At a svelte 7.5L, the Catalyst Pack has easily made its way onto our top-seller list as a go-to gravel adventure bag. Riders with less clearance and narrow handlebars now have a stellar option for stowing gear on their handlebars and under the saddle. Add carrying capacity to this item with aBungee Booster.
The Catalyst Pack is a beautiful mid-capacity handlebar and saddle bag. A more compact option than theZeitgeist Pack, the Catalyst’s trim profile allows for more tire clearance and narrower drop bars. The fitted flap sheds the elements and boasts a small flat zipper pocket for quick access essentials like your ride wallet, chapstick and a snack. Utilize the flap’s daisy chain of webbing to thread aBungee Boosterand stash a layer. The rigid plastic insert offers structure and support for your load. This compact and rock-steady pack is a great option for shredding some gravel and makes a great edition to a lightweight bikepacking rig.
The Catalyst Pack is made in Surabaya, Indonesia and Seattle, WA out of Challenge ECOPAK 100% recycled polyester. This pack contains roughly 10 plastic bottles rescued from ocean beaches.
Materials List
Challenge Sailcloth ECOPAK™ EPLX400
Nylon packcloth 400D
RBC450RS (Recycled Bag Cloth Ripstop 450D)
Feature Callouts
HDPE insert in body to help shape and stabilize your load
Interior features one-handed drawcord closure with an additional compression strap to compact your load.
Flap features small zipper pocket & webbing daisy chains for additional lash points
Comes with six foam spacers and two 9″ Swift Straps
Dimensions
Measurements (Width x Height x Length in inches): 11”w x 7”h x 6”d
Capacity (in Liters): 7.5 L
Weight (in Ounces): 15 oz
FIT-CHECK
Handlebar width compatibility
30cm width
Step 1: Measure the spacing of your handlebars, inside-to-inside, at the hoods.
Step 2: If you have integrated shifting, enlist a friend to engage the levers fully into the center space between the bars, and measure the space from tip-to-tip.
Clearance (height) specs for use at the handlebars and on the saddle
You’ll need a minimum of 10” (25.5cm) of space between your bicycle handlebars and the top of your front or rear tire to use the Catalyst Pack without a support or rack. Keep in mind that a weighted down pack may sag into the wheel, and pay attention to avoid abrasion.
With a rack: As little as 6.5″ (16.5cm) of clearance is required to run the Catalyst Pack on the front with a Carradice Universal Bar Rack. Note that the Carradice Bagman Support is not compatible with the Catalyst Pack.
Compact yet spacious
Good for bag combination with a bigger saddle back to go for a week trip
H
HIROKI ICHIKAWA
Catalyst Pack
O
Oscar Salgado
Love this bag
Bought the Caralyst Pack after purchasing the Zeitgeist Pack. Use them both interchangeably year round.
M
Michael Mann
The Perfect Bag?
I’m admittedly a Bike Luggage Addict. My first Swift bag was a custom colorway Zeitgeist sewn by Martina herself (still in service!) I own at least one of just about every bag they make, and a couple no longer in production. I own two Catalyst bags, and find this bag is the perfect size and shape for an all day adventure when you need to bring snacks, extra layers, maybe binoculars and a small notebook… And it’s equally at home on the handlebars or as a saddlebag, so it’s a perfect bag to swap between bikes. Everything you need, nothing you don’t.
