Cyclist
Best top tube bags 2025 reviewed: Easy-access (and aero) storage on the bike
The best top tube bags allow you to stow your energy gels, phone and spares right in front of you, meaning you can easily access them as you ride. Forget saggy, overloaded pockets, not taking enough carbs or sweaty phone screens; a top tube bag is a relatively inexpensive upgrade that can make a sizeable difference to your enjoyment.
Top tube bags affix to your frame using either straps or bolts – though some are only compatible with frames that feature bottle bosses on the top tube, such as some gravel bikes and endurance bikes. The typical top tube bag has a capacity of 1L, but can range from around 0.8L to 2L. While most are relatively compact, some models extend further back along the top of the top tube, and some can also be fixed to the top tube near the seat post.
Popularised in triathlon for nutrition storage, top tube bags are now a popular choice for road, gravel cyclists and bikepackers alike. They’re more aero than handlebar bags and are more easy to reach on the go than a saddle bag, or can be used in tandem with both as part of a bikepacking bag set if you’re packing more kit for a longer ride.
Whatever flavour of riding you have in mind, we’ve got a selection of picks to suit all tastes.
Our pick of the best top tube bags
- Tailfin Top Tube Bag – Flip 1.1L: £60
- Restrap Race Top Tube Bag Long: £74.99
- Ortlieb Toptube-Bag: £77
- Apidura Racing Bolt-On Top Tube Pack 1L: £54
- Wizard Works Go-Go Top Tube Bag 0.8L: £52
- Canyon Top Tube Bag Road: £28.85
- Rapha Explore 1L: £50
- Zefal Z Aero Frame Bag: £29
- Riverside 1 Litre Top Tube Bikepacking Bag ADVT 500: £19.99
Why trust Cyclist’s advice?
Here at Cyclist we’ve had our fair share of adventures on and off road over the years. We know how demanding longer days and races can be, and just how handy it can be to have a little extra storage for extra nutrition and essentials to take the weight out of your jersey pockets.
From household names in the bikepacking equipment world to mainstream brands and more budget-friendly options, we’ve pulled together this buyer’s guide to help you find the top tube bag that’s best for your needs.
We’re not paid by sponsors, so all these options have been selected based on our experiences with them and their suitability for all kinds of riding.
Whether that’s a fast-paced club ride, day-long audax, multi-day bikepacking ride or T-shirt friendly gravel social, you can be confident in our expert advice.
Best top tube bags 2025
Read on for our picks or scroll down for more advice on how to choose the best top tube bag for your needs.
Tailfin Top Tube Bag Flip 1.1L
£60 | View offer
- 1.1L capacity
- Cargo strap or bolt mounting, stable v-mount base, waterproof construction
- 165g with bolts, 187g with straps
Starting out with lightweight carbon fibre racks and pannier bags, Bristol-based Tailfin has established itself as an engineering-led expert in the bike bag market.
The brand launched its range of top tube bags in 2025, with both flip-top and zip closure options. Both are available in either 1.1 or 1.5L sizes, with a further small 0.8L size in the zip configuration only.
Tailfin recommends the 1.1L bag for road and gravel, and the larger 1.5L bag for MTB.
All top tube bags can be mounted either with the rubber cargo straps supplied or with bolts, with no steerer strap required. A longer strap is also supplied so that the bag can be used with a greater variety of frame shapes.
Rather than providing frame protection, the Tailfin top tube bags have been designed to eliminate frame damage, with their v-mount base preventing any movement and hence rubbing.
The welded design means that the bag is totally waterproof too, so you can store more sensitive items such as a battery pack worry-free. For charging, there’s a cable port up front too.
Finally, the shape has been designed to minimise knee rubbing (which can be an issue with some top tube bags), with a narrow base and taller shape for larger volume models.
- Buy now from Tailfin (£60)
Restrap Race Top Tube Bag Long
£74.99 | View offer
- Long 2L capacity top tube bag (1.2L and 1.5L also available)
- X-Pac outer, waterproof zip and plastic shape reinforcement
- 232g including all fixtures
If you’re looking for a bag with big capacity, the 2L Race Top Tube Bag Long is a good option. Part of the Yorkshire-based brand’s Race range, the bag has been designed for audaxing and ultra-distance riding, but could be equally useful on your everyday rides for extra storage.
Plastic inserts help the large bag keep its shape, and it anchors not only to the top tube but also the head tube using a hook and bungee fastening, and the seat post with a webbing strap and clip. The top tube attachments are made of hypalon; a tough, durable material that sticks well to the frame with minimal slippage. The rear strap is also adjustable through four positions.
As well as the main interior compartment, which is accessed via the quality, two-way YKK Aquaguard zip, there is also a stretchy mesh pocket at either side near the cockpit, perfect for stuffing in wrappers or a few easy-to-reach items.
The bag, handmade in Restrap’s Yorkshire factory, is subject to a lifetime warranty, and is finished with reflective logo detailing for a little added low-light visibility.
