity: Medium – 1.1Liter
Large – 1.5 Liter
- Dimensions: Medium – 8.7 x 2.7 x 3 inches
Large – 9.6 x 2.9 x 3.2 inches
- Weight: Medium – 124 grams
Large – 138 grams
- Material: EVA + PU
- Interior: Mesh dividers
- Mount: 1 front, 2 lower adhesive hook & loop straps
- Features: strong, weather-resistant outer shell
Sleek design
2 sizes
- Price: $$
Topeak Fast Fuel TriBag – Best for Top Tube Bag for Competitive Cycling
This is the ultimate top tube bag for serious athletes. Whether competing in road races or triathlons, this ultra-thin top tube bag has an aerodynamic design but also provides adequate storage space.
The design is meant to enhance more than just speed. Topeak created the Fast Fuel TriBag for cyclists who need a large pack to store all their essentials, but without the discomfort of a bulky bag. Whether you choose the Medium or Large version, this super slim bag won’t impact your speed or agility while riding. The interior compartment will keep your belongings safe and organized.
Thanks to its slim and sturdy design, the Topeak Fast Fuel TriBag is a superior choice for any competitive cyclist.
- Design: Ultra thin with zipper on top
- Capacity: Medium – .6 Liter
Large – .7 Liter
- Dimensions: Medium – 9.4 x 3.3 x 2.2 inches
Large – 11.4 x 3.3 x 2.2 inches
- Weight: Medium – 145 grams
Large – 176 grams
- Material: 600D polyester, TPU clear top cover, nylon straps
- Interior: Padded main compartment divided into sections
- Mount: 1 front strap, 2 on the lower bottom
- Features: super-thin width
- Price: $$$$
SLS3 Cycling Top Tube AERO Bag – Best Top Tube Bag for Racing
Keep it light, small, and aerodynamic! For every professional competitor and amateur racer, this sleek and stylish bag will keep your essentials safe while adding the lowest amount of drag to your speed.
If you aim to avoid the big and bulky, this low-profile, super stable top tube bag is exactly what you’re looking for. With a top zipper for easy access, 2 adjustable velcro straps, a thin design, and protective fabric – you won’t even know it’s there on your bike.
The straps are extra long so you can cut them for a custom fit. The bottom features an anti-slip fabric to keep the bag in place while you speed along. This tiny bag was designed by athletes to optimize aerodynamics and limit drag.
Make sure to check the measurements of this SLS# Cycling Top Tube AERO Bag before purchase. This top tube bag is perfect for speed racers!
- Design: Long, thin design
- Capacity: Small
- Dimensions: 8.5 x 2 x 2 inches
- Material: 600D polyester
- Interior: 1 main compartment
- Mount: 2 micro-adjust rail systems and secure straps, extra long for a custom fit
- Features: 15-degree angle to optimize aerodynamics
- Price: $$
Considerations
When purchasing your top tube bag, the main things to consider are your specific cycling activities, preferences, and budget.
Don’t waste your money on the wrong product. Think through the questions below to determine which top tube bag will meet your needs. Most top tube bags might look similar but they do differ on utility, the capacity of the tube bag, size of the adjustable velcro straps, accessibility and durability.
Capacity
Are you looking for a bag to provide lots of space for biking equipment or just enough room for your keys and phone?
Size
Depending on how large the bag is, will it interfere with your pedaling? What shape & placement would suit your riding style best?
Material
Do you need a rock-hard outer shell to prevent damage or a more soft, fashionable design? Are you a fair-weather or all-weather rider? Muddy mountain trail or paved city route? The material of your bag should be suitable for the conditions you will be riding in.
Durability
Are you an every weekend biker? Or just every few months? How long do you need your top tube bag to last? How much wear and tear do you anticipate experiencing? It’s not just about the fabric either. Pay attention to zipper design.
Accessibility
How long will you be riding? Do you need to access your phone or snacks during your ride or would you prefer an out-of-the-way bag that can only be opened when you’ve stopped for a break?
Conclusion
Take your biking to the next level. Whether buying for yourself or as a gift for your favorite biking enthusiast, there’s a perfect top tube bag for everyone!
Fun Outdoors Team
The FunOutdoors team is comprised of seasoned writers and editors with a passion for outdoor living.
Happy trails!
