Osprey Radial II Cycling Backpack

Product Information

But cyclists are people who are often clad in tight spandex and somehow still turn it into a fashion statement. First and foremost is the ‘LidLock’ design – this is an elasticated, rubberised clip that feeds through a helmet vent and secures it against the backpack.

While the fabrics used on the Radial are fairly water-resistant on their own, Osprey throws in a rain fly for good measure. It’s an open pocket, so some rain may get inside, but a top gusset shrouds most of the opening from accidental splashes. The quick-access pocket has a soft plastic lining to keep items such as sunglasses or phone screens free from scratches. The elastic front pouch is handy to keep medium-large items such as locks, or even a light cycling jacket.The one without a zip can hold a water bottle, while the other with a zip is a good place to keep your keys. Since everyone’s body proportions and preferences are very unique, Osprey designed the Radial so you can completely customize how the backpack wears.

We paid special attention to the compression system’s lone zipper because it had the longest path to travel, going from one bottom corner to the other, and it did well. Thread the toggle that’s on a stretchy cord through one of the ventilation holes on your helmet, and it anchors itself in place. Bicycle engineers, expert cyclists, bike mechanics have joined me to bring you the best content possible. Simon joined BikeRadar in 2020, but has been riding bikes all his life, and racing road and time trial bikes for over a decade.

Since the Radial’s designed to be kept away from your body as much as possible, the backpack is suspended on a mesh that’s in contact with you. The Radial is one beast of a bag at this size, so we’re happy to see that Osprey was able to keep the aerodynamic design going. Despite the elbow issue we mentioned above, we stuck with our tall YETI Rambler, and it never fell out by accident. That said, his heart often rules his head – he'll take a lightweight and lively bike over an efficient aero machine any day of the week, whatever the numbers say. The ventilation, the dedicated clip to hold a light, the strap stowage, the frame separation, the ability to expand or compress the bag, the rain cover, and more.

Provided the rest of the bag is well-designed, it is the only major drawback to an otherwise invaluable tool. We think this is a nice bonus for those who like to tinker with their bags and who might want to do a bit of DIY-ing.As the leader in custom-fit backpacks, out pack-fitting technique ensures a properly fitting pack that maximizes efficiency, comfort and safety both on and off the trail. Just watch out for unexpected showers and think about lining your bag with a bin liner if you’ve got anything in there you don’t want to get wet.

The downside of the strength is the weight of this bag and it takes a few rides to wear in the straps. Our 16-inch MacBook Pro is a relatively slim laptop, so it fits inside without an issue, and so too does our cased 12. Needless to say, they work seamlessly on the Radial, and we had no problem using them, whether it’s the adjusters for the load lifters, the sternum strap, or shoulder straps. With organization, an expandable main compartment, great ventilation, a built-in rain cover, water-resistant zippers, zipper garages, and many other thoughtful features, this bag ensures that it is flexible, and most importantly, that it remains comfortable and out of the way the entire time.Since the Metron is made of the exact same material, I’m confident that it is going to be just as lasting as the Radial.