When it comes to bikepacking, if you don’t want to wear a full backpack on long rides and long days in the saddle, a handlebar and big saddle bag are often a necessity. They make it possible to comfortably add a lot of cargo space to your bikepacking setup and keep weight and sweat off your back.
Topeak BackLoader and FrontLoader key specs
- Price: $115 (BackLoader 15L) and $105 (FrontLoader)
- Buy from Backcountry: BackLoader or FrontLoader
Most people are familiar with the Topeak brand, but they are a one-stop shop when it comes to mountain bike accessories. As I was preparing for a bikepacking trip this fall, I reached out to the brand to try out a few of their bikepacking bags including the BackLoader and FrontLoader. Here’s how they worked out.
About the Topeak BackLoader
Topeak offers an array of different bags, packs, and accessories. The BackLoader is a large saddle bag made for bikepackers who want a simple way to carry more gear without a rack or pannier. The BackLoader comes in three sizes — 6L, 10L, or 15L. The 15L I tested is priced at $115. It weighs roughly 550g on my scale.
The BackLoader attaches to the saddle and seatpost for as much stability as possible and is made from a polyethylene/nylon material and includes a waterproof inner stuff sack with a vent. It’s rated to carry a maximum of 11lb.
The BackLoader has a roll top and buckle closure as well as a small bungee on the top for attaching more gear to the outside. On the rear, there are spots to attach a bike light or reflectors.
About the Topeak FrontLoader
The FrontLoader is made for carrying rolled up, tube-like shapes like sleeping bags or a bunch of clothes stuffed into the provided waterproof stuff sack.
The stated capacity for the FrontLoader is 8L and it has a max load of 11lb too. The receiver comes with rubber spacers to keep it mounted to, but not directly on your handlebars. The FrontLoader is priced at $105. It weighed roughly 400g on my scale.
On the trail
Setting up bikepacking bags might seem like one of the easier tasks out there, and it is, but it can also be one of the most time consuming pieces of preparing for a trip. No matter how much the bag looks like it will fit into your frame like a missing puzzle piece, there’s usually more to it… more velcro strapping, twisting and tightening.
Fortunately, I didn’t have those kinds of problems with either the Topeak FrontLoader or BackLoader. The FrontLoader looked more intimidating at first to set up, with the spacers, but it was rather simple. The BackLoader was also a breeze to strap on and start loading.
Both bags include roll-top stuff sacks with vents, which make them even easier to stuff, roll, and compress.
The straps on the FrontLoader have nice little velcro wraps to shorten and secure the excess. After putting some jackets and gear in the front stuff sack, I put it in the mouth of the FrontLoader and cinched everything down without issues.
The 15L BackLoader is ready for any gear you can throw at it. You can fill up the included stuff sack and there is still room for a bit more, which makes it handy for sandals, slippers, and such.
The wide seat post strap and side straps on the Backloader, fed under and over the saddle rails, make it taut and secure. But like most saddle bags, it’s not without some sway.
The BackLoader and FrontLoader were very secure over pretty much any terrain: road, bumpy gravel, and singletrack. The FrontLoader didn’t budge a bit. The BackLoader swayed side to side over some big bumps and turns, but that is generally a limitation of having an extended and somewhat heavy bag fixed to only one spot.
The bungees on top of the BackLoader work well for lightweight, voluminous items, like a ball cap, or a bag of chips. I lost my water filter with a bottle’s worth of water after it had wrestled its way out from under the straps, but that is also my fault for not considering the physics of the matter. Speaking of straps on the BackLoader, I wish they had the same velcro straps on them to roll up the excess, so they don’t dangle or need to be tucked under the bungee cords.
Overall, the FrontLoader and BackLoader make for a solid bikepacking setup and my front and rear ends stayed steady and secure.
Pros and cons of the Topeak FrontLoader and BackLoader bags
Pros
- Roomy cargo companions for bikepacking
- Good use of space and function on bags
- Nice stuff sacks
Cons
- A little pricey
- Straps on BackLoader could be tidier
Bottom line
The Topeak FrontLoader and BackLoader bikepacking bags can fit a lot of additional cargo to a bike and keep it secure on long rides.
