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Is this the world’s fastest saddle pack? Its inventor reckons so

Check out this compact and quick fitting saddle pack

They’re not for everyone, but there’s no disputing the practical benefits of a saddle pack for carrying spares and essentials conveniently on your bike. There are a million and one to choose from though, and now there’s another one to add to your shortlist, the SNAP.B, claimed by its maker to be the “world’s fastest saddle bag” and which has just launched on Kickstarter, where it’s hoping to raise an ambitious £26,704.

The inventor of the SNAP.B tells us that he looked at all the pros and cons of existing saddle bags and then set out to create a better saddle bag, which took him two years. He offers four key benefits to his design but the main one, and the key objective of the design was to find a quick and simple means to attach the bag to the saddle.

The SNAP.B uses the company’s patent-pending  F.A.S.T. (Full Adaptive Snap Technology) system, a quick release system with a central T-bar that aligns and stabilises the pack with a pair of plastic wings that clamp around the saddle rails.

This video demonstrates how easy it appears to operate. There are other quick release packs on the market, but they require specific saddles and parts, such as the Fizik system.

Other benefits according to the designer are its storage to form factor ratio, versatility with a “Flexi-Frame + sleeve concept” allowing extra storage to be added on when needed, and most subjectively, it’s stylish. I’m definitely a fan of small and compact saddle packs and the SNAP.B does appear to be both those things.

Despite its diminutive size, the company says the pack maximises its space between the saddle rails and provides space for a “full-size tire level vs a flimsy one, a CO2 inflator with flow control vs one without and a full function multi-tool with chain tool vs a compact one with limited tools.” If additional storage is needed the compact sleeve can be swapped for an extended sleeve, with the SNAP.B frame opening up, with space then for two spare tubes and two Co2 canisters and an energy gel.

snap.b saddle bag3

The unique design is claimed to work with any saddle provided it has two rails with a typical saddle shell, and no tools are needed. Lights, mudguards and even a GoPro can be attached to the SNAP.B using the X-Port accessory port.

snap.b saddle bag2

The SNAP.B has got us intrigued and we're definitely keen to take a closer look and see how its claims stack up under our testing. If you like the look of it you can show them some support over on Kickstarter now 

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

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6 comments

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vorsprung | 6 years ago
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Hi,

I'm sure that this product does have a niche.   Seatpacks at the moment are not great at attaching

But I won't be getting one as

1) it is too small.  My standard luggage is either a large Ortlieb bag bag or a 23 litre Carradice super C

2) it's not waterproof

3) the speed of attachment is the same with a Carradice QR.  Now that weighs something and it is attached to the bike but the point is that the speed of attachment is not unique

But like I say might be good for someone

Avatar
survivor replied to vorsprung | 6 years ago
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vorsprung wrote:

Hi,

I'm sure that this product does have a niche.   Seatpacks at the moment are not great at attaching

But I won't be getting one as

1) it is too small.  My standard luggage is either a large Ortlieb bag bag or a 23 litre Carradice super C

2) it's not waterproof

3) the speed of attachment is the same with a Carradice QR.  Now that weighs something and it is attached to the bike but the point is that the speed of attachment is not unique

But like I say might be good for someone

For #2, SNAP.B is water/weather resistant and would do fine during heavy rain. But you are right it would not be water proof as in able to submerge into the water. 

For #3, Carradice QR requires a special mount to first attach to the saddle, and it is not tool-less installtion. So if you consider the overall attachment speed, SNAP.B still comes way ahead as it doesn't require any special mount and it is tool-less installtion.

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Tony | 6 years ago
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Looking at how easily its removed in the video I’d be concerned it would detach itself on a bumpy road.

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survivor replied to Tony | 6 years ago
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Tony wrote:

Looking at how easily its removed in the video I’d be concerned it would detach itself on a bumpy road.

Checkout the video of how the attachment system robustness is being tested. It has been bumped a lot and haven't detach itself. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFXQq1GMqBc

Avatar
fenix | 6 years ago
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Aah i was quite tempted with this due to the go pro mount - but that option works out at about £50.  And I just have different seatpacks on different bikes. I never swap between them so it's not that relevant for my purposes. 

Avatar
Team EPO | 6 years ago
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I am a big fan of kickstarter but I think it is always worth remebering that you have zero rights really eg if the product is faulty you don't get a refund etc.

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