Review of Bell StowAway Bicycle Seat Bag

Bell StowAway Bicycle Seat Bag
By: Bell Average Rating: 3.5 Total Reviews: 25
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be aware you might receive something different!

On: 2008-07-04

I ordered two of these bags two days ago. I received a bell stowaway bike bag, but the two I received are a different model than this. I received very small bags which zip quite differently than this bag. They are also shaped differently. That said, they are average bags-- probably a good bargain, but receiving the bags I asked for would have been a much better bargain.

Poor storage

On: 2008-07-02

Poor storage and not flexible in terms of mounting. If you already have other things mounted on the rod, it will be really hard to mount it and attach it to the chair.

Fine for lightweight objects

On: 2008-07-01

I bought this bag because it looked like the right size to stow our medium-duty bike lock when my family and I go biking. Unfortunately, the velcro straps could not support that much weight when going over bumpy terrain.

My wife was testing it out and rode over a wooden bridge. On the way off the bridge, one of the straps came loose and the pack came in contact with the rear tire and got abraded pretty badly. She had to re-secure the straps and then ride very carefully for the rest of the trip.

This bag is probably fine for carrying light objects on paved roads, but it wasnt quite up to the task for our needs.

almost perfect...

On: 2008-06-15

This is large enough to hold my cell phone, wallet, keys, and a snack, with room to spare. It secures very well to the seat post with a wrap around velcro strap. But I think the top velcro straps were designed for a wider saddle (perhaps as on a childs bike or a flat saddle on a hybrid) rather than my narrower womens saddle. They are hard to secure to my saddle, and dont always stay in place, but the good news is that it hasnt mattered and the seat bag hasnt bounced off or spun around or flapped in the wind. But - especially for the money - this bag does exactly what I need when Im out on my bike.

Poor velcro strap design

On: 2008-06-06

Most bicycle shop cycling equipment is a total ripoff moneywise when compared to the intrinsic cost of materials and manufacturing. So its great that Schwinn and Bell make decent cycling equipment for your dollar. But on some items, they could use smarter product designers. This bag is a very good value in regard to size and overall construction, but the mounting straps are lame. I couldnt get the velcro straps to stay attached on my seat rails because theyre too short. And I had to uncomfortably squeeze my fingers into a very small space between the rails to attach the straps to their counterpart. But even if they were longer, the design is illogical, and Ive wrote Bell about it. A better design would be to have longer straps that meet and attach on the underside of the bag so as to accommodate all types of seats, not underneath and between the seat rails as it is now. So I bought some velcro straps from Home Depot and rigged it myself, and I suggest buyers to do the same. After I did that, I am a happy camper.

Decent for the price

On: 2008-04-28

I managed to fit 2 tires and a bike tool in the pouch. Better there than in my shirt. At this price point, its worth what you pay - not more or less. I might be able to fit my keys and wallet in if I push the limits to the max.

stuck riding

On: 2008-04-22

I cant figure the thing out. How does it mount to anything. I must be stupid or something. I bought a $50 thing from an expensive company that is a rack/bag combo just to get relief. The thing drags on my wheel and the straps dont match up and down or sideways

signed

dummy

Great value - no negatives!

On: 2008-04-19

Well made, easy to mount, surprising capacity and dirt cheap. What more can you want?

Bell quality at a great price

On: 2008-03-26

I paid $8 for this seat bag. Nothing special... it does what it is supposed to do. Sits securely under seat.
Bell is one of the best names in biking accessories so it will last.

Pretty good, but....

On: 2008-01-02

Bell StowAway Bicycle Seat Bag
it was hard to get it in place correctly so that the reflector behind the seat wouldnt be covered up. This was a part of a Christmas gift for one of our grandkids, but I actually purchased three of them so that my husband and I could both also have one. Decent size and great value!

Pretty good, but....

On: 2008-01-01

Bell StowAway Bicycle Seat Bag
it was hard to get it in place correctly so that the reflector behind the seat wouldnt be covered up. This was a part of a Christmas gift for one of our grandkids, but I actually purchased three of them so that my husband and I could both also have one. Decent size and great value!

Large

On: 2007-12-30

The bag mounts easily to the seat post and stays secure. The only other thing to say is that this bag is BIG. Its much bigger than I expected and could fit about 6 spare tubes. This caused a small issue with my wifes bike, which has a very small area under the seat.

Stowaway

On: 2007-08-23

Very useful product, easily installed. Well see how the velcro straps hold up under "pressure"

not all that meets the eye

On: 2007-07-05

the main problem with this product is that the picture is not the same as the real product. the zipper is not a side to side deal as shown but more of an arch , this really isnt a problem in that it hurts the functionality of the bag. there is also not as much reflective tape on the bag as shown. the bag is good for carrying a wallet cell phone and a bag of snacks, but if you want more space than that look for something else.

nice bag, but not expandable

On: 2007-06-15

This is a decent size bag for under the seat, but the picture makes it look like a different model with an expandable section by a lower zipper. This one is fixed size, about the size of the expandable unit when open. The mouth on this bag is nice and large unlike the expandable bag. Also the price is right.

nice bag, but not expandable

On: 2007-06-14

This is a decent size bag for under the seat, but the picture makes it look like a different model with an expandable section by a lower zipper. This one is fixed size, about the size of the expandable unit when open. The mouth on this bag is nice and large unlike the expandable bag. Also the price is right.

