Just come to our attention is UK-based bag manufacturer Duffbag, who are fresh out this season with a good looking range of bike bags and travel accessories.
The bags are aimed mostly at mountain bikers, and are designed to keep wet, dirty and muddy bikes from damaging or soiling the inside of the car, camper, van or house – since the last thing many want to do after a race or a trail ride is hose a bike down before packing it in the car for the journey home.
The company’s founder, Andrew Hart, adds that many customers also use the Duffbag to keep their expensive steed away from prying eyes – when packing it in the street, or leaving it in the van.
Made for cleanliness and convenience, the bags aren’t padded, but they are made from a tough, 600-denier water-resistant outer shell and have waterproof PVC lining. They’re strategically reinforced to protect from spindles poking out, and with tough straps and available in a range of sizes.
The largest, the Monster, will take a full-suspension MTB with only the front wheel popped out and the bars turned round. The second size, the Race, will take a smaller mountain bike, cyclocross or road bike.
The Stealth, meanwhile, requires some bike disassembly and is designed to be easiest to carry, and for super-lightweight travelling – on a train for example, where full bikes aren’t welcome. The advantage of the size and lack of padding are that the empty bag will fold up almost to the size of a magazine, so it can easily be stowed away in a hotel room, or stashed in a pack at the destination.
The company also makes a kit bag, and will do custom runs for teams or others wanting something special.
We were impressed with the design and feel of the bags when we saw them at the London Bike Show. Expect a full BikeRumor review soon, when we take to the European railroads to take a road bike to the southern Alps.
