Killat Kota Moon: a handlebar bag that goes above and beyond

As gear editor of Bicycling magazine, I get to test lots of cool stuff but most of it is anonymous, made by a corporation in a factory far away. That’s why it’s so great to try out a product that is locally designed and made, with an almost artisanal attention to detail.

I’m a massive fan of handlebar bags. I’m not a racer so I don’t care about being aero, and a handlebar bag is the easiest and most accessible way to carry stuff on a bike.

The Kota Moon is not only a decent-sized handlebar bag, it’s also a sling bag or hip bag for when you’re off the bike. I tested the bag with a prototype stainless-steel rack that hooks over the stem and bar and fastens with soft Velcro straps. At first I thought the rack was overkill for a bag of this size, but I quickly changed my mind. Riding a rough gravel route, it kept the bag super stable. In fact, I can’t remember it bouncing or flapping once. It also keeps the bag a nice distance in front the bar. Your cables are happier this way, and you can ride with your hands on the tops without the bag intruding on handlebar real estate. The rack will soon also accommodate a bigger bag from Killat, with more space for overnight bike-packing trips and a padded section for a camera. I can’t wait for that to drop! Don’t be freaked out by the open ends of the prototype rack, which look a bit dangerous. The production version will feature threaded ends that can be closed off with bolts. Even that little detail is cool – I’m already thinking what I could attach…

Going back to the Kota: The one I tested was beautifully made from 340gsm cotton, which is soft to the touch and feels premium. It marks quite easily – if that’s something that worries you then check out the same bag made from more durable ripstop nylon. The ripstop version is a bit cheaper and probably more hard-wearing, but it doesn’t feel as lush. Both versions have a padded back and wings. This makes it super comfy to wear over your shoulder or around your waist, and the strap tucks away completely when the bag is on the bar or the rack so as not to get tangled in your front wheel. The mesh dividers on the inside help to keep things organised and the front zip pocket is awesome for stashing your cash and your house keys. In terms of size, the Kota Moon had no problem transporting a jacket, a multi-tool, a couple of CO₂ canisters, a Lyne Shred Zeppelin puncture repair kit, a banana, energy bar and my cellphone. There was even space to spare.

A quick note about zips: There’s nothing worse than a small sticky zip, or one that catches threads and jams. The zips on the Kota are top-quality YKK and they’re a decent size, which means you can open and close the bag with ease while you’re riding, even if you’re wearing gloves. There are no complicated roll-close openings or hard-to-reach pockets – everything is there, at your fingertips.

Bravo to Killat for designing something so functional. It does exactly what it promises to do without fuss and it’s well-priced compared to handlebar bags from international juggernauts like Apidura and Lezyne. But it’s actually pointless to compare it to other handlebar bags because there isn’t a competitor available in South Africa that can do all the things the Kota can.

R750 for the cotton bag, rack R695.

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