BV Classic Expandable Saddle Bag

This is a wonderful little bag. It is thoughtfully designed, sturdy, and useful. I’ve only used it for short rides of about an hour each, but appreciate the comfort of knowing I am carrying everything I need to fix a flat in a package that is easy to install and remove, tucks securely under my seat, doesn’t wobble around or get in the way of my riding, has reflective tape, and a double zipper for easy access from both sides. Mine is size “large,” which I would call “large enough.” On my Polygon Extrada 7 MTB, it holds an inner tube for 29”x2.25” tire, multi tool that is 3”x1.75”x1”, 3 tire levers, small patch kit, CO2 inflator with cartridge, and 10”x12” microfiber towel. There is about 2 cubic inches to spare, like 2 energy bars. It’s good to know that there is also extra room in the drop down pouch should I need it. Yesterday I had a flat rear tire and I was back on the bike path in about 15 minutes. Was I glad to have everything I needed! I’m also glad I ordered a “large.”

This has been my go-to saddle bag for good quality construction and roomy capacity.

Got the small size and it fits well under my Trek 7.3 hybrid bike, even with the seat in the forward most position, and maybe sticks out half an inch to an inch as in the photo. It is just large and long enough to hold a galaxy s4 smartphone with a case on it, and I could probably get a spare tube, small co2 inflator, and spare cartridge along with a multitool and car keys in there as well to cover basic necessities to help with a flat. The quality of the product seems very good and it seems thick and durable and not cheaply made at all. The slot to put a rear light on does point downward sharply, which is a bit annoying, but it still seems visible, or you can attach it directly underneath the bag on the seat tube as well. I do wish the plastic clip that you loop through the underside of the seat to secure it had the clip on either side of the seat instead of on the top of the bag, as it makes it very difficult to tighten fully and clip so that it sits snugly directly below the seat and not hanging down an inch or so. By the time you shorten the adjustable portion of the clip all the way, you have no room to work to connect it underneath the seat as the bag is in the way. Having the fixed portion of the clip on the side would make this way easier, but once you get adjusted properly its secure, and the velcro strap that goes around the seat tube seems secure as well. Great size for bare necessities that will also fit a modern smartphone and a few other essentials, without being bulky or overkill.

Fits my grand daughters bike great

I bought this because I like the style and functionality of it. I originally bought the medium sized one, but returned it because it was much smaller than expected. I bought the large unit and it’s better but still a little smaller than I would prefer. I’m going to keep it because, I like the design and the size is OK for the majority of things that I carry. This is replacing one that I had for 20 years which I was able to put my lock in. This one is too small to store my lock, but I can attach the bike lock , somewhere else on the bike. It seems to be well built. Zippers are good quality. I gave it three stars for water resistance only because I have no idea how well it resists water. The mounting system holds the bag in place securely; however, it took some time for me to figure out exactly how to attach it to the bike. The bag didn’t come with any instructions regarding how to attach it, but but because I’ve had a bike bag in the past, I had an idea of how to attach it. For someone who’s never attached back like this under their seat before, they may find it difficult. I’m sure there’s a video on YouTube that shows how to attach it. Overall, I’m happy with the product.

We have used the large BV saddle bag as a tandem stoker bag for several years with excellent results. We recently added a new tandem to our collection and bought a second BV bag for our new bike. These bags fit well (check the dimensions on your bike), the seat post Velcro strap works, the saddle strap can easily be wrapped over the stoker stem on top, and we add a length of double-sided Velcro to the fabric loop underneath the bag to wrap around the stoker's top tube. It is easy to install. The bag opens from the top facing the stoker, and is durable and spacious. There's plenty of room for a spare inner tube and a power bank to run the stoker's iPhone. Recommended for this application.

First off I liked the fact that I could store all of my tools in the bag. But in order to easily store a spare tube I had to undo the zipper that expands its capacity. When I expanded the bag it started to drag on the rear tire. My seat is raised as high as it can go, so that wasn't an option. The other problem I encountered was the strap that attaches the bag to the bottom of the seat. The buckle is arranged such that it is difficult to tighten...it would be better for the buckle and strap to attach to the sides of the top of the bag vs the center. Ultimately to get it tight enough I had to weave the extra length of strap around the seat supports and tie off in a knot. On a good note, the first week I used the bag I happened to be out riding when I encountered a huge downpour. I was soaked to the bone. I had stored my cell phone in the bag and after my ride I pulled it out and it was completely dry. I don't think it's intended to be completely waterproof, but it did better than expected in a heavy rainstorm. I also like how easy it is to attach my rear light to the bag. It's a clip on and I simply removed it from the clamp on my seat post and clipped it to the strap on the back of the bag....very convenient. Overall it's a decent bag for the money, just had a couple issues to work around with the straps.

Just a few weeks after purchasing this bag from Amazon, I noticed some loose stitching on the strap that secures the bag to a bike's seat post. No big deal; didn't pay much attention to it. Forward a few more weeks and it now (the seat post strap) is literally hanging by a thread. The bag itself worked out fine for me in terms of its size and limited space as all I put in it were car keys, a tire repair kit and lens cleaner; not even half filled up. That, along with the fact that the bag was properly mounted and hardly ever removed for its under seat mount makes me think the stitching or assembly process in general of this bag is or was lacking. Maybe it's a one-off and not a common problem with most of these but for me, it's proving to be useless. 12/02/2016: Soon after writing the original review, a customer service rep from BV (Ibera) got in contact and at this point, the problem I'd been having with the bag will be taken care of immediately. Quite impressed I must say. Quality customer care is an obvious concern of theirs as I've come to find out; all good. Regarding the bag itself; notwithstanding the problem described previously, it's quite useful. I don't carry much gear at all on my training rides save a tire puncture repair kit, CO2 cartridges, car keys and a few eyeglass lens cleaners. With that rather limited number of items I carry , for me it's the perfect size and solution as its well designed zippered enclosure is easy to access with the bag on-bike and the fact that it mounts under the seat (out of the way), it's easy to forget it's even there. Bottom line, works great for me.