Last winter bikepacking bag specialist Apidura added new, more compact waterproof packs for fast-paced endurance Racing. Now, just in time to start off on this year’s Transcontinental, Apidura adds a Racing Top Tube Pack with a quick, one-handed access magnetic flap closure to get to sensitive electronics and all-important ride snacks.
Apidura easy-access, waterproof Racing Top Tube Pack

When gear is pared down to the minimum the smaller, lower profile Racing packs offer a great place to securely carry the essentials securely, without the added bulk. In fact, these were developed for the ultralight packing of riders racing ultra-endurance races like the Transcontinental – starting at the end of the month from Burgas, Bulgaria across the Alps to Brest, France 3600km later. But the more compact packs are actually a more appropriate size than many giant bikepacking bags for most of our more normal weekend warrior adventure rides.
In any case, while riding it can be tough to access tightly packed frame bags, and bar bags & saddle bags are almost always only accessible when stopped. So, the toptube bag is a perfect place to store those quick-access snacks to stay fueled while riding. And it also provides a secure place to carry a wallet, compact camera or smart phone, as well as a backup battery pack to charge electronics.
Tech details
The new Racing Top Tube Pack does all that with a boxy 1L bag that straps just behind your stem (or in front of your seatpost). The bag uses a sculpted fold-over flap top that locks in place with a multi-position magnetic closure. It is easy to open & close one-handed and the overlapping shape is said to keep water out while riding.