Zimbale is a small company in Korea making traditional canvas and leather bicycle bags. The founders are long-time bag and furniture industry people who also happen to be bicycle enthusiasts. Like a number of other new companies making old-timey bike bags, they’ve taken inspiration from Carradice, Brooks, and others. Zimbale makes their bags in small quantities for direct sale to dealers and distributors; in other words, these are not re-branded, mass-produced economy bags.

Zimbale recently sent me a few bags to try out, included among them the Leather and Canvas 11 Liter Saddle Bag. I’ve had this bag for about a month now.

Like Zimbale’s other bags, the 11 Liter is made with waterproof cotton canvas that is treated with wax on the outside and breathable polyurethane on the inside. The canvas has a nice feel; not overly stiff, but substantial enough that it should withstand years of daily abuse. The external straps and fittings are tanned leather and brass with nice detailing and clean construction.

The 11 Liter is similar to the Carridice Pendle but with a “longflap” that can be extended to carry bulky loads. It also has extra D-rings on the top, and quick release buckles on the main flap for easy access. The flap extension is held closed by internal snaps when not in use. The bag is held in place with the usual 3-point leather strap method and includes an internal wooden dowel to improve stability. The main compartment has a retractable nylon skirt to prevent water from sneaking in under the top flap. A pair of plastic D-rings under the top flap accept an optional shoulder strap. The overall design is well thought out and the attention to detail is impressive.

Knowing that I carry a camera with me on the bike, Zimbale sent along their optional Camera Protect Case (we’ll call it the CPC) insert. The CPC is a foam and velcro insert available in two sizes to fit their 11 or 18 Liter bags. Its construction is similar to the inserts typically found in camera bags and photographer’s backpacks. Sliding the CPC into the 11 Liter Saddle Bag turns a regular saddle bag into a good looking, saddle-mounted camera case with enough capacity to carry a prosumer-grade DSLR, an extra lens, and a strobe. This is a super option for people who want easy access to a large camera while on their bike, but prefer not to carry the weight on their back.

I’m impressed with Zimbale Bags. The construction methods and materials used in their manufacture are top notch. While not inexpensive, they successfully combine a traditional look and feel with high quality construction and updated details such as quick-release buckles and camera inserts. Highly recommended.

Specifications
Size: 18cm x 15cm x 30cm
Capacity: 11 Liter
Colors: Olive, Black
Retail Price: $109
Optional Camera Protect Case: $29.95

Where to Buy
Hyde Park Cycle Sports (U.S. Distributor) →
Harris Cyclery →
VeloFred →

Disclosure: Zimbale provided the bag for this review. You can view our review policy here.

The other day I mentioned that I had pant-cuff-strap-envy when I spotted my friend’s Planet Bike BRT Strap (I know, I know, it’s takes a real bike nerd to covet thy neighbor’s cuff strap). Anyway, I picked up my own BRT strap and I’m happy now. As you can see in the photo, it’s a really cool thing that can be used as a cuff strap or strapped anywhere on one’s bike or body to increase their visibility. It glows like one of those glow sticks you see at concerts, except it’s much brighter, it’s red, and it has a flashing option. Now, if PB would make one that accepts rechargeable batteries…

Planet Bike BRT Strap →

Yup, Planet Bike sponsors this website.

I met a friend for coffee the other day and his trowser cuff strap caught my eye. Even in broad daylight it was surprisingly bright with its flashing LED. I asked him about it, and it turns out it was a BRT Strap from Planet Bike. It gets a 200 hour run time on a CR 2032 battery and has flashing and steady modes. I don’t have one yet, but I’m planning on ordering one for when I ride my bikes that don’t have chainguards. I figure if I need a cuff strap anyway, it might as well have a bright light in it!

Planet Bike →

Disclosure: Planet Bike is a sponsor of this website.

This beautiful little saddle bag is made by Zimbale in Seoul, Korea and distributed in the U.S. by Hyde Park Cycle Sports. The construction and finish are excellent and the price is quite reasonable considering the quality of the workmanship. Features include quick release magnetic closures (located behind the buckles) and a lace to secure the bag to the seatpost. It’s perfect for carrying a spare tube, patch kit, multi-tool, and wallet. Available in black, honey, or brown (shown).

