Nathan_S

Hi folks,

A couple of questions from a relative newbie:

1. See below/attached for a pic of the current 'pack' I have on my bike. It fits below the seat. I'm looking for a bigger pack and my strong preference is that it fit in the same spot. Any recommendations? If now, any other recs on a different way to carry more? I have some back issues and don't like the feeling of a backpack or putting things in the back of my bike jersey. Any links to a product would be great, Amazon is great but not strictly necessary.
(I'm not able to post links yet, for some reason, so trying it this way. Remove the W from the link below to see the picture.)
httpsW://www.dropbox.com/s/7j2os8mkpn2oyzr/pack.jpeg?dl=0


2. The second picture should show my bike lock. I had it mounted on my bike via the holder that it came with but recently added a second water bottle that displaced it. The spot I have it in, wrapped around the seat post is not great becasue it moves around (it made contact with the back tire at one point) or gets in the way of my riding. I would like to have a way to lock my bike up because I sometimes stop at a store for a water refill or other places. Any recs on what I can do? Willing to buy another product if necessary.

(I'm not able to post links yet, for some reason, so trying it this way. Remove the W from the link below to see the picture.)

httpsW://www.dropbox.com/s/kiviyrwlgktw6pt/chain.jpeg?dl=0

3. Any recs on a tool I can get for tire changing? I recently changed the tire on my sons bike (woohoo!) but used those plastic pieces (not sure what they are called) to get the tire off. One of them snapped so thinking a metal one would be good. Also curious what people carry with them in terms of changing a tire on the road (supposed something needed to inflate the tire) and that gets into the storage question too.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Nathan

krecik

Miele Man

Sometimes I want to carry a pair of bicycling tights after it warms up and I don't need them on me. Plus a pair of arm warmers and a lightweight jacket shell. I rigged up a handlebar bag mount that fits onto my seatpost and positions the handlebar bag behind the seatpost. I can carry my clothing, repair gear, a couple of spare tubes and a bottle or two of water and some snacks in that handlebar bag. I used a threadless stem and a cut down handle bar to make the bag support/mount.





Tire levers, I use Park tire levers. Cheap tire levers either brake or bend to the point they can't lift the tire from the tire seat. Buy quality tire levers.

CHeers

rollagain

Very clever, but why didn't you just attach the bag to your handlebar?

Maelochs

Changing tires just takes practice ... and some tires can be really hard to stretch over the lip of the rim. I use three levers sometimes, and a metal one is handy, sometimes. Check YouTube for videos, Someone there might have a tip or two i cannot think off.

Yes, you will need to buy a portable pump. I don't spend a lot but for $20-$30 you can get a good one. Make sure the pump will inflate to sufficient pressure for the tires you use.

You can get a handlebar bag to carry the lock.

Maelochs

maybe overkill, but I like the ingenuity.

@Nathan_S: You can also get a rack which bolts onto the seat post, or (assuming your bike has fittings or you can fiddle a bit) a regular rear rack. All my working bikes get rear racks.

Miele Man

Having the handelbar bag behind the saddle doesn't affect the steering if it's heavily loaded and also leaves space on the handlebar for my center mounted water bottle. Not my bike.



Cheers

bwilli88 

I use these, an Acorn Tool Roll. I have at least 4 and they fit on the Brooks Bag loops.

Nathan_S

That looks awesome! It's exactly what I would like, a bag on the stem with tons of space. I'm an amateur woodworker, but am intimidated by the project without more details as to what parts I need and how to put it all together. I don't suppose you have more details?

GeneO 

Geez, how much does that weigh?

Mulberry20

Kool Stop makes a nifty articulating tire tool to pull the bead without risking the tire wall or tube.