Do you carry a saddlebag....?
#26
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I stopped carrying a saddle bag for a long time because the velcro that went around the seatpost would invariably catch my shorts and mess them up. But it was always a pain on long summer rides where I'd have to carry an additional bottle and lots of food. But then I saw a saddlebag that only attaches to the seat so I got that and have been using it since. Frees up pockets better, especially since I now always carry my phone in my center pocket.
....it also increased my Boa utilization by 25%, which everybody knows is huge.
#27
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Lezyne Road Caddy. Very small and discreet. By far the best value in a minimalist saddle bag. It's what I use on my carbon fiber bikes. Everything I need, no extras: tube, lever, patch kit, CO2 kit, multi-tool. I had to shop carefully to choose those bits to fit properly: Conti Race 28 Light tube (only latex would be thinner), CO2 valve, etc., all had to be smaller than usual. But everything works. I've fixed one flat of my own, and another for a friend, using my kit. Everything works. And I clip a mini-pump onto the frame water bottle cage (Topeak Race Rocket HP).
.
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I ordered both the Road Caddy and the Arundel Pico though, and sent back the Road Caddy. Both were great, but liked the material/look of the Pico a bit better. Trick is (as you point out), choosing ultralight tubes for this purpose (I went with Michelin Aircomps), and my pump at the bracket is some Lezyne model.
Further trips, or will be in a remoter location, I'd switch back to Arundel Dual setup that's the same but has 2 tubes and 2 CO2s.
#28
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Used to carry everything in a bag. Lately have everything in a Lezyne roll-up pouch that fits neatly in a jersey pocket, 2 of which were always empty anyway. I ditched the saddle bag so I could place my Varia light/radar higher up on the seat post.
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Silca Capsule.
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Here is my saddle bag that gets attached to whatever bike I choose to ride.
Has most all the necessities needed for road setbacks.
Has most all the necessities needed for road setbacks.
#31
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Speedsleev. Just switched this year to these on all my bikes since there was a 30% off sale earlier this spring.
No seatpost securing which is perfect since that inevitably gets in the way ornscratches shorts.
It is super fast to attach and remove. I use the mtb/gravel bag for all my bikes because I would rather have extra room that can be cinched down than not have enough room for what I need.
it doesn't sway at all.
The dedicated spots for co2 aren't utilized since I don't use co2, but spare stuff can be placed in there if needed.
No seatpost securing which is perfect since that inevitably gets in the way ornscratches shorts.
It is super fast to attach and remove. I use the mtb/gravel bag for all my bikes because I would rather have extra room that can be cinched down than not have enough room for what I need.
it doesn't sway at all.
The dedicated spots for co2 aren't utilized since I don't use co2, but spare stuff can be placed in there if needed.
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Sometimes I carry 5. Red bags are the fastest.
#35
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Use the same bag now. Was using a REI bag from the 90’s, decided I should upgrade. Carry the same items in the back except have garage door opener as most times I ride from my house and pick up the river trail which can give me 40 miles round trip.
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What you carry depends on your risk tolerance and how far you ride. The further you ride, the lower your risk tolerance. The further you ride, the more supplies you need to take with you. I've been using a 4L Ortlieb saddle bag for many years, It clips to the saddle rails. Extra mounting plates are available, so it's easy to move from bike to bike. It comes with a seatpost strap which doesn't abrade my shorts, but on some of my bikes I don't use it. The mount is very secure. I can ride a double with what I can carry with me, only stopping every 50 miles for water. Good bag to have when going long distances into unsettled weather. 220g https://www.ortlieb.com/usa/products...gs/saddle-bags
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I primarily use an Evoc bag that fits a lot but is light and has never caused me any issues. I also have a heavier, bigger Topeak and a 7L Ortlieb seatpack if I really need to haul.
