Saddle bags

Chris_marshall

Someone posted a picture of their bike and got some stick for having a fairly large saddle bag. Do you guys have saddle bags and if you do what size do you have?

I have a Specialized Wedgie which I think is just about the right size and I can get everything I need in without it looking to 'ugly'

danlikesbikes

Used to use a topeak small bag for all my stuff. However now have 2 small leather cases. One with spare inner, CO2, levers, repair kit & tool the other has cash, keys, phone in and both are really small and fit in my jersey.

If you mean someone posted a photo in the 'you bikes' section then yes they probably did get a bit of stick but I've seen people get it for having lights on their bike or the wrong colour bar tape. Seems to be the form that part of BR & as long as people are not rude about another's pride and joy.

Wacky Racer

This one

thefd

I wouldn't worry about it if you have one. I do (small one) and nearly everyone I ride with has one. The one you are referring to was massive though! No need to have one as big as that.

This is what I use. This is what I wouldn't use

Camcycle1974

Chris_marshall wrote:

Someone posted a picture of their bike and got some stick for having a fairly large saddle bag. Do you guys have saddle bags and if you do what size do you have?

I have a Specialized Wedgie which I think is just about the right size and I can get everything I need in without it looking to 'ugly'

I would rather have a large saddle bag than be stranded miles from anywhere due to a mechanical. Mine's a Deuter XL btw!

thegreatdivide

Was it VTech's frame bag/sail ;-)

I can get what I need into my back pockets regardless of ride length, but I’m going to get one of those Lezyne Micro’s for the Alps this summer. I don’t want a full jersey if I’m going to be sweating my ar$e off.

thefd

Camcycle1974 wrote:

Chris_marshall wrote:

Someone posted a picture of their bike and got some stick for having a fairly large saddle bag. Do you guys have saddle bags and if you do what size do you have?

I have a Specialized Wedgie which I think is just about the right size and I can get everything I need in without it looking to 'ugly'

I would rather have a large saddle bag than be stranded miles from anywhere due to a mechanical. Mine's a Deuter XL btw!

Other than a power chain link, chain tool, spare inner x2, puncture repair kit (including tyre levers), co2 canisters or pump, multi tool what else would you need? A tyre - possibly but you could use a crisp packet to cover the hole for a while! Why would you need a large saddle bag?

roadiemk

I use a Topeak hardcase one that attaches direct to the saddle rails only.
Small, but enough to carry the essentials, and does not scratch the seatpost too.

navrig

thegreatdivide wrote:

Was it VTech's frame bag/sail ;-)

Must be. That was hideous and ruined a perfectly good bike.

ThatBikeGuy

I have a "suitcase" strapped to my saddle at the moment, though i am looking for something a little smaller for the summer bike.

seanorawe

roadiemk wrote:

I use a Topeak hardcase one that attaches direct to the saddle rails only.
Small, but enough to carry the essentials, and does not scratch the seatpost too.

Mine is similar from Decathlon. It clips on. My saddle is forward as much as it goes and it still just about clips on.

Chris_marshall

Some good responses to this thread!

I have seen people with everything but the kitchen sink strapped to their bikes.

I like the bare minimum on my bike but don't really mind a saddle bag as it saves me carrying things in the pockets of my jersey.

It wasn't Vtechs thread it was xchudy_135 thread.

upperoilcan

I can get everything in my jersey pockets thankfully as i really do not like saddle bags no matter how small.

xchudy_1325

haha think that was me getting the stick, personally i dont like anything on my person, so went for a large saddle pack, to carry what i need

EDIT: pic of my saddle rucksack

elderone

Grown men being bitchy about the size of a saddle bag,ffs get a grip.

xchudy_1325

water of a ducks back with me, id rather have enough space than cram a smaller pack with what i need, its all personal preference and my current size is good for me, couldnt give 2 toots if others dslike it lol thats there choice

Camcycle1974

TheFD wrote:

Camcycle1974 wrote:

Chris_marshall wrote:

Someone posted a picture of their bike and got some stick for having a fairly large saddle bag. Do you guys have saddle bags and if you do what size do you have?

I have a Specialized Wedgie which I think is just about the right size and I can get everything I need in without it looking to 'ugly'

I would rather have a large saddle bag than be stranded miles from anywhere due to a mechanical. Mine's a Deuter XL btw!

Other than a power chain link, chain tool, spare inner x2, puncture repair kit (including tyre levers), co2 canisters or pump, multi tool what else would you need? A tyre - possibly but you could use a crisp packet to cover the hole for a while! Why would you need a large saddle bag?

