Where to put my stuff?

awginger

Not had my road bike long (got a Giant Defy 1) but been out a few times and am struggling with where to put my stuff!

I have a little bag/box under my saddle with a light built into it and have my multi-tool and tyre levers in there but I have nowhere to put my phone, keys and spare inner tube unless I wear a jacket with pockets.

I have looked at tops with pockets on the back but being a 'larger' gentleman I don't really like how snuggly they fit, I normally just wear a 'normal' t-shirt.

Anyone any ideas/recommendations, or know of any tops with pockets that aren't as tight?

Cheers,
Wilko

drlodge

Topeak wedge saddle bag, I've got the small one and can get alot in it...pump, 2 tubes, keys, CO2 etc

elderone

If you don't want to wear a jersey then maybe a bigger bag under the seat would help.

zardoz

Become a "smaller" gentleman and wear a jersey with pockets.........

Peddle Up!

With a bit of ingenuity it's amazing how much stuff you can pack into a small under-the-saddle bag. In my Topeak I have two inner tubes, a multitool, pair of disposable gloves, wipes for oil/grease removal, spare chain links, some patches and a couple of CO2 cylinders. No wonder I struggle uphill. :roll:

I can't see that you have a lot of choice other than wear a top with pockets (or stuff it into an empty second bottle), so embrace the Lycra. No matter what you think you look like, there's always someone worse and frankly it's easy to feel awkward but I don't think anyone else cares.

haf1zur

i use one of these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cycling-Bike- ... 53fa2435e0

fits on the front frame

styxd

Tuck it under your spare tyres?

awginger

zardoz wrote:

Become a "smaller" gentleman and wear a jersey with pockets.........

I'm trying, hence the cycling! lol

Peddle Up! wrote:

With a bit of ingenuity it's amazing how much stuff you can pack into a small under-the-saddle bag. In my Topeak I have two inner tubes, a multitool, pair of disposable gloves, wipes for oil/grease removal, spare chain links, some patches and a couple of CO2 cylinders. No wonder I struggle uphill. :roll:

I can't see that you have a lot of choice other than wear a top with pockets (or stuff it into an empty second bottle), so embrace the Lycra. No matter what you think you look like, there's always someone worse and frankly it's easy to feel awkward but I don't think anyone else cares.

Good idea, and maybe you're right. I should just not worry about it, I'm a bit porky but at least I'm trying to do smoothing about it!

styxd wrote:

Tuck it under your spare tyres?

I'm not that fat! haha :P

suzyb

What about wearing shorts with pockets.

Peddle Up!

awginger wrote:

Good idea, and maybe you're right. I should just not worry about it, I'm a bit porky but at least I'm trying to do smoothing about it!

Smoothing? A charm offensive then.

monkimark

My 'small' saddle pack comfortably fits a spare tube, patch kit, levers & multi tool plus keys & loose change. Food & phone go in the back pocket where i can get to them easilly.
The larger saddle pack is pretty big (and expandable) and can take the lot if required but I rarely use it except for carrying extra bits when i cycle to work without my rucksack.
They're both Toppeak - usually a selection of them available in most bike shops.

apreading

Tribags like these http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=11335&_$ja=kw:topeak+tribag|cgn:Topeak-AC-1-514+-+topeak+tribag|cgid:4863445996|tsid:40896|cn:Chain+Reaction-UK-P-Exa-All-DT-SE|cid:207166756|lid:5081060239|mt:Exact|nw:search|crid:18041770636&gclid=CPHY7K7eorgCFXMbtAodrXQAcw from Topeak are useful.

If you want even more space then the Abus Lock bags can be very useful: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/abus-chain-lock-bag/

Neither get in the way or rub against my shorts (like big saddle bags can sometimes).

I also have a Lezyne Micro Caddy saddle bag which is just big enough for tools, CO2 pump and a spare inner. I use the tribag on my road bike for phone, snack, keys or the Abus lock bag on my Mountain Bike to carry phone and a few snacks/tools if not using the Camelbak.

matt@theforce

I use one of these in one of my bottle cages

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/tool-carry-case-id_8123841.html

chrisaonabike

elderone wrote:

If you don't want to wear a jersey then maybe a bigger bag under the seat would help.

+1

I got the large Topeak Aero Wedge the other day. In it it now has two tubes, three CO2 cartridges, a road pump, tyre levers, multitool, chain tool, nitrile gloves, some cash, credit card wallet, and still quite a lot of space.

I also got the Topeak tri bag, which gets stuffed full of flapjack.

