ClicGear Rovic Review

ClicGear, known for its sleek folding design, has become one of the clear push cart leaders. At my club, for example, where a ton of members use a push cart, ClicGear is absolutely in the top 2 of preferred models. While I have never owned a ClicGear myself, my partner Wade reviewed the ClicGear 3.0 last year and was very impressed . . . he continues to use that cart to this day.

Unlike the traditional product expansion which usually gets “bigger, better, faster”, ClicGear has rolled out a few new models aimed to provide more affordable options without giving up very much functionality.

The new name for this line is the Rovic and features 3 models, the RV1C, RV3F and the RV3J. The RV1C is basically a smaller version of the ClicGear 3.5 and the RV3J is the junior version of the RV3F (got it??).  For a price comparison, the ClicGear 3.5 runs about $219 and the Rovic about $159, so there is some change to be saved.

Lets start with the RV1C:

The ClicGear RV1C is could be described as a smaller version of the 3.5 although there are some subtle differences. However, one thing did remain the same and that is the basic folding design – it quickly goes from push cart to small square.

It’s a bit hard to say what the differences are between the original ClicGear and the Rovic RV1C because they share a lot of the same features. One thing you do notice is that there now is two bent bars rather than a single bar that run from the handles to the wheels. From a functional standpoint, this does not change much in terms of stability although I do think it is slightly harder to turn as the weight is more toward the front of the cart. Still, no real issue.

Folding the Rovic is similar to the ClicGear 3.5 in that the front wheel folds inward and the handles down to create a small box shape that measures 24 x 15 x 13, which interestingly is an inch taller than the bigger 3.5 model. Still, it is pretty darn small.

Out on the course, the RV1C quickly proves itself worthy of the ClicGear name, as the cart is stable, smooth, and the handle feels correct in your mitts. The straps holding the bag in place are medium/heavy duty bungee cords with clever latching clips. I was a huge fan of the stretchy-but-sturdy straps as they will stand up much better than most. The hand brake on the top right side of the handle is conveniently located and works smoothly.

The final big feature of the RV1C is the full console that boasts a cupholder and an accessory compartment, both of which are well-designed and made of quality materials. But this is also where you see a big difference  between the Rovic and ClicGear’s larger models like the 3.5 – if you keep your driver and 3 wood in the traditional spot in the bag, they will interfere with the cupholder and the compartment. It’s not a total block-out, but they hinder your access to the compartment and the cupholder enough so that you will certainly opt for putting your big sticks over to the side of the bag. It’s up to you as to how annoying this is . . . I found it to be an easy-enough remedy, but I would understand if someone would rather just spend the money on a full-size cart and avoid this issue altogether.

Bottom line: The only significant difference in my view to the larger 3.5 is that the valuable compartment is partially blocked. If you like the ClicGear but want to save a little cash and/or don’t need the bigger model, the RV1C will get the job done.

ClicGear RV3F

The RV3F represents a true change in design for ClicGear. With all of the other ClicGears, the cart folds into a very small square. However, with the RV3F, they went with a folding design that is more traditional, e.g. like Sun Mountain. This means the cart folds to be much longer than other ClicGears. Still, it is plenty small enough to fit into even economy cars, but one does wonder why they went with this change. The answer is in part due to the change in wheel design.

Wheels: In the other ClicGears, the front wheel sticks out beyond the bag and gets folded under when not in use. The RV3F has a fixed front wheel that is farther back (below the bag). This does two things. 1) makes it so the bag and cart and stand upright when attached together 2) removes the task of folding the wheel. While everyone likes to save a few seconds, ClicGear’s primary goal was to allow folks to keep the bag attached to the folded cart. This allows you to throw the whole thing in your SUV or store it at your Club. So while this feature did not help me, I would assume that if you keep your bag and cart at your club, this would make the task easier and take up less space.

However, because the front wheel sits under the bag rather than in front, I also think it makes the cart slightly less stable as the space between the front and back wheels is decreased. This is not to say that the cart is tippy or wobbly, but it does not go over roots or bumps as well as the bigger 3.5 models.

Storage: There are two main compartments for storage in the RF3V. The top section is a single container that is held by a magnet. Pretty standard and functional, although depending on your club setup, it can be a little tricky to open fully.

They have also added a netted basket below which would work well for tossing a jacket or sweater into. While it is a nice feature it can be a bit difficult to access and I would like to see it moved up or made bigger in future models.

Wheels: The wheels on the Rovic RV3F and hard plastic with no real parts to break or wear down.

They employ a locking braking system such that is is either on or off making it so that you cannot slow the cart down. However, once it is locked you know it is locked and can rest assured it will not roll down the hill into the lake. The brake lever itself is a step down from the RV1C in quality; it doesn’t operate as smoothly and requires a final click into place that borders on disconcerting.

Bottom Line: ClicGear has done a nice job with providing a more affordable version of their high end push carts. Depending on your golf life style the Rovic may be a great alternative as it gives you much of the traditional ClicGear design with about a $50 savings.

You can learn more about both of these carts on the ClicGear website.