Reviews Storage Topeak

Aero Wedge Review

April 22, 2019

author:

Aero Wedge Review

Topeak Aero Wedge
4.9

Summary

After riding with the Topeak Aero Wedge pack (size medium) for thousands of miles, I’ve found that its QuickClick™ system makes installation and removal super easy.

Its roomy interior also allows me to carry everything I need, with zippered expandable ability, durable construction that can withstand most elements and a competitive price. It’s also available in four sizes, depending on your needs.

  • Volume / Carrying Capacity
  • Functionality
  • Ease of Use / Mounting
  • Stability
  • Durability
  • Overall Value

Pros

  • Competitive price
  • Easy to install and use
  • Durable construction
  • No noticeable movement when riding
  • Large, expandable carrying capacity
  • Mostly positive online reader feedback
  • Great firsthand experience

Cons

  • The rubber tip on one zipper fell off
  • Seatpost strap is quite long and might require a quick snip with scissors (admittedly minor)
Sending
User Review
2.8 (30 votes)
Comments Rating 0 (0 reviews)

Featuring a unique mounting system and four different size options, the Topeak Aero Wedge is a very popular bicycle saddlebag. Here, I’ll combine my experience with details from the company to help you decide if it’s the right one for you.


About the Topeak Aero Wedge

Available in four different sizes, the Topeak Aero Wedge Pack (#TC2252B) is an aerodynamic seat bag that features a large rear opening, an additional inner compartment for separate storage, and a 3M reflective strip and light clip for extra safety.

If equipped, the bag fits underneath your saddle using Topeak’s unique QuickClick™ plastic mounting system, all parts for which (mount, inner fixer, and outer fixer) are completely replaceable if they’re lost or damaged. And medium and large Aero Wedges also feature zippered expandability that adds 20–30% more storage volume.

Topeak also stands behind their seat packs with a two-year warranty against all mechanical components against manufacturer defects.

Does all of this necessarily make it the best saddle bag for your needs, though? Combining third-party details with firsthand feedback, I’ll help you answer this fundamental question—starting with the pack’s features.

Taking a Closer Look at Aero Wedge’s Specifications

The Aero Wedge pack is made from 1000 denier nylon, which is covered with a water and stain-resistant coating. Because of its aerodynamic design, it’s narrow where it connects to 27.2–34.9 mm diameter seatposts with a Velcro strap, and much broader and taller in back.

There, its zippered door is shaped like an upside-down U, with 3M reflective trim and a red light clip on the outside, and a mesh and elastic pocket on the inside that allows you to store your tools away from your inner tube. Medium and large size packs also come with a center zipper that enables you to meaningfully expand the pack’s volume when needed.

True to its name, the Aero Wedge pack—shown here with Topeak’s QuickClick mounting system—features an aerodynamic wedge-like shape that’s expandable and still manages to fit nicely underneath your saddle. Credit: Topeak

One of Aero Wedge’s most distinctive feature is its proprietary QuickClick™ (F25) quick-release mounting system, which Topeak describes as a “unique, positive locking two-piece rail fixer that securely attaches the bag to the seat.” All you need is an 8 mm Allen wrench and a couple of minutes.

After the initial setup, you can secure the pack in place with a simple slide and a click, and remove it by pressing down on the button and pulling backward.

Topeak’s three-part QuickClick system attaches to your saddle’s rails and keeps the Aero Wedge securely in place, with zero noticeable movement.  Credit: Topeak

Here’s a closer look at how each Aero Wedge model compares to others in the lineup:

Topeak Aero Wedge Pack w/Fixer F25 Model Comparison
Dimensions Capacity Weight
Aero Wedge Micro 5.9” x 3.1” x 2.9” / 15 x 8 x 7.5 cm 25 in3 / 0.41 L 87 g / 3.06 oz
Aero Wedge Small 6.7” x 4.7” x 3.1” / 17 x 12 x 8 cm 40 in3 / 0.66 L 105 g / 3.70 oz
Aero Wedge Medium 7.9” x 4.7” x 4.1” / 20 x 12 x 10.5 cm 60–80 in3 / 0.98–1.31 L 135 g / 4.75 oz
Aero Wedge Large 8.3” x 5.5” x 4.9” / 21 x 14 x 12.5 cm 90–120 in3 / 1.48–1.97 L 176 g / 6.20 oz

How does the Aero Wedge seat pack perform in the real world, though?

