Revelate Designs Pitchfork Review
Launched just in time for the Tour Divide, the Revelate Designs Pitchfork is an aero bar harness system made for ultra-endurance racing. The Pitchfork mounts directly to your aero bars, providing carrying capacity for a six-liter dry bag, two useful pockets, and a bungee system for easy access to snacks and other essentials. Find our full Revelate Designs Pitchfork review here…
PUBLISHED Jun 3, 2024
When researching gear for my Tour Divide run in 2015, I recall my mentors emphasizing the importance of having multiple hand positions to rotate regularly and relieve hand pressure. This is key to reducing hand fatigue during long days in the saddle for weeks on end. Most people have realized that this is the main benefit of aero bars, even though they are designed primarily for aerodynamics. I set up my aero bars in a very upright position, allowing quick transitions between different body and hand positions.
Another upside I discovered in the process is additional space for accessories; I mounted a crossbar from an old handlebar to hold my GPS and lights. Adding to this, several brands have developed bags specifically for aero bars, largely due to their popularity for ultra-endurance events such as the Tour Divide. The Revelate Pitchfork is the latest option to hit the market. Find my full video review below, followed by a written version with a comparison to other bags.
Aero Bar Pack Options
The aero bar-specific bag isn’t a new concept. There are several options on the market, and folks have been making custom bags for their aero bars for years. Readymade options are limited, but Apidura, Cyclite, and Restrap all offer them. The main difference with the Revelate Pitchfork is that it mounts over the aero system instead of attaching under it. I’ll admit it looks a bit busier than the other offerings, but it comes with quite a few interesting and useful features.
To quickly compare: the Apidura Racing Aero Bar Pack is a 2.5-liter bag with a bungee top—it’s the simplest of the bunch. The Cyclite Handlebar Aero Bag is 4.9 liters with a large zipper for the main compartment and side stash pockets. And the Restrap Race Aero Bar Bag is a 7-liter harness system for easy off-bike packing. Here are the weights, volumes, and pricing for comparison:
Model | Apidura | Cyclite | Restrap | Revelate |
---|---|---|---|---|
Volume | 2.5 L | 4.9 L | 7.0 L | 8.0 L |
Waterproof | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Accessory Pockets | No | No | No | Yes |
Weight | 150 g | 139 g | 278 g | 158 g |
Price | $115 | $166 | $150 | $160 |
Revelate Designs Pitchfork Specs
Similar to the Restrap model, the Pitchfork is a holster system. It features a removable 6L Ultra 200 drybag that’s tapered for better stem clearance when installed. The holster itself is made from Challenge EPX 200 laminate and is designed to drape over aero bars. This design maximizes the depth and utility of its large ultra-stretch side pockets, which can hold items like rain jackets or large quantities of food. Each side pocket has a 1-liter capacity and can be easily cinched closed or opened with one hand using bungee cords and cord locks.
The system also comes with a webbed bungee cord on top for storing items like arm and knee warmers for quick access. In total, the Pitchfork weighs 158g and offers a combined 8-liter capacity with the dry bag and side pockets, with additional expandable space thanks to the top bungee accessory.
Installation
Installing the Revelate Designs Pitchfork was straightforward. The harness straps onto the bars via two slotted Hypalon pieces on the underside of the harness. Each has five different strap placements to configure for aero bars of various widths. I used the bag on older Profile Designs aero bars that are no longer made and added custom bar ends wrapped with bar tape for a nice handhold. Because of the bulk from the tape, the provided straps were too short, and I had to use some longer one-wrap velcro straps I had on hand. This is something to consider if you want to use bar wrap. Overall, I would say I have my aero bars installed slightly wider than some but not as wide as others, and I mounted the system in the middle slots. I could go wider or narrower without any issues.
Installing the dry bag is super easy, too. The Pitchfork Harness comes with two webbing straps with adjustable locking cam buckles that are simple to tighten and loosen. The system also includes a removable safety strap on top, which is meant to go over the roll-top part of the dry bag to hold it in place. However, as long as you’re not carrying something super heavy, the two adjustable locking cam straps and buckles keep everything secure.
In Use
Obviously, every aero bar system is different. It would have been nice to try this on a few bars from other brands. Still, between my old Profile Designs bars and the one Revelate displayed in the press kit, I think it’s safe to say that the Pitchfork should work on most aero bars, especially those with bars that angle up in the front. My bars are straight, however, so the dry bag sits right against the bar throughout its entire length. That makes it very stable and secure, but it does take away the locked-in hand position at the end. As mentioned, I retrofitted bar ends to achieve this.
Overall, I loved the packing space that the Pitchfork provided, and I can see why others like this setup. It essentially creates usable storage space that is more purpose-built for bikes with aero bars. The top bungee works well for maps, something I referenced all the time during my run down the Divide nearly a decade ago, but it can also easily hold extra layers or, say, a sub sandwich.
The side pockets are where this bag truly stands out. I stored a bunch of snacks, my phone, and a GoPro in there, making it easy to access those items on the fly, either by leaning over in the aero position or just from the hoods on top of the bar. Just be careful tightening the bungee cords, as it can jerk your steering unwillingly. As for the dry bag, I found that it perfectly sized to fit a sleeping pad and sleeping bag.
While you’ll likely get used to this, as I did, it’s worth mentioning that the weight up high and forward can make the bike feel a bit top and front-heavy. The increased surface area also created a sail effect on a very windy day with side-to-side winds.
Overall, the craftsmanship on the Revelate Pitchfork is impressive and thoughtful. All high-stress areas are reinforced, the hardware is high quality, and the overall design seems dialed in to bring more utility to your aero bars. The Pitchfork is made in the United States using domestic and imported materials and is priced at $160 USD.
- Model/Size Tested: Revelate Designs Pitchfork
- Actual Weight: 158 grams
- Place of Manufacture: Washington, USA
- Price: $160
- Manufacturer’s Details: Revelate Designs
Pros
- Over-the-bars design makes good use of space
- Convenient and easy-to-use side pockets keeps you on the bike
- Big enough harness system to hold a lightweight sleep kit
- Thoughtful craftsmanship
Cons
- Generally, the extra weight mounted high/forward requires some getting used to
- Might take away cross-bar accessory mount
- Works better with bars that angle up at the end
Further Reading
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