DreamRider85

I’ve been going back and forth for a while now, trying to decide what’s the best solution. I don’t carry that much, but I’m gonna have to carry a couple sandwiches on long rides. Eating out is too expensive these days.

I have tired larger saddle bags and don’t like them much, I can feel my legs hit them.

I have a camelback and it’s okay but can get irritating and when you’re sweating, it’s hot.

front bar bags? Or do they affect your stirring?

cycling jerseys would be perfect due to their pockets but they’re uncomfortable.

So I’m running out of ideas. For some reason only mountain bikers use hip packs.

Random11

I've used a hip bag in the past, but now use a frame bag when I want to take more than will fit in jersey pockets.

indyfabz

Buck the trend by using whatever works for you. What does it matter IF MTB-ers only use hip packs?

MarcusT

Do it, you may re-hash an old trend.
Plus there are packs with water bottle holders, they can be waterproof and a good place to keep your valuables, including cell phone, camera, etc
I find the hip packs much more convenient than jersey back pockets.

tFUnK

Frame bag (front triangle), handlebar bag, fanny pack (hip bag), jersey pocket, would be my order of preference. I'll rock a saddle bag for pure off-road riding or when I need to carry a third bottle, but otherwise it's not an option due to my rear radar light.

If you're specifically trying to fit a sandwich then handlebar bag or hip back would be my suggestion due to form factor.

Prowler 

I’ve been an ornery old trend buckler for 90% of my life and I use a hip pack on every ride. With 22 bicycles, most of them in rotation, I need one plan for carrying valuables. The same thing every time. So I have one tool kit and one belt pack. Pack holds phone, license, credit card, ICE card, trail mix. Grab that and away I go. With that and the tool roll, I never forget the essentials. I also still have that belt pack whenever I separate from the bicycle, either for bio break, store visit or by misadventure.

I don’t care what the cool kids think.

slow rollin

Try it out. I run my camelback on all types of riding for the same reason. Don't need to worry if this seat bag has what it needs, or buying 10+tubes/patch kits. I think the hip pack came out due to people wanting something different instead of a camelback, and the weight is lower which is better for almost all aspects. Only downside is maximum carrying capacity.

skidder

When you say 'hip pack' do you mean 'fanny pack'? I use one to carry my stuff since I rotate between three bicycles. All of them have the same size 700c tires so I don't need to switch seatbags each time I decide I want to take a different bike, just grab the fanny pack and go.

No, a handlebar bag doesn't affect my stirring as I like my drinks shaken.

ScottCommutes

A couple of sandwiches could really go anywhere, especially because you can separate them and put them into different configurations. I would try what I had because buying more equipment would kind of defeat the point of packing the sandwiches.

Clyde1820

I used to use a small "fanny pack". In a smaller size, it's appropriate for a small sandwich or two, a small bag of trail mix, a flat kit. If I couldn't find the comfort, there's always a small frame bag or off-the-bars bag, or an under-saddle bag. So long as on the smaller side of things, and so long as not heavily loaded, I can't imagine any of these causing me to notice the weight. The only one of these three that's impact comfort would, of course, be the fanny pack.

I suppose there's a chest rig. But then if you feel that pocketed cycling jerseys are uncomfortable then I can't imagine you'd like a chest pack, given the straps to hold it to your upper body.

In your situation, given your preferences, I'd probably try a small bag either underneath the saddle or hanging off the bars/HT. Either can be small enough to not notice, IMO.

streetsurfer

I have two MountainSmith bags. The smaller would work well for this. It was my daily carry for almost thirty years of trucking.

I haven't carried it on bike (that I recall), but am encouraged to by this thread.

thanks.

RH Clark

I carry a fanny pack often. I like that I can rotate it around my waist to find the most comfortable position cycling. As long as you aren't loading it too bulky or heavy it's great. I don't like the larger packs, only smaller ones. I don't concern myself about what brand or it's intended purpose. I actually find most of mine at thrift stores. I also like that I can attach one to a rear rack quite easily if I am riding one of my bikes with racks.

Polaris OBark

I have a third kidney that I like to plug into on longer rides, and a hip pack enables me to keep it centrally located and nearer to body temperature. Plus, when I dismount, the bag/kidney comes with me, unlike elaborate bike-packing gear, that remains on the bike frame. Now, if I had a truly wireless/tubeless kidney, that would be another story.

