Topeak Elementa Seatbag M

Topeak's Elementa Seatbag is a fairly typical design, but it has a neat solution that allows it to stay attached to your bike even when the main strap is undone. It's tough, offers decent water resistance and doesn't break the bank either.

For more ways to carry luggage, check out our guide to the best bikepacking bags and our feature on 15 easy ways to carry stuff on your bike.

I prefer to carry tools and essentials on the bike rather than on my person, but I'm kind of fussy when it comes to the aesthetics of a saddle bag when fitted to a race bike. This Elementa fits the bill, though.

It's available in three sizes (oddly, XS, S and M, rather than S, M, L...) and we have the largest here, which measures 135mm in length, 75mm wide and 55mm deep. The overall volume is about 0.5L, and I could easily pack an inner tube (or two if you are using something like these Tubolitos), a couple of CO2 canisters and the inflation head, two tyre levers, a patch kit and tubeless bung kit.

The two smaller sizes are 105 x 70mm in length and width, with either a 27mm or 55mm depth. Volumes are 0.2L and 0.3L respectively.

Inside it's just one compartment; it'd be handy to have some kind of sleeve or pocket to separate things to stop rattling or stuff moving around when the bag isn't completely full.

Attaching the Topeak to your saddle rails is fairly simple and typical. There's a single strap stitched to the top of the bag, with the longer free end passing underneath the bag and then through a loop on the shorter end. It then wraps back on itself under the bag, with its opposing Velcro tabs keeping it tight and secure.

To fully open the zip and get stuff out you need to undo the strap, which means the bag would then be loose and ready to come away from the saddle rails. But Topeak has added what it calls a 'rail wing system', which is a Velcro tab on each side that loops over each rail and then attaches to the main strap. This keeps the bag secure and fitted to the saddle even when you've loosened the main strap. It's a neat touch and works well.

The material used is 1000D polyester which is water repellent, and thanks to Topeak adding a sealed zip your kit should remain dry on all but the wettest rides without mudguards. On bikes with mudguards and no rear tyre spray I found the contents of the bag remained bone dry.

The overall build quality looks to be solid, and the material is definitely robust, standing up well to scuffs from the bike being leant against walls. The zip runs smoothly and freely, too.

Value

Price-wise, at just £19.99 the Topeak Elementa is decent value for money compared with others we've reviewed recently.

For instance, the Restrap Tool Pouch that I reviewed in the spring is £32.99 for a bag of a similar size (0.6L), and it closes via a flap and strap rather than a zip. Then again, it is handmade in the UK and comes with a lifetime warranty.

The PNW Components Satellite Saddle Bag is is a similar size but again more expensive at £35. To open it you need to undo the strap, which means it comes away from the bike – that's where those 'wing straps' come into play on the Topeak. PNW Components no longer has it on its website, though it's available on eBay for £36.99.

Conclusion

Being a good size and well made means that the Elementa has spent many miles across my road and gravel bikes. The size is spot on for all of my ride tools, and the price is competitive too.

Verdict

Competitively priced and well-specced bag big enough to carry your essentials