nellborg

100 mile gravel races/events. Sketchy weather forecast. How do you carry your extra gear, i.e. layers, food, tubes, fix-it tools? What's most convenient and most secure / least floppy? Frame bag, handlebar bag, pockets and saddlebag...

Hondo Gravel

Hmmm

Bar bag from Jandd and a small saddle bag. This is enough for sketchy weather forecast and a few snacks.

Lava

I'm a big fan of the Carradry saddlebag with the SQR retention system by Carradice. It's a more organized pack than the long bickpacking saddlebags, and is perfect for commuting since it has a shoulder strap. The SQR bracket fits pretty securely to the seatpost, but I probably wouldn't use it with a carbon seatpost, so that's one drawback of the system. You do need decent clearance from the top of the tire to the saddle, so if you ride without much seatpost exposed, it might not be the ideal solution

I used it on a light road bike for a bikepacking trip, and even though that bike is not at all setup for touring, I only noticed a little sway from a fully-loaded bag+sleeping bag bungied to the back. It's a solid bag and attachment system.

mstateglfr 

https://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FMW3 6-7.5 liter capacity. Due to the shape, my legs dont touch it either, which would drive me nuts if they did.
And a feed bag for quick access to snacks up front. It stays out of the way and i like it more than top tube bags.

DowneasTTer

RhinoWalk waterproof 10L seat bag. Works great for all the above. here https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

nellborg

I'm thinking more along the lines of a "racier" application where I'll be carrying less stuff - maybe just what I need to repair and inflate tires, a place for a wind jacket, cell phone, keys, maybe an extra water bottle. I've always used a tiny under-seat bag for tubes and tools.

A smaller frame bag like the small frame pack by Banjo Brothers might be the ticket - anyone have one of these? Would a small handlebar bag flop around and be too annoying on bumpier roads?

Spoonrobot 

I did a 100 mile event in October that had a split forecast of either warming and sunny or cooling and rain. I used a tiny framebag (Lil' Dude) from Ellum Bag Works to hold all my spares and tools. For food and clothes I used a small fanny pack (Walmart brand Outdoor Products echo or essential is about perfect). It ended up being very cold rain and mud that made me regret not bringing more clothes. But I survived and finished so it obviously wasn't that bad.

For some reason during events I always forgo a regular framebag as it doesn't feel very racy. Fanny pack, even loaded with food and a little bouncy, just makes it feel like a race. Getting the weight off the bike also helps feel a little more lively IMO. I used to use a camelbak that could carry enough water for 6-7 hours of racing until I realized it was a lot slower to carry the extra weight then just refill bottles with everyone else. I almost always join or form a group and there was no advantage when everyone stops at the aid station and then starts back up again.

I don't like handlebar bags as the weight can have an effect on handling - but seems like some people notice and some don't so YMMV.

fietsbob

Panniers

Koyote

For that application, a saddlebag will hold most of the items that you will need only for a repair. I like a lunchbag-style bag, as the capacity is adjustable and the load can be arranged to minimize any thigh-rub. Then, snacks and a windshell can easily fit in jersey pockets...As can an extra water bottle.

mstateglfr 

I guess the question to answer your question would be - how much storage in cubic inches or liters do you need?
Based on this list, I would guess 4 liters since you want to hold a jacket, water bottle, tubes, cell, and keys. Is that about correct?

nellborg

Well, I'm thinking volume wise, tube and smaller tools under the seat. Pump? does everyone use CO2 inflaters only, or does everyone also carry a backup mini-pump? In any case, a mini pump and CO2 cartridges, phone, keys only add up to about the volume of a couple of water bottles, which I guess would be 1.5 liters? Right? the wind jacket could fit alone into a small water bottle. Seems to me that would be most out of the way in a mini frame bag and/or a handlebar bag, right? Having a large 2 liter under-seat bag just seems like it would get in the way or something. A rear rack with a small rack bag might be an option, I guess.....just thinking.

Thanks for the pics, too.

mstateglfr 

A rear rack with bag would, to me, be heavier and less 'racier' than most any other option. It would certainly work, but all of these options work- its just a matter of picking which you like most.

I use a pump thats larger than a mini pump but smaller than a full size frame pump. I havent found a mini pump that is worth the effort required to use.
https://www.amazon.com/Topeak-Road-M.../dp/B07C3TJ8MZ
I attach it at an angle next to my downtube bottle cage and it stays out of the way.

https://www.wiggle.com/topeak-aero-w...ge-saddle-bag/ - this size can go from 1.65 to 2 liters. Not sure if the shape is good for a water bottle plus jacket, tools, tubes, and personal items.
https://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FMWEX - this can expand from 1.9 to 2.9 liters. When expanded, it should be large enough to handle a water bottle.

For what its worth, I also carry some sunscreen(at least a stick of it), chapstick, a few bandaids, and some gauze. Most of that is very light, but it does take up a small bit of room. Ive used it all on rides before, for myself and others.
The issue with carrying an extra water bottle is the length of the bottle. Not many bags are made that long. I bring small 8oz bottled waters with me as they are more compact and fit in traditional seat wedge bags better. Once my bottles are empty, I can just pour in the water from the small bottles.

Due to the hard shape of a waterbottle that would need to fit in whatever bag you use, perhaps a quarter frame bag would be best? I have one and its OK, but not my favorite due to how narrow I need to keep things so my legs dont run the bag. But its length would allow a water bottle to easily fit.