I was on the fence about getting the single bottle holder because it blocks (on my bike set up) the use of a traditional saddle bag and I don't like filling up my jersey pockets with all the 'just in case' tire repair stuff on top of nutrition that will be in there anyway. This has just enough room for the essentials - I have tire tools, a tube, 3 CO2 cartridges, a patch kit a multi tool and a CO2 dispenser head in it. You do need to be very deliberate about how things are oriented and placed in it to maximize what it will hold. It's not in the way and seems to be an aero design. It will definitely make the grip on the bottle in the holder quite snug. I left a full bottle in it over night to help stretch the bag a bit.
One thing nice about the tight grip is this will now keep a 25oz Camelbak style bottle in there without ejecting it on bumps, it wouldn't before - only bottles with a more traditional shape. Very happy with it, good purchase.
With the advent of COVID - and the lack of long distance "event/charity" rides, I decided to re-think my packing strategy. With this, I can carry a tube, co2 inflator, cartridges, a multi-tool, and a couple of tire levers. That's all I really need for rides that terminate at the house; a more serious breakdown, and it would be a 'phone home' rescue :-)
I've had no issue packing this into the roll. The BOA closure is genius - it is super snug. There's no rattle, no movement of the pack.
I have not yet had to use it "in the field", but I like the concept.
When/if we get back to longer group/event/charity rides, I'll continue to use this, but I'll throw in a couple of other things into a ziploc bag, in a jersey pocket.
Construction quality is quite good. Haven't ridden in the rain, so no comment about water-proof-ness.
All-in-all, as long as you don't need to pack the kitchen sink - this (or the slightly smaller Premio) are a really good alternative.
Likewise - it's easy enough to switch between bikes if you have a common set of tools/tubes/etc
I'll keep it short and to the point:
PROS:
- Great, rugged material; it's built to last many, many miles.
- Ample space inside the bag (i.e., 24 oz crowler, rolled up Houdinin jacket, repair kit, hat, headphones, smashed PB&J, etc.)
- Smaller zipped pouch allows for easy access to often needed items (i.e., keys, facemask, Clif bar, bikelights when dismounted)
- Water-resistant lining in the pouch interior, I've ridden multiple times in the rain with this bag, dry as my whistle as I write this...
- Boxy, flat body allows for plenty of cargo while planting it firmly against your body, this is ideal because I hate a sloppy bag that bounces around.
CONS:
- No interior loops for key chain
- No daisy chain on the outside (maybe above the logo?) for placing rearlight when riding. But I knew that when I purchased it, I have eyes.
- Unless you are an absolute giant on two wheels, the waist strap is very long and will hang out as slack once buckled and cinched. I'm not sure why they were so generous with the webbing they used for the strap. I guess I just worry about it getting caught on side-mirrors, doors, e-scooter handles...
- Expensive. But, you're buying a bag for at least a decade and you'll have Chrome's 365 TO LIFE guarantee.