Retail Price: $79

Zimbale Bags at Hyde Park Cycle Sports →

Disclosure: Hyde Park Cycle Sports provided the bag for this review.

The Trek Bontrager Interchange Grocery Pannier Eco is a heavy-duty, oversized grocery pannier made from 51% recycled materials. The materials used in its construction include recycled inner tubes, advertising banners, and seat belts. The bag is made for Bontrager by Alchemy Goods in Seattle, WA (the bag itself is made by Alchemy, the mounts are Bontrager’s “Interchange” pannier mounts). Alchemy doesn’t sell a pannier, so if you’ve been waiting for an Alchemy pannier, the Bontrager is it.

The Eco is a huge bag that easily swallows an overflowing grocery bag, or even a full-sized laptop backpack. Besides using the pannier for shopping, I also sometimes use it for carrying my Tamrac photographer’s backpack or my Crumpler commuter/laptop backpack. I really like the nylon interior; the slippery surface makes it easy to slide the backpacks in and out, and it’s a cinch to clean in the event of a grocery spill.

The top can be closed with the main zipper as seen in the photo at the top of the page, or if you have a smaller load, it can be folded down and cinched roll-top style. In roll-top mode, there’s clearance enough on the top of the rack for a rack trunk or a bundled up sweater or coat. There’s a fairly large zippered pocket on the front for holding a wallet, keys, papers, etc.

Bontrager’s Interchange hardware is excellent. The clamps run on sliding tracks which makes mounting on almost any rack a cinch. I was able to mount the bag on four different racks with no issues. The only downside is that if you move the pannier around from one bike to another on a regular basis, it’s a bit of a hassle to readjust the mounts each time. This isn’t going to be a problem for most people who will probably use the bag on the same bike most of the time.

This is the Interchange quick release. Simply lift up on the handle and the clamps release. Pressing down on the handle locks the clamps closed. It’s not at all necessary, but for extra security I wrap a velcro strap around the handle when I’m carrying a computer or camera kit in the pannier.

The overall construction of the Eco Grocery Pannier is excellent. The strap is indestructible, and the outer shell is waterproof, tough, and attractive. I’ve been a fan of Alchemy Goods for a while now and I’ve always wondered why they didn’t make a pannier. Now we finally have one and it has the added benefit of being outfitted with Bontrager’s excellent Interchange hardware. Highly recommended.

Features and Specifications

• 51% recycled materials by weight, made from recycled Bontrager inner tubes and advertising banners
• Installs and removes in seconds with Interchange hardware
• Hidden carrying handles
• Fits one paper grocery bag (not that you would use one)
• Zippered pocket for wallet and extras
• Zippered and roll-able top for variable conditions
• PE sheets made from 100% recycled materials
• Folds flat when not in use
• Capacity – 1,950cu.in. (31,955cc)

Bontrager →

Disclosure: Trek provided the pannier for this review.

We’re always looking for new ways to carry stuff on our bikes. Panniers are great, as are porteur racks, messenger bags, and saddle bags, but we’ve found one of the most useful accessories for everyday hauling is a basket. Wood and wicker baskets like the Peterboro basket on Michael’s Betty Foy are functional and visually attractive, though they can be a bit fragile. Wire baskets, while not as aesthetically pleasing as wood baskets, are more utilitarian and resistant to damage than their wood counterparts. We tested the Wald Woody earlier this year and really liked it, so now we’re trying out the smaller Wald 137.

Wald baskets have been made in Maysville, Kentucky, USA since 1929 and are undoubtedly the best wire baskets available. They’re constructed from zinc-plated steel and nicely finished with no burrs or edges to catch on bags or clothing. The Wald 137 is a medium-sized basket, perfect for carrying a single bag of groceries, or a small commuter bag, laptop bag, or camera bag. The 137 normally comes from the factory with struts, but we ordered ours without struts for mounting on an existing rack. The basket can easily be attached to almost any front or rear rack using either small hose clamps or zip ties.

