Handlebar Bag Long-Term Review: Swift Catalyst Vs Paloma

[@jmaydelotte]

Timely (for me) review. I'm currently mulling over the Zeitgeist, Catalyst, BxB Goldback, and a few others. I just completed a tour with a traditional rando bag (like the Paloma) and it just didn't do it for me. Capacity was fine, but the mechanics of getting in and out weren't what I was after. After watching your review, I do want a more bike-packing sort of bag like the Catalyst, but also would prefer it open the other way. That said, the bag (as mounted on your bike) seemed to point more ground-ward than I would want. I was planning on putting a bag support under it, so it's a bit more accessible from the cockpit. I may wait and see what Swift does next year... Thanks for the candid review!

[@ductrung3993]

Very helpful review! Looking forward to the new bag

[@slow_spokes]

Thanks! They still haven’t come out with it and I’m kind of losing hope…

[@ductrung3993]

I wouldnt give up, still over 6 months left in ‘24 ;)

[@SheelaghDaly]

I didn't know Swift Industries is women-owned - cool!! Lots of helpful info. Great video! And loved seeing the Bridge Club in the back ;)

[@shalakabooyaka1480]

I just recently got a Choike mini rando and am really digging that. I like that I can get into it without getting off the bike or even while riding if I need to.

[@socaljoe]

Really good info from an experienced user

[@slow_spokes]

Thanks!

[@edscoble]

For the Catalyst bag; Restrap Bumper, highly recommend to keep the bag stable and not rub on the head tube.

[@franknobody5965]

Have you tried the Ortlieb Bag for the handle bar?

[@slow_spokes]

Not yet! Do you have one?

[@franknobody5965]

@slow_spokes Yes I do. It also has a click-mount, it is 100% waterproof, easy to access during rides....just all in all perfect....oh, and it also has a shoulder strap

[@jmkc740]

Origin 8 makes a bag that im trying out now along with their front rack, so far so good but time will tell, i have a plastic crate inside it to add rigidity and tuck the roll top down inside or i can put it out and roll it up if its raining. Before i used a military butt pack, i think fox tactical makes them and used the molle straps along with a cheap dump pouch and put over the top of my surly sunrise bars, worked pretty good.

[@slow_spokes]

Soon I’m going to be trying a Jones bar with a Rockgeist Dr Jones bag. I’m excited to see how it works out for me.

[@jmkc740]

​@@slow_spokesI've always wanted to try a jones loop set up in the wide, prolly will do that too in the end. They look so comfy🤷‍♂️👍

[@louspeed1]

I feel the same way about the Catalyst bag - I really wanted to like it but I got so frustrated opening the bag. It's been relegated to a seat bag and in its place is a Ron's bike bag that has a magnetic closure.

[@slow_spokes]

Ooh which one? I (Hillary) was just looking at those

[@louspeed1]

@@slow_spokes Fabio's Fanny which converts to a fanny pack and has side pockets. Comes in fun colors, too.

[@gerardobenitez3138]

How do you mount a light that doesn't get in the way with the paloma?

[@slow_spokes]

There’s a little hole in the middle of the front fork for mudguards, and they make bike light attachments that fit there. Search for “center fork bracket for lights.”

[@edscoble]

Can you make your content inclusive by formatting the auto captioning into closed captioning please? it is extremely hard to watch it relying only on the auto captioning sadly (I'm Profoundly Deaf)

[@slow_spokes]

Ooh thanks for the reminder. I usually let it auto caption to do most of the work and then go back and fix them, but KZbin was broken for a while and the captions were taking days to auto format. Will put this back on the to do list.

[@migueltrujillo5932]

Stay aways from there expensive cheap made bags, they came apart, not even water/dust resistant and there terrible bags.

[@slow_spokes]

Thanks for your opinion

[@wolfram759]

What do you suggest instead?

[@migueltrujillo5932]

Swift bags are nosing but a piece of expensive crappy made with cheap materials bags. Time to start looking for a "Man made" bags

[@slow_spokes]

Okay