PS: Welcome back.

TiHabanero

I have a sweet old Rhode Gear fanny pack that holds a whole heck of a lot of stuff. The main compartment easily holds a lunch, the top compartment expands and can easily hold a shirt, and then there are two leather straps that hang from the bottom of the pack that I use to hold sandals or a light pair of running shoes. I use it all the time. Fanny packs are sweet!

roadcrankr

Calling it a hip pack makes it a little more hip!
I dunno...years ago when I tried one (a fanny pack!) for a couple rides, it bugged me. Dork factor, too.
Jersey pockets work great for me - even for larger items, since the lycra stretches.
With a rear rack & panniers, that sounds like a ready solution for you.
Heck, just find a way to move the bags rearward to keep them from interfering with your pedaling.
Or ditch the bags altogether and bungee a small canvas bag on top of your rack.

Rick_D

Have a couple I use--smaller for just the basics and a larger one with a bottle pocket in the center.
Generally prefer that to a backpack (sweaty) or mounting luggage to the bike, especially when rotating among bikes, where I can lose track of which tools and tubes are on what one.
For bikes with two bottle cages, one bottle can hold the essential bits and I skip the pack. This becomes less attractive in mid summer.
No harm giving it a try.

indyfabz

What is the best third kidney lube?

mstateglfr 

Yes they are, if you want to use one.
No they aren't, if you dislike em.


Seems like a pretty simple issue to resolve as the answer is personal.

icemilkcoffee 

You didn't say what type of bike you have, but I vote for a front handlebar bag. Specifically the type that has a rigid mount that clamps on the handlebar, and has a disconnect clip so you can easily take the bag with you:

rsbob 

Purpose made cycling fanny pack

Far larger hiking fanny pack with water bottle holders added.

fredlord

I really like the idea of hip packs and I gave them a red hot go, but I found that the strap around my middle made it hard to get my hand down the front of my shorts to do a little bit of crucial reorganisation whenever it became necessary. In fact, I didn't know how much reorganisation had to be done until I started wearing hip packs. I don't wear them any more.

noimagination

Not for me. The hip belt would bug me in a lower position. I prefer not to have anything around my waist - one of the major reasons I prefer bibs to shorts. I'd rather use a bag (handlebar, frame, trunk bag) or jersey pockets (you don't say why you find cycling jerseys uncomfortable).

But, you do you. If it works for you then fine. If you ride in an upright position, maybe the belt digging into your waist when in a more aero position isn't an issue.

PeteHski

I use “comfortable” cycling jerseys. But if that isn’t an option, then I would probably go with a small top tube frame bag. A few of my friends use them for long rides to carry their food. I think a hip bag would just annoy me while riding, but I’ve never tried one. I can understand mountain bikers choosing them over backpacks or frame bags, but I don’t see the same benefits for road cycling where your bike is hopefully not bouncing around over roots and rocks!

Garthr

Jerseys are uncomfortable ? Define "jersey", as there are so endless various shapes and sizes of them. I'm not fond of many jersey's myself mostly because of the colors, fit and I'm very particular as to the weave of the fabric.

Otherwise Revelate has some small bags that might work for you. https://www.revelatedesigns.com/inde...atalog/cockpit

And the Shrew saddle bag, it mounts to the rails only, so it doesn't have the third seatpost fixing point and doesn't rest against the post. Too big for just sandwiches though ! For stability it replies on the user snugging it up very tightly against the bottom of the saddle. I have one, as long as it's fairly full and I tighten it up very tightly, my legs won't hit it, though I must admit I'm always looking back and checking. I hate bags that hit my legs also, with a passion. https://www.revelatedesigns.com/inde...eat-Bags/Shrew

You can also fit certain size/shape saddle bag into standard water bottle cages. I do this with a .75L Timbuk 2 saddle bag, placed in backwards. The taper design makes it fit right in to a regular type cage. It would be enough for sandwiches if you cut them up to fit in. If you need extra cages, they make saddle rail mounts for behind the saddle bottle cages.

Also, a very small bar bag wouldn't effect steering, and I mean SMALL, as in a liter max. Like this which is bar mountable. 8"x3.75", 77g https://www.bedrockbags.com/gear/p/honaker

john m flores 

I wore one for a week cycling in Spain. Carried camera gear. Worked great. But I have to avoid overloading it.