When used in conjunction with an elastic cargo net, reusable shopping bags work well for carrying groceries in a wire basket. Simply do your shopping, drop the bag in the basket, and lash it down with the net. This is a workable system, but Rivendell has taken the concept a step further with their good looking and heavy duty shopping/storage bag called the Sackville ShopSack.

The ShopSack is offered in two sizes. We tested the medium which is specifically designed to fit the 137 basket. The construction is typical high-end from Rivendell including the best Scottish cotton duck (it’s the same material used by Range Rover for their protective covers), military-spec webbing, melted and smeared thread-ends, and brass fittings. It’s a simple but lovely bag with just one main compartment. It’s nice enough to be used as a carry-all in a professional environment, while also being tough enough for hauling tools or camping supplies. We really like the size and construction; the capacity is about the same as that of a standard grocery sack, but because of its more robust construction and zippered top, the ShopSack is much less unwieldy than a reusable shopping bag filled to the brim.

At $40 the ShopSack is not cheap for such a simple bag, but the price is certainly justified by the fact that the quality is as good as it gets in bicycle bags. My guess is that it will last many years and end up being a great value over time, while also being stylish and functional in the process.

The Wald 137 and Rivendell Sackville ShopSack are nice products on their own, but their functionality increases exponentially when used together. The basket can easily be attached to any existing rack, and with the addition of the ShopSack, the carrying capacity is effectively doubled while the issue of carrying small items in a wire basket is eliminated. Add to this the convenience of carrying the bag with you into the grocery store, library, or office, and you have an extremely functional system that is welcome addition to almost any bicycle used for commuting, shopping, or errands.

Wald 137 Wire Basket →
Rivendell Sackville ShopSack →

Disclosure: Wald and Rivendell are sponsors of this site and provided some of the items used in this review.

Ecologic Designs is one of only three companies in the U.S. to receive an A+ rating in the Global Reporting Initiative international standards registry. Their Green Guru brand of outdoor and bicycling products are manufactured using recycled and repurposed materials such as bicycle inner tubes, billboards, and 100% Recycled PETE (#1) nylon fabrics. They manufacture 100% of their products within 18 miles of their main facility in Boulder, Colorado, and they collect over 60% of the raw materials used in their products from within a 25 mile radius.

Green Guru recently sent me their “Cycler” messenger bag to try out. The Cycler is a medium-sized, full-featured messenger bag with a padded, quick-release strap, laptop pocket, various internal organizer pockets, and an external flap held closed by both velcro and quick release buckles. Of particular note are the materials used in the construction of the bag. The outer, waterproof “skin” is made from recycled bicycle inner tubes. Besides being tough and functional, the inner tube skin imparts a cool, techy/recycled look. The bulk of the rest of the bag, including the interior, binding, and webbing, is made from 100% Recycled PETE plastic. The design is well thought out, the construction is heavy duty and attractive, and this is undoubtedly one of the most eco-friendly messenger bags on the planet. Highly recommended.

Features

• Repurposed vulcanized mountain bike inner tube exterior
• 100% Recycled PETE fabric interior
• 100% Recycled PETE webbing & binding
• PETE Aerospace mesh back panel with high performance padding
• Quick release padded left shoulder strap
• Repurposed road bike tube haul handle
• Gusseted closure keeps rain out
• Velcro and side-release buckle closures on flap
• Interior laptop organizer
• 2 large and 2 small interior sleeve pockets
• Exterior zipper pocket, sleeve pocket, and pen organizer
• Dimensions: 19.5” x 13” x 6”
• Shipping Weight: 5lbs
• Retail Price: $130

Green Guru is offering a discount to EcoVelo readers. Enter promo code “gurunation” at their online store to receive 15% off your purchase.

Green Guru →
Ecologic Designs →

Disclosure: Green Guru supplied the bag for this review.

Background
The NuVinci Continuously Variable Planetary (CVP) hub is the first and only bicycle drivetrain on the market that offers infinite gear-inch choices within an overall range of 350%. From NuVinci:

For the past couple of weeks I’ve been riding a Surly Long Haul Tucker outfitted with a NuVinci CVP hub. The LHT was set-up by The Bicycle Business in Sacramento with upright bars, MTB levers, a single chainring, and the NuVinci hub/shifter combo.

