cfforum

So what do people carry in a saddle bag? Do you carry one at all? I'm always amazed at how often I see a 16lb bike with a 5 lb saddle bag. I look at the bag and think, "That dude has more tools under his seat then I have in my whole garage!"

So I'm curious, what do people carry in their saddle bags, if they have one at all?

As for me, I don't ride with a saddle bag hardly ever. When I ride, whether a 100+ miles or 20 miles I carry the same gear....a tube, a CO2, a lever, and a 5 dollar bill strapped tightly together with a toe-strap and placed in my back pocket (I'm now dating myself because I still have toe straps in my garage...but no tools). If I ever need more then that on a ride, I use my cell phone .

Who wins the prize by carrying the most goods in their saddle bag?

Two CO2 cartridges, two tire levers, 1 tube, & 1 patch kit. I've yet to need any of this stuff myself, but others have and i'm glad to have the stuff for them to use. I can't imagine the bag itself weighs that much, so I don't see the difference between carrying the stuff in the bag on the bike or in my jersey pocket - it's still weight on the bike, right? In my jersey pocket I carry my car key or mailbox key, drivers license, my health insurance card, a calling card, and my "in case of emergency, please call . . . " info. I don't have a cell phone . . . yet. Really don't want one, but I can see how it could come in handy when I'm out riding alone.

My handlebar bag weighs a fair amount (when loaded with my camera). I only use it when I want to have my camera at hand, so not that often.

The 5lb bag is a hasty generalization....sometimes they look that heavy though...and I bet on occassion...someone has all kinds of tools, etc. that make it at least a couple of pounds.

I agree weight is weight....just makes me feel better mentally if it isn't on the bike. It makes no difference physically . If I do long rides by myself, I will take my license.

I carry: 2 Co2's, inflator, tube, patch kit, 2 levers, small baggie with a few Tylonol and Ibuprofin, and a small folding Multi-Tool Set which I decided to start carying with me after one ride when my front derailleur cable fell off..not good.

In my jersey I carry: license, ins. card with allergy info, $5 bill, asthma inhaler, cell phone, keys, nutrition (gels, bars etc).

My bike, with a fully loaded bag weighs just about 20 lbs, so not too bad. I am guessing my bag weighs around 1.5 to 2 lbs.

Toe strap? TOE STRAP!! Is that off your Schwinn Varsity 10 speed (circa: 1960-1986)? Oh no, of course not, you were a racer right? You must have ridden the Continental!

My bike weighs in at just over 21 pounds without the saddlebag, water bottles or gps unit. So it's a big fat pig without wings. To boot, I ride the Mavic Open Pro wheels with Ultegra hubs; while this is a genuinely sturdy setup, none of the 32 spokes per wheel are aerodynamic so at speeds above 20mph the aero drag is noticable. Throw in the saddlebag and I ride a big fat pig with a wart on it's arse and no wings.

My theory has always been that I could easily loose 15 pounds of body weight at much less cost than I could by buying lighter weight parts made of "cost-alot-to-obtanium".

Unfortunately, I've lost those 15 pounds, and more; sSooner or later I'm going to have to get a lighter bike. In the meantime, to answer your question:

I ride with the smallest saddle bag I can find but for reasons other than weight. My inner thighs rub against anything other than the narrowest, smallest saddlebag; the result is that my riding shorts end up getting torn where the rubbing occurs and that's expensive. Here's what's in my ultra tiny saddlebag:

1 tube
1 Co2 cartridge and mini inflator nozzle
1 lever
6 speedplay cleat screws
1 spoke wrench
1 ultra-mini multi-tool

Coming from a mountain biking background I am used to using a heavy hydration pack loaded with water and my garage full of tools (while mt. biking only). However, when I ride the road bike I do not use a saddle bag or any kind of bag at all. I use my rear pockets.
No matter the distance I usually carry the same thing. I have to carry my cell phone for work 24/7, 1 spare tube and Pre-Glued Super Patches, a pump not co2...I have been stranded when my co2 nozzle malfunctioned and emptied the co2. If I am alone I carry my ID, atm card and some cash. If it's a long journey alone on the roads less traveled then I will carry a small allen wrench screwdriver combo. I try to keep up on the bike maintanance to minimize the chances of needing a tool out on a ride, and so far so good. If I do need something I will hopefully be riding with someone like michelem who will let me borrow what I need.

