The ultimate saddle bag

Late to this but I don't use CO2 canisters. Personally don't think they're good for the environment and it really tees me off seeing discarded CO2 cartridges by the road side. And discarded gel packets too. TAKE THEM HOME.

So, any seatpack has to take a 15-16cm long Sapo Aria minipump, 1 tube, Topeak Hexus tool, Stique levers and a Rema Tiptop TT02 patch kit. Plus house key and sometimes a cafe lock.

If someone remade a Kirtland seatwedge from the early 90s I'd be very happy. Long, thin, ladder webbing, velco belt you threaded through the ladder webbing to cinch down the contents and stop the rattle. Killed the zip on mine in about 2010.

Sorry if its a bit late but might I suggest?:

Not a woven fabric as most are. It holds muck, is never water proof and takes for ever to dry.

Avoid zips. They are the first things to break.

Light fastening that is solid not a strap. So the light always point to the rear not down and doesn't wiggle. Movement means eventual breakage.

Tool free attachment at all stages so not screw on bracket. Crap idea that makes swapping bikes awkward. Velcro is perfect if properly done.  

No interference with possible use of arse saver type splash guards. The type of person who is  fussy about a bags looks is the same person who is daft enough not to use mudguards

Size is irrelevant as we all want different things.

What was the final internal dimensions of the bag?

Will it be carbon rail friendly, also as I mentioned earlier will it be oval rail compatible?

I ended up buying a Brooks Isle of Wight, it stays on the bike permenantly as I've no need to remove it so the quick release isn't that important to me. It's big enough that I can put foam cannister, tube, mini tool, food bar, you could just about get a packable rain jacket in.

It's certainly a good looking bag and not out of place on a cabon racer and no problems with oval carbon rails either.

Good luck with the product.

For me Evoc Saddle Bag Tour is great. 

It will take two tubes, it's got mesh pouches inside to put leavers and tools. It also has a tarp material down the center part so cleaning mud off is easier. 

Having said all that I guess for some that would not be an ideal saddle bag and they only carry one tube or less don't care about the easy clean feature. 

Ah, nice idea. No issue with having the zip at the bottom if you can remove/replace so easily.

Been working on saddle position for the last week or so and one of my pet hates is removing and restrapping my saddle bag. Same frustration applies when putting the bike on the workstand.

Granted this is a very niche annoyance but even so I'm pleased to see a different approach.

It's a big ask to have one bag to do everything.

I've made several saddle bags for myself, and also own a decent sized Carradice (Cadet).

I find a bag of about 15cm x 15 x 15  [around 3 litres] is a nice size for 2-5 hr rides - inside I keep multitool, couple of tubes, CO2, scabs, a sample-sized bottle of chain lube, pvc gloves, a couple of emergency cereal bars etc.

If I'm going for a leisurely day trip my carradice carries all of the above plus: flask and sandwiches, stuff like swimming kit, walking shoes, camera kit etc. and a light raincoat (on outside) and lock (also attached to the outside), with room for other stuff if necessary. It can also be used to carry some shopping home. Carradice claim the Cadet has 13Lcapacity but I think it's actually about 15L!

So if you could make a bag that will carry everything the Carradice can but be only about 15cm cubed, then not only will you have a bag for every eventuality but you'll probably get the Nobel prize for physics too!

I prefer to patch my punctured inner tube roadside (I ride alone) and carry the following:

1. Spare inner tube in plastic bag for pretection (for serious emergencies: if you ruin the tube patching it or if the valve fails)

2. 3 Tire levers (need them for very tight fit on my rims) plus I've broken several in the past. Get some from Tacx - unbreakable.

3. Patch kit - Park Tool or Lezyne. Pre-glued are worthless though they might get you home, they don't last.

4. Good pump - just got a Lezyne Road Drive mini pump (size

5. Multitool with built-in chain-tool (never had a chain break but might happen)

6. Quick/missing KMC link chain link

7. Tire boot from either Park Tool or Lezyne

8. Smartphone and credit in plastic bag stuffed in a top tube bag - I don't like to carry stuff in my jersey pockets.

I hate velcro saddle bags so it should click to the saddle rails and it should be possible to put a light on the back that DOESN'T fall off! (happened once - I lost it) Look to a secure solution on the Scicon brand.

In mine, one inner tube, levers, multitool, valve core tool, patches, small bandage, couple of plasters. If I ride In the dark I've a couple of bookman lights in the too. Longer rides maybe some gels or flapjacks shoved in. Out with the kids and wife I'll bring a dumbbell spanner.
I've had one that was almost like a gel case, so a bit firmer. It was great as its waterproof and easy to clean, particularly during winter and for off roading.
Universal clips between bag sizes and bikes is must. As are light loop too.
It would be nice to have a separate, easy to access card/coin section so you don't spill the entire contents outside the cafe.
Different colours sounds good, but meets to be cleanable.

Topeak already make them, the XL size is great.

For me, in no particular order:

Space to carry two tubes, multitool with chain splitter,  2 tyre levers and, ideally, a few other bits and pieces summing up to the size of another inner tube.

It should be narrow.

A light loop that keeps the light pointing in the correct direction is a must. And it should be able to cope with a decent weight of light.

I'm prefer to have a cinch stap for the saddle and seat post but the one for the saddle should just go right round the bag. Much the best way, as it stays tightly on even if the stiching for the strap to the bag fails. And not having to purchase and fit the quick release mounts is a bonus.

Waterproof would be nice.

No bling design. A nice black bag is fine. If you must bling it at all, put a little reflective piping on it.

Hope it helps...

Al

BTBS is interested in a niche offering looking for an ideal bag for one

I'd say that variety is your friend and you're unlikely to find one that suits all. Love the phone idea of being able to access that without all being disturbed. I may have had a brain wave for you, the Russian doll of cycling bags. I carry less in the summer and winter throws up different issues, moisture, mud etc. Why not have a small bag (perhaps not so waterproof) that can be used alone or fit into the bigger bag when required?

Sample will do as payment

In no particular order:

Black is the new black - it goes with anything, and is least likely to show bike related oily dirt.

One size is unlikely to fit all.

Somewhere to attach a rear light is a must if the bag takes up seatpost 'real estate', and the light should always point the right way, whatever the load in the bag.

The ideal saddlebag should not make a sound when the bike is in motion - the fixings must be rattle-free and the contents of the bag must be held tightly so they do not move or rattle (compression straps?).

It should be waterproof.

Also, if you can contrive a way to carry a phone so that it's accessable without disturbing everything else in the bag, but it's still held securely and kept dry - then I'm in (probably)!

Velcro bags are not great but then bags with a QR system are more weighty and they need to be also carbon rail/oval carbon rail friendly which most aren't and are an absolute bugger to fit properly.

If I'm riding with my tubs I'll take a Foam repair canister which acts to infate too, a mini tool and a couple other small bits (zip tie, latex glove, hand wipe), replace with 2xlevers , a single tube and instant patch when riding clinchers. My pump is clamped by its own holder at the bottle cage mounts..

As the bag is not really load bearing something that could clamp onto the saddle rails like a pincer clamp and the bag attaches to the two clamps (Which are left in place) and a finger press release would work great. Or a rubberised strap that is attached at one side but also has a retaining peg, having multiple slots along the strap means you can keep the bag tight but also fit different parts of the bike securely and with scope for different sizings due to the elasticity of the strap and the slots for shortening/lengthening the reach of the strap.

Also, does it need a zip?

Dimensions for a snug racing bike type saddle bag should be circa 16cmx10x13cm LxDxW