When you take the Blinder 4V out of its packaging it looks and feels like a well thought-out, well-designed little unit. Built from polycarbonate and aluminium, the Blinder 4V feels solid.  A lot of small lights feel too light or “plasticy” and the tabs or clips are prone to breaking.  The Blinder has an integrated rubber strap and steel clip that looks like it’ll grab onto nearly anything. Knog says that it suits 22-32mm diameter tubing and I found that the rounder the tube, the better the fit. For undersized or oversized tubes, or odd-shaped tubing, it is more difficult to get a fit, though the rubber strap still allows for more flexibility that many generic lights.  Knog are doing their bit for the environmental as well using fully recyclable packaging and enviro-friendly printing inks.

The Blinder 4V is, like many of Knog’s lights, a one-button affair; long-press on, short-press to cycle modes, long-press off again.  This button is at the back of the unit, towards the top and you have to stretch the strap a little to move the unit clear of the seat post to operate it. This means that turning it on or off, or changing the flashing sequence is a task best performed when you have stopped and not while riding.

We reviewed KNOG Blinder lights earlier this year which had the same USB charging function as the 4V. Once it’s off the bike, the USB plug flips out from behind the clip area.  Given the bulk of the light, it won’t fit all USB ports.  Low fixed ports could prove troublesome, as you have to turn the light upside down to insert it.  Using a short USB extender cable would solve any problems, but you may not always have one on hand.

There is an LED next to the switch to indicate charging, full, or low battery.  It is very small, so it’s probably worth checking every few trips to make sure it’s not in need of a charge.

The Blinder on the Road
For my first ride I mounted the blinder on a 27.2mm seat post and rode home at dusk.  It was obvious that this was a brighter, more visible rear light than my usual Superflash knock-off light. If you glance behind you can see the Blinder 4V lighting up your bike’s back wheel, parked cars and the road around you. This is a BRIGHT light.

My usual dusk/dark commute rear facing lighting consists of the Superflash knock-off light on the seat post, a single-LED blinky on the seat stay and a helmet-mounted LED blinky. When it’s very dark I run a 4-LED flashing light on my backpack, too.  I’ve had comments from other cycle commuters about the level of lighting being very effective.  Never have I felt under-lit.

On my first ride with the Blinder 4V I had a driver stop and say “Wow, that’s an effective light!” Knog note that the light has an inbuilt 15-degree mount angle which means that the light unit is angled to point directly behind rather than down towards the road (at the same angle as the seat tube).  In practice the angle of change is minimal, though it is a nice thought.  The light mounts such that it’s not pointing in driver’s eyes, however.  This is a light that could easily distract other road users if it was poorly mounted.

The light has 5 modes: solid, fast flash, organic flash 1 (‘heartbeat’), organic flash 2 and eco-flash.  I used it on fast flash and organic flash 1. The run time on for the eco-flash mode is claimed to be 50 hours, which is plausible given that it only fires two LEDs at a time.

The rubber strap seems a little counter-intuitive to install at first, being a ‘hook through and fold back around’ arrangement, but it felt solid.  Even so, I can’t help but think there was a small risk of catching baggy shorts on the clip and becoming unbuckled, though this didn’t happen during the time I was testing.  Should it undo on the run, there’s no safety net.  Given the length of the strap, the seat post or seat tube are the only options for mounting this light.  A low mounted saddle bag or short rise post may mean that this light won’t find a suitable mounting location on your bike, so ensure you have space first.

The Blinder 4V is small, light, and unobtrusive enough to be left in place all the time, though it also can be quickly removed, which is recommended if you leave your bike locked up in a public space. The waterproofing is rated at IP66 (dust sealed, strong jets of water with limited ingress), so it should stand up to being doused with water from your back wheel or a rain shower.

Consider buying the Blinder 4V if:

• You want compact brightness
• You want to swap lights between bikes often without removing mounts
• You want a less generic, better looking light

The KNOG Blinder 4V retails for $49.95 RRP and is available from KNOG online as well as in the many bicycle shops that carry this brand.

The Shift Pannier Messenger Bag’s key feature is its versatility. Good quality dedicated panniers and messenger bags are expensive and one doesn’t do the job of the other; the Shift does both. Load up the Shift Bag, hang it on your rack, and reach your destination without worrying about having to carry panniers or secure them on your bike. Slide in those two books, cut lunch and phone and strap it on your shoulder. It’s stylish enough to walk the halls of business or education, and capable enough of carrying what you need. This takes the Shift Bag from simply being another bag, to a useful addition to a commuters arsenal. Your choice of ‘back or rack’ won’t require two sets of luggage.

The Shift is made from ballistic nylon, with a TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) liner for waterproofing. Like any typical messenger bag, this bag has a comfortably wide shoulder/chest strap. The flap is lined all the way around, and held down with both Velcro (inside) and clips (outside). Inside, the main pocket has an elastic divider, purpose built for laptops. There are four zippered pockets and one open pocket on the front part of the bag. Topping it off, small reflective loops on each end hold a light plus there is large light loop on the front flap.

The Timbuk2 Shift in Action
This bag is aimed specifically at transporting your laptop (up to 15”, say Timbuk2), so it has a rigid back. This is a good thing for carrying hardware, but even if it’s not loaded with a laptop, the bag won’t fold or curve to the shape of your back like other bags. It doesn’t slide around if the strap is adjusted properly to fit, but it can feel a little bulky. The wide strap is comfortable with a load though it’s not a long-haul bag by any means. At the end of my 20km commute, the solid back was just beginning to get uncomfortable against my spine. A more upright rider however may not have this problem when using it as a messenger bag. Of course, using it on a rack avoids this altogether.

