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Saddle Bag or Jersey Pocket

Hi,

I've been riding with a saddle bag for a while, however having recently changed my saddle. I am thinking about carrying my spare tube and tool in my jersey pocket instead.

What would you say is the better way to carry your spares?

Thanks,
Rob.

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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23 comments

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PJ McNally | 11 years ago
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+1 for the saddle bag.

BUT - make sure you DON'T get the kind that has a specialist / proprietary fitting that you fit to your saddle. If you have more than one bike - of course you have more than one bike - you want to be able to swap it across.

Velcro or rail hooks are best. (I've a "Scott Gazelle" with excellent rail hooks, don't know why more of them aren't done this way).

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Cooks | 11 years ago
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I have a lovely wicker basket on the front that I carry everything in.

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we8ster | 11 years ago
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Thanks for all the comments,

I have bitten the bullet and to keep my new Fizik Arione R3 saddle looking beautiful, I have bought a Rapha Essentials Case, put a tube, self adhesive patches and a mini tool in it! They fit great and in the middle pocket of my jersey hardly feel it!

Rob
@we8ster

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roly | 11 years ago
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http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/shimano-pro-storage-bottle-750-ml-for-tools-t...
i use the pro lite storage bottle. it just sits on my bike and i don't have to think about what top i am wearing and it fit had everything in the pockets.
i don't do so many longer rides so needed the second water bottle isn't an issue. and when i have done sportives i just refill the one.
not saying it's for everyone, but it works for me. and it bypasses the saddlebag rule

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Tour Le Tour | 11 years ago
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I appreciate the merits of rule 31, but carrying a tube in my pocket creates a lump that disrupts the smooth flowing line from my shoulders through to my hamstrings, and so I claim special exemption on aesthetic grounds. I use the same conti bag as KiwiMike, and only carry a tube and a tiny patch kit in there. I don't use levers, and the pump goes into the jersey pocket (where it appears as an aesthetically pleasing straight line bringing contrast to my organic curves, as opposed to a lump).

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YorkshireMike replied to Tour Le Tour | 11 years ago
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Tour Le Tour wrote:

I don't use levers.

How?!

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Tour Le Tour replied to YorkshireMike | 11 years ago
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Strong thumbs  4

No seriously it is a pretty rare rim/tire combination that you actually need a lever for if you start by aligning the bead of the tire in deepest part of the rim. It cuts down on the amount of fiddling you have to do, saves at least 3.6 grams of weight (sometimes even more, if you have heavy levers  13 ) and reduces the chances of pinching the tube. I have very rarely ridden such combinations - I borrowed some nice deep Mavic rims for a race once, and even with vittoria open corsa (which go on and come off reasonably easily) it took me about half an hour to get the tyre on. For that combination, I carried levers.

I shouldn't have revealed my secrets though. Now no-one will ever think I have a strong anything  2

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KirinChris | 11 years ago
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I used to have a saddle bag but as a signed-up Velominatus I was 'encouraged' to ditch it.

And I have to say it's never been a problem. Nor have I ever looked at my stuff and thought of re-attaching my saddle bag.

It feels much better to have it on me rather than underneath me, and discourages the carrying of too much crap.

It comes down to, What do you need on a ride ? For me...

Left Pocket:
Mini-pump
Spare tube

Middle Pocket
Caddy bag (e.g. Lezyne) containing:
Tyre levers
Small multi-tool
ID
Emergency money
Phone
Door key

Right Pocket
Food

If necessary, arm-warmers can go in left or right pockets.

The only way you would need more space is if you need to take off leg-warmers or gilet/rain-jacket and stow them.

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trikeman | 11 years ago
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I'm with Ting.

Regards,

Trikeman.  3

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Gero | 11 years ago
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Fizik saddle and Fizik clip in bag. No rattle.

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sodit | 11 years ago
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Velominati sucks  19

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dave atkinson | 11 years ago
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you could always get a bar bag.

*ducks*

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StuayEd | 11 years ago
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Rule 31 is very, very clear on this - NO saddle bags! The Lezyne bag featured on the v site is not to be attached to your frame or saddle - it is a jersey pocket tidy!

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Ting | 11 years ago
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Small saddle bag with 2 tubes, patches, multitool, painkillers, anthisan, 1 small dressing, £5 and a small rag which stops the bag contents rattling! Saddle bag always has a blinky on it and is easily moved from bike to bike. Sorted. Pump lives next to the bottle cage. It may not be the prettiest arrangement but i don't have to think about it - it's all there and my pockets are free for, um, snacks!

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sm | 11 years ago
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Saddle bag, large enough to carry pump. If I take a tumble I don't want anything jabbing me. And why worry about the aesthetics when I can't see it! I just pack it so I don't hear it either.

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therevokid | 11 years ago
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+1 Ade's solution  1

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Stumps | 11 years ago
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Being no racing freak and not into the lightest most aerodynamic gizmo's i wear a small 5 ltr back pack. Fits everything plus a bit more.

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KiwiMike replied to Stumps | 11 years ago
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stumps wrote:

Being no racing freak and not into the lightest most aerodynamic gizmo's i wear a small 5 ltr back pack. Fits everything plus a bit more.

Somewhere a Velominati Faerie just died.

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giff77 replied to KiwiMike | 11 years ago
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KiwiMike wrote:
stumps wrote:

Being no racing freak and not into the lightest most aerodynamic gizmo's i wear a small 5 ltr back pack. Fits everything plus a bit more.

Somewhere a Velominati Faerie just died.

 24  24  24 somebody start clapping and saying I believe in Velominati!!!

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ade | 11 years ago
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Nice bike = jersey pockets.
Winter bike = saddle bag.

In the winter I tend to need my pockets for rain jackets, gloves (if I need to take them off) and extra tubes. In the summer I like keeping it minimal - one tube plus patches as I don't mind standing on the side of the road quite as much when it's not drizzling and freezing cold.

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KiwiMike | 11 years ago
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Even the V are all over the shop on this one: http://www.velominati.com/general/reverence-lezyne-rule-31-sack/

Personally, our entire family runs with the tiny £8 Continental under-seat bags - enough room for a tube & levers (included) plus a small tool. it velcros onto the rails pretty well and is hard to spot. eBay is your friend here.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Continental-Road-Seat-Saddle-Pack-Inc-Tube-Levers-/290829539105?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item43b6ca9721

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Super Domestique | 11 years ago
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For me, personally, I prefer the back pocket purely as I can't stand hearing a saddle bag rattle around. I know not all do and/or it depends how you pack it but I'd prefer not to take the chance.

Guess it depends on how much you carry and how far you ride too.

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Marauder | 11 years ago
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I have a small saddle bag for a tube, multi-tool etc but I would guess it depends how much other things you take with you and need to put in your pockets.

I find I have quite a few odds and ends in my pockets and the added bulk of tube and multi-tool would be too much.

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