Topeak’s Elementa Gearbag is a compact saddlebag that combines a compact form factor with an integrated tool holder. It’s small bag with only 0.3 L capacity and outer dimensions of 11.4 x 7 x 5 cm which allows it to hide underneath saddles. The upper compartment of the bag has enough space for a compact inner tube and tire levers. Retail price on the bag is $64.95 which includes 10 bits and a slick mini ratchet with reversible head. The other big feature of the bag is the Rail Wing System which is a clever strap design that allows the bag to be opened without removing it from the bike. The bag itself is constructed from 1000D Polyester and has an aluminum ring along with rubberized zippers for some weather resistance.
The Topeak Elementa Gearbag combines a compact saddlebag form factor along with integrated ratchet and bits for roadside repairs.
| Rating | 8.7 / 10 |
| Retail Price | $64.95 |
| Measured Weight (in g) | 161 |
| Likes | + Premium toolset + Contents can be accessed without removing from bike + High visibility yellow interior makes to find items |
| Dislikes | – Small compartment size limits how much you can fit – Rail Wing System is cumbersome to set up – Zippers lack garages to conceal them when closed |
| Where to Buy (US) | Topeak |
UNBOXING
The Topeak Elementa Gearbag comes attached to a cardboard backing using the mounting strap. Branding and specs are printed onto the cardboard with Topeak’s characteristic yellow and black color scheme. As far as what comes with the bag:
- Elements Gearbag
- Ratchet tool w/ magnetic holder
- Hex bits: 2 / 2.5 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 mm
- #2 Phillips bit
- Torx bits: T10 / T15 / T25
- Instruction pamphlet
We’d recommend paying careful attention to the instructions as they help with understanding how the Rail Wing System works.
MOUNTING
One of the unique features of the Elementa Seatbag is the Rail Wing System mounting design. This combines your typical strap with two short velcro straps which secure the bag to the saddle rails. This design means you can undo the main strap to access the contents while the bag remains attached to the rails, something you can’t do with traditional bags like the SILCA Mattone. At first glance it’s a confusing design but if you slowly follow the instructions and study the illustrations you can figure it out. The idea is the two small velcro straps keep the bag attached to the rails while the main strap is undone. It’s a simple solution that makes it easy to open the bag without having to remove it and reinstall it everytime. The left velcro strap goes around the left seat rail while the right one attaches after the right rail to keep tension on the velcro. Depending on your saddle design it can be difficult to route the two velcro straps to the proper place and we’d also recommend adjusting the forward / rearward position so that the straps are in the proper place.
FIT AND FINISH
The Elementa Gearbag has a sleek rectangular profile that is designed to hide under saddles. Constructed from 1000D Polyester, the bag has a flexible fabric construction that is designed to be durable and weather resistant. Topeak currently only offers the Gearbag in a single size and black color. At only 0.3L the bag is small in size and visually quite similar in size to the medium sized Element Seatbag. There is a reflective Topeak logo on the back of the bag and simple rail wing system branding printed on the strap. With no seatpost attachment strap, the Gearbag is an attractive saddlebag that blends in well on a bike.
The Elementa Gearbag has a two compartment design with high visibility yellow interiors. It’s one of our favorite Topeak features, and something we’ve seen with other Topeak products like the Burrito Pack, as the bright interior makes it easy to see everything inside the bag. Compared to the single compartment Elementa Seatbag, the Gearbag variation has a much smaller upper compartment to make room for the tool storage. The top compartment can fit a single tube or potentially multiple compact TPU tubes as well as tire levers or other smaller items. Below that compartment is the hidden tool compartment which has integrated fabric loops for the 10 tool bits and a plastic slot for the ratchet. It’s a great looking design with the bit labels printed onto the fabric itself for a professional look. There are also two loops on the outside of the saddle bag that can be used to store CO2 canisters.
As far as the tools, Topeak includes 10 bits and a mini ratchet with the bag. That’s one reason why the Topeak Elementa Gearbag is a bit pricey for the size. The bits are standard S2 steel bits and include 2, 2.5, 4, 5, 6 mm Hex bits as well as T10, T15 and T25 Torx bits. There is also a #2 Phillips screwdriver included which can be potentially useful on roadside repairs. In our opinion, the best part of the tool kit is the mini-ratchet which is the tool we’ve seen with the Topeak Torq Stick Pro. It’s a miniaturized ratchet with a magnetic tool holder and reversible head that makes quick work of jobs. There is also a bit holder in the base of the ratchet which lets you quickly loosen bolts. One of the hidden features of the bag is that the entire toolset can be removed from the bag by pulling it off the velcro backing. While the compartment itself is too small to do much with, the removed toolset can be hung up in a workshop when you are not riding.
ON THE ROAD
While there has been a move toward on-bike storage with tools like the Topeak Stealth series, a saddle bag is still essential for carrying additional food and gear on longer rides. With the smaller size of the Topeak Elementa Gearbag we were only able to fit a Tubolito TPU tube, tire levers, CO2 as well as two CO2 canisters on the outer loops. The integrated bits and ratchet provide enough functionality to replace traditional bike multi-tools except for larger tools like the Topeak Mini PT30 that have chain breakers or tubeless repair tools. Although we’re big fans of the ratchet and bits, it feels premium and has a satisfying click, we’re not convinced the larger size and multi-piece design has any advantages over mini-tools like the Topeak Nano 11 for roadside repairs.
We found the initial setup of the Rail Wing System to be cumbersome, as it’s hard to route the Velcro straps in the small space between the rail and saddle base, but found that the setup works great once it’s on the bike. It’s easy to access all the contents of the bag by simply undoing the main Velcro while the bag stays attached to the rails. It’s a minor detail but significantly improves the usability as you can quickly access contents without having to re-install the bag on the bike which can be frustrating when you are on the side of the road. The tool compartment opens up wide and hangs down making it easy to access all the tools while the bright yellow interior makes it easy to see the contents of the main compartment.
THE VERDICT
Overall, we found the Topeak Elementa Gearbag offers a unique combination of compact size and clever integrated toolset. The small form factor of the saddlebag and saddle-rail only mounting allows the bag to tuck underneath saddles for a clean installation. Topeak’s Rail Wing System is also a nice feature that allows both compartments to be easily accessed while the bag remains attached to the saddle. Compared to traditional bags that have to be installed and removed from the saddle, the contents of the Elementa Gearbag are far easier to access. As far as negatives, the bag is quite small so storage space is limited and the Rail Wing System is also a bit cumbersome to initially set up on the bike. That said, the Topeak Elementa Gearbag is a nice compact saddlebag with a built-in party trick tool compartment.
Disclaimer: The product for this review was provided by Topeak. The views expressed on this website are solely those of the authors and are here to help people make an informed choice before a purchase. The authors or the blog itself does not get any monetary compensation from the product manufacturer or third-party websites/vendor links that are posted here.