Review on Topeak Sidekick Wedge Black Medium by William Fowler

I have two Topeak wedge bags from 2013. Both previous bags were "STW" versions with zippers on both sides. I mention these bags simply because I can comment on their durability and I would expect this bag to have the same durability. Both bags were used for about three years before something broke. On both bags, the stitching failed at the loop that attached the seatpost strap to the bag. I repaired the first one and used it for another year or so, but decided to replace the second one with this bag right away. To be fair, the second mistake was probably due to replacing the included Velcro with a strap made from a have other material that was thinner, significantly stiffer and probably more abrasive. The loop failed shortly after I replaced the strap. I don't think there was a stitching issue and it probably would have lasted much longer if it wasn't for the replacement strap, but I'm not sure. Otherwise, both bags were structurally sound, although they looked a bit rough. The fabric upholstery was fading and one of the front edges was frayed from sometimes kicking it. Those bags, like this one, are big enough to go over the edge of the saddle, depending on how you ride you might hit them. Never had any problems with the clasps or zippers. I have a road bike so I'm not going to mess up my bag or anything else that might mess up the zipper. On this bag, the lining sticks out a bit in one place and I have to slide it in to keep the zipper from snagging. I rode in the rain, the bags didn't get wet. Of course, I don't carry anything in my bag that might be significant, so I don't worry too much about it. I bought the middle bag because it is the closest to the previous bags. This bag is large enough to hold almost everything most people would need. In mine I have a spare tube, two CO2 cartridges, a blower (small), pry tools, a multi-purpose hex wrench, some tube repair patches, Speedplay spike caps, some spare valve stems, a couple packs of wet wipes. , and a small zippered pocket for patches, money and the like. Depending on how full you want to pack it, you can put a few more small things in it. I don't think there's enough space for two cameras, but I haven't tried it. The bag looks a bit crooked on the bike. Another reviewer also mentioned this. You can see this in some of the reviewer's photos. This is because the flash is only on one side. I would have preferred it to look a bit more symmetrical but I can't see it while driving and it doesn't affect performance so I can live with that. If this might be a hurdle for some, they might want to check out the STW version. Zippers on both sides make it symmetrical. It also comes with some additional tools. Overall I am very happy with this bag. The capacity of this bag is more than sufficient for my needs. I expect durability will be good based on previous experience with wedge bags. I'm not sure if three years is much durability, but I think I might be to blame for the last bag failing; it could have taken longer. The stitching certainly feels solid so I'll give the Topeak the benefit of the doubt, plus they still looked a little rough (faded and a bit worn) despite still being fully functional.