Way nicer having a lot less food in the jersey pocket.

drlodge

ChrisAOnABike wrote:

elderone wrote:

If you don't want to wear a jersey then maybe a bigger bag under the seat would help.

+1

I got the large Topeak Aero Wedge the other day. In it it now has two tubes, three CO2 cartridges, a road pump, tyre levers, multitool, chain tool, nitrile gloves, some cash, credit card wallet, and still quite a lot of space.

I also got the Topeak tri bag, which gets stuffed full of flapjack.

Way nicer having a lot less food in the jersey pocket.

I get pretty much all of that in my bag, and I only have the small one!!

Gizmodo

When I'm on a road bike I use a small saddle bag and stuff my jersey pockets. But if you're not ready to embrace lycra, what about a bum bag? I use one when I'm on my mountain bike (sorry for swearing on this forum) for keys, phone, inner tube etc.

Anonymous

Find a jersey that does not look too bad and use any shame as an incentive to fit in a smaller jersey.

Personally, as a cyclist, I have more respect for a larger person wearing the right stuff and making a good effort than someone trying to hide it.

I run too and feel the same about overweight runners.
Speaking of running, thats the way to go if you want to lose some weight ;-)

cougie

If you put your kit into something like plastic sandwich bags - they'll slide into your saddle pack a lot easier.

And wear a bike jersey - they're just very practical.

Mindermast

As othes already mentioned, spare tube, multitool, tyre levers, phone (mobile phone), keys, CO2 cartridges and adapter, and some cash easily fit under the saddle. The jersey pockets are supposed to carry stuff that you need during cycling, so mostly food.

Mikey41

Topeak aero wedge - another vote for them

I got a medium one and it comfortably carries 2 tubes, levers, multitool and patches with space to spare for small wallet and keys. That leaves food, rain jacket and iphone in jersey pockets.

As for jerseys with pockets. They are most useful and come in a variety of fits, from relaxed to skin-tight, don't worry too much about them revealing a bit of belly, it'll not be around much longer if you're serious about cycling

Octopus1

Middle pocket of a three pocket jersey for me.

Lezyne caddy sack with 2 tubes, 2 co2, lnflator, patches, multitool, tyre levers and contact lenses plus cash and a card.

Keys and phone go in a wiggle phone case in the right pocket plus food and cleat covers.

Left pocket, gilet and arm warmers or waterproof depending om weather forecast.

Am i'm an ex big bloke so good luck with it, doesn't matter what you look like

For some of us saddlebags can rub against expensive bibs, hence why I don't use one.

Alternative is a converted waterbottle that can work if you don't need two bottles.

Initialised

I have a fairly small saddle bag, Specialized Dirt Bag:



It holds:

Two tubes
Three tyre levers
Patches and sand paper
A Blackburn Airstik Mini Pump
A chain tool
Spare chain links
Multitool
Markerpen
Wallet with cash and cards
Keys
A basic cable lock

As others have said it's amazing what you can fit if you play 3D Tetris in your bags.

If in fully cycling kit the phone goes in a zip pocket in the jersey, I considered an arm band or bar mount but figured pocekt is best, if in baggies it goes in the pocket.

MichaelW

If you take a fall, you will land on whatever is in your rear pockets, so pack with care.
Larger saddlebags seem the obvious answer. Carradice make some that are large enough for several ginsters.

awginger

Thanks for all the replies ladies and gents!

I think I will pack my small saddle bag and see what I can force in there! Failing that I like the idea of the container that goes into one of the bottle cages, but guess that will not be so great when I start doing longer rides and need to take more fluid with me.

kingofthetailwind

+1 for the Decathlon tool bottle. I just stop and refill my water bottle on longer rides if needs be.

If you're using the tool bottle make sure it's full, or fill up the gaps with latex gloves or something. Otherwise stuff will rattle around in there and drive you insane.

awginger

KingOfTheTailwind wrote:

+1 for the Decathlon tool bottle. I just stop and refill my water bottle on longer rides if needs be.

If you're using the tool bottle make sure it's full, or fill up the gaps with latex gloves or something. Otherwise stuff will rattle around in there and drive you insane.

Cheers for the advice! Will put my rope and murderer gloves in there in case I get cut up by a car whilst riding.... :twisted:

chris_bass

how about a runners bum bag or arm pouch?

also i use an old water bottle to keep stuff in, i guess its much the same as the one from decathlon. not so good for longer rides if you want two water bottles though

lotus49

Tool bidon and jersey. That is all.

If your stuff doesn't fit in these, you have too much stuff.