Super Bike Pack Is Super Useful
Product: deuter Super Bike pack
Description: A 1,650-cubic-inch pack designed for the active mountain biker, commuter and in-line skater. Features an air-flow foam back, helmet carrier, dual water bottle pockets, reflective tape on the back and shoulder straps, built-in wind vest and rain cover, pump holder, tool kit organizer, zippered exterior pocket and two internal pockets.
Pro: I’m not sure just how much extra ventilation I experienced with the air-flow foam back panel design, but I must say that this pack carried as comfortably as any pack I have worn.
The straps are padded just enough and lining them with micro fleece was a stroke of genius - they feel comfortable even when I am pumping out the sweat. The helmet carrier is a great feature for the commuter, as is the pump-carrying capability, since it allows you to lug all your bike paraphernalia without needing five hands.
I love the fact that the pack is water reservoir compatible and have used it on several occasions to load with a Camelback when I thought I might be in dire need of trailside hydration. The reflective tape works well, but I still wouldn’t go out at night without a safety light and guess what? … the pack is safety light compatible with a place to clip one on for ideal visibility.
The built-in rain cover for the pack stows easily and works great when the moisture is adding unexpected dampness to your day. The construction and detailing on the pack are impeccable!
Con: The wind vest is a nifty idea, but one the pack could do without.
I think the designers imagined that bikers might prefer to travel without the extra weight of a wind/ rain jacket, and yet by doing that they compromise the very performance a biker needs when the elements are less than cooperative.
The vest is just too generically cut to fit anyone well and ends up flapping and snapping in the wind. The waist strap resorts to a flimsy piece of elastic to secure the extra strapping once you secure the belt - it doesn’t work at all.
Even simple movement causes the elastic loop to slide toward the buckle and the extra strap ends up flapping all over the place. I quickly got rid of the elastic and turned to a 1.5-inch slider - major improvement.
Comments: This pack is so loaded with features you almost need a guidebook just to use the thing.
While it is intended for wheel-oriented recreational use, I have also been schlepping the pack while on a few runs and couldn’t be happier.
With all the features, the quality of construction and the carrying comfort, I would rate this baby a best buy and it fully earns my two thumbs up salute!
Suggested retail: $85.
Company: Red Rocks International, The American Mountaineering Center, 710 Tenth Street, Suite 120, Golden, CO 80401; (303) 384-9148.