BiKASE Beetle X Bike Phone and Storage Bag Review

By Sheri Rosenbaum

Hot

• Ample secure storage for nutrition, keys, money, etc.
• Easy to install and fits a variety of frames including road or MTB
• Extremely durable and well-constructed
• Fits most smartphone sizes, with or without case
• Affordably priced

Not

• Hard to use touchscreen or facial recognition through plastic cover
• Some smaller frames may have stand over clearance issue

Price: $39.99 MSRP

How obtained: Company sample

Availability: Online or LBS

Color: Black

Dimensions: 7” x 3 1/2” x 2 1/2″

Phone sleeve: Fits virtually any size smartphone with or without case

Closure: Zipper

RBR Advertiser: No

https://bikase.com/product/beetle-x-bike-phone-bag-and-storage/

Your Phone and Incidentals Securely in Reach

Back in February, as I wandered the exhibit floor at CABDA Midwest, I came across the BiKASE booth. I wasn’t familiar with the company and spent some time chatting with the owner, Chad Buchanan. He took me through his line of products and sent me home with a few samples to test. One product was the Beetle X phone and storage bag. I thought this would be a good product to review, because I see people with their expensive smartphones mounted on their bars. With the Beetle X bag, the phone is still within reach, but protected from both the elements and a crash.

Roomy and Sturdy

The Beetle X is quite roomy (7:x3.5”x2.5”) enabling you to store nutrition, car keys, money, etc, but slim enough your knees won’t hit it while pedaling. There is a single zipper that opens up to two compartments. The top compartment is more like a sleeve to slide a phone in and a plastic viewing area on top. The sleeve fits virtually every size phone with or without a case. The bottom compartment is used for storing items. A large zipper pull tab makes it easy to grasp even while wearing winter gloves.

When riding, the plastic viewing area lets you see your whole cell phone screen, making it ideal for using in navigation mode. You can also see who’s calling or texting. What I struggled with was using the phone through the plastic window. I use an iPhone 11 Pro set up with facial recognition. Anyone who has their phone set up this way knows it doesn’t work with sunglasses on. Since I ride with sunglasses, I’m forced to open my phone with my keycode. When the bottom compartment was full, it was a little easier to use the touch screen through the plastic window. Another issue came into play was when I was wearing full fingered gloves, I’d have to remove them in order to use the phone.

Audio is functional through the plastic, enabling commands to Siri or you Android phone assistant. But the bottom line in my eyes is you need to decide how you want to use the phone while riding. If it is navigation, music and viewing incoming texts/calls then this is a perfect setup. But honestly, any bag or phone holder with a plastic cover will cause similar issues.

The Beetle X is incredibly sturdy. Accidently the bag was left open while the bike was on my hitch rack. I proceeded to drive on the expressway at speeds in excess of 70 mph. The top of the bag was flapping in the wind and I was sure it would be ripped off or at least damage the bag. But it survived the hour expressway drive in perfect condition. That says a lot about the quality construction!

Installation is quick and easy. The Beetle X comes with Velcro like straps that you cut to fit your bike’s top tube size. If you have a small frame, be mindful of positioning the bag. Make sure you have enough room from the nose of the saddle to the end of the bag when standing over the top tube. Once installed the Beetle X stays securely in place and doesn’t shift during a ride.

Bottom Line

If you are looking for a way to safely mount a phone to your bike and have storage too, BiKASE’s Beetle X bike bag could be the answer. This durable and very affordable bag has a sturdy zipper closure for secure storage and easy one hand opening even while wearing gloves.