Ortlieb Toptube-Bag
£77 | View offer
- Generous 1.5L capacity
- Bolt-on or strap-on mount with quick release function, plus phone mount
- 258g including all fixtures
For expedition-style cycling, it’s hard to beat Ortlieb’s decades of expertise, and the same goes for its roomy top tube bag. Some might call it over-engineered, but for a supremely stable addition to your setup that’s easy to use and also boasts a top-loading phone mount, it’s a clever bit of kit.
The bag attaches to your bike either directly to top tube bolts (direct mount) or using a pair of rubber O-straps. Both offer an easy-release function, with a plastic fixture on the bottom of the bag and another secured to the top tube.
The bag is easily opened and closed with a top flap secured by a pair of very effective magnets, revealing a roomy main compartment and smaller side pocket. On the top, the daisy chain slots can be fitted with an elasticated attachment that holds a phone.
The bag is totally waterproof, with a PU coating and welded rather than stitched seams. An internal plastic frame helps the bag to keep its cuboid shape. Choose between black or dark sand colourways, both covered by Ortlieb’s five year warranty.
Apidura Racing Bolt-On Top Tube Pack 1L
£54 | View offer
- 1L capacity
- Bolt-on fitting, flip-top magnetic closure and waterproof construction
- 111g including bolts
Apidura is highly regarded as one of the market leaders when it comes to performance bikepacking bags, and the Racing Bolt-On Top Tube Bag has been designed with ultra distance events and gravel racing in mind.
This bag is bolt-on only (strap attachment bag available separately), and provided with a handy cardboard guide to help you fit the bag optimally.
Apdiura’s bag is made from its proprietary Hexalon fabric, and is totally waterproof complete with welded seams. An internal skeleton helps to keep the bag’s shape and rigidity.
Up front, there’s a handy cable port for charging electrical items on the go, while the main body of the bag is easily accessed with just one hand thanks to the magnetic flip-top opening.
A brushed internal liner and padded base will keep your items well stowed even over rougher terrain, and can be easily removed to clean.
At 111g including bolts, the bag is certainly lightweight, and the reflective detailing should help to keep you seen in low light conditions.
Wizard Works Go-Go Top Tube Bag 0.8L
£52 | View offer
- 0.8L capacity (1L also available)
- Three-point strap attachment and foam spacer, cable port and HDPE shaping inserts
- 110g including straps
London-based independent maker Wizard Works offers a fun line-up of everyday and bikepacking bags for your bike in a rainbow of fabulous colours.
Perhaps its most iconic is the splatter colourway, but the Go-Go Top Tube Bag is also available in black, olive, rust, tan and ‘Wiz Viz’, made with highly reflective fabric.
Besides looking great, the bags are technically excellent too, with the Go-Go bag giving a stable attachment thanks to the hypalon daily chain webbing against the top tube, which gives you multiple options for where you place the two velcro straps.
Another velcro strap is attached to the front of the bag below the cable port and is supplied with an optional foam spacer. Alternatively, the bag is compatible with the DrJ0n DeWidget (£16), which replaces this strap and sits under your stem cap, especially for low-stack bikes and ultimate stability.
Internally, a bright yellow liner makes it easier to help you find your essentials, and the large zip pull makes accessing the bag easier on the go.
The bag is backed up by Wizard Works’ lifetime guarantee, and there’s a slightly larger 1L option (£55) if you need more room. For even more colour matching with your rig, Wizard Works offer a customisation option, also available with bolt-on attachment.
- Buy now from Wizard Works (from £41.50)
Canyon Top Tube Bag Road
£28.85 | View offer
- Slimline 0.35L capacity
- Minimalist waterproof bag with cable port, velcro or bolt-on fitting and frame protection tape
- 90g with straps, 81g with bolt-on fitting
The Canyon Top Tube Bag Road is not only wonderfully streamline and sturdy, but it also offers excellent value.
The narrow 0.35L capacity bag is unlikely to get in your way, and fixes securely to your bike using either bolts for compatible frames, or a duo of velcro straps. Unlike many other options, Canyon also provides protective 3M tape for your frame cut to shape to avoid any paint damage.
The Canyon bag is so svelte that you could easily leave it affixed to your road or gravel bike, though the brand does also offer a slightly larger 0.4L gravel bag at the same price. Plastic inserts on the sides also help the bag to keep its rigid shape.
The waterproof bag features a welded seam construction and waterproof zip, and also has a downward-facing port at the front to easily allow you to charge a GPS computer using a battery bank in the bag.
It may be small, but don’t sniff at the internal capacity of the Canyon Top Tube Bag Road. You can easily fit in a butyl or TPU inner tube, tyre levers, a tubeless repair tool, other small repair items and a snack.
- Buy now from Canyon (£28.95)
Rapha Explore Top Tube Bag 1L
£50 | View offer
- 1L capacity
- Removable padded liner, welded seams, three-point strap attachment and cable port
- 90g including straps
The Rapha Explore Top Tube Bag is a slimline and stylish option that’s both lightweight and robustly built.
