Shimano launches cycling bags - Interbike 2012

[redplanet]

Shimano launches cycling bags - Interbike 2012

par redplanet » Mar Sep 18, 2012 8:20 am

Long a dominant player in bicycle components, Shimano is now extending its reach into softgoods. For 2013, Shimano will have four styles of cycling bags: a hydration pack, two day packs and a messenger bag.

True to Shimano's corporate culture, the bags seem to have been designed for function over flash.

BikeRadar had a chance to try out the 25-liter $110 Osaka messenger bag. (A 35-liter Osaka bag will also be available for $120.) We did a few rides with a laptop and a camera — including two hours in the rain — and came away impressed.

The padded shoulder strap has a cool quick-adjust feature that tightens down for a high-set riding position or loosens to take it off over a helmet. There is also a big buckle on the shoulder strap to disengage completely.

A stabilizing strap keeps the bag firmly in place while riding, and ample padding on the back panel does its job.

Reflective piping is quite visible at night, and there is a loop for a light, too.

[img:500:333]http://cdn.mos.bikeradar.com/images/news/2012/09/17/1347852873518-ndlef5h14m0y-500-70.jpg[/img]A 15-inch laptop fits snugly in a padded compartment. The waterproof top flap keeps things dry

While the top cover and main exterior panels are waterproof — our laptop and camera stayed perfectly dry throughout rainstorms — the bottom section, or at least the seams, are not. We only noticed this after we hosed down the bag after a long rainy ride.

The 25-liter version has a padded laptop sleeve with a nice hand that fits a 15-inch laptop snugly. There is another sleeve for documents in the otherwise open main pouch. With a laptop in the bag, you can fit a helmet, just barely. (Yes, you should be wearing the helmet while using this bag - we're just giving you spacial context here.)

Style-wise, this is no Chrome or BaileyWorks bag. But it does seem to be a classic Shimano product — well-tested and quite functional.

Other bags include three sizes of the Unzen hydration pack ($90-$110) with a Hydrapak reservoir, the Rokko day pack ($70) and two sizes of the Tsukinist bike commuter bag ($100 and $120).

[img:500:500]http://cdn.mos.bikeradar.com/images/news/2012/09/17/1347852961083-16bsko26hwnzc-500-70.jpg[/img]The Unzen hydration pack features connecting straps Shimano calls a Cross Harness
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