Saddle bags

[adrian]

Having just ruined the zip on yet another saddle bag, was just on my way out to my local cycling goods emporium when I suddenly stopped and asked myself, "Do I really need or want one?"

And so I put it to you - do you carry a saddle bag? If so, why? If not, why not?

[Keith W]

Hi
Would not go out without one --- Keith W

[Richard (Apples)]

I dont use one but I like the idea of the tool holders disguised as waterbottles......

Does anybody have one they want to part with ?

[huw williams]

same here - small one to carry two tubes and tyre levers - leaving extra pocket space for waterproofs/cakes/mobile/cakes/money and cakes

[Ian A4size]

I've had extra pockets sewn in so i can carry even more cake! Small bags are great- coupla tubes and a multi tool. Frame pump on the training bike, small pump when on me best one.

[Andrew G]

Specialized "medium"(but not that big) pack - Carry one tube in box, emergency patches, tyre levers, excellent multi tool that has just about everything on it including a chain breaker, tyre boot, zip ties, and a bit of duck tape.
Find it much better to have anything with any weight strapped to the bike, also stops it getting sweaty.
Carry second tube in pocket if a longer ride (in pannier when commuting, don't like things on my back makes me tend to hunch).
Pockets for pump, food, phone, wallet & keys.

[Stu Merckx Man]

i usualy put all my valuables in the saddle bag- phone, money, keys...i always think it will be safer for them. i get a bit paranoid about placing my phone in my pockets incase i fall off badly, crush it, then just when i need it it will be broken. also i find it uncomfortable with things on my back.

[SimonH]

[quote="Richard Appleton (Apples)"]I dont use one but I like the idea of the tool holders disguised as waterbottles......

Does anybody have one they want to part with ?

[Dominic]

I've got a Carradice SQR bag, which is a really big saddle bag, for when I was audaxing. The reasoning being that I was carrying everything that everybody has mentioned, plus spare shorts, waterproofs, wipes and food, lots of food. Superb bit of kit when you are on a bike for 20 hours and you want to carry stuff. I still use if for my daily commuting and wouldn't be without it. I did use a messenger bag before that which was fine but a little sweaty in the summer.

[Andrew G]

Was talking to Tim Coales today, who has one of those big proper Carradice saddle bags on his winter bike. Very funny when talking about this topic he parodied the Crocodile Dundee moment with, "Call THAT a saddle bag, THIS is a saddle bag".

[Dombo]

Camelbak Mule, as befits my mtb heritage - 3 litres of water, tools, tubes, mobile , keys, waterproof, food, pump, etc all fit comfortably. Allows handsfree drinking and provides some protection in the event of falling onto your back.
However, since joining ACC and going on a couple of road rides, a tiny saddle bag now suffices, with a single water bottle that stays untouched for fear of bringing down the group as I fumble for it while riding along.

[jon avery]

I have a small saddle bag,spare tube, combie tool, tyre levers and thats about it. Pump, additional tube and energy bars go in my pocket.

[sid_day]

Use one on the road but carry the bare minimum.
Tube, levers. Possibly a repair kit and allen keys if its a long ride.
Pump in jersey or frame fit.

Saves me having to remember to change stuff between jerseys, bags etc and finding myself in a dark and rain soaked Camberwell (or country lane) with a puncture an no means to fix it.

On MTB NO NO NO NO.
Seatpacks wreck the handling and look very very very very bad.

The only racing I do is on MTB so everything is in jersey pockets for quick access.