While Rapha doesn’t claim that the bag is waterproof, both the coated nylon material and welded seams should give excellent water resistance, alongside the waterproof zipper.
The bag is attached with three velcro straps, backed by Hypalon material (a type of synthetic rubber) which help grip the top tube and headset spacers or seatpost. It’s great to see that you can also buy replacement straps from Rapha.
Internally, the removable, padded liner is a great touch, meaning you can keep your bag hygienic even if snack spills mean you need to clean up after a big ride. The padding is also great for stowing electricals or other more fragile items. Above the front strap there’s a small cable port, too.
Aesthetics are sleek and simple, with a reflective pattern on one side and a stitched black Rapha logo on the other, so should go well with all manner of builds.
Zéfal Z Aero Frame Bag
£29 | View offer
- Small 0.4L capacity
- Strap or bolt-on, water resistant, minimalist aerodynamic shaping
- 100g including optional strap
For a minimalist top tube bag that’s designed for nutrition only, the Zéfal Z Aero bag is shaped to house gels and bars in its small 0.4L capacity.
Internally, there are elasticated daisy-chain straps that allow you to line up your nutrition items, poking out of the top of the bag for easy reach.
The bag features water resistant fabrics and a waterproof zip, though is stitched rather than welded at the seams so won’t be totally waterproof.
Attachment comes either from the two wide top tube straps or via the bolt-on holes with the non-removable rear strap, with the bottom of the bag featuring a grippy rubber-like material to help keep the bag stable as you ride.
The construction quality and durability may not live up to other more pricey options, but at just £29, you can hardly complain.
If you’re looking for a more generous capacity, check out the Zéfal Z Adventure top tube bag, with a welded waterproof construction and 1L of storage space for £39.99.
Riverside 1 Litre Top Tube Bikepacking Bag ADVT 500
£19.99 | View offer
- 1L capacity
- Fun design, internal and external pockets, cable port and webbing straps
- 150g including straps
Decathlon’s in-house touring brand, Riverside, offers a top tube bag at a bargain price with more interesting aesthetics than most. However, the webbing and buckle straps aren’t great, so you’re best off using the bolt-on function or upgrading the straps to rubberised ones, such as Voile straps.
The mid-sized bag has an internal pocket as well as a mesh pocket on either side externally, and a cable port up front. The front strap can also be moved in two positions, making it more adaptable for a range of setups.
At this entry-level price you do sacrifice waterproofing, as it is a stitched ripstop fabric bag with a standard zip. If waterproofing is a priority, Riverside also makes a waterproof top tube bag for £34.99.
If you enjoy this design, there’s also a frame bag, saddle bag and handlebar bag in the range, plus a larger 1.4L top tube bag.
- Buy now from Decathlon (£19.99)
How to choose the best top tube bag for you
What can you store in a top tube bag?
You can put anything you like in a top tube bag, capacity permitting. However they are best suited for securely carrying smaller items which can otherwise take up a lot of jersey pocket space.
House keys will be much safer in a bag rather than on your person in case of a crash, and top tube bags are also in a really accessible place, so snacks and gels can be easily reached here.
If you’re on a longer ride, or it’s wet, you might like to transfer electrical items such as your phone or a battery pack into the top tube bag. Just make sure you look out for waterproof options if you’re planning on stowing electricals.
Are top tube bags aero?
Some top tube bags are more aero than others. Smaller, lower profile and more tear-drop shaped bags are likely to be aerodynamic compared to bulkier bags.
As they run in line with the bike’s frame, top tube bags are a more aerodynamic alternative to a handlebar bag and are also popular with triathletes for this reason.
Which are best, bolt-on or strap-on top tube bags?
The best attachment style for you will depend on your bike. You’ll need a pair of mounts on the top tube in order to use a bolt-on style top tube bag, which you won’t find on all bikes (they’re typically more common on newer gravel bikes).
Strap-on style top tube bags are much more versatile for this reason, and can easily be transferred between bikes too.
The advantage of bolt-on top tube bags goes beyond their minimalist aesthetic; it can also help to prevent paint damage from straps around the frame, which can cause abrasion, especially when dirt and grit work their way in behind the straps. Frame protection kits can help prevent this damage.
Top tube bag vs handlebar bag, which is best?
The main differences between top tube bags and handlebar bags lie in capacity and ease of access. While you will likely be able to fit more in a handlebar bag, such as an extra layer, they’re typically harder to access while riding along.
What size top tube bag is best?
The capacity of the top tube bag that’s best for you will depend on its intended use. Looking for a little snack storage on longer road rides? Perhaps a smaller bag under 1L capacity would work best. Going on a multi-day expedition and seeking a safe space for your phone, passport, snacks and gloves? A much larger model is likely to suit.
Do be aware that larger top tube bags may become less stable or even rub your legs when fully-loaded. Bigger isn’t always better!
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