Typically I'd carry:
2 tubes (will go down to 1 for shorter rides and with my new tubeless setup)
Patches (never actually use them, but just in case I bust all my tubes)
Tire boot
Master link (one time I forgot I'd taken it out and couldn't help a guy whose chain broke in the middle of our SR520 bridge trail)
Topeak Hexus II multitool
2 tire levers (the Hexus has them, but I've snapped an original Hexus lever so not taking chances)
CO2 cartridge (a 2nd for longer rides, sometimes I won't carry any)
PDW Shiny Object CO2 inflator head (unless I'm on one of my bikes with a combo minipump mounted on the downtube)
Nitrile gloves
Some isopropyl wipes
Car keys if I drove
Genuine Innovations plugs if riding tubeless
I also carry stuff in my jersey pockets. Phone and wallet go into a Rapha waterproof case, house keys and garage door opener into a Lezyne Caddy Sack (I leave these at home if I know someone will let me back in). Kool Stop tire bead jack because I'd rather not limit my tire choice to only ones I can mount by hand. Rain jacket and assorted rain/cold outer layers can share pockets. The rest of the pocket room goes to nutrition.
Typically I'd carry:
2 tubes (will go down to 1 for shorter rides and with my new tubeless setup)
Patches (never actually use them, but just in case I bust all my tubes)
Tire boot
Master link (one time I forgot I'd taken it out and couldn't help a guy whose chain broke in the middle of our SR520 bridge trail)
Topeak Hexus II multitool
2 tire levers (the Hexus has them, but I've snapped an original Hexus lever so not taking chances)
CO2 cartridge (a 2nd for longer rides, sometimes I won't carry any)
PDW Shiny Object CO2 inflator head (unless I'm on one of my bikes with a combo minipump mounted on the downtube)
Nitrile gloves
Some isopropyl wipes
Car keys if I drove
Genuine Innovations plugs if riding tubeless
I also carry stuff in my jersey pockets. Phone and wallet go into a Rapha waterproof case, house keys and garage door opener into a Lezyne Caddy Sack (I leave these at home if I know someone will let me back in). Kool Stop tire bead jack because I'd rather not limit my tire choice to only ones I can mount by hand. Rain jacket and assorted rain/cold outer layers can share pockets. The rest of the pocket room goes to nutrition.
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#42
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I stopped carrying a saddle bag for a long time because the velcro that went around the seatpost would invariably catch my shorts and mess them up. But it was always a pain on long summer rides where I'd have to carry an additional bottle and lots of food. But then I saw a saddlebag that only attaches to the seat so I got that and have been using it since. Frees up pockets better, especially since I now always carry my phone in my center pocket.
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Yes, the barbed side of velcro will absolutely destroy lycra in no time. Velcro doesn't get anywhere near my bikes, ever - fortunately with tubeless we can use much smaller bags without straps, and then it's always possible to replace a strap with a punched leather strap and buckle, or anything other than velcro. I don't even buy shoes with a single velcro strap; they will destroy shoe covers!
It took me years to figure out why the lycra on the on front of my shorts kept developing these weird almost moth-eaten patches that eventually went transparent, causing me to have to either throw them out, or face indecent exposure charges.
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#47
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(Seat prior to Randee)
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As to whether I use a bag, yes! I used to think it wasn’t “cool” to use a bag, but I got over many years ago. I don’t like carrying a bunch of stuff in my jersey, and I never forget my tools are repair kit.
#49
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I got that bag, too, but found the edges stick out and hit my legs. So strange. I went back to my Lezyne. Nice design though.
As to whether I use a bag, yes! I used to think it wasn’t “cool” to use a bag, but I got over many years ago. I don’t like carrying a bunch of stuff in my jersey, and I never forget my tools are repair kit.
As to whether I use a bag, yes! I used to think it wasn’t “cool” to use a bag, but I got over many years ago. I don’t like carrying a bunch of stuff in my jersey, and I never forget my tools are repair kit.
#50
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I have a Topeak Explorer rack. The med. wedge fits perfectly between seat and leading edge of mtx trunk bag. The only downside reviewed was the upper run of the zipper being too close to the seat. I found it is a function of the seat design. With little "junk under the trunk", seatwise, there is no trouble. With my Cobb Randee, it is a perfect marriage.
(Seat prior to Randee)
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