The Merlin Randonneur Bag is a front mounted bicycle bag that sits on a traditional randonneur rack and is further stabilized by the use of a decaleur. It’s set apart from it’s predecessor with modular attachment points for you to choose your rider-facing pockets. We know that having the right organization for an endurance event is key, so we bring you the Merlin Randonneur Bag!
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Swift takes the classic French handlebar bag design and pairs it with modern textiles to bring you the lightest traditional randonneur bags on the market. The Merlin Rando bag is installed at the front of the bicycle on a small front rack and attaches to the bike using a decaleur.
We took the Merlin Rando Bag to the next level with durable X-Pac™ fabric. Additional abrasion resistance and a rip-stop grid make X-Pac™ an excellent material for more rugged adventures.
A favorite of long-distance cyclists, rando bags make for more efficient riding by keeping gear accessible while on the move.
The Merlin Randonneur bag is held in place with four velcro straps (on the bottom), an essential webbing loop that holds the rando front rack’s tombstone, and a decaleur (sold separately). Be sure to check the Rando Lexicon for guidance and installation instructions. This is a more involved bag to install, but pays off with secure attachment for confident riding on even the roughest roads.
Please note! The name of the Merlin Randonneur Bag was previously the Ozette V2 Randonneur Bag. Learn more about the change here.
Cool Features:
Flat elastic interior organizing system (varies slightly according to size of bag)
Discretely flared flap for increased weather protection
Front pocket
Two flat side pockets
Side dee rings for optional shoulder strap
Four velcro straps on the bottom for additional stability
Decaleur Attachment Height: 6.5”-8.5” from bottom of bag
15L Merlin Randonneur Bag
Measurements: 11.75”h X 11”w X 7.5”d
Capacity: 15.5 L
Bag Weight: 1.6 lbs
Decaleur Attachment Height: 6.5”-11” from bottom of bag
Materials:
Shell Choice
Black VX21 X-Pac™
Also built out of
200 Denier Packcloth
Clear Vinyl Pocket
Velcro™ Hook and Loop
Nylon Webbing
Made in-house at Swift Industries, Seattle WA
Choosing the right Ozette Rando Bag height:
Get ready to do a little homework. It’s simple stuff but requires attention and accurate measurements. Each bicycle design has different geometry (the angles and lengths of the frame and fork of a bicycle). As angles change so do the distances between mounting points for a randonneur bag set-up. This is why we at Swift Industries are challenged to tell you which size bag to use on a bicycle we’ve never laid eyes on.
Don’t fret, we’ll walk you through the principles of selecting the right rando bag and you’ll be in business in no time.
Ideally, the rack is installed on the bicycle before you go to choose your rando bag size. You will be looking at two different measurements to decide which bag is right: the height of your decaleur relative to the platform of the rack, and the height of your handlebars relative to the platform of the rack.
First: Measure the space between your rack and the receiving end of the decaleur to determine which rando bag size is compatible with your bicycle. Check which bag’s spacing corresponds the top of receiving end of the decaleur. This will determine which sizes are compatible with your bicycle.
Second: The height of the bag should be as flush with your handlebars as possible without interfering with your hand placement on the flats of the bars.
Now that you’ve narrowed down which bag works with your declaeur placement, you can select the height that suits your handlebar position the best.
The nuances of riding with weight in the front of the bicycle: How steady a bicycle will handle with front weight goes back to the geometry of a bicycle. Some frame and fork sets are explicitly designed to carry front loads, and others will compromise the stability of your ride. We can’t really advise according to each bicycle (there are too many nuanced measurements that influence this issue), but you should be aware that some bicycles will handle better than others with weight up front.
Please note! The name of the Merlin Randonneur Bag was previously the Ozette V2 Randonneur Bag. Learn more about the change here.
It’s new Merlin Randonneur Bag day! Here at Swift, we mail our product unassembled to reduce the carbon footprint of your order. Check out this tutorial video about how to put your Merlin Randonneur Bag together the day it arrives.
Please note! The name of the Merlin Randonneur Bag was previously the Ozette V2 Randonneur Bag. Learn more about the change here.
