Cool colors, trendy design … well actually a smart design is one of the many things that make Ergon's backpacks special. The Flink ball joint, a funny name, but a great feature on Ergon's packs makes the product unique and attractive. It is a joint that rotates and carries the pack in an “optimal position”, allowing balance with your body and the pack.

The swivel effect of the joint enables fluid movement while riding and allows for easier upper body movement. The bag’s center of gravity is on your hips, and weight is comfortably distributed over your shoulders and waist, rather than being focused on your back. This results in a pack that moves around less. The Flink joint helps the upper portion kind of float away from your body, keeping your cool, comfy and it can be found in the Ergon BD1 backpack and the BD2.

The pack has two distinctive features -- one is the Flink (above), and working in conjunction with the Flink is an external frame - not to be mistaken with the packs you use to take to boy scout camp. This is a flexible wraparound frame that curves underneath the pack for support, and is integrated with the shoulder straps and the waist belt. The frame is another key element in making the pack feel at one with your body.

The shoulder straps are designed like a harness, with pads that go both over the shoulder and a little cinch strap in between the straps to keep the pack inline. The hip belt is completely separate from the upper part of the frame. It is attached to the lower part of the frame and helps cantilever the weight of the pack so that the hips are carrying much of the load, rather than fatiguing your shoulders and back.

The key to making this all work is adjusting the pack properly and choosing the right size for you. Your options are small and large. Each size has two size setting adjustments for the Flink, small, medium, and large. For men, the small is recommended for men 5'3"-5'11" with a chest size of 31.5-40". The large is for men 5'9"-6'5" with a chest size of 37.5-47.5". Because the hip belts and sizes are contoured to the body types of the respective gender, women will want to look at the BD1-W pack, which Ergon also offers.

Adjusting the Ergon packs properly takes a 4mm allen key to un/screw a long bolt which threads through the harness to the ball joint. But don't worry there will be instructions with the bag and a handy little allen wrench. It's not complicated; a glass of wine and a little measuring and you will be set. It all pays off in the end to set it up properly.

The pack itself is great for long days on the trail or slightly larger loads. There is a main cavity, accessible by a zipper that runs the length of the pack and is easy to access. On the inside back is a compartment that can handle up to a three-liter bladder, with an opening for the drinking hose to be routed through the top, which we have never used. In addition, there is one interior zipped pocket for a pump or cellphone. There are two long mesh side compartments on the outside. On the bag side of this compartment is a small hidden pocket. On the compression swatch is a waterproof pocket as well. At the bottom is a pocket that has a matching rain cover that can be pulled out and stretched over the bag when the elements take a turn for the worst.

I used this pack for commuting mostly and found it to be a tad small for clothes, 15.4” MacBook Pro, and my lunch but you can make it fit, although your sandwich may be smashed.
Specific Details can be found below and they were pulled straight from the Ergon website.

Overall one of the nicest packs I have laying in the office / basement for riding. Hats off to the folks at Ergon for a great product.

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The Ergon BD1 backpack is available comes in Team Edition Green. The cargo capacity is 12 liters (732 cubic inches) inside the pack with an extra 4 liters (244 cubic inches) possible to carry outside the pack but compressed inside the straps. The material is 420-denier nylon. There is a hidden, zip-out rain cover. The pack doesn't come with a hydration system and Ergon doesn't design one, so those wanting hydration must provide their favorite bladder. The pack is 22" tall by 9.5" wide by 5.5" deep. Weights for the different sizes of the BD1 are the following: BD1-M (S) 1110g / (2.45lbs.), BD1-M (L) 1125g (2.48lbs.)

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The Ergon BD2 backpack comes in Team Edition Green. The cargo capacity is 15 liters (915 cubic inches) inside the pack with an additonal 5 liters (305 cubic inches) possible to carry outside the pack but compressed inside the straps. The material is 420-denier nylon. There is a hidden, zip-out rain cover. The pack doesn't come with a hydration system and Ergon doesn't design one, so those wanting hydration must provide their favorite bladder. The pack is 22" tall by 9.5" wide by 5.5" deep. Weights for the different sizes of the BD2are the following: BD2-M (S) 1210g (2.66lbs.), BD2-M (L) 1275g (2.81lbs.)

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