My Experience with the Topeak Aero Wedge Pack

I bought a medium size Aero Wedge pack with Fixer (F25) on Amazon in February 2018, and have ridden with it for more than 3,000 miles since that time. And overall, I’m incredibly pleased with its performance.

The T-shaped QuickClick system mounts to the rails underneath your saddle using the pressure applied from a single 3 mm internal hex socket screw. It’s super easy to install, and you should be set up in just a few minutes.

Despite riding on everything from city streets to singletrack, the QuickClick system on my Aero Wedge pack clips and unclips easily, prevents any noticeable side-to-side wobbling, and maintains a relatively slim profile, considering its carrying capacity.

QuickClick’s plastic rails connect to corresponding tracks on the top of the Aero Wedge pack, which clicks into place securely. Then, it detaches by applying light downward pressure on its rear tab.

Topeak’s unique QuickClick system mounts easily and keeps the Aero Wedge securely in place in all riding conditions.

To prevent front-to-back movement, the Aero Wedge uses a long Velcro strap that attaches to your seatpost. It’s so long that I wedge the excess between the pack and seatpost.

And despite how the scratches might appear below, the strap’s soft material hasn’t caused any damage to my seatpost.

In addition to their attachment mechanism, perhaps Aero Wedge’s most distinguishing featuring is its expandability. This ingenious design works using a central zipper that compresses and releases material in the middle to provide extra storage when you need it.

The Aero Wedge pack adds a significant amount of storage by merely unzipping a U-shaped zipper (left). You can reverse the process to decrease its size when you need less space (right).

Previously, I strapped my Lezyne Sport Drive HP pump underneath my bike’s top tube, although I’ve since moved it into my Aero Wedge pack for ease of transport, whose length requires that I fully expand it using the zippered mechanism.

With it fully expanded, I can carry not only my pump, but also an inner tube, Accu-Gage PR160BX air gauge, multi-tool, tire irons, and even a small snack if I don’t feel like stashing one in my jersey pocket. There’s not a lot of noticeable rattling around when I’m riding, either.

Adding and removing items works using a U-shaped, zippered door in the back, which opens wide enough to add whatever I need. On the inside of this door is a mesh pocket with limited capacity, in which I typically carry a packet of Chamois Butt’r.

The zippers continue working quickly and reliably, although the rubber end pulled off recently when I crammed my pack especially full and attempted to close it.

Outside of this, the door works fantastically. In fact, I once left my bag more than halfway unzipped for more than 15 miles across bumpy pavement and even some singletrack. Despite this, not a single item fell out.

I’ve found that not only does the Aero Wedge’s rear door work easily and allow you to add plenty of stuff, but it also holds everything in place—even if the pack isn’t fully zipped closed. Don’t try that at home, though!

On the outside of the Aero Wedge’s door is a reflective strip, as well as a strap onto which you can hook a variety of red taillights.

It’s a tight fit, but the Aero Wedge’s rear loop provides a great spot to put my Cygolite Hotshot SL 50 USB, especially when my S-Blade rear fender makes it impossible to attach to my seatpost.

As you can see from these pictures, my Aero Wedge seat pack has been well-loved. And despite this abuse, I’ve seen no meaningful signs of wear (other than losing the rear zipper’s tip, of course).

Conditions often get relatively wet and muddy )especially this time of year), and although it’s not advertised as waterproof, I’ve yet to experience moisture penetration under normal circumstances. If you need this functionality, though, you might consider Topeak’s Wedge Drybag, which is available in S, M, and L sizes.

Bottom line: From its mounting ease and unique QuickClick system to its expanding capability and durable design, the Topeak Aero Wedge is my favorite saddlebag to date.

But, how does it compare to competing options?

Topeak Aero Wedge vs. Other Bike Saddle Bags

The sky’s the limit when it comes to saddlebags, which are available in just about every size, shape, color, and design imaginable, and at a wide range of price points.

