Dueter Mondego Series Bikepacking Gear, Affordable entries into a new realm. Review:

The Modego series of bikepacking bags from Dueter includes handlebar bags, frame bags, and seat bags at various sizes. The promise high quality bikepacking storage at a surprisingly low price. How does it hold up on the trail? My review:

The Mondego line that I have tested and reviewed today consists of three separate items: The Mondego HB 8, a handlebar bag, the Mondego FB 4, a frame bag, and the Mondego SB 16, a saddle bag. Most of these come in various sizes and colors, and the review holds true for these variations. I’ll be covering them as a kit as this is how they will generally be used in the real world, but I’ll try to focus on each individual unit as well.

Mondego HB 8

Let’s start with the handlebar bag of the kit. The HB 8 is a large, spacious bag with a large open interior and a convenient bungee system on the top. It also features two zippered side pockets and a semi-rigid design to help it hold shape. It connects to the bars via two straps and a third load strap that prevents the bag from sagging by routing under the headtube. The kit includes 4 spacers, which allows the bag to mount out from the handlebars, which can prevent the brake cables from being bunched up or crimped under load. It’s a great kit that holds a lot of equipment, but it does lack internal storage, so if the user is only carrying a couple small items, things will bounce around with no included way to secure them. I also noticed the top of the bag tends to collapse when there isn’t much gear inside, which isn’t a great look. Still, which things are packed inside, which is really the point, I don’t have any real complaints here.

Mondego FB 4

The FB 4 is the frame bag I’ve chosen as part of my kit. It’s a long, spacious bag that sits under the top tube. It features a large side zipper that runs the entire length of the bag and includes 4 different Velcro tabs that can be attached at multiple points along the bag, providing more mounting options to fit more bikes. The bag holds a considerable amount of gear, but does to bulge out of the sides with certain items placed inside. I didn’t really find it getting in the way but I did have some light/occasional rubbing against my calves until I got used to it. The zipper is smooth and accessing everything inside is quick and simple. Overall I like the bag but would enjoy a little more structure to it.

Mondego SB 16

The SB 16 is a large saddle back that connects underneath the bike saddle and straps against the seat tube. This one took me a minute to figure out how to mount, with a lot of straps and clips all residing in the same area. Once I did, however, it mounted easily and securely without much movement. I was surprised at how well this pack handled a load without wobbling around too much on the rear. It features a large roll top opening on the back, along with Bungee connections and a stretchy mesh pocket, which is handle for gloves and lightweight layers. I really liked how secure this bag was, but it’s not great at rolling up to accommodate small loads, as it gets floppy and loose. I found that on rides where I didn’t really need it, it was better to shove a rain jacket inside to add some structure, instead of taking it off entirely.

Overall

The Dueter Mondego line is a surprisingly affordable, yet well built backpacking solution. It is easy to connect to the bike, provides a lot of mounting options, and allows a properly sized bikepacking or long distance kit to be loaded up without much issue. If found that the kit as a whole could use a little more structure, but if it’s used as intended with a decent load, it actually holds it shape quite well, so I’m O.K. with that. The kit is lightweight, looks nice, and provides just enough storage and organizing, without adding unnecessary bulk and cost. As a whole, I really like the kit and recommend it for anyone searching for a solid option in an affordable price range.