gravel bike packing luggage system comparisons.
Pro Discover Original Range (Rugged)
Pro Discover Team Range (Lightweight)
Tailfin/Pro Discover Team Hybrid System
We’ve summarised our 3 gravel bike packing luggage systems here. There are more detailed reviews of each system in individual posts on the site.
Pro Discover Gravel Bike Packing Luggage System (Original, Rugged), 534g
What’s in the system?
Pro Discover 0.75L Top Tube Bag, 105g
Pro Discover 2.7L Frame Bag, 154g
Pro Discover 15L Seat Bag, 534g
Summary
The Rugged system is a superbly priced all round system that we’ve tested extensively. It’s really flexible thanks to an expanding range of bags and options. Extra pockets and flexible mounting straps are a winner as well. Personally, mounting things under the bungie on the right of the top tube bag really doesn’t work for me as I bash my knee on it if it’s used but that’s a minor niggle. The bags are really well made and include load of nice thoughtful details.
Pro Discover Team Gravel Bike Packing Luggage System, 421g
What’s in the system?
Pro Discover 0.7L Team Top Tube Bag, 87g
Pro Discover 5.5L Team Frame Bag, 136g
Pro Discover 10L Team Seat Bag, 198g
Summary
The Team system really is a marvel when it comes to weight and style! It’s simply ridiculous at only 421g for the full system and the stealth black look will suit any gravel bike. It’s quite spacious and is priced accordingly for such a technically advanced “racers” option. The cost of the featherweight design? Well, built in frame protection, flexibility with the fitment and potentially ruggedness. It should be noted that fitment of the seat bag is exceptionally slick compared to the original range which frustrated me with its multiple straps. I am however a little concerned about the square patch of velcro sewn onto the side of the Team seat bag. I can only assume that this is for any extra velcro strap to be attached to. It wasn’t needed for us and we have a rather narrow 27.2mm seat post. The concern would be that this rough velcro may rub either your inner leg or shorts causing injury or annoying damage to your lycra. We have not had this issue with this particular bag but have had a similar issue in the past so we just wanted to point it out. Fitment of the frame bag and top tube bag suffered a bit of a clash in the strap area on our 56cm frame but can be worked around with juggling.
Tailfin X Series Pannier/Aero Trunk and Pro Discover Team Hybrid System, 1202g
What’s in the system?
Pro Discover Team Top Tube Bag, 87g
Tailfin X One Carbon Fibre Rack, Aero Trunk and Light bracket, 1115g
Summary
The absolute number one thing that bugs me personally with bike packing luggage and, I admit it may just be me, is the sway of seat bags. If I’m going to be in the saddle for 10 hours and my bag is just swaying all that time… well, I’m just not a fan. Luckily for me, a friend introduced me to Tailfin. We actually discovered the Tailfin AeroPack X first which we will have a look at soon but for now we didn’t want to have the rack permanently attached to the bag. For this reason we went with the Tailfin X One full carbon rack and the Aero Trunk. We also added a light bracket for our Exposure Blaze rear light. For us, on the GR20 Gravel Bike we’re using the M12/1.5 thru axle. Yes, it’s a really expensive setup and more so with the Pro Discover Team top tube bag but we think it’s going to be just right for us… for now. The downsides? Well, the elephant in the room, weight! The system is heavy compared to the others and that is the price we’ll pay for no sway. Also, all the weight is concentrated to the back of the bike rather than spread across the bike.