Not so tough

On: 2007-05-23

Bought this same bag at Walmart. Pleased with the mounting and the space; but the bag only lasted about a month. Majority of rides were through metro at lunch (roads and curbs) plus a couple trails. It has ripped out the stitching along the bottom side and along the top. It was carrying spare tube, patch kit, multi tool, tire levers, keys and c-card/cash.

Not so tough

On: 2007-05-22

Bought this same bag at Walmart. Pleased with the mounting and the space; but the bag only lasted about a month. Majority of rides were through metro at lunch (roads and curbs) plus a couple trails. It has ripped out the stitching along the bottom side and along the top. It was carrying spare tube, patch kit, multi tool, tire levers, keys and c-card/cash.

Nice bag, good size

On: 2007-05-19

I just used the bag for the first time this morning, and heres what I was able to fit inside:

A large cookie
A breakfast bar
A plastic (grocery) bag
A sunblock bottle
My iPod with 2 accessories attached

It was crammed full, but thats quite a bit of stuff. Its not quite large enough to fit a sandwich tupperware, but I think I can fit a sandwich in there as long as its just in a plastic bag.

The bag attaches easily to the seatpost with a velcro strap, and also has 2 velcro straps on top which can attach to the seat itself. I dont think the bag budged during my 1-hour bikeride even having all that stuff inside. Since its so easy to attach, I just took the whole bag off and brought it with me after my ride!

Nice bag, good size

On: 2007-05-18

I just used the bag for the first time this morning, and heres what I was able to fit inside:

A large cookie
A breakfast bar
A plastic (grocery) bag
A sunblock bottle
My iPod with 2 accessories attached

It was crammed full, but thats quite a bit of stuff. Its not quite large enough to fit a sandwich tupperware, but I think I can fit a sandwich in there as long as its just in a plastic bag.

The bag attaches easily to the seatpost with a velcro strap, and also has 2 velcro straps on top which can attach to the seat itself. I dont think the bag budged during my 1-hour bikeride even having all that stuff inside. Since its so easy to attach, I just took the whole bag off and brought it with me after my ride!

Excellent Bike Bag for the Price

On: 2007-05-16

This behind-and-under-the-seat bike bag is "Bell" sturdy and easy to attach and remove. Cant go wrong for the money.

Wrong picture on this item

by: Anonymous On: 2007-05-13

I actually bought this bike bag because the one I bought at Walmart didnt seem to fit very well. The top strap was too far toward the zipper opening for it to be threaded under the seat springs and the result is that these straps disengage very easily. The picture of this bike bag indicated that the straps were set back toward the seat and that the zippered opening was actually a bit more functional. Surprise!!! No such luck. Exactly the same bag as is carried at Walmart with exactly the same problem. Teaches you not to trust the pictures.

Wrong picture on this item

by: Anonymous On: 2007-05-12

I actually bought this bike bag because the one I bought at Walmart didnt seem to fit very well. The top strap was too far toward the zipper opening for it to be threaded under the seat springs and the result is that these straps disengage very easily. The picture of this bike bag indicated that the straps were set back toward the seat and that the zippered opening was actually a bit more functional. Surprise!!! No such luck. Exactly the same bag as is carried at Walmart with exactly the same problem. Teaches you not to trust the pictures.

Excellent Value

On: 2007-05-12

This seat bag is perfect - just large enough to hold spare tube (2 for road bikes), mini-tool and flat repair kit. It does not flop around, as reported by another reviewer, if it is installed correctly. Every member of my household has one on their bike...

GREAT!!!!!

by: Anonymous On: 2007-02-13

THIS BAG IS NOT TO BIG AND NOT TO SMALL. FITS GREAT UNDER THE SEAT AND DOESNT GET IN THE WAY. VERY GOOD BUY.

Great little bag

On: 2007-01-01

This bag is just perfect. You can shove a light jacket into it. You can store your wallet and keys. Its just what you need without holding so much that it becomes a burdon.

Great little bag

On: 2006-12-31

This bag is just perfect. You can shove a light jacket into it. You can store your wallet and keys. Its just what you need without holding so much that it becomes a burdon.

Not bad.

On: 2006-11-04

I put my ultra tool in it all the time, it does help.

Nice capacity, but poorly fastened

On: 2006-09-30

I have used this bag while riding single-track trails. It is constantly coming unfastened from the bottom of the saddle. Fortunately, it has never disconnected from the seat post, so I have not lost it completely. It is still a hastle that could have been avoided with better design.

Like I said in the title, it has plenty of capacity for a spare tube, tire levers, keys, etc... If youre just riding on pavement, its probably fine.

Nice capacity, but poorly fastened

On: 2006-09-29

I have used this bag while riding single-track trails. It is constantly coming unfastened from the bottom of the saddle. Fortunately, it has never disconnected from the seat post, so I have not lost it completely. It is still a hastle that could have been avoided with better design.

Like I said in the title, it has plenty of capacity for a spare tube, tire levers, keys, etc... If youre just riding on pavement, its probably fine.

Works great moves to much

On: 2006-05-12

The product is great and it stores alot and is expandable. The bad thing is that it hangs form the seat and swings back and forth a LOT!. If you ride slowly and dont care then it is great. If you are a road racer then it will bother you. But in any case great for the money!

Great product

On: 2006-05-01

Although there isnt much behind a good seat-back bag, this is on of the best I have had. There is little trouble mouting it, and the zipper is smooth. It can hold a ton of stuff, and the reflector gives it an extra safety boost. All in all, great buy.