Customer Reviews

TNI Bento Box - Large

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you're a road cyclist whose jersey pockets are already overflowing BEFORE you try to pack in the Clif bars, you'll like this item. I first saw it on someone else's bike and immediately coveted it. The Bento Box is a strappy little container you can fit about three Clif bars side-by-side in (just to give an example of the size), plus a little something extra, keys or whatnot. A mesh covering flips over the top and Velcroes shut. It attaches to the top tube and the head tube of your bike, and takes up minimal real estate -- it's no wider than most top tubes, so your knees won't bang into it. It has the added advantage of not getting the contents all sweaty, unlike a jersey pocket. Buy this thing and watch the coveting begin.

This works as described. I wondered why anyone would choose the shorter version of the Bento Box over the large version. Now I know ... because the long one extends further along the top tube, you are more apt to scrub it (including the velcro straps) when standing to climb or accelerate.

The velcro straps are quite long, probably to accommodate different sizes and shapes of top tubes, so maybe this can be avoided by trimming them back. Maybe, though, my best option would be the smaller version of the Bento Box. It is great to have food more easily accessible (especially when eating, say, half an energy bar), but I can't afford to sacrifice my tights for it.

This is the best accesssory I own for my bicycle! I carry different things in it and several of these all at the same time:
cell phone, small wallet, car keys, small snacks (like raisins, nuts, dried fruit, GU) a small digital camera (Fuji Finepix E900), light weight liner gloves, hankies, pills. Everything is just so handy to reach for as you cycle along. It doesn't get in the way, and my legs do not touch it as it sit along the top tube of the bike. I did remove the stiff plastic insert they put on the ends of the box. It sticks up a little higher then the box and had a sharp edge. But the box still keeps it's shape just fine without these plastic shapers. I HIGHLY recommend this item. I never leave home on a bike ride with out it. I've given these as gifts to several biking friends and they all use them all the time.
I have a photo of it on my bike here:
http://bycycletrips.blogspot.com/2008/12/riding-with-lunch-box.html

It is a great product, but the larger one would have been better. Need to include dimensions in description on both sizes that are available.

People like to make fun of these (non-owners, that is) but I see them more and more. I use mine for both bars/gu and as a handy camera case for the little Sony digicam I take riding with me.

Just what I ordered. I love this little container. I put all my little things in it when I do all my rides -- chapstick, sunscreen, energy bars -- just perfect!

I generally love the concept of a forward-mounted carrying case for my bike, but this one is just a little too flimsy and a little too scratchy for the cockpit on my bike. I am using it on a Cervelo S1 (Size 54) and it won't sit properly on the frame. (It hangs to one side.) The velcro also comes undone and catches occasionally on my shorts while I am riding, which is kind of annoying. There's also the problem with any type of carrier like this: It's basically right in the middle of where all of your sweat falls while you're on a long ride, so it can get kind of wet. I wouldn't keep my phone or anything else in there that could be damaged. Which kind of defeats the purpose. Finally -- and especially if you're riding an aluminum or steel frame: If you put keys or anything metal in there, it will clank on the frame the entire ride. It's incredibly annoying. It may be OK for tubes and perhaps a snack, but don't even THINK about putting CO2 in there. But other than that, I guess it's OK for under $20.

I love my Bento Box! The Large is the perfect size - I can fit a couple Clif Bars in there and still have room for a couple gels or some Sport Beans. No more fishing squishy melted sport beans out of my racing jersey.

The only issue I have is during racing when I'm off the saddle I have a tendency to hit my knees on the bento box, but unless you are extremely knock-kneed (as I am) you probably won't have a problem. During normal riding I hardly even notice it there.

The large Bento Box is perfect for easy recovery of cell phone or to have a small camera ready to take photos as you cycle. Love this product. Thank you.

I bought two of these. One has held up OK for at least half a dozen uses. The second one started falling apart on the third ride. The stitching that attaches the velcro on the side of the box has pulled up almost entirely. We tried super glue to hold it back down, but it didn't hold. So, we've got a bento box that doesn't have a usable mesh cover on the top.