Earlier this year on the U.S. side, we got an introduction to AcePac bags thanks to their recent partnership with Cyclone Bicycle Supply. Readers on Cory’s side of the pond though, may be already familiar with the Czech brand whose sole focus is the world of bikepacking.
During Presscamp, we got a look at their line of bikepacking bags which is an obvious place to start if you want to camp by bike. At Interbike however, the company was showing a drastically expanded line of products – many of which should be available through Cyclone and your local bike shop in the near future.
Along with a bunch of other camping gear, AcePac will soon have a smaller option for the saddle bag moving to 8, from 16 liters. While you might need the full 16 liter option for longer trips, if you don’t expect to be doing multi-day epics on the regular, the smaller bag might be the better option. Better yet, much of the fabric they use is made from recycled PET bottles adding a bit of a green story to an already well thought out product.
AcePac also showed us the new welded dry bag series of bikepacking bags they’re working on which of course use welded seams and waterproof zippers or roll top enclosures to create a completely waterproof environment. Available in the spring, there will be three colors – black, grey, and red. The series will also include the new saddle bag with a rigid cradle that mounts to the seat and seat post for a more stable connection.
Other bikes in the booth highlighted the product range and how loaded you can go.
Due to the nature of the product, it’s easy to make small changes that have a big impact – like the new high viz lining on the fuel bags to make finding things inside a bit easier.
There were also completely new products like this canteen/bag – the straps make it easy to mount almost anywhere, and the canteen will act as a carrying vessel for whatever liquid you’d prefer. Perhaps the new bourbon vessel for a week out in the woods?
There was even this backpack concept which allows you to mount an entire bikepacking bag set up onto one bag. AcePac says this is really more for the European market as people often take trains to their riding destination, so you could load up your bike once you’re ready to take off.
If you’re really getting out there, you’ll need some way to cook food or make #coffeeoutside – which usually means a stove. AcePac had some of the smallest stoves I’ve ever seen on display, which were dwarfed by the fuel canister. The stoves are perfect companions to the new Minima titanium Pot, Mug, and cooking shield. This stuff was all so new that prices and availability weren’t ready, but it’s coming.
And lastly, no bikepacking kit is complete without a way to sleep. AcePac is working on a new two person ultralight tent that will come in around 1.1kg. The design minimizes the use of poles dues to the layout that uses taught lines to keep things upright. They say that they’ve settled on the final fabric with 4000mm waterproof ripstop polyester, and that the tent should sell for $120-150.
And that little bundle on the back of the saddle bag? That’s their new sleeping bag which packs up quite small. Few details were available, but we should have more soon.
AcePac bags and accessories are available through any stocking bike shop with a Cyclone account, but they’re also partnering up with Why Cycles – hence the bikes on display above. Current through the Why Cycles site, you can get an entire bag set up for just $273. That includes the AcePac Bar roll, Seat bag, Frame bag (in your choice of size, and bottle bag in black.
