Ron’s Bikes is owned by the one-and-only Ronnie “Ultranicus” Romance, aka UltraRomance. I had the pleasure of interviewing Ronnie and learnt the company was originally called Poppi’s Pizza and Public Restroom. He explained: “In the early days, we were on the road so much that these bags often took months to ship, which made being our customer especially arduous.” This unorthodox approach to business makes its success all the more pertinent and affirms unequivocally that at the heart of the chaos were exceptional products. The large Fabio chest is one of his most iconic offerings, and in 2023, I got the opportunity to find out just what makes Poppi’s Pizza and Public Restroom so delicious.
I’ve used an array of bag setups for touring, ranging from a traditional four-pannier configuration to a super lightweight trail-focused arrangement. However, the one style of bag that almost always remains is a saddle bag. Traditionally, I utilized Carradice saddle bags (established in 1932), namely, their iconic Longflap Camper and Super C. Ronnie gives Carradice an honorable mention and explains that a big part of his inspiration for the Fabio chest was to take what existed and improve it. My large chest (two sizes available) arrived in Digicam Snow X50 X-Pac (offered in a selection of fabrics, see here), and from the moment I removed the packaging, I was in awe. A big component of Ronnie’s mission is to retain the charm of classic design while seamlessly integrating the latest innovation, and in this regard, it’s a masterpiece. The design is somehow timeless and familiar yet completely reimagined. The bag is shipped in basket mode, i.e., its most compact configuration. Once the roll top is opened, it stands at a considerable 20 inches and can be rolled down to your packing needs. The flap also doubles in size when you release two snaps and is secured to the bag with two quality buckles (designed to be removed and relocated on the daisy chain webbing to suit) and a central Fidlock magnetic closure.
Another unique feature is the center pull strap that compresses the contents and crucially pulls the bag up tight when riding rackless. The side pockets are large (and similar in size to those found on Carradice bags) and again incorporate innovative features. When not in use, they fold flat and secure in place using an ingenious strap and buckle system, significantly reducing the bag’s width. One of the proprietary design attributes that set this bag apart is the built-in internal stiffener that retains the bag’s shape even when fully loaded. On the back of the bag is full-width daisy chain webbing, which conceals a slim metal strut (there’s also one along the base) that adds further stability and composure. Two large Velcro straps are supplied and loop anywhere along the full-width rear webbing for fitment to the handlebars or rear of the bike. On the base, there’s plentiful webbing for securing to the bike or any style of rack. Inside is one vast central compartment providing class-leading volume alongside one good-sized pocket. It’s worth noting that Rons Bikes collaborated with Shovel Research to produce a rack optimal for the Fabio chest called the Rod Steward (pec dec v2).
This bag tells a story; it’s the culmination of thousands of miles around the world on a bicycle, and subsequently, it addresses almost every frustration I’ve ever had with this style of bag. It’s the best bike bag I’ve ever used, and while that’s a bold statement, I stand by it. If I were to recommend one bag to someone new to adventure cycling, this would be it.
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