Greg

PS...Several years ago I did a lot of mt. biking with a compadre who insisted on doing every ride like he was racing (he didn't carry anything, he wanted to be as light as possible). Well one ride we were out a distance from civilization and while riding behind me he broke his chain. I didn't realize it for several miles so he walked for a long time, but he also became self sufficient on every ride after that.

Hmmm . . . I've been contemplating getting a multi-tool . . . it's looking more and more like a good idea. Of course, I'd need to learn how to use the darned thing! Or, I can hope that when I need it there is someone along who knows how to use it. At least I'd be able to loan it to Greg if he needs it. I think I'll go add "how to use a multi-tool" to the "bike maintenance nght" thread.

BTW, jersey pockets in womens' extra-small jerseys don't fit a whole heck of a lot. I think I'm going to have to stick with the saddlebag.

My saddle bag has:

Multi-tool
C02 pump
2 C02 Cartridges
Tire levers
Patch kit
$5.00

I carry a spare tube in my shirt.

If I am going on a LONG ride, I will borrow the slightly larger bag from my mountain bike and stock it.

The best tool I carry on my person is a credit card and my cell phone...

My saddle bag:

2 Tubes
Baby powder
Multi-tool
Keys
Cell phone
Two Beers
Another tube
Small slotted screwdriver
Extra Beer
One of those small bottles of whiskey
Picture of my wife to remind me to get home in time for dinner.
--Small compactable tent for backyard use in case I don't.

I carry lots in my bag.


1 tube
2 tire irons
2 co2
co2 inflator
1 patch kit, with a piece of sidewall from an old tire and a razer blade in case I get a nasty slice
1 5mm hex driver
1 chain tool (everyone NEEDS one)
1 shimano chain pin


On the bike i carry a hand pump

In my jersey i carry

Cell phone
Wallet
and of course food.

2 tubes.
Chaintool (Used twice on one ride, but didn't have to call for SAG!)
Shimano Chain pin
2 Tire levers
Swiss Army knife (has blades, leather punch, and flat head driver)
1 Look Cleat and screws.
2 Cleat covers (in case I'm walking a long way.)
Patch Kit (have used both tubes and patches in a single ride.)
6 inch piece of tire with the rim bead trimmed off to use a tire boot.
5 & 6 mm allen wrenches
Spoke Wrench
Chamois Butter
0-4 scoops Hammer Nutrition Pepetuem.
1 BIC lighter (in case I become immobile in the middle of nowhere and need to hang out for the night.)
Keys and other things I don't want to drop out of my pockets while eating on the bike.
Zefal Frame pump (circa 1990)
All 3 different length Mavic Ksyrium SSL spokes
Duck Tape wrapped around pump to affix spokes. (Can be reused to control bleading, hold twigg splints to a broken body part or broken frame, etc.)

I can't bring myself to carrying just a tube, air, and tire irons while intrisicly relying upon others to bail me out of whatever happens. (I was a boy scout way too long!) What if I get dropped and am alone when something goes wrong? What if there's no cell service? What if I take a wrong turn and get left?

Besides all of that, my pockets often can't hold enough calories to complete the rides I like to do. Filling them with things that could be stowed under my seat would further deficit my calorie imbalance.

=- Hairy Curt

Curt, I think most people would refer to your saddle bag as a small backpack! I think you win the prize for having the most gear. The prize being, everyone's best friend on a ride in case they need to ask for a tool.