Finishing up a hardtail to dropbar conversion. I had planned to use two Relevate Designs Mountain feed bag to hold water, but after setting everything up the bottles limit steering mobility with the frame. Would like some feedback on the Arundel Looney Bin. If you have one, are you happy with it and is it tough enough to run the GDMBR? Alternatives for a 48oz Nalgene? Thanks!
by TopAfraid9867
10 Comments
I used something very similar a few seasons ago, mounted to my forks. Might have beefnthe save brand, I don’t remember. The mechanism succumbed very quickly to grit and dust.
I had the ratchet mechanism fill with dirt/sand and and get gritty after less than 200 miles, made it really tough to use. Rinsing out with water helped a bit, but always still felt funky after that.
I used one for two days. The tab on the bottom broke on the first ride. I was out of the return window and so I’m out $30. I went and bought the wide foot? Metal one and haven’t turned back.
They are awesome. I use 2 of these on all of my touring bikes – one in the triangle and another below the downtube which is often used for fuel. They carry anything from a small Red Bull can to a full Nalgene securely.
I really like them for long rides. If you pick up a big bottle of Gatorade, a soda, or whatever it’s adjustable to fit. It even holds Nalgene, although it’s maxed out. I have them on several of my long distance bikes. I’m using Zefal Magnum 1L bottles and between three cages and a handlebar bottle bag it’s enough water for almost any trip I’ve needed to do so far.
More crap that’s a solution looking for a problem.
I have one and I echo the other commenter’s statements about the grit in the mechanism being possibly problematic. I think these are more meant for commuter needs. Have you considered a Crank Tank or a bladder inside a frame bag?
All handle bar mounted feed bags that are mounted behind the bars limit steering. But you might be surprised how little that matters. When actually riding you don’t turn the handlebars much to steer, you more often just lean the bike. When maneuvering the bike when you are not actually on it (like around camp or at stores) you will notice it, but that’s easy to deal with.
I have the Arudel Looney Bin SL mounted on my front fork and it’s great. You could also just try putting the feed bags on the other side of the bars, that way you never get knee interference either
Just use the Feedbags. The steering thing is a non-issue. I use 2 on my MTB with a short stem. The new design lets you move them away from the stem as well. Super versatile bags.
The other solution is bladders or soft bottles in frame bags.