Produced as a collaboration between bikepacking brand Apidura, and clothing manufacturer MAAP, this frame pack offers a useful amount of storage with features that make it ideal for accessing on the go. Read on to see where it places among the best bike frame bags.
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MAAP x Apidura Frame Pack - Technical details
The frame pack is constructed using lightweight fabrics, with an outer layer comprising of what Apidura calls Hexalon. This is a laminated, waterproof fabric that feels thin but helps keep the weight low, with the 4-litre pack tested weighing in at just 195g.
The overall design is quite basic. There's a large single compartment opened using a full-length zip, and there is also a small elastic pouch on the opposite side for even faster access.
MAAP x Apidura Frame Pack - Performance
The bag is fitted using three velcro straps on the top tube, which should be wide enough to fit any top tube. They are fully removable, which will allow them to be replaced should the velcro wear out or prefer an alternative such as voile straps. The front two straps have multiple location options, which will allow for a clean, unobstructed fit.
The pack also has two straps for the downtube, which will play nicely with even the widest of tube shapes. An elastic fabric loop keeps the ends neat, which will allow them to be neatly fitted to bikes with narrower tubes, such as steel framesets.
The size of the pack, measuring 42cm in length by 24cm at the deepest point, proved to be a good size for the small Lauf Seigla I used during testing. While it should fit most frames, including many smaller sizes, bottle cage access is rather limited which will pose an issue for some. That said, this can easily be solved by using a hydration pack or seatpost-mounted bottle cage.
The zip is waterproof, although not to the same level as some other packs including those with YKK Aquaguard, or Ortlieb bags that use the TIZIP. The zip used might not be as waterproof as other bags, but there are some benefits, including easier use, helped by the shape of the zip puller, which requires less friction to open and close. The zip is also covered with a flap of outer material to help repel rainwater falling from above.
A cable port at the front will allow access to charge devices, and one feature that I really liked and used often was the small mesh pouch on the left side of the bag.
The Interior space is decent in volume, and being one big space (no pockets) makes things simpler. The bag has some reinforcement. There is some stiffness in the Hexalon fabric, and will bow outwards if packed full, not to mention add to the standard 6cm width but it is narrower than rival bags designed for off-road use.
MAAP x Apidura Frame Pack - Verdict
There is a lot to like with the MAAP x Apidura Frame Pack and, at £115, it does sit towards the top in terms of pricing for this style and size. The bag is identical in size and form to the Apidura Racing Frame Pack, which is £98. The only difference is the mesh pocket and the MAAP branding, and I would question whether that is worth the extra £17.
Similar bags in terms of capacity include the Wildcat Ocelot, which is now priced at £115 for sizes small to large and Restrap has a Race Frame Bag version that shares some features, with the small (3-litres) at £80 and large (4.2-litres) priced at £90. There's also the Straight Cut Aon Frame bag which offers a rather limiting 2-litres of space but comes in at £80.
If you are looking for a lightweight and simple, single-pocket frame bag the MAAP x Apidura Frame Pack is certainly worth considering. It performs well in all conditions, although has limited extra benefits over the cheaper Apidura Racing Frame bag to justify the extra price unless you really value an extra mesh pocket. The sizing should make it suitable for various frame sizes, including smaller frames which can often be problematic when trying to find a frame pack.
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