Here, we’ve zoomed in on some of the most popular options on Amazon, as well as how some of their key specs stack up:

Topeak Aero Wedge vs. Competing Seat Packs
Brand / Model Volume Notes
Topeak Aero Wedge w/Fixer 0.41 L–1.97 L   4 sizes, proprietary QuickClick mounting system
Topeak Aero Wedge DX 0.45 L–0.54 L     2 sizes, proprietary QuickClick mounting system, includes separate pouch for multi-tool
Lezyne M-Caddy QR 0.50 L   Also uses single-screw under-saddle rail mount, internal neoprene pockets
Cool Change Bike Wedge Saddle Bag (Large) N/A Fully waterproof, clip installation
Ibera Water Resistant Bike Saddle Bag 0.6 L Available in 6 colors, strap mounts only, taillight strap
SCICON Hipo Rl 2.1 Fluo Saddlebag 0.55 L Roller 2.1 mounting system, works w/out tools (features 2 built-in tire levers)  
ROCK BROS C12 Quick Release Under Seat Pouch N/A Quick release buckle, light waterproof ability, removable/adjustable under-seat buckle
Lumintrail Strap-On Bike Saddle Bag N/A Available in 2 sizes, 2 exterior pockets (one on each side), straps only
Winkeyes 1.6L Bicycle Saddle Bag 1.4 L–1.6 L Expandable capacity, waterproof, waxed zippers, tear-resistant waxed 1680D nylon 

Like any other cycling accessory, choosing the right under-seat bag is going to come down to a unique mix of factors. These involve a combination of price, compartment layouts, carrying capacity (expandable or fixed), whether or not you require waterproof capability, mounting needs (e.g., straps versus plastic buckles), and color and design preferences.

For example, the SCICON Hipo Rl 2.1 Fluo comes with the highest price among popular competitors above, but it also features a proprietary Roller 2.1 mounting system and includes tire irons. Albeit, you can pick up the latter for just a few bucks, so I’m not necessarily sure this feature means that its steep cost delivers equally better value.

Comparatively, Topeak’s Aero Wedge also features a proprietary QuickClick mounting system and is available in four different sizes between 0.41 L and 1.97 L, giving it the most extensive (and largest) capacity range among close competitors.

The Winkeyes 1.6 L model comes in a close second capacity-wise, is also expandable (the only other popular model we encountered to do so), and mounts via a plastic clip.

However, its $16.79 price tag makes it the second least expensive option above, which could deliver more bang for your buck. But, it’s only available in one size, compared to Aero Wedge’s four different capacities.

Are you looking to match your bike or your kit? If so, Ibera’s saddle bag offers the most color options above, along with the lowest price. But, it’s only available in one size (0.6 L) and attaches using straps, which based on my experience with third-party options, tend to loosen over especially rough terrain or after becoming dirty or water-logged.

Does all of this mean that the Aero Wedge is your optimal choice? Or, should you go with a third party saddle bag? Let’s wrap everything up in the next section.

Is the Topeak Aero Wedge Pack the Right Option for You?

The Aero Wedge seat pack comes from a reputable company with nearly three decades in business, along with mostly positive online rider feedback.

Furthermore, I’ve had a fantastic experience with mine over the last few thousand miles, considering its stability across a wide variety of terrains, its durability, expandability, ease of use, and competitive price. The lineup also comes in four sizes, and even offers a waterproof option if you typically ride in especially wet environments.

Bottom line: Topeak’s Aero Wedge lineup seems to offer a model for just about every cyclist’s unique combination of needs and preferences, and based on my experience, it performs fantastically in real-world riding conditions. If you’re in the market, I’d strongly recommend giving it a try and see if you experience the same.

Keep rolling: Camelbak Skyline LR 10 Review

Derek has more than two decades of experience as a cyclist, and is the founder of TreadBikely. He currently travels full-time with his family via RV, enjoying the country's best biking destinations. A secular Buddhist, Derek frequently explores the intersection of cycling, mindfulness, and compassion in his writing. #rolloutblissout
Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sending

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Share in the Stoke!

Subscribe To Our Bi-Monthly Newsletter

Zero spam. No information sharing. 100% inspiration.