General Cycling Discussion - Bento Box

Has anyone used one of these? They come in two sizes (small and large). Do you think the large is overkill? I'm also concerned that it would effect steering. I think it might be a great thing for storing my digital camera so I can have easier access to it while riding. Right now, I have to grab it out of my jersey back pocket.

http://www.tri-zone.com/Catalog/images/products/BigBentoBako.jpg (http://www.tri-zone.com/Catalog/BigBentoBako.html)

Also, why do these only seem to be sold in triathlete shops and not so much in regular bike shops? Is it because triathletes use it to store food and don't like to stop to eat while road bikers don't care if they have to fish a powerbar out of their seatpack or backpack?

Triathletes use them mainly for that reason they usually don't have a under seat bag if they do it for a tube and thats it. Plus it is important for them to eat every 1/2 - 1 hour on the bike. They gotta run after getting off the bike. If the food is easy to reach it is easier to get your quota of calories. I would check out the small. The large does seem "big".

It won't affect steering at all. If your camera will fit in the small one, then that's as big as you need.

I have the larger one - holds gel pack(s) or energy bar, my cellphone, and the cash and credit card I always carry for emergencies (I too don't like fishing that stuff out of my jersey backpockets).

I am usually okay with yanking the camera out of my back pocket. It's a small and slim camera (Minolta DiMage X) and has no protruding parts. However, on a recent ride, I was wearing a bike number pinned to my back jersey pockets. In an attempt to quickly shove the camera back into my pocket I misjudged the number for the pocket flap and dropped the camera right between the jersey and the number, causing the camera to hit the road while I was doing 20MPH. Luckily the camera is very durable and there were no cars behind me. It only suffered a few small nicks in its aluminum housing. I figure something like the Bento Box would probably be a better arrangement but I was worried about the size and also about the fact that it might either bind the steering or move around when I turned my handlebars as it would be attached to the steerer/headset spacers. I also don't have a lot of stack height between my headset and stem so I'm wondering if there's even enough room to attach the steerer straps. I guess I should go find a local tri-shop to see how well the small one will fit and if it's good enough for my camera.

I would like tyo check those out who carries then. That might work for the Softride since I can't put a seat bag on it.

I would like tyo check those out who carries then. That might work for the Softride since I can't put a seat bag on it.

I actually saw a bunch of triathletes and a couple of touring folks on the McClinchy Mile with Bento Boxes. They said they got them at Speedy Reedy which I believe is just down the street from where you work. As far as a seatpack for the Softride, I did come across The Beam Bag (http://www.trisports.com/soclbebag.html) during my search for the Bento Box.

Ironically Speedy Reedy is a Softride dealer and yes it is down the street from work.. Pass it twice a day will have to stop by and see Steve tomorrow, thanks

Ironically Speedy Reedy is a Softride dealer and yes it is down the street from work.. Pass it twice a day will have to stop by and see Steve tomorrow, thanks

Yeah... they're also an Aegis dealer. ;) I've never been inside though.

Be great for sushi- or a bento box.
no more power bars.

A full size touring bar bag has little effect on steering for me.
Another alternative is one of those inside-the-frame bags.
Personally, I only carry stuff in my rear pocket that Im prepared to fall on, so avoid any tools/cameras.

A full size touring bar bag has little effect on steering for me.
Another alternative is one of those inside-the-frame bags.
Personally, I only carry stuff in my rear pocket that Im prepared to fall on, so avoid any tools/cameras.

I don't need the room of a full sized handlebar bag and there might be some issues with mounting it anyways. My frame is fairly tight and small and there's not much room for a bag with the cages and bottles in place. As far as falling, I've never had a situation where a fall has caused me injury from stuff in my back pocket or has damaged any of its contents. I think I tend to fall to the side or forwards and even if I take a few hits to the back, most of my stuff is packed flat. If I drive to a starting point, I will usually even have all my stuff already packed into my jersey and it doesn't cause me any discomfort when I'm sitting with my back to the carseat.

Definitely let us know how this works out if you get it. I find myself reluctant to stop and dig my camera out of my panniers and I think you have found a potentially good solution to that issue. I'll be very interested to know if this is an ideal solution.

Has anyone used one of these? They come in two sizes (small and large). Do you think the large is overkill? I'm also concerned that it would effect steering. I think it might be a great thing for storing my digital camera so I can have easier access to it while riding. Right now, I have to grab it out of my jersey back pocket.

http://www.tri-zone.com/Catalog/images/products/BigBentoBako.jpg (http://www.tri-zone.com/Catalog/BigBentoBako.html)

Also, why do these only seem to be sold in triathlete shops and not so much in regular bike shops? Is it because triathletes use it to store food and don't like to stop to eat while road bikers don't care if they have to fish a powerbar out of their seatpack or backpack?
Both my wife and I use the large Bento Box on our bikes, hers a Calfee and mine a Litespeed and a custom Kirk. The large is not really large, it's larger than their small. According to my ruler, it's 5" long, 3" high and slightly less than 2" wide. It has no effect on the steering whatsoever. It is very handy for Fig Newtons, gel flasks or anything you need to get at while riding. I keep 2 double fig bars and my Speedplay Coffeshop cleat covers in my Bento Box. Well worth the $13 or so dollars they cost.

I've got a small one but I haven't used it on a significant ride yet - I must remember to put it on next time I go out!

I got it because I am a Randonneur (long distance rider) and I find that what works for me, is to nibble energy bars as I ride rather than stopping to eat a whole one somewhere along the way. When the energy bar is right in front of me, it also reminds me to eat.

