Revelate vs Carousel Seat Bag

[ekloco]

I am getting ready to buy a medium-sized seat bag.

 Both Revelate and Carousel look very, very good to me.

Revelate Pika (6-12 Liter) is $130.... Carousel Escape Pod (5-9 Liter) $160.

Obviously there are some design differences that I can see in the photographs. I presume that they're both adequately weatherproof.

Each one has a different attachment/compression/suspension system.... Is one or the other superior?

Both bags get excellent reviews.... But.... Has anybody compared them side-by-side or had experience with both?

I am aware of Carousel Designs reputation for slow service, but it's not a problem I've got plenty of time till spring.... Besides, Adventure Cycling Association list the carousel seat bag in their online store (not 100% sure it's in stock)

Thanks for the help .....E. K. Loco

(I did a search on the forum.... I'm pretty sure this exact question has not been asked before)

 

[mmeiser]

I'd love to hear a comparison too. I have an older Epic seat bag. Sweet, but the new ones are nicer still.

[mmeiser]

opps, forgot to check "notify me or replies", which is the only reason I posted in the first place, silly that posting a comment is the only way track responses.

[6thElement]

Am I missing something on the Carousel website in that the only details you can see are looking at the photos, there are no spec pages?

[ekloco]

Ummmmm..... I was a little frustrated too..... Zero in the way of numbers and specs (I looked pretty carefully)

The information I posted earlier was from the Adventure Cycling Association online store. I have to convert 300 – 500 cubic inches, with 5-9 liters so I could compare Revelate to Carousel.....and also compare it to the extra small compression sack (6 liter down to 2 liter) that I am currently using.

I was also a little frustrated with Carousel's website in that not all the photos were labeled.... It was hard to tell if you're looking at a small – medium – large at maximum or minimum expansion etc. Obviously, labels would really help a lot.

I'm glad I created a thread that has some interest.... I hope some real info comes through for the entire community.


E.K.Loco   Santa Fe

[Done]

EK, thanks for starting this thread. I'm trying to get my gear together for the summer, and had similar troubles comparing the two options. Hopefully somebody can help!

[jimfab]

Hey

CDW is a bit unclear until you contact Jeff. He is big about talking to you about your needs before advising on a purchase. Upon contacting him you will get a pricing chart that has all the detailed product info. He is a bit slower, but his stuff is a work of art. I dont have any Relative bags, but my observation at last years TD the RD bags seemed to be more unstable than the CDW bags. Now this could be due to how they were packed, overpacked, loaded or miss-tied? I don't know for sure, maybe others can chime in on there observations because there was also over and miss packed CDW bags swinging in the wind. my CDW served me well and is one of my favorite pieces of gear. Jeff was at the start last year making sure everybody was dialed in. I am sure either will be a safe bet. Cant go wrong.

Best-O-Luck  

[flatfishy]

Got the Epic seat bag which isn't waterproof as such, however i did purchase the customized drybag that Eric sells.
On removal in really inclement weather the outside of the inner dry bag was just damp so i'd reccomend getting both.
I remember seeing a vid somewhere online of matthewsen tying a carrier bag over his CDW seatbag so i assume thats not waterproof either.
Sure the seatbag swings a bit if loaded up quite a bit but it doesn't hinder your progress that much.

[Sean Allan]

I've got both.
Both are well made and both are quite up to the task. The CDW bag has a slightly better compression system but it is more complicated to get into and out of. Both are pretty stable on the seat for me, with a slight advantage to the CDW. The Rel. bags have better straps and buckles I think, though both will be more than adequate. If you break a buckle on either it will have to go back to be repaired, it would be nice to see some sort of buckle that is not sewn in that could be replaced easily, Jeff at CDW has sent me some repair buckles that will work nicely in the event of a failure.

  The benefit to the Rel. is that if you have a short seat tube extension on a 29er,you can get the Pica, which clears the rear tire much better, my CDW bag rubs if I'm lax on getting it tight or it's super rough. Neither are waterproof, resistant yes, but your stuff will be wet if you don't get a dry bag to go inside.

You'll get a Rel. in less time than a CDW in my experience. The CDW website is a bit rough, he prefers to talk to you and get it right, nothing wrong with that.  Both artists are super nice guys, you can't go wrong with either. The CDW bar bag is a very nice piece of equipment, I've not tried the Rel. bar/bag system.