SAN FRANCISCO (BRAIN) — WaterField Designs has expanded its cycling line with the introduction of the Rapide Saddlebag. The vintage-style leather Rapide includes an easily-accessible Mini Tool Roll to keep bike tools organized, and it attaches with a leather toe-clip strap. With an introduction timed to highlight National Bike-to-Work Day on May 15, WaterField partnered with RuthWorks SF designer, Ely Rodrigues, known for his artisanal craftsmanship in the cycling luggage industry. Together they created the compact Rapide saddlebag from premium leather with a waxed-canvas tool roll.
"Ely makes some of the most elegant cycling luggage I've seen, and he is dedicated to his craft," said Gary Waterfield, the company's owner. "As an avid cyclist myself, I thought we could make great products together. The Rapide's leather exterior has an old-world feel and exudes the artisanal craftsmanship Rodriguez is known for. Inside, a clever Mini Tool Roll acts as a sort of internal cartridge to keep tools organized. You just lay the insert down on the road and get to work."
The Rapide saddlebag is constructed of full-grain, naturally-tanned leather. A metal screw-stud closes the pouch, which attaches securely to a bike seat with a leather toe clip strap. Cyclists never have to remove the Rapide from the bike seat; the Mini Tool Roll fits everything needed for flats and minor mechanical issues.
The Rapide saddlebag joins the jersey pocket-sized Cycling Ride Pouch for tools and a smartphone, and the Vitesse Cycling Musette in WaterField's cycling product line.
Retail price is $59.
The saddlebag is available in "grizzly" brown or black full-grain leather. The Mini Tool Roll is available in brown, navy or burgundy waxed canvas.
Shipping begins May 22.
More information: sfbags.com.
