A few words about sponsorship and reviews

First of all I want to say that I’m sponsored by Mainstream MSX but this won’t influence my judgment on the review of their products. If there is points to improve I think it’s good to say it so the brand can improve those points and make an even better future product. All the brand I’ve been contacting for sponsorship are high quality brands that I studied beforehand.

The review

This product is a 100% waterproof handlebar bag from the company Mainstream MSX.

The CLS 55 Avantgarde MX on my bike

I’ve got my bike fully equipped with those panniers and I have to say it is really strong products. You can feel here the German quality in every detail.

My bike loaded with Mainstream MSX panniers and Handlebar bag

Fixation system

First, the system to lock it on the handle bar is very good. It doesn’t move at all even on gravel roads downhill with a few potholes here and there and fully loaded. The weight of the content might be around 2.5kg. It is very easy to install. Once installed you can attach and detach the pannier very easily. Almost all the time with one hand. I can say it’s handy!

Fixation system off the bike

Fixation system on the bike

Volume

The volume of the handlebar bag is quite impressive and the space is well organised. There is the list of all my gear carried inside:

• Camera Fujifilm X-T1 with 16-55 F2.8 Lens
• Neutral Density filter Syrp
• Fujifilm flashlight EF-X8
• Smartphone Samsung galaxy Note 4
• Gopro Hero 4 Silver with waterproof case + skeleton case
• Power bank for macbook Batterybox
• Multitool Topeak
• Wallet
• Headphones
• Few USB cables
• Pencils
• ID card
• Pounamu stone
• 3 rechargeable batteries AA for my headlight
• Lighter
• …

Content I put in the pannier

Content loaded in the pannier

To optimise the space there is two extra pockets:

A mesh pocket with a zip is located just underneath the top cover. This one is not removable which makes it very strong! Even full of stuffs it won’t move. The bonus, you can hide behind it your wallet just in case you meet the wrong people on your way.

Inside fixed mesh pocket

Inside mesh pocket and where you can hide your wallet

A pocket with a zip is located inside of the main compartment. It is hold with two horizontal Velcro. You can use it as a wallet. It’s handy.

Inside removable pocket

On each side of the handlebar bag, there is mesh pockets. They are quite small but I think it’s exactly the good size. I store in one of them a tiger balm box and in the other one, the bike lights.

Side mesh pockets

On top of the lead there is a waterproof plastic case to put a map. I store in it an extra power pack with an integrated solar panel. I personally don’t really like the quality of this plastic case. Too soft and it makes the visibility of the phone screen very difficult. If there were something to change I would say this should be on the list.

Plastic case with screen of the phone turned on

Fabrication

The walls and the cover are really strong and I’m totally confident to store my camera inside of it. It’s made with hard plastic covered with the waterproof fabric. There is a frame around the main compartment making it very rigid.

Well made and strong product

On each side there is eyelets to hook a shoulder strap. One more time great quality and it’s easy to put it in and out.

Eyelet with strap on

The strap can be used on the handlebar bag and on every other pannier. It’s well thought. There is a comfortable pad with a good grip on the strap so it doesn’t slip on the shoulder.

Adjustable strap with pad

Opening and closing system

The system is really good as it is using magnet and can be closed almost automatically with just one hand. On the opposite side, you will need your two hands to open the bag and my thoughts about it are mixed. It’s good as if it falls down it won’t open and it makes the bag very waterproof and dust proof. However, I think it would be handy to can open it quickly with just one hand while riding to grab the Gopro or the camera without having to stop.

Conclusion

This product does exactly what it is made for. The quality of fabrication is high level and I will see how it last in time but I’m really confident about it. The volume is great and the content is well protected from the elements such as dust or water.
The only points I would like to see modified in the future would be the map pocket and a solution to be able to open the bag with one hand while riding.