Triathlon accessories pioneer XLAB has unveiled its new Stealth Pocket 500 Top Tube Bag, joining the company’s 6 other models in an ever-expanding top tube storage bag line. The new aerodynamic bag aims to solve triathlete’s needs for a fast, high capacity top tube storage solution that is compatible with angled stems or bikes with cables entering the top tube coupled with top tube bolts.
XLAB’s COO & Marketing Director, Candice Turner, noticed an expanding trend of top tube bolt bosses being added to new bikes and found a need wasn’t being met with the best solution for top tube storage.
“Our previous line of top tube storage bags had two models with top tube mount capabilities that are ideal if riders’ mount a bag right up against the stem,” Candice said.
“Lately though, we noticed a trend of superbikes with angled, integrated stems along with mid-range bikes with cables entering the top tube, but with the new top tube bolts. Aerodynamically speaking, a bag that has a vertical front blocks some of the air coming from the front end and creates a turbulent air pocket resulting in drag.”
She continued, “We needed to create a rounded front, which would redirect the air cleanly over the bag and eradicate that air pocket. The Stealth Pocket 500 is that solution.”
Not only does the new Stealth Pocket 500 top tube bag have a specially designed front-end to improve aerodynamics, but it also has an air-foil shape, a 5:1 ratio. This ratio is widely used in aerospace design, of which XLAB Founder & Head Designer, Craig Turner knows very well being an aerospace engineer.
“Every product we design here at XLAB has aerospace design elements applied,” Craig said. “The 5:1 ratio importance is to create the lowest possible drag off the bag. 5:1 literally means the length is five times the height of the bag.”
The Stealth Pocket 500 comes with 1mm insulated sides along with an aero stiffener insert ensuring the bag maintains its aerodynamic shape. A silver interior helps rider’s see vital nutrition in an instant. Helping riders with easy access is the specially designed zipper.
The rubber zipper permits a secure grasp for an easy open and close so riders can keep their eyes straight ahead. As noted by XLAB, the dual zipper pull is beneficial to the rider by varying the zipper pull position based on content size and ergonomics of opening and closing the bag.
The bag is a lightweight 2.7 ounces (76g) and has a volume capacity of 23.2 cubic inches or 380 cc. The XLAB test team managed to fill the bag comfortably with 6 standard size gel packets and its length enables the longest of energy bars to fit.
The aerodynamic XLAB Stealth Pocket 500 top tube storage bag retails for US$38.00 and comes with mounting hardware and installation instructions.
www.XLAB-USA.com/stealth-pocket-500
www.XLAB-USA.com