Yeah but how much sushi can you stash in it :D

Looks like my camera will fit in it, I think I'll try to get one this weekend.

I just completed a couple of rides with my newly acquired Bento Boxes. Yes... boxes. I decided to purchase both the large and the small one. I mount the large one up front and the small one at the seatpost. I had a little trouble with the plastic inserts on the fore and aft ends of each of the boxes. I ended up taking some scissors to them and shaping the bottom so they would conform to my toptube better. I also used some elmers glue to keep them in place. They were constantly trying to eject themselves from their little slots.

http://www.neebu.net/~khuon/albums/bento_box/PICT0002.jpg
http://www.neebu.net/~khuon/albums/bento_box/PICT0003.jpg
http://www.neebu.net/~khuon/albums/bento_box/PICT0009.jpg

The only downsides I've so far discovered are that sometimes I will bang my knee against them if I'm standing up to pedal and the front one makes a slight rubbing noise from contact with the stem while I'm performing turns.

I heard someone say "Bento box" was Japanese for "lunch box."

I heard someone say "Bento box" was Japanese for "lunch box."

It is

From what I remember from when I was in Japan, bento literally means "box" but it is used to mean box lunch. The dictionary word for lunch box is bentoubako, but I have never heard it used.

Literally, bento box would mean box box.

My favorite English twisting of Japanese is Tsu-shima, an island in the straits between Japan and Korea. It is often rendered in English as Tsu-shima Strait Island. Tsu means straight and shima means island, so we have Straight Island Straight Island. Another favorite is the Mainichi Daily News. Mainichi means everday, giving us the Everday Daily News!

Thank your for indulging me in a bit of useless trivia, which may or may not reprsent perfect Japanese.

I was think about getting a large one for my stem, is this the brand to get?

I have a Profile Design one on my bike, but my wife has the Bento on hers (both large). Mine holds my iPhone, a couple of packs of GU and my asthma inhaler.

I just completed a couple of rides with my newly acquired Bento Boxes. Yes... boxes. I decided to purchase both the large and the small one. I mount the large one up front and the small one at the seatpost. I had a little trouble with the plastic inserts on the fore and aft ends of each of the boxes. I ended up taking some scissors to them and shaping the bottom so they would conform to my toptube better. I also used some elmers glue to keep them in place. They were constantly trying to eject themselves from their little slots.

The only downsides I've so far discovered are that sometimes I will bang my knee against them if I'm standing up to pedal and the front one makes a slight rubbing noise from contact with the stem while I'm performing turns.

I bought a large for use with a light battery (A TrailTech HID). As you note no issue w/steering. What are these plastic inserts you speak of?

If you are putting a camera in it you might want to line the bottom of the box with some foam so it doesn't bash against the top tube with each bump. I did that for the battery. Also if it is heavy like the battery in mine it can sag to either side which can be annoying sometimes like on a climb.

There's actually a good shot of my bento box on my bicycle in one of my wedding photos:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3248/2825944895_d0400cbbcf.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14302884@N04/2825944895/in/set-72157607097344648/


OK, It's been 5 years I first responded to this thread saying I had one and hadn't taken it on any significant rides yet. Well, I've taken it on a lot of significant rides since then and I love it. I usually use it for a cookie or two (in a sandwich baggie), and then I also stuff a kleenex or two in there as well.

I have the Proile Design brand. My seat bag is pretty full and when I go riding, I don't want to risk my kidneys by putting stuff in jersey pockets. The pack will hold keys, wallet, cell phone and a clif bar. I also use it when I commute to work and don't need to tote the messenger bag. It's perfect for wallet, keys and badge. The angle betwee the top bar and stem on my bike is 90 degrees so it fits well.

The Bento Box is also a quick-access place to keep Halt, if you ride where that might be necessary.

Just got the 'small one' from Amazon - fits nice but tis real small - the size of a pack of smokes - (I quit last year) - just ordered the 'large one' ... for 11-12 bucks on Amazon - you can take the chance.

I'm with KHUON - get both - and strap them on.

Y'all do realize that the time between post 19 and 20 was almost 5 1/2 years, right?

Oh, well, here's (http://banjobrothers.com/products/01062.php) my contribution.

Bikehard has one for $20. Works very well for cleat protectors, bars, phone, etc.

Y'all do realize that the time between post 19 and 20 was almost 5 1/2 years, right?

:lol:

I got one (Axiom, if it matters) because I wanted to be able to ride in clothes without pockets this summer and still be able to carry what I needed. Works great.

http://www.axiomgear.com/products/gear/bags/specialty/power-bag/

It looks very small, this one looks larger

http://banjobrothers.com/products/01062.php#

From what I remember from when I was in Japan, bento literally means "box" but it is used to mean box lunch. The dictionary word for lunch box is bentoubako, but I have never heard it used.

Literally, bento box would mean box box.

My favorite English twisting of Japanese is Tsu-shima, an island in the straits between Japan and Korea. It is often rendered in English as Tsu-shima Strait Island. Tsu means straight and shima means island, so we have Straight Island Straight Island. Another favorite is the Mainichi Daily News. Mainichi means everday, giving us the Everday Daily News!

Thank your for indulging me in a bit of useless trivia, which may or may not reprsent perfect Japanese.

FWIW:

"Bento" originates from the Southern Song slang term 便當 (pinyin: biàndāng), meaning "convenient" or "convenience."

In the 20th century, the term was imported to modern Mandarin, rendered as 便當, where it retains its older meaning of "convenient" and also refers to bento in mainland China and generic boxed lunches in Taiwan.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bento

regards,
martin törnsten

--
http://martin.tornsten.com/