HOW IT ALL BEGAN: THE XS PROBLEM

For a long time, my problem was small in the truest sense of the word: I’m 162 cm tall and ride an XS frame. The challenget? Standard bikepacking bags almost never fit into the compact frame triangle.
How do I combine bottles and bags? For years, I couldn't find one brand whose bags truly fit my setup. Until I got in touch with EVOC.

Tobi, the product developer responsible for the bikepacking range, was straightforward from the very beginning. His promise at our first meeting: “I’ll just make you something that fits your frame!” No sooner said than done. With the very first bespoke full-frame pack, I headed straight off on the ‘Japan Odyssey’. The pack was waterproof and lightweight, and I was quickly won over. That was the starting point of our collaboration.

MAKING EVERY CENTIMETRE COUNT

At the top of my wish list was a long, aerodynamic top-tube pack that spans the
entire top tube and features a clever internal layout for a smartphone, valuables, energy bars and more. It also needed to be narrow enough not to rub against my legs. EVOC hadn’t had a model like this in its range until now. Now the TOP TUBE PACK ULTRA WP 2 is available to everyone.

During the development of the TOP TUBE PACK, our initial tests had provided us with important insights. With the original Velcro fastenings, the bag could not be secured tightly enough to the top tube and tended to slip when dismounting the bike.

Here, chance came to our aid: whilst out and about, I sent Tobi a photo of an elastic rubber strap I’d come across. His reply came straight back as a picture: he was currently testing a sturdy strap from the ski touring sector. The result of this conversation? The new, rock-solid TPU STRAPS, which now keep everything in place. I particularly like the fact that the head tube can even remain free with the TOP TUBE PACK ULTRA WP 2. This improves handlebar clearance and allows for unrestricted steering. Two straps on the top tube are enough.

CREATING EXTRA STORAGE

As I prefer to carry my water bottles on the frame and don’t like riding with a hydration pack, there’s hardly any room left in the XS triangle for extra
storage. So the motto was: find an alternative. Since then, I’ve been using the DOWNTUBE PACK WP 1,2 for my first-aid kit and tools, attaching it to the down tube. Being highlymexposed to dirt and splash water, waterproofing is particularly important in this area.

The first prototype of the DOWNTUBE PACK also forced us to optimise it.
Initially, the position of the straps wasn’t ideal for all frame sizes. Through several adjustments and tests, we were finally able to optimise the fastenings so that the end result was a product that works reliably on all bikes.

SIGNATURE LINE: ULTRA SERIES

The ‘Ultra Series’ is my personal signature line: lightweight, minimalist and tried and tested in all conditions. It offers everything from a bag for overnight adventures to a complete lightweight kit for a 5,000 km journey across the continent – and it’s suitable for small frames too.

IT'S THE SO-CALLED LITTLE THINGS THAT MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE

I’m often in the saddle for several days at a stretch.
My kit has to reliably withstand the constant strain of the race under many different conditions. It’s the so-called little things that make all the difference. Absolutely sturdy zips and absolute waterproofness are my top priorities. That’s why all EVOC bags are welded to be waterproof. Personally, I also love roll-top closures on bags that you don’t have to fiddle with constantly. They reliably keep moisture and dust out, and the packing volume can be flexibly adjusted. That way, nothing rattles around if you’ve packed less for a while.

Tobi would love to send me the latest bags to test every season. For sustainability reasons, I like to use my bags for as long as possible. The great thing is: even after many thousands of kilometres in the mud, even the prototypes are still in top condition. But whenever we're working on something new, I'm just as excited to put it to the test.