Essentials for a saddle bag?

[symon_r]

Hi all,

I'm just about to start going on longer rides as training for an event. At least to start with these will be largely solo and a fair distance from civilisation.

First question should really be - is a small saddlee bag essential or should shirt pockets be able to carry everything? Secondly - what are the essential things to carry?

Symon

 

[Profpointy]

puncture kit & spare tube(s), pump, tyre levers, allen keys or multitool, cable ties, electrical tape. Cake money, phone. This covers nearly everything so say essential.

Maybe spanner (adjustable) - depends on what fittings on bike, just maybe chain tool (i've only needed the latter once whilst out - and didn't have it). Maybe pliers.

Do you want bag big enough to put your jumper in if it gets warm, or carry spare jumper in case it gets cold

 

[raleighnut]

What about at least a showerproof jacket.

 

[Profpointy]

What about at least a showerproof jacket.

I tend to favour the windproof fleece style (thickness according to season) which isn't really waterproof but doesn't really soak through

 

[*Dusty*]

Tyre levers, spare tube and repair kit, cycling mini multitool at least, zip ties, couple of pairs of nitrile gloves can be a godsend and a few quid. A mini first aid kit isnt the worst idea either, just a space blanket and a few plasters or bandage. A swiss army knife can be much handier than people would believe too!!

You should have a pump on you or your bike, they won't always fit in a saddle bag and enough food to see you through. You can always use two bottles and put spare "stuff" in an empty one as they're a good way to keep things dry. I also use one of these http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vaude-cruiser-bag/rp-prod93190 which is handy for holding a few energy bars and gels, battery pack for phone, coins.

Depends if you're road riding or going on the mountains or trails too. I came off up a mountain and broke two ribs and damaged my wrist, it was not a fun ride back to the car I can tell you, only' a couple of miles but may as well have been a couple of hundred. The risk of breaking a component like a derailleur hanger is higher on the mountains or trails so a spare one of them can save you a long difficult walk.

I'm probably being over cautious however having been in situations and places which could only be described as bizarre I do tend to carry more than most

 

[vickster]

Spend £18 on ETA rescue insurance, they'll pick you up and get you to civilisation (station or taxi home if you have an unresolvable mechanical (they won't fix your bike)

Carry two tubes and puncture repair patches too, plus pump (mounted on frame), tyre levers, multi tool etc

 

[Berk on a Bike]

+1 for rubber gloves (or wipes to get the gack off your hands)

 

[Yazzoo]

I have a mini pump mounted to my frame under a bottle cage. In my seat post bag I have tyre levers, a spare tube, house key, british cycling membership card (it has OH's contact details for emergency) and a fiver for emergencies. Dependent on the weather and ride length i'll stick a bit of flapjack or something in my jersey pocket. I like the rubber glove idea, may get me some of those!

When you say longer rides are we talking about say 40miles in one go? In which case i'd take the above. Or are we talking 200 miles, in which case i'd be tempted with a backpack/panniers with extra layers, food, tubes, tools etc. Is the main goal a speed event or distance?

 

[Pope]

Genuine question: what do people carry cable ties for?

 

[Dogtrousers]

Also you could consider a handlebar bag.

My under seat saddle pack containing tools is so tightly packed its a pain to open and re pack, best left for emergencies. I ride with a handlebar bag for much easier access that contains mainly pork pies, eccles cakes, flapjacks, bananas, bag of energy drink powder for bottle refill, jelly babies, but also phone, wallet, keys tiny skinny waterproof (or else bigger one goes in jersey pocket) , pen, little camera, that sort of stuff. Only about a tenner from Decathlon.

Edit. Cable ties mend all sorts of things. An recent example: Broken mudguard bridge.

Second edit: I fear handlebar bags may be uncool.

 

[Milkfloat]

Nobody mentioned credit card and phone - they are the first 2 things to go with me. In fact my phone 'skin' has £20 and a credit card kept in it at all times.

Other than that I have - levers, patches, tube, multitool, nitrile gloves, emergency gel, chain splitter, quick link and two CO2 canisters.

I keep debating taking out the chain splitter, but I know the first ride after I take it out my chain will break.

 

[Profpointy]

Genuine question: what do people carry cable ties for?

bust mudguard or pannier or pannier rack and general bodgery

 

[Profpointy]

re chain splitter - the one and only time I needed one in 40 years (moderate) cycling, was immediately after I'd removed and replaced the chain and obviously hadn't put it back properly -having poo-pooed the instructions saying use a new special link - so chain splitter a marginal choice - but if you do need it, you'll really need it

 

[Joffey]

You don't want to be kitted out like you are going on a 3 day adventure!!!

Bosh a couple of tubes and some nitrile gloves in one of these and you are sorted - don't forget to get a mini pump to mount on your frame or put in your jersey pocket. It's rare you will need anything else.

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/10581...currency=GBP&gclid=CI-z-o-h-8cCFQfgGwodQxwJkg

Oh, I pack the tool kit out in the top section with some loo roll - you never know if you will get caught short on a long ride! ;-)

Anything else that you need - food, gilet, key, phone etc - can all slip in your jersey pockets pretty easy.

 

[Profpointy]

I don't know about this gloves lark. All you nancy-boys scared of getting dirty hands. More seriously aren't thin gloves going to split and thick gloves make it too fiddly to do the job. Just wipe your hands in some grass.

Don't, as my Dad insisted, stuff a rag under the seat to wipe your hands. If it falls down into the chain jamming the wheel against the frame 10 miles from home without a spanner