Details & Impressions
The NuVinci hub is extremely smooth and quiet, much like a high quality internal gear hub. Its gear range is also similar to internal gear hubs such as the Shimano Alfine 8 and SRAM i-Motion 9 (see chart below). The amount of resistance created by the CVP is insignificant for its intended use on commuters, cruisers, and e- bikes, though subjectively I’d say it introduces slightly more drag than the Alfine or i-Motion.

Low, Medium, High — Infinitely Variable

The twist shifter’s “gear” indicator relates drive ratios to terrain: a flat line indicates level ground (high gear-inches) and a curved line indicates hills (low gear-inches). It takes 1.25 turns of the twist shifter to move through the entire range. The long throw on the shifter is good for fine tuning the ratio, but quick shifts from high to low are difficult to execute; somewhere under one full rotation of the twist grip would probably be better for most people.

Like internal gear and single speed hubs, the NuVinci CVP requires either horizontal dropouts, sliding dropouts, or a chain tensioner (our LHT used for the test was set-up with a chain tensioner). Removing the rear wheel is relatively simple and no more difficult than removing the rear wheel on bikes set up with internal gear hubs.

It took a while to get over the old habit of spinning up before making a shift, something that’s completely unnecessary with the NuVinci. With the CVP there’s no need to hesitate making adjustments because there are actually no “shifts”. In other words, each miniscule adjustment of the shifter results in a minuscule adjustment in gear-inches. Eventually I ended up using the twist shifter almost like a throttle, constantly changing the ratio to match cadence and pedal pressure depending upon the terrain and wind direction.

Conclusion
The NuVinci CVP’s main audience is likely to be newcomers who are intimidated by triple chainrings and derailleurs, or commuters who want a bullet-proof drivetrain with an industry-best 6-year warranty. It may also be a good fit for hybrid electric bikes where the hub’s substantial 8 lb. weight would be mitigated by e-assist. Unfortunately, having 8 lbs. concentrated at the rear axle on a lightweight bicycle is enough to alter the handling and may make it a tough sell on those bikes. Even so, I think CVP is a cool technology with a future, particularly if NuVinci can get the weight down into the 4-5 lb. range and hit a price point that is on par with competing products such as the Shimano and SRAM internal gear hubs.

Pros
User-friendly for novices
Quiet and smooth
Infinite “gear” ratios within a 350% range
Ability to change ratios while stopped, coasting, or under power
Weatherproof
Six-year warranty

Cons
Heavy (approximately 8 lbs.)
Relatively expensive (approximately $450)
Long throw on twist shifter

The LHT used for this review was provided by The Bicycle Business. Stop by their shop in Sacramento to test ride the NuVinci CVP.

The Bicycle Business →
Fallbrook NuVinci →

Disclosure: The Bicycle Business is a sponsor of this website.

Velo Orange recently sent me their Model 3 saddle to try out. The Model 3 is VO’s answer to the ubiquitous Brooks B-17 Champion Special, but with laces and a textured top surface similar to the B-17 Standard “pre-aged”. The quality and finish appear to be comparable to Brooks; the top is Australian cowhide, the frame is chrome-plated cromo steel, and the skirt is nicely chamfered. One common complaint about Brooks saddles is their short rails; the Model 3’s rails are 10mm longer. Overall I’d say the Model 3 competes very favorably with the Brooks, and at $85 it’s a fantastic value. I’ll post a follow-up report once I’ve ridden the saddle for a few months.

Velo Orange →

The recent advancements in LED technology have been a real boon to bicyclists. Just a few years ago, lighting systems powerful enough to illuminate the road sufficiently for riding at commuting speeds could cost into the hundreds of dollars. As LED emitters have become more efficient, small, lightweight bicycle lights have become powerful enough to be used as primary headlights. Along with increased output, these diminutive lights also have longer run times and virtually infinite “bulb” life.

