HomeReviews & TechCommutingTimbuk2 Goody Box review

Timbuk2 Goody Box review

Smart phones have almost become the latest cycling necessity, but the problem that any smart phone user has is how do they keep their smart phone safe while also keeping it visible? The Timbuk2 Goody Box is one solution, aimed at riders on training rides, triathlons, long rides, or tours. It provides a place to store food and your smart phone, without having to dig into jersey pockets or panniers for a quick snack or map check.

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.

Timbuk2 Goody Box

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.

Timbuk2 Goody Box

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

James Hutchison
James Hutchison
is a road rider, a social rider (is there such a genre as serious social?) and cycle commuter.
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