Options for carrying a change of clothes on a road bike

[400bhp]

I don't do many overnight stays on the bike (this is the first and may well be the last!), so I'm thinking I might go for something like the Deuter Race X Backpack, which appears to have good ventilation, plus I can use it more often when not on the bike.

They are the crap version of these. They don't have the ventilated membrane that keeps the rucksack away from your back. Plus the "Race" versions of Deuter are small.

Post your clothes-simples.

 

[Mike Alexander]

I have a Carradice Junior saddlebag, which I can get a change of clothes (except shoes, which live in the office) and my lunch and purse etc into for a 16 mile commute. It isn't totally perfect, not helped by the fact that I don't have a huge amount of space between saddle and wheel - I have a couple of bungee cords to haul it up a bit. It cost £35 and then I had to spend about £10 for some gizmos to put on the saddle to attach the bag to. Carradice do a thing that attaches to the seatpost and would lift the bag up more, which I intend to invest in at some point, as my boyfriend and I do the odd bit of credit-card touring.

I think it will be my "normal" shoes that will the main issue with a small bag, such as a saddlebag. I did even consider taking my clipless pedals off and ride in trainers (with clipped pedals), but I think that might be too much of a compromise.

 

[dellzeqq]

In an effort to keep things to an absolute minimum, I'm actually considering washing my cycling gear in the hotel and hoping it dries sufficiently overnight so I can wear it again for the return journey. That would mean I only have to carry the normal clothes I'd wear on the evening before the return ride.

you're wearing normal clothes in the evening? Call yourself a cyclist?

Susie and I take the Carradice Carradura Maxi Saddlepack - which costs about £18 a go - and a cheap bar bag from Decathlon. She has cosmetics, a silk dress, some slip on shoes and two spare sets of cycling gear (and, yes, it usually dries out overnight) and I carry the tools, the tubes, a pair of 'ordinary' shorts, a lightweight pair of shoes and my spare cycling gear.

I do have a Deuter rucksack, and it has pockets in the belt that goes round the hips, which is surprisingly comfortable and convenient, but, given the choice I'd rather have fresh air all around me

I did have expensive Carradice bags that came off the (carbon) seatposts, and, although it was clever in principle, in practice they wobbled about horribly.

 

[Mike Alexander]

you're wearing normal clothes in the evening? Call yourself a cyclist?

I have to wear something while my kit dries!

Susie and I take the Carradice Carradura Maxi Saddlepack - which