I have been using the large FuelBelt FuelBox for several years now, and love it. In it, I carry mini Cliff Bars and/or gels, AND my BlackBerry or cell phone. The advantage over a Bento box, is that the FuelBox zippers closed and protects the contents from the elements. My cell phones and on-the-road nutrition have survived torrential rains and dust, thanks to the FuelBox. It has completed 11 triathlons, several in pouring rain, and innumerable training rides and long trips in all varieties of upstate NY weather, road and riding conditions. The FuelBox, and it''s contents, stay put and are easily accessible while riding.
My only complaint is regarding the orientation of the zipper. The zipper zips forward (toward the front of the bike) so that to zip it entirely shut you have to really work to get the zipper clasp tucked into the space between the Fuelbox and your stem. I can see why this is necessary when I am up out of the saddle on a steep climb and really working my knees tend to knock against the back of the Fuelbox. When this happens I''m grateful for the zipper being up front out of my knees'' way so I don''t get scraped. Still, the zipper could use a cord to make it gentler on teh knees or easier to zip all the way forward.
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I have both the medium and large FuelBox bags. The medium bag is compact; enough space for a couple of energy bars and nothing else. The smaller size keeps it tucked out of the way. The larger bag holds 4 Clif bars standing upright, but the tall size may be awkward if your handlebar stem is lower than the height of the bag.Most competing products have an easy access velcro top closure so you can easily grab an energy bar or gel and eat it while you are riding. The zipper closure on the FuelBox makes access more difficult, but also more secure. Casual bicyclists who only eat when stopped may prefer the zipper, especially if you also keep valuables in the bag (like keys or phones).
Construction quality seems fine for the price, though I don''t know why the bag has both sewn-in padding and a removable hard plastic liner. Having both seems to add bulk. Also, I''m not a fan of the velcro straps that tend to snag your shorts or tights.
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I used it on my tri bike. The "large" one is not too large. Enough room for a cell phone and a few energy gels.It''s a good product.
