What saddlebag for a 300km Audax?

Mendip rouleur

Apologies if this should be in the "buying advice" section, just wanted to put it in front of people that would know.

I'm doing my first 300km Audax in a couple of weeks time and want to get a saddlebag large enough for a couple of tubes, spare raincoat, multi-tool, etc. and some spare food, and bits and bobs I'm going to need for the ride. I've done a 200km rides but feel this needs a bit more than the small bag I have at present.

I've looked at the Caradice Super C Audax, but the cost seems high, and the fixing system seems overly complicated for a normal saddle with standard rails.

So, any advice on what to get? Assuming it goes OK I may want to step up to 400km or even 600km next, so it would be good to cover that too. And any other advice on long-distance Audax also gratefully received.
Cheers

marcusjb

Super C audax or barley (same size, but more classic styling) and a bagman - pretty much perfect for all audaxing for many people. You will be able to do a 600 with one. You can use the bag loops on the lid to roll up a rain jacket or whatever.

The supports are a little industrial. You can try it without one.

These are getting some good reviews as well http://bridgestreet.cc

Which 300 are you riding?

Mendip rouleur

Thanks for the tips, I'll take a look at them.

I'm doing the Old Roads Audax, starting in Honiton:

http://ukcyclist.co.uk/audax-events/oldroads

vorsprung

Mendip rouleur wrote:

Thanks for the tips, I'll take a look at them.

I'm doing the Old Roads Audax, starting in Honiton:

http://ukcyclist.co.uk/audax-events/oldroads

I'm probably doing that one also

As for saddlebags, it depends. If you want to ride in variable weather conditions (cold then hot then wet then cold again) you will need more capacity as layers come on and off. Some people think they need a ton of spares and tools and food. Some people don't. If the weather is good then you could get away with no saddlebag on a 300km

My current arrangement is a dry bag and a carradice saddle bag support http://audaxing.wordpress.com/2012/05/1 ... ubstitute/

In the past I've used carradice SQR systems. These have the advantage that the saddlebag clips on and off really quick and if you have spare blocks the saddlebag fits on as many bikes as you like. The minus is that it is a bit on the heavy side. The one I've used is an SQR Tour which is 16 litres. http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?pa ... rl=sqrtour

If you aren't bothered about removing the saddlebag then the Barley or the Audax Super C are a bit smaller but will strap onto any saddle easy enough. However, they don't go on and off quickly enough for casual removal at control stops. Attachment is via buckles and straps.

If you want to have a Audax Super C or a Barley but take it on and off quick then most people use a bag support. There are lots of types made by carradice http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?pa ... ag-fixings

Finally the other really popular bag is the Ortlieb http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ortlieb-classic ... saddle-bag even the "large" isn't quite as big as the Carradice Audax Super C but it will take a compressed coat, tools and spare tube or two.

rodgers73

I've used a rack and a Revolution rack pack on longer distance rides. Works well for me -

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/product ... tting-bags