I was looking for a medium handlebar bag for longer days in the shoulder season and the summer. Something that could hold a bunch of layers, for those early spring days when you are never quite the right temperature. The other use I had in mind was long summer rides where I could throw some food and water in the bag. There is no shortage of handlebar bags on the market. The Ortlieb Handlebar Bag is really great, but the virtually permanently attached mount is not something I am interested in. Wow, I used that bag a lot… back to the subject at hand. With that, I got a Swift Industries Catalyst bag. This bag sort of works for me. It can hold some light layers, but not much else, it just doesn’t deal with weight or bulk. It is total bike jewelry and not much more.
The catalyst from Swift Industries is the medium of their handlebar offerings, the super popular Zeitgeist can be seen on hipster bikes far and wide. This size is described on their page as ready for cross country mountain biking. And it sort of is. It bounces around a lot and doesn’t really sit out from the head tube, it flops back in like a sad chin tuck.
It attaches with two stacks of foam spacers on the bars using Voile straps with a piece of shock cord around the head tube. Which basically smushes your cables and rubs your head tube at every turn. The Ortlieb gets around this with its rigid spacer. Speaking of rigid, the bag get’s it shape from a plastic placemat you jam in. Which once again for a $160 bag just seems… disappointing.
There is a cordlock on the storm collar to hold bulky loads. Which can really only be ultralight layers, this bag is basically bike jewelry and not functional for any real weight.
The secures with two buckles and sort of covers it. It would have helped if they made a bigger lid to provide more coverage.
Anyhow really this bag is basically for looks, I have not used it bikepacking as I would never trust it. It has worked carrying a puffy vest and gloves.
Also interestingly enough I was not wowed with the workmanship. Comparing this to an Oveja Negra product and this bag look like a home/ec project. Which maybe goes to this post from bikepacking.com where they announce they outsourced and off-shored all of their bag production.
Bottom Line: If you are looking for some flare for your bike, this is good. If you are looking for a bag that could hold any weight, this is not it. Get something from Oveja Negra, it is handmade in Colorado, cheaper and better made. Oh did I mention this is really expensive, yes, yes it is.
Swift Industries says: https://builtbyswift.com/shop/catalyst-pack/
The Catalyst Pack is a bomber mid-capacity bicycle bag. Fit to hold six liters worth of stuff, 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 up front and from the saddle.
The Catalyst Pack is perfect for gravel adventures, road touring, bikepacking, the daily grind, and even XC-MTB!
The Catalyst Pack is made out of recycled polyester and contains roughly 10 plastic bottles rescued from polluted rivers.
Dimensions
- Measurements: 11”w x 7.75”h x 6.25”d
- Capacity: 6 Liters
- Weight: 15oz