Blackburn’s new Central line of panniers and bags add a bit of fashion as well as functionJosh Patterson/Future Publishing
The Blackburn Central saddle bags have a 26L capacity. Inside each saddle bag is a padded laptop and tablet sleeve. The Central saddle bags have stowable rain covers and a shoulder strap. Price is US$129 (UK pricing TBA)Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Blackburn’s Central bags and panniers can be locked onto the company’s new Interlock rack systemJosh Patterson/Future Publishing
Blackburn’s Central Front Light has a lumen output of 18 to 500 lumens. It changes via a mini USB port and will retail for US$120Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
The rider can select between automatic and manual modes. The auto mode uses a sensor on top of the light to adjust the Central Front Light’s lumen output to suit riding conditionsJosh Patterson/Future Publishing
Chrome has a new line of bags and panniers. The panniers will retail for US$160 per bagJosh Patterson/Future Publishing
Chrome also developed racks to accompany its new panniersJosh Patterson/Future Publishing
Chrome welds the upper and lower portions of the bags togetherJosh Patterson/Future Publishing
That’s one way to show off a waterproof finish…Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Chrome’s front bag will retail for US$100Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Chome was showing off its new forged rubber sneakers at its booth. The shoes start life as a canvas upper, and a rubber lower made from natural rubber. According the Chrome, the benefit of this method is that it reducing the likelihood of delaminationJosh Patterson/Future Publishing
The downside to building shoes this way is the amount of time it takes to create each shoe: each shoe takes approximately 10 minutes to buildJosh Patterson/Future Publishing
The forged rubber Novak will retail for US$75Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Chrome has a new line of commuter bags for moto riders as wellJosh Patterson/Future Publishing
Chrome’s moto bags feature the same bomb-proof construction with straps that are captured so they won’t whip around in the wind while ridingJosh Patterson/Future Publishing
Ortlieb has a new line of high-vis commuter bagsJosh Patterson/Future Publishing
The bags have reflective threads sewn into the waterproof fabricJosh Patterson/Future Publishing
Ortlieb is transitioning away from using vinyl ‘truck tarp’ material for many of its bags citing its weight and environmental impactJosh Patterson/Future Publishing
Ortlieb is moving to a lighter, yet still durable and waterproof TPU fabricJosh Patterson/Future Publishing
Osprey’s Portal series of commuter bags has a tablet sleeve and zippered compartment that allows the user to access their tablet without removing it from the bag. Osprey believes this will be a hit with commuters who spend a lot of time on trains, buses and subwaysJosh Patterson/Future Publishing
The Osprey Portal with the tablet window open and closed. The Portal line retails for US$100 to US$160, depending on size.Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
There were a number of companies showcasing their latest bags and packs for commuters at Interbike 2013.
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Panniers, saddlebags and backpacks continue to get more refined, with as much emphasis on form as function. Blackburn and Chrome were showing off new lines of panniers and bags. Chrome has created a line of bags for motorcycle riders as well.
Osprey was showing off its Portal backback, which has a zippered compartment with a clear screen that allows the user to access their tablet without removing it from the bag.
The osprey portal with the tablet window open and closed. the portal line retails for us$100 to us$160, depending on size. :Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Osprey thinks the Portal will be a hit with commuters who spend a lot of time on trains, subways and buses
Josh Patterson is a BikeRadar contributor and former technical editor. He has spent most of his career working in the cycling industry as an athlete, mechanic and journalist. He holds a master's degree in journalism and has more than 20 years of experience as a cyclist and 12 years of experience riding and writing for BikeRadar, Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, Dirt Rag, RoadBikeReview and Outside Magazine. A native of the Flint Hills of Kansas, Josh was a pioneer in the gravel cycling movement, having raced the first Unbound 200 and many other gravel events around the globe. He considers himself a cycling generalist and enjoys road, gravel and mountain biking in equal measure. When not traveling for work, he can be found exploring the singletrack and lonely gravel roads that surround his home in Fort Collins, Colorado. In addition to his love of cycling, Josh is an enthusiastic supporter of brunch, voting rights and the right to repair movement.
