One of the best known and most popular manufacturers for bikepacking gear is Revelate Designs. . The bagsmith is based in Anchorage, Alaska in the USA and was one of the first companies to mass produce bikepacking bags – handmade in the USA, of course.
In this article I introduce you to the Revelate Designs Mountain Feedbag handlebar bag in more detail. It is a so-called stem bag for bikepacking.
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The bag can be easily attached to the handlebar and stem with velcro and holds there securely. It offers plenty of space to store snacks, sports glasses or your smartphone. Since it is one of the largest stem bags on the market, it also offers enough storage space for a 1 liter Nalgene bottle and thus also serves as a bottle holder on the bike handlebar.
The Revelate Designs Mountain Feedbag is part of a complete bikepacking gear set. The Revelate Designs set consists of the following bags:
- Frame Bag Bikepacking Frame Bag: Ranger Frame Bag or Tangle Frame Bag
- Top tube bag: Mag-Tank or Mag-Tank Bolt-on
- Bikepacking Saddlebag with Pannier: Revelate Designs Terrapin System 14L
- Handlebar Bag: Revelate Designs Handlebar Harness with e.g. Saltyroll
- Accessory Pockets: Egress Pocket or Yakataga Dry Pocket
- Bikepacking accessory bag for fork: Polecat
If you’re specifically interested in the Revelate Designs Mountain Feedbag, best keep reading.
In the test: Revelate Designs Mountain Feedbag handlebar bag
I have been using bikepacking stem bags for several years and have gained a lot of practical experience with them. I bought the Revelate Designs Mountain Feedbag specifically for the Tuscany Trail. It then went out of stock and was delivered right after the Tuscany Trail.
Since then, I have permanently attached the bag to my Bombtrack Beyond Bikepacking bike on the handlebars. What do I put in the bag? Mostly my phone or my GoPro.
✅ The quality has convinced me in any case from the beginning: And I will also take them on the next big tours with the bike.
In practice
The Revelate Designs Mountain Feedbag handlebar bag looks very similar to a chalkbag at first glance. A chalkbag is a bag optimized for bouldering and climbing. With the special feature that the bag has been optimized for use on the bike.
Attachment to the bike – Mountain Feedbag
The bag is securely fixed to the bike with a total of three straps. The three-point attachment ensures a very secure hold of the bag on the bike.
This is how the bag is attached to the bike:
Wide velcro strap: This allows you to fix the bag to the handlebar.
Second, narrow velcro strap: With this you fix the bag to the stem. The narrow Velcro strap can be attached to either the left or right side of the Mountain Feedbag. This allows you to attach the bag to both sides of the handlebar. The Velcro is also double-sided. This also allows you to attach two Mountain Feedbags to a short stem.
Lashing strap with clip closure: is guided around the crown of the fork. This third attachment point provides extra stability for this bikepacking bag. Unlike other bags with only two attachment points, the Revelate Designs Mountain Feedbag holds so much more stable on the bike.
This three-point attachment holds the Feedbag handlebar bag securely and wobble-free on the bike. I would describe the attachment as “floating on the handlebars” and the contents of the bag are thus protected from impacts and frame contact.
Thus, the bag is also suitable for the transport of electrical items such as compact cameras or camera lenses. Of course, there is also room for larger items such as a 1 litre Nalgene bottle in the handlebar bag.
Handling: True one-handed operation
So the bikepacking bag holds very securely to the bike. But what about handling? The bag can be opened and closed by means of a very sophisticated and easy to understand system: two elastic bands with cord stoppers are attached to the bag. One of the elastics opens the bag and one of the elastics closes the bag again.
This is how you open the handlebar bag: The elastic band for opening has a round eyelet at the end. You put your finger through this eyelet and pull on it. The stem bag is already open and you can stow your equipment.
Close: Closing the Revelate Designs Mountain Feedbag is just as easy. The handling is very simple and can be done with one hand even while driving. You just pull the other rubber cord and the bag closes neatly and completely.
If the Mountain Feedbag is closed then the inside protects you well from medium rain. However, the bag is not officially waterproof. Therefore, particularly sensitive items should be additionally protected from moisture with a plastic bag (e.g. Zip-Lock bag).
Volume: With 1 liter plenty of space
The main compartment of the Revelate Designs Mountain Feedbag has a volume of approximately 1 liter. This protects the contents from dirt and light rain.
There are additional elastic mesh pockets on the sides. For example, snacks such as bars or receipts can be stowed in it. I also like to stuff my trash in the mesh bags to dispose of at the nearest trash can.
This is very large for a handlebar bag of this type, which I find very positive. This makes the bag ideal for example:
- Small items like a bike water bottle, action cam, snacks or sunglasses
- Large items such as a modern smartphone or compact camera
The items can be quickly removed from the Mountain Feedbag and also quickly stowed away again. Very practical I find the bright yellow color inside the Mountain Feedbag. Items stand out very well from the inside of the bag and can be found quickly.
The inner lining has a small press stud at the bottom. This can be released by pulling accordingly. The inner lining can then be turned inside out and the bag is very easy to clean e.g. from crumbs.
Conclusion – At a glance
Good
✅ Large space: One of the largest bikepacking handlebar bags (stem bag) on the market. The Revelate Designs Mountain Feedbag has room for sunglasses, snacks a medium sized digital camera or other items. You need more space? Then use the mesh pockets on the side to store snacks and bars.
✅ Excellent workmanship: The complete bag including material, seams and elastics is top processed.
✅ Safe hold on the bike: Thanks to three attachment points, the bag holds very securely on the bike and is practically “floating” next to the handlebar. The contents can be transported padded and does not hit against the bike frame.
✅ Universally applicable: The bag can be attached to the handlebar on the left or right. It is also possible to attach two bikepacking bags to the handlebars. Thanks to double-sided Velcro closure even with a short stem.
✅ Easy handling: The Mountain Feedbag can also be opened and closed with one hand while riding. The handling is done by two rubber bands and is quickly learned.
Bad
❌ Knees can touch the bag: When riding in a wild sway ride
❌ Light steering restriction possible: When the bag(s) are loaded with a large 1 liter Nalgene Bottle.
Quick overview
Conclusion – Revelate Designs Mountain Feedbag Handlebar Bag Test
The Revelate Designs Mountain Feedbag is a very practical accessory for your bike. Personally, I am very convinced of the bag and have always attached it to the handlebars. I will probably get a second one on the next tour.
Many areas of application are conceivable for the bag. For example, as a bottle holder on the bike handlebar or as a bike camera bag.
If there is a large 1 litre bottle in the handlebar bag, pedalling in the saddle is no longer possible without restrictions. In addition, depending on the bike, the steering radius may also be slightly restricted. The two aspects hardly bother me personally and are clearly outshone by the benefits.
When I look at aspects such as workmanship, utility and handling, there is little to complain about and plenty of reason to be happy. Clear recommendation!
