[Lee170]

I’m thinking about buying a saddle bag for essentials rather than having them in my jersey/jacket pocket.
But the thing is i think they look a bit naff on the bike.
On the other hand though it would be nice to have one so I don’t have to carry spares on me.
Wanting something slim, enough room for tube,tool,lever, cable ties and maybe my phone.
I like lezyne gear but I think the micro caddy maybe to small,
Don’t want a big bag that sticks out, something that fits snug under the saddle
Anyone got the bigger lezyne bag? Or any other brand for that matter that can recommend?

Cheers

Topic

[Martyn_K]

I stopped using a saddle bag
I stopped using a saddle bag after about 6 months of riding with one. Drawbacks i found were it getting dirty and the contents getting wet (summer bike caught in shower). I also got frustrated with the mounting system as the straps were difficult to loop through the saddle rails. I hated the way it looked on the bike. I also like to climb out of the saddle and felt that the saddle bag made the bike center of gravity too high when swinging the bike about.

In winter and short summer rides i will use a tool/spares bottle. I will go on longer rides with the spares in the bottle and a single drink. Simply chuck a couple of high 5 tabs in your pocket and a couple of pound coins. If you need a drink top up then jump in a local shop and buy a water. If i’m going on a long summer ride and think i won’t find a shop/cafe then chances are i won’t need a gilet so i’ll use that jersey pocket for the spares pouch which make the second bottle holder available.

[PonteD]

I have a topeak wedge thing
I have a topeak wedge thing on at the moment, when I need to carry more (clothes for work etc.) I have two Carradice bags to choose from depending on how much I want to lug around.

I really don’t care about how it looks. I’m a fat bloke on a bike, if anyone takes the mickey I think my saddlebag is the last thing they’ll pick on.

[catbox3]

I have this Scicon one, very
I have this Scicon one, very small and neat- C02,tube & levers. Only for summer runs though….

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/scicon-elan-210-carbonium-saddle-bag

[sox]

I have Ortlieb micro:
–
I have Ortlieb micro:
– small
– Waterproof
– roll-top
– can exchange between bikes fitted with same saddle rail bracket
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ortlieb/cycle/saddle-bags/
Larger outlier saddle bags will fit the same bracket
Being waterproof it keeps my phone dry

[Quince]

PRINCIPIA PHIL

PRINCIPIA PHIL wrote:

Constantly amazed by cyclists who obsess about how light their bike is, paying a fortune for carbon fibre parts to save a few grams or the lightest carbon fibre frame they can afford only to strap the equivalent of a ruck sac onto the seatpost.
So, yay or nay? I let you figure it out….

A saddlebag does have something in common with rucksack; namely, the capacity to carry objects. But then, so do jersey pockets, which are generally thought to be quite useful. Unless you get a proper pannier-like monster, it’s unlikely that the bag will weigh much.
.
And because it’s never a bad time to start a light weight vs aerodynamics debate; I should also point out that a correctly sized and fitted saddlebag is likely to be more aerodynamic than jersey stuffed with spare tubes, minitools, tyre levers and god knows what else. You could equally argue that it’s senseless to spend a fortune on an aero frame only to turn your back into a lumpy, billowing windshield.

The bottle thing does sound like a pretty solid alternative though – providing you won’t be out all day.

[PRINCIPIA PHIL]

Constantly amazed by cyclists
Constantly amazed by cyclists who obsess about how light their bike is, paying a fortune for carbon fibre parts to save a few grams or the lightest carbon fibre frame they can afford only to strap the equivalent of a ruck sac onto the seatpost.
So, yay or nay? I let you figure it out….

[Shades]

I’ve got my pockets, a
I’ve got my pockets, a canister that fits in a bottle cage, small wedge pack and a large-ish Specialised saddle bag; plenty of options. Depends on what sort of ride I’m going on and how much I want to take. If you’ve stopped somewhere and it’s cold, nobody will criticise your saddle bag when you managed to squeeze in some extra clothing and are nice and warm!

[dottigirl]

My thoughts regarding how and
My thoughts regarding how and what to carry:

TuTorial: What to carry

The saddle bag is a Specialized Mini Wedgie. Think they’re £15.99 or so online.

[wwfcb]

nortonpdj wrote:Why are you

nortonpdj wrote:

Why are you bothered what it looks like? Or maybe you’re a RaphaMan….

For the Rapha man (but no longer available)

http://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/seat-pack/product/SPK01XXBLKXXX

[chrismayoh]

I have an Arundel
I have an Arundel pack

http://road.cc/content/review/58532-arundel-dual-seat-bag

They don’t get in the way, carry a reasonable amount and come in a couple of sizes

[Chuck]

For me it’s a yay. A small
For me it’s a yay. A small seat pack means I can keep my jersey pockets free for things I will probably use rather than ‘just in case’ things. I keep my multitool, tube, emergency gel, levers and patches in one of these:

http://road.cc/content/review/80897-lezyne-m-caddy-quick-release

Another advantage is I just leave them in there on my bike so it’s less stuff to collect before going out.
I see the point about spoiling the lines but, eh. Benefits vastly outweigh that small con IMO.

[bobbk]

I had a Lezyne one but found
I had a Lezyne one but found the multiple compartments annoyingly restrictive. Had this Scicon one on my daily use “one” bike for the last 2 years, which is still going strong. It’s big enough for spare tube, large multitool, patches, levers, CO2 cannister, CO2 head, and a few wet wipes (in a small bag). Can also get my keys in there at a push. Quick release is handy for when I (rarely) lock the bike in public, give the bike a good wash or (very rarely) race on the thing. The bag looks good too. Scicon also do that flouro aero one that gives you a baboons arse, if you want to go high tech.

http://pro-store.it/en/home/bike-bags-en/saddlebags/61/micro-tools-hipo-550-black-rl-2-1-prostore.html

[rch30]

Topeak Medium – I get 2
Topeak Medium – I get 2 tubes, 2 cyls plus connector,2 tyre levers,multitool, Park Puncture box, tyre boot,Park patches,film box with cable ties,multilink spare seat bolt, and mini pump – be prepared.

[Colin Peyresourde]

http://www.chainreactioncycle
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/lezyne-micro-caddy-qr-small/rp-prod89077

I have this one and it is neat and fits all the essentials in. It’s a squeeze, so no iPhone, but it’s really not the place to keep it.

Saddle bags are way useful. Sometimes there is no room in your jersey pockets.

[Batchy]

My small Topeak carries two
My small Topeak carries two tubes, two tyre levers, a multi tool, patches and spare links. It is very neat , unobtrusive and durable.

[Author]

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