Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
The new Rogue Panda Ripsey V1 to V2 Retrofit Kit seamlessly converts the V1 Ripsey dropper post saddle bag to the freshly improved V2 version, complete with a machined seatpost clamp. We had a chance to install the kit ahead of today’s launch. Find details here…
In 2022, Rogue Panda Designs launched the Ripsey, a dropper post saddle bag, via a crowdfunding campaign. Despite the number of well-designed dropper post seat bags available, Rogue Panda saw an opportunity to design a bag that offered best-in-class tire clearance, a stable design for riding singletrack, and something perfectly suited for shorter riders and smaller bikes.
The two-part system offered exceptional tire clearance without sacrificing stability. It’s based around an injection-molded harness, an aluminum saddle rail clamp, and a Wolf Tooth Valais, and it’s finished with some CNC-machined Austere Manufacturing cam lock buckles to keep everything tight and secure. However, Rogue Panda saw room for improvement.
Released earlier this year, the Ripsey V2 replaced the velcro strap and Valais seatpost attachment with a sleek new two-piece machined seatpost clamp featuring removable and replaceable shims for assorted seatpost sizes. The saddle rail clamp was also upgraded with unique floating shims that cup the saddle rails instead of abrasion-resistant padding. There’s a lot going on with the Ripsey, so make sure to check out my review if you haven’t already.
The only bummer about the Ripsey V2 is that anyone who bought the V1 version was left behind with a slightly inferior, although still totally functional, product. The new Ripsey V1 to V2 Retrofit Kit seeks to address this by providing a simple way to upgrade the Ripsey V1’s fabric and velcro seatpost attachment with a rigid bracket and the same two-piece machined seatpost clamp found on the V2.
One of the most noticeable benefits from Rogue Panda’s move from a velcro strap to a rigid seatpost clamp is the rigidity it offers. I’ve come to appreciate the stability offered by seat bags supported by a mini rack or bracket, and the Ripsey V2’s clamp makes for one of the most stable dropper post bags I’ve used. The retrofit kit brings this rigidity to the V1 by replacing the fabric and velcro at the seatpost end of the injection-molded plastic harness with a metal bracket and clamp.
Installation is about as easy as you can imagine. The bracket is attached to the two grommet holes at the end of the harness, where the strap is secured in place. Rogue Panda specifically told me not to try removing the grommets, but instead snip off the excess strap that will no longer be needed. Once removed, the metal bracket bolts into place using the grommets, with the nuts facing downward/out to avoid unnecessary abrasion on your dry bag.
With the new bracket bolted into place, you’ve successfully upgraded your Ripsey V1 to V2 status. Not only does the kit seamlessly integrate into the V1 harness, improving the overall stability of the system, but it also allows users to take advantage of Rogue Panda’s selection of dropper post stanchion shims. The kit comes standard with shims for 30.9mm and 31.6mm droppers and 27.2mm rigid posts, but they also sell shims for 27.2mm AXS droppers, non-AXS 27.2mm droppers, certain 34.9mm droppers, and 30.9mm rigid posts.
The kit can be purchased with or without the updated saddle rail clamp, pictured below, which offers improved adjustability and much easier installation compared to the V1 version. The best part? Rogue Panda is offering the retrofit kit below cost for existing Ripsey V1 owners as a thank-you for the support and so customers can upgrade without breaking the bank.
The retrofit kit is available now for $30 (seatpost clamp only) or $50 (seatpost clamp + saddle rail clamp). Head over to RoguePanda.com to learn more.
Further Reading
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