Muddy Brown's Blog: Fresh Goods Sunday - Castelli Rolling Travel Bag

1 August 2021

Fresh Goods Sunday - Castelli Rolling Travel Bag

I have a dedicated cycling bag which I keep all sorts of my cycling kit that I use all year around in. The bag which I have used for over 20 years is a Trek duffle holdall bag and has loads of compartments / pockets etc and has never once let me down. It has been all over in the back of my vans / cars carrying all my cycling kit for days / weeks away with the bikes. Since my back has started playing up I was looking for a replacement bag but on wheels this time so it was easier on my back. There is not a lot to choose from that is in stock here in the uk at the mo. Castelli do this model (43 litres) and an XL model which is the same design just bigger. I measured my current bag and thought the standard size would have been big enough. After a few goes at packing up all my kit I normally pack and enough clothing for a days ride the bag is full and bursting. It is not big enough for two sets of kit so no good for a few days / a week away on the bikes. I would have been better off with the XL version with 80 litres. Even Castelli's holdall bag states 50 litres capacity which you can get for under £80.

Anyway it looks and feels like good quality materials and construction. The zips are easy to open / close apart from the labels keep getting stuck on the main section zipper. There is one external pocket on the top of the bag when its stood vertical with a smaller zipped pocket inside then another larger zip at the bottom of the compartment which leads to a pocket the size of the bag face. Once you open the main section there is a zipped mesh compartment, then the main compartment. On the opposite side another zipped compartment. Once I get my shoes and helmet in the deeper main section there is very little room left for anything else. The handle slides in and out easily and rolls along on smooth tarmac with no problems. There is also an external handle on the top and side to carry the bag.

The rrp of £210 from Saddleback is just plain crazy. There is never in a million years that this bag is worth that type of money. To be honest even at the price I paid it is still an expensive bag for what you get. Another bag to look at is the Silca Maratona Gear Bag rrp £200 44 litres expanding to 60 litres and the Silca Maratona Minimo Bag rrp £190.

RRP £210 and I paid £108.36 from PBK inc next day delivery.

Manufacturers Blurb -

Carry On Race Bag, the Castelli Rolling Travel Bag is designed for riders wanting a compact case to take on the plane or the team bus.

Its 43 litre capacity is packed into a diminutive external measurement of 35 x 54 x 25cm a size that meets most airlines carry on requirements (please check with your airline before flying)

Please note due to the semi-soft construction its easy to overstuff the Rolling Travel Bag giving it a barrel shape and exceed its stated depth. So if you intend to take this carry on don't overstuff it measure it when packed and check with your airline prior to flying the exact size you're allowed.

The bag uses the same water and stain resistant materials, semi-rigid bottom (for support) and Moulded bottom skid plates as its big brother the XL. Low-density wheels a request from team riders who value their sleep makes for silent running inside and out. While an adjustable telescoping handle makes this a comfortable bag to drag around whatever your height. Internally the 2 main compartments are supplemented with several internal pockets as well as an externally accessed laptop sleeve and fleece-lined electronics pocket.

Our Pro riders can live out of the Castelli Rolling Travel Bag for more than a week but really we would recommend it for weekends away and possibly even the odd business trip.