Nice, a bikepacking bag on a pro’s bike.
Nothing I hate more than having things in my jersey pockets. Too many falls means it’s hard to reach back there anyway. Every bike has its own seat bag. Some have randonneur front bags.
Nice, a bikepacking bag on a pro’s bike.
Nothing I hate more than having things in my jersey pockets. Too many falls means it’s hard to reach back there anyway. Every bike has its own seat bag. Some have randonneur front bags.
The main thing separating me from looking “pro” is being fat, old, and slow. Not my saddle bag. Need to keep things in perspective.
These are great - very small, include a tube and levers ( plus I can fit co2/adapter and mini tool) and they cost ten bucks!
Ditched the saddle bag and bought a vittoria tool bottle thingy for about a tenner and it is so much more practical it’s unreal.
It holds everything my decent sized saddle bag did but it is crazy how much better it is for the actual task than a conventional bag.
Apart from the fact it takes up one of your bottle cages I genuinely can’t see any logical reason why riders would ever bother with a bag over it!
Well, with 100km to next gas station or shop, you really need your bottle cage to hold bottle of drink, not tools
Unless you have extra cages (like the 3rd one under the down tube like we see on many of the new gravel and touring bikes) the loss of a bottle is a big issue for many riders. I end up needing 2 for nearly every ride I do and pack a 3rd bottle on occasion (in jersey pocket or handle bar mount cage) when I know I’m headed away from any support.
“Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?”
Reply for bonus
My new bike came with a frame-integrated storage compartment in the down tube. When I first heard about this feature I thought it was a bit gimmicky but after using it I’ve grown to love it. There is room for a tube, CO2 cartridge, CO2 Head, Levers and Multi-tool. Plus, you could probably squeeze a few other small items in if you wanted. Pretty much everything I need for a basic puncture. I do carry a Lezyne Caddy Sack in my jersey for a few addition items I choose to carry like an extra CO2 cartridge(s), Park Super Patches, Tyvek strips, alcohol wipes, quick-link, etc. My phone & ID stay in a jersey pocket where I always have kept them. It has allowed me to ditch my old saddle bag but still carry everything I need comfortably and I have to admit I really like the look of the bike without the bag. So even if I still as slow as ever, the bike looks faster
I have a third cage on my Topstone, and am using that cage for a tool bottle. But to be honest, I could fit more in my topeak wedge large. I’m over spilling into my toptube bag a bit.
I switched because…
No fella, I do understand that might be the case for most riders where you hail from.
Here in Scotland it’s rare that I notice any cyclists carrying two bottles and I certainly have no need for anything more than my 750ml effort on a typical 40 mile ride.
I didn’t want to scroll through the whole thread, but you have a rear water bottle holder, I like the X-lab Aeropouch
I’ve never understood why cyclists are so concerned about fashion considering your entire time is spent riding around in lycra looking like a complete and total dork. Sadly I think that intense slave to fashion is why by and large cycling is one of the most snobbish and elitist of hobbies and is especially off putting to new comers.
I’m not casting stones, I used to be far to concerned with what length my socks were and my bike had no saddle bag and I sure as hell didn’t think someone with reflectors on their bike was worthy of my gaze, so I get it. But all that nonsense is learned behavior, and im telling you life is so much better when you let go of all that baggage.
Now I ride with no socks, I’ll never again shave my legs, you damn well better believe I have a saddle bag because good lord is it so convenient…yet I’m still not perfect because I can’t bring myself to get a mirror for my helmet even tho I know it would be safer and incredibly useful. I look so stupid anyway out there in my lycra, who cares if the other stupid looking people in lycra judge me for my mirror? Sigh, maybe someday I’ll get there
Hell, I use two bottles on most of my trainer rides!
Taking up a bottle cage is an immediate disqualifier for me, anyway. The little Spesh wedge I carry on the road is great for tire repair and small multi tool, and is barely visible snugged up under the saddle.
Sure, for 40mi ride 750ml is plenty. By feel i used to drink 750ml/2hr but as hindsight it was
too little, now i try to create habit to drink periodically regardless of thirst.
Anyway, i’m obviously in wrong topic, i plan to start using saddlebag (probably one of Tailfin bags) once getting more than 250km day rides
In current <200km rides, tools in tiny saddle bag + Specialized SWAT box and food in pockets is sufficient.
Im not going to lie, I didnt read the 138 replies, I will however add my own, I have both a Silca Ecolo, and a SLEW of SpeedSleev bags. I use the Ecolo to hold credit card, ID, phone and I use my SpeedSleevs for the toolkit etc. I will likely switch to the Americano for the jersey pouch, as I dot carry enough to justify the bigger Ecolo. They make an actual “Phone Wallet” but that thing is eternally out of stock.
Here’s the thing, there are a lot of different seat packs out there, but absolutely nothing works as well and tucks up as tight as the Speedsleevs. I swear by them, and I have like 9 of them. I have one on each of my kid’s bikes, a [Ranger Plus] (https://www.speedsleev.com/product/speedsleev-ranger-plus/) on the MTB, a Ranger
They are superbly well made, super functional, and dead silent. I still use the original on my MTB on like long, epic rides because when you take it off and roll it out, its like a mobile tool roll and nothing gets lost.
Why is it every pro who shares a photo of their training ride has the most in pro saddle bags?!
A Specialized Tube comes in a ziploc bag to contain the talc. in this bag you can fit the tube, co2, inflator head, and a small topeak tire lever. Specialized also makes bottle cages with attachments for multi tools. the two of these combined solve all of your issues.
I also got the Speedsleev Ranger S and I love it! I may need to upgrade to a slightly bigger one, though.
Seen too many people using their second bottle cage mount to carry tools run out of drink and cook themselves. At best they have to refill with water at a cafe stop rather than having nutrition in the second bottle.
I prefer to just carry a small saddle bag for tools/tubes and have a mini pump, phone, house keys and gel in the jersey pockets. I might even get a bigger saddle bag!