Maximize your carrying capacity

by Monte L. May, PCI #262T/EMSCI #009T
IPMBA Industry Liaison
Kansas City PD (MO)

This past summer I received products to review from a company called Tallac. Tallac produces several practical accessories that can benefit the public safety cyclist. Most of their products are designed to enable riders to carry accessories and other small items on their bikes.

The first product that I inspected was the single-mount dual water bottle cage. This device enables you to carry an extra water bottle, bottle battery pack, or cell phone case either on the down tube or on the seat tube. This concept has a lot of merit, especially for bikes with a single water bottle cage mount. The B2 line includes two models: the B2-SS, made of stainless steel, and the B2-AL, made of aluminum. The SS retails for $29.99, and the AL retails for $19.99.

I tried out both cages. Of the two, I liked the B2-AL the best. While I was using the B2-AL, I would place my Niterider Classic waterbottle battery in the bottom cage, and either a traditional waterbottle or the Tallac Cage Bag (see description below) in the top cage. The AL withstood the abuse of dropping the bike on concrete. I also used the B2-SS and it too held up under similar use; however, it is very thin and would bend with abuse more easily than the AL model.

Tallac manufacturers a variety of additional accessories for the water bottle cage.

EXSTICK
The ExStick is used to raise the water bottle cage up to 60 mm for easier and safer reach. It can be used either with a single cage or the Tallac B2-AL. I used the ExStick with a single cage on a Trek 6700 so my Niterider Classic cord would reach the battery. ( I guess I could have just bought a longer Niterider cord, right?) The ExStick worked well and held up under abuse. $9.99.

CAGE BAG
The Cage Bag is a small cargo carrier comprised on a bag and a removable plastic insert. It looks like a small 10 oz cup with a screw top lid and a cordura-like bag that zips. The Cage Bag can be used with or without the plastic insert. It's a great option for carrying such items as keys, tools, inner tubes, or a thin rain poncho. It fits perfectly into a 74mm water bottle cage. $9.50.

STRAP KIT
The Strap Kit is a 12-inch by 1-inch velcro strap that can be attached to the water bottle braze-on. It can be used to attach or carry a variety of items, such as a rain poncho, to the bike. $7.50.

Tallac offers a wide range of accessories for cyclists who wish to carry small items on their bikes without resorting to a rack bag or panniers. Tallac products can be found at many local bike shops. For more information or to purchase these items, visit www.tallac.com.

Monte can be reached at montemay@earthlink.net

© 2004 IPMBA. This review first appeared in the Winter 2004 issue of IPMBA News.