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planb10113
352
Jun 7, 2018
I just bought the Revelate Designs Sweetroll (Large), Ripio (I bought a large for my 61cm Motobecane PhantomCross frame), and Terrepin for a bike trip I went on in VT and was really happy with the performance of all three of them.
I loved the Terrepin's air valve for compressing it even more after rolled. It really let's you squeeze things down to a manageable size depending on what you have packed (I had my clothes, quilt, flipflops, and pillow in it). The Ripio fit perfectly in my frame and held the heaviest stuff with no fuss (tools, spare parts, pump, first aid kit, snacks, small camp chair, etc.). It seemed sturdily constructed with nice big zippers for easy access while on the move.
I wasn't a huge fan of the design of the Sweetroll and how it needs to be removed entirely from the handlebars to stuff it if you are using drops, but it was still able to hold my hammock, rainfly, and sleeping pad with no issue, and it's pretty easy to get mounted once you know what you're doing. It would have been nice for the double ended bag of the Sweetroll to be detachable from the harness, but Revelate makes a separate harness and dry bag that can. I guess I maybe didn't make an informed purchase, but I still don't really see a reason to construct the handlebar roll permanently attached to the harness.
All three seemed to be decently waterproof (a day of riding in on and off rain as testament), but I think the Terrepin and Sweetroll were the most "proof" where I think the Ripio was more "resistant". As long as you pack accordingly, you can keep the important stuff dry. The Sweetroll and Terrepin also had shock cords and webbing loops for additional storage which was nice to have. Everything stayed in place well with little to no shifting, jostling, or bouncing, and even with no rail system on the Terrepin, I didn't notice any sway as I rode though YMMV (I used flipflops to help reinforce the saddlebag).
Overall I was very pleased with how well the three bags fit all of my gear. I may have slightly overpacked as I was carrying a packpack with water and a couple other essentials and I would like to eventually not have to carry it, but I think that'll come with more experience. For being my first bikepacking trip, I think I had everything I needed and very little I didn't. I really can't wait for the next one. I think I'm hooked!
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