Spare tubes, puncture kit, waterproof. Everything but food basically. When not full I cinch it up with the velcro strap so best of both worlds.

danlikesbikes

xchudy_1325 wrote:

haha think that was me getting the stick, personally i dont like anything on my person, so went for a large saddle pack, to carry what i need

EDIT: pic of my saddle rucksack

TBH I was expecting something larger but that bag doesn't look that bad or big. Guess its all in the eye of the beholder really.

Hoopdriver

I like saddlebags - proper old style saddlebags. I use a Carradice Barley (7 litres) for regular rides, since I usually carry some photography gear for my blog, and for longer B&B touring have a Carradice Super-C (23 litres) saddlebag. I couldn't car less what the fashion is. I like these saddlebags and fir my purposes they are just about perfect.

lotus49

upperoilcan wrote:

I can get everything in my jersey pockets thankfully as i really do not like saddle bags no matter how small.

I'm with you.

I'd use one if I really needed to but I don't. I carry a mini pump/CO2 inflator + inner tube in the left hand pocket, Lezyne Stuff sack with multitool, puncture repair kit, chain link and money in my middle pocket and my phone and a flapjack in the right hand one. I could squeeze a bit more in if I needed to so I'll stick with my jersey pockets for the time being.

wellbeloved747

upperoilcan wrote:

I can get everything in my jersey pockets thankfully as i really do not like saddle bags no matter how small.

Same as me, i like the cleaner look and feel! Haha

simon_masterson

Hoopdriver wrote:

I like saddlebags - proper old style saddlebags. I use a Carradice Barley (7 litres) for regular rides, since I usually carry some photography gear for my blog, and for longer B&B touring have a Carradice Super-C (23 litres) saddlebag. I couldn't car less what the fashion is. I like these saddlebags and fir my purposes they are just about perfect.

These are real saddlebags!

I need me a Carradice saddlebag (can't decide which one) - my trusty Super C racktop bag is brilliant. I do have an old, somewhat dilapidated Chossy bag, too, which is a nice size (much smaller than Carradice but bigger than a wedge), but it's not waterproof in the slightest...

However, wedges do not look good, whatever size they are.

Gazspurs

I carry everything I need in my Jersey, I wouldn't buy a Ferrari & put a roof-rack on it!

My bike looks ugly enough with me sat on it, let alone bags etc

Hoopdriver

Simon Masterson wrote:

Hoopdriver wrote:

I like saddlebags - proper old style saddlebags. I use a Carradice Barley (7 litres) for regular rides, since I usually carry some photography gear for my blog, and for longer B&B touring have a Carradice Super-C (23 litres) saddlebag. I couldn't car less what the fashion is. I like these saddlebags and fir my purposes they are just about perfect.

These are real saddlebags!

I need me a Carradice saddlebag (can't decide which one) - my trusty Super C racktop bag is brilliant. I do have an old, somewhat dilapidated Chossy bag, too, which is a nice size (much smaller than Carradice but bigger than a wedge), but it's not waterproof in the slightest...

However, wedges do not look good, whatever size they are.

Totally agree with you on wedges...

keef66

I too have a Carradice Barley. Perfect size for a day ride. I'm proper old school and take extra clothing, maps, food etc in addition to the tool / tube / repair kit. Couple of weeks ago I also took a flask of tea

manc_andy

i've got a fizik saddle bag that just clips into the saddle itself. i fit in a spare innertube, patches, co2, spare chain link, small mulittool in case of breakages and tyre levers.

thankfully only ever needed to use the spoke key (on the multitool) once when i developed a wheel rattling on a long ride, but i find it comforting to know if (almost) anything went wrong i could get myself home.

ajhapps

I finally got tired of packing, unpacking, and repacking my jersey pockets every time I wanted a ride, so I just bought at Lezyne micro caddy (small). It is just barely big enough for one tube, a tire lever, a small mini tool, and a house key. I generally don't like the look of saddle bags, but this is pretty small. We'll see how I feel once I'm out in public, though

FergySteve

I've got a BBB tools & tubes container. It's basically a 600ml sized waterbottle with a wider neck and proper lid. Sits in the upright bottle cage and looks fine. If I was going for a particularly long ride and wanted 2 bottles and there was no chance of a refill anywhere, I'd probably ditch it and carry the stuff in my pockets.

TKF

FergySteve wrote:

I've got a BBB tools & tubes container. It's basically a 600ml sized waterbottle with a wider neck and proper lid. Sits in the upright bottle cage and looks fine. If I was going for a particularly long ride and wanted 2 bottles and there was no chance of a refill anywhere, I'd probably ditch it and carry the stuff in my pockets.

Same here. Looks much cleaner I think

MountainMonster

I actually love the look of saddlebags. They look nice if they are a well designed one.

Buckie2k5

carrying stuff in a jersey sounds like too much hassle to me, plus i need the space for my food . If its all in a bag no need to look it out every ride and the chance of forgetting something.