Planet Bike has just introduced a new 2-watt LED headlight called the Blaze 2W. It looks nearly identical to their popular Blaze 1W (the 2W is black, the 1W is white), but as the name suggests, the output is double. Like other Planet Bike lights, the case design is sleek and simple and the weight is kept to a minimum. The handlebar clamp is nearly identical to the Busch & Müller clamp and it’s one of my favorites. It adjusts to any bar size without the use of rubber sleeves and the quick release is quick, yet secure. The overall build is excellent for a light in this price range.

Over the past couple of years I’ve used the popular Fenix L2D as my benchmark battery-powered headlight. The L2D is actually a flashlight that, when combined with a TwoFish mount, makes an excellent bicycle headlight. Up until now, the L2D provided just about the best balance of output versus run time in a 2/AA powered LED headlight, so it made sense to compare it to the new Blaze.

As you can see by the above beam shots, the Blaze is noticeably brighter than the L2D. The Blaze beam is ever so slightly tighter, with a little less spread. The L2D beam has softer edges and is generally more diffuse. The Blaze does a better job of illuminating the road surface near the bike and throws a beam out at least 20-30% further. Overall I feel as if the road is better illuminated by the Blaze.

The Blaze is powered by 2 AA batteries. Run times are good with 5 hours on high, 12 hours on low, and 18 hours in flash mode. For comparison, the L2D runs 4 hours on the same 2/AA set-up. I’d stay away from the flash mode except during daylight hours; it’s far too intense to direct into the eyes of oncoming motorists at night.

Obviously, these runtimes indicate the use of rechargeable batteries. If you don’t have a charger, Thomas Distributing is a great source. The Maha chargers are nice and they pay for themselves in no time. The Deluxe 8 Cell “Pro” Charger is fast, reliable, and highly recommended.

Generally, we recommend dynamo lighting systems, but for those who only occasionally ride after dark or don’t have the budget for a dynamo wheel and matching headlight for every bike, a small, but powerful LED headlight like the Blaze 2W is a great alternative. At $59.99 you’ll be hard-pressed to find another light that provides so much output for the dollar. Highly recommended.

MSRP: $59.99

Planet Bike →

About Planet Bike
Whenever I review one of their products, I like to point at that Planet Bike donates a full 25% of company profits to grassroots bicycle advocacy organizations. Learn more here.

Disclosure: Planet Bike is a sponsor of this website and provided the Blaze 2W for this review.

The new 139WW Woody from Wald is an attractive update of their popular model 139 basket with the addition of hardwood slats in the base to add strength and visual appeal. The “Woody”, as it’s called, is a medium-large basket that will comfortably carry a bag or two of groceries or a typical commuting load, and it’ll look great while doing it.

The Woody comes supplied with handlebar mounts and struts. The handlebar mounts fit up to 1″ diameter handlebars. The struts are drilled for both axle and braze-on mounting. The basket can be leveled by adjusting the forward reach of the handlebar mounts. Installation is straightforward and took approximately 10 minutes on a Breezer Uptown 8. The Woody can also be mounted on an existing front rack by removing the mounting hardware and attaching with either zip ties or wire à la Rivendell.

When combined with an elastic basket net, the Woody is perfect for carrying relatively lightweight but awkward items that otherwise would be difficult to strap onto a narrow rack or stuff into a pannier. It can handle light to medium loads but it shouldn’t be confused with a full-fledged cargo rack such as the Pass & Stow or a heavy duty delivery basket such as the Wald 157, both of which would be more appropriate for carrying heavier loads.

The Woody is a welcome update to an old classic. The addition of wood slats creates an attractive, modern look and adds stiffness to the bottom of the basket while still providing all the benefits of a traditional basket such as convenience and the ability to carry bulky items. I expect to see a lot of these baskets on bikes around town this coming year.

Dimensions: 18″ x 13″ x 6″
Construction: Zinc-plated steel, hardwood slats
Retail Price: $69.99

About Wald
Kentucky based Wald LLC has been continuously manufacturing bicycle parts in the U.S.A. since 1905 and is one of the few manufacturers that has not moved production overseas. Along with their baskets, they also manufacture a full line of parts and accessories including fenders, racks, handlebars, and bags.

Wald →

Disclosure: Wald is a sponsor of this website and provided the basket for this review.

Posted by Alan in Product Reviews | 8 Comments | Bookmark or Share