Like the Goody Box, Timbuk2 says the Shift Bag is watertight. The flap certainly folds over to cover a lot, but there’s no internal zipper to close the main compartment so I believe it would be inevitable that some water would find a way in. Light showers wouldn’t be a problem, but get caught in a heavy downpour and you might want to think about other means of keeping things safely dry.

The large front flap light loop is quite thick, but seems to handle a blinky light well. Lights with shorter clips seem to struggle to stay on, but an elastic band keeps them in place.

To hang it on a rack, just undo the Velcro straps, turn the clips out, and pull the hook down on its elastic cord. As this is meant to be a multi-purpose bag, it may take some fine-tuning with the clips and hook to position the bag on a rack. It sits high compared to some dedicated panniers, so the weight may take some getting used to as it affects the handling of the bike. In my testing, the Shift Bag sat far enough away to prevent heel-strike, though you may want to shorten the front straps or tuck them in to avoid them flapping around while on the road.

I didn’t find the pannier clips or hook overly intrusive when using it as a messenger bag, but you can get a jersey pocket hooked up as you take it off. Aside from the stiffness of the bag, there’s no padding or other protection for the contents. So dropping it, or dropping the bike while its in place, could create problems for your hardware.

The Shift Bag does have the same issue many messenger style bags do, in that the main compartment is one big space. Smaller things can get lost towards the bottom, and you may have to dig around to find just what you want once you stop. The zippered front pockets are expandable, ideal for those smaller important items, and remain readily accessible. The strap is adjustable with a one-handed clip, which makes it very easy to swing it around your body or take it off.

Those looking at quality messenger bags will easily find themselves looking at price tags beyond the $120 mark. Those looking at panniers can spend $60 for a water-resistant pair, and beyond $100 for a quality, waterproof pair. At $159.95, the Shift Bag is a viable alternative for those who require the versatility of both, along with a bit of style.

If you’re never going to use this on a rack, a dedicated messenger bag or backpack is probably a better choice in terms of space and waterproofing. If you’ve no need for a wearable bag during your ride, panniers are a better choice for the money. The Shift Bag comes into its own when you have to switch modes. It’s perfect if you ride to work and then need to carry your gear to a meeting without looking out of place.

Do you or don’t you?
Consider buying the Shift Bag if:

• you want a jack-of-all-trades bag
• you have a rack and need a more stylish, portable bag for when you reach your destination
• you carry a smaller laptop and find laptop backpacks too bulky or uncomfortable

The Timbuk2 Shift Pannier Messenger Bag retails for $159.95 and you can pickup Timbuk2 gear at all good bike stores.

If your local bicycle shop doesn’t carry Timbuk2 yet, give the importer a call Phoenix Leisure Group on 02 9552 6900 or send them an email: info@plg.com.au

The Goody Box is made from ballistic nylon, with a TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) liner for waterproofing. The top is zippered along each side, with a Velcro flap folding down over the top edge. The box has two straps on the base and front, designed to give the box the ability to suit a variety of bikes. The base straps are long enough to fit around large section top tubes (such as oversized carbon tubes) but also tighten up nicely on narrow steel top tubes. The low strap fits well around low mounted road bike stems, while the high strap can wrap around a tall, raking stem. That is, at least in theory.

I tried to mount it on a small mountain bike and found that the bag wouldn’t fit due to the close proximity of the top tube and down tube connection. Bikes with very low stems could prove problematic as well, as the front straps wouldn’t have anything to loop around. I tried it on my full size Cannondale Lefty, and it would not fit at all.

The Goody Box in Practice

The clear front pocket is sized to take the ubiquitous iPhone and some other popular smart phones that I tried fit neatly, though it’s a little more work to get them in. iPhones that were in protective cases were a tight fit and the HTC smart phone shown in the photos had to be taken out of its case to fit the pocket. It can however easily house many Garmin sized devices.

The touch screen of the phones I tested worked well through the clear plastic top, but you can’t easily get to the buttons on phones or other devices while they are inside the sleeve; pausing a Garmin, for example, requires you to take it out of the Goody Box first.

Timbuk2 says your phone will stay ‘dry in nasty weather’, though I’m not sure I’d like to test their claim. There is no weather sealing along the top of the clear plastic pocket, which means that while you can still plug in your earphones, it seems like a good way for your device may well get acquainted with some water in a downpour. The top flap covers just enough to prevent run-off invading the interior, but the Goody Box probably isn’t a replacement for a good waterproof pannier for valuables.

The Goody Box can be opened one handed on the road/trail if you really have to; a stiff handle joins the two zippers, and a downward pull opens it right up. It would be nice however to have the pocket open sideways, or even top-hinged. Accessing the interior on the fly means having your phone/device banging about on the top tube or worse, possibly falling out. The top is tight enough that this probably wouldn’t happen, but I’m not sure I’d trust it.

Do you or don’t you?

Consider buying the Goody Box if:

• you find a saddle bag too small for everything you need
• you find bulging pockets uncomfortable
• you do short day trips and don’t want to go to the extent of fitting a rack or hauling a backpack
• you know this will fit your bike

The Goody Box retails for $49.95 which is pretty good value if it will fit your bike. You can pickup Timbik2 gear at all good bike stores.

If your local bicycle shop doesn’t carry this Timbuk2 yet, give the importer a call  Phoenix Leisure Group on 02 9552 6900 or send them an email: info@plg.com.au