About 3 months ago I was looking for a budget friendly bikepacking frame bag that I could use for my Surly Long Haul Trucker. Before getting this frame bag. I have never used a frame bag, but have always wanted to get one and make the most of the benefits a frame bag offers in completing a bikepacking setup.
It attaches to the inner frame of your bike with a series of velcro straps, that are able to move around to suit your bike frame geometry. Around the top tube, down tube and seat tube. Available in to color options, the black or camo. This Blackburn frame bag comes in three different sizes (small, medium and large).
It is a expandable frame bag, allowing for the possibility to run a half sized frame bag or un-zipping the zipper to turn it into a full frame bag.
On the left side you have a full rang zip that is handy for storing spare tools, phone and other things like snacks. Then on the right side of the frame is the large compartment. On the outside you get to mesh pockets. on the inside it has a cool looking topographic map style pattern, that works well.
It also has a port to connect a hydration tube, making it great to pack a hydration bladder for extra water storage is needed.
Great Things About The Blackburn Outpost Frame Bag
- I really like the aesthetics of this frame bag, it looks nice. I got the black frame bag option, but the camo looks cool.
- Good volume for the type of bag. The space inside the bag provides more then enough space. However not as efficient as a custom build frame bag. But considering this is a cheap bikepacking bag it ticks the boxes.
- The organisation of the bag. Offers many storage compartments like the mesh on the side, a seperate zip compartment on the left and the large compartment also allows for you to seperate into two spaces with a removable velcro wall.
- The price is the most liked thing about this bag, it is perfect if you are just getting into bikepacking and just want to test the waters without spending a fortune on bikepacking bags. Only coming in at around $65, it is nice and cheap. Side note, if you want to see a list of more cheap bikepacking bags that I recommend, check out this article.
Not So Great Things About The Blackburn Outpost Frame Bag
- The straps on this frame bag are just velcro straps. Not providing any frame protection and are abrasive to the frame. The Blackburn toptube bag offers a material on the straps that protect the frame, however this bag does not.
- Also on the straps. The two that attach to the front and back of the frame are way too long. And will need to be cut and using a lighter to burn the material to prevent fraying. It would be better if it came stock with shorter straps there.
- The lower half of the bag is thinner fabric, when the bag is fully loaded it may rub on your legs when pedalling. However I had no problems with this, just worth mentioning.
Keep These Things In Mind
- The bag is not 100$ waterproof. However it did a okay job with keeping my gear semi dry. I tried to make sure not to store anything that I din’t want getting wet in it. Things like paper and that would get very damp.
- It is not a custom made bag so don’t expect it to fit to your frame exactly. However for a off the shelf bag it does a good job to be able to provide for most frame sizes and shapes.
Different Blackburn Frame Bag Options
Blackburn
Blackburn Outpost Frame Bag Black
$59.99
Blackburn
Blackburn Outpost Frame Bag Camo
$59.99
Specs
- Weight – 402 grams
- CAPACITY – 5.25L/6.95L EXPANDED
- DIMENSIONS – 508 X 177.8MM/279.4MM EXPANDED
- WATER RESISTANCE – EXTRA PROTECTION AGAINST THE ELEMENTS
- CONSTRUCTION – WATER BLADDER HYDRATION PORT INCLUDED ON DRIVE FONT DRIVE SIDE.
- INSTALLATION – THE INCLUDED STRAPS CAN MOUNT IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS FOR A SECURE FIT.
Features
- Organisation – Blackburn have considered what is put in each of their bags and tailor the compartments, pockets and other features to make sure there is a perfect place for everything
- Outpost Water Resistant – Coated 70D ripstop nylon and polyurethane zippers provide extra protection against the elements
- Expandable – Sometimes you need more space, while other times you need less. This bag expands to accommodate both
- Hose Port – The Outpost frame bag feature a hose port to allow for the storage of a water reservoir and/or a portable battery charger to charge you devices while riding.
- Adjustable Mounting – Bikes come in a lot of shapes and sizes. This bag includes adjustable mounting systems to allow fitment to almost any bike
- Lifetime Warranty
Final Thoughts
Overall it is a good bag for the price, offering some great features, like the hole for a hydration tube. You get some organisation and it looks nice. Is it going to stand up to the use of a bike tour? In my opinion and from my experience yes it does the job very well. I have ridden with it for a few thousand km and it has no signs of wearing down and being faulty.
This bag totally makes sense if you want a budget bikepacking frame bag option, preventing you from making a huge financial investment if you are just getting started in this world of bikepacking. On the plus side it aloows for you to have more money to spend elsewhere like for the daily expenses on a epic trip.
WHY I CHOSE THIS FFRAME BAG?
It is durable and expandable. It will last for years and carry any gear that you need ready access to.
Mark H. purchased Jan 2, 2019
Decently priced. A must for bike packing.
UrbanCyclingFreak purchased Aug 21, 2018
frame bag for carbon cx bike
Brandon W. purchased Jun 19, 2018
Wanted a entry level bike packing frame bag
Matthew E. purchased Mar 20, 2018
Blackburn Outpost Frame Bag
$59.99
Pros
- Aesthetics
- Good Volume
- Organisation
- Budget Friendly
Cons
- Abrasive velcro straps
- Thinner fabric at the lower half
- Too long straps at the front and back
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