My Review of Kriega Rucksacks

[Titz]

Well most people would want to compromise on biking gear. But if like me, you spend every minute of your free time on your bike, then it pays to have the best kit available. I'm probably going to get a lot of stick for being a brand whore or I'll get people saying "err a KNOX something or another is cheaper and better value for money!" or "you're stupid for spending £100 on a backpack!" so be it! I don't do compromises so y'all can learn to have an objective, non-opinionated outlook from my reviews

If you're looking for budget and value, best move on elsewhere. I'm all for quality and comfort with my kit.

I've been a fan of Kriega stuff when I went and got myself a US20 tailpack for that odd weekend away. Impressed with how waterproof it was and its ease of use, I went and got myself a US10 to turn it into a US30 tail pack.

I then realised I needed a suitable bag for commuting because my Boblbee megalopolis was becoming that bit uncomfortable on the lower back. It does look awesome and tecchy but it's cumbersome when you're in a crowded room and the shape of the moulding doesn't make efficient use of the available volume. So I ended up getting Kriega R20. Because I loved the R20 so much, and since I already have a US30, I went and got myself an R30!

Here are my video reviews for them - but look down for the summary

Boblbee Megalopolis Sport

Boblbee Megalopolis Sport

Kriega R20

Kriega R20

Kriega R30

Kriega R30

Kriega R20

Pros

1) Can fit a 14" laptop
2) Has spare space to fit a change of clothes for the office (1x trousers and a work shirt and shoes)
3) Uber comfortable due to shoulder cutouts when in the riding position
4) Compression straps can reduce the size of the bag to whatever size is required
5) Quadlock system and adjustable harness to ensure conforming fit
6) Weight carried on your chest
7) Can fit US10
8) 10 Year warranty

Cons

1) Only drizzle proof - so please use a drybag if you have sensitive equipment or carrying documents
2) £££
3) I lost the receipt for the warranty - the bag was yanked by a handler when at the airport and ripped the shoulder strap stitching away from inside the bag!

Kriega R30

Pros

1) Can fit a 14" laptop
2) On top of that, you can fit 3-4 days worth of shopping as well as the laptop!
3) Articulation on the shoulder harness combined with the quadlock means that you can wear it on a race suit with a hump and still feel comfortable.
4) Compression straps can reduce the size of the bag to whatever size is required just like the R20
5) Increased carrying capacity. Pretty much like having a US30 on your back! But very comfortable
6) Weight carried on your chest.
7) Fully waterproof
8) Can fit US10
9) 10 Year warranty

Cons

1) Even more £££££ But should be the ONLY backpack you will EVER need to buy

Boblbee megalopolis

Pros

1) Can fit a 14" laptop
2) Doubles up as a CE level 2 back protector
3) I crashed whilst wearing it and prevented me from sliding under a truck!
4) Looks mega trick - like a rocket pack
5) Airliner cabin certified
6) £50 when I got it
7) Waterproof

Cons

1) RRP is £££ - £150 for megalopolis aero
2) Shoulder harness whilst it is neatly padded, it isn't as ergonomic as the kriegas
3) Large and cumbersome
4) Inefficient use of volume due to butt scoop!

So yeah, if you are too pikey and only want to get a half arsed job of a rucksack... you'll live to regret it! After wearing a whole host of bags, mostly with my bike gear, I found the R20 to be the best... the R30 will be just as good but I've only had it one day. Overall impressions are very promising.

So what if £130 RRP is too much for a backpack? If you spend a LOT of your time on the bike and pretty much 60% of your total riding time wearing a race suit out of choice, then take it from me, you won't find better backpacks.

If you're stateside, I don't know what the retail market is like over there since Kriega (formerly Krug) are a UK based company.

[setanta]

Good article

[Dangerous Des]

Good write-up - those Kriegas always get a good review.

But, I'm gonna say it... I like the Knox ones. I have an old one that I use every day, fits my laptop + other stuff in fine (but it is NOT waterproof). It's survived 2 crashes, although it has a few small holes in it now!

It's also comfortable to wear on the bike.

I'll replace it with another Knox one later this year.

[setanta]

Originally Posted by Dangerous Des Good write-up - those Kriegas always get a good review. But, I'm gonna say it... I like the Knox ones. I have an old one that I use every day, fits my laptop + other stuff in fine (but it is NOT waterproof). It's survived 2 crashes, although it has a few small holes in it now! It's also comfortable to wear on the bike. I'll replace it with another Knox one later this year.

I like the Kriega (dont own one though) was well pissed at at a show when I tried to purchase one, the guy refused to take a penny off the price (was cheaper online) dam miserable git lol

[Dangerous Des]

Oh if I found one at (or fairly close to) the same price as a Knox, I would take the Kriega no question.

[Titz]

I'm actually tempted to get ANOTHER US10 so that I can turn my tailpack into a US40. That'll give me plenty to carry around europe. The best thing about the 929 blade with an undertray is that you can have your tool roll, can of WD, 2 disk locks AND a US10 in there. So I can stash it under the seat when not in use.

To be fair, the roll top design on the R30 is a godsend. You don't have to worry about busted zips if you're trying to overstretch your bag!

It's a bit of a shame that the boblbee is now used as a storage bag! I'm sure it'll find some other use at some point, but the lid is already starting to leak because of the drawstring tension cutting on the upper lip of the bag.

Incidentally, I took that shot with my iphone and LED flash, so i guess under direct lighting from the rear, it goes to show how reflective it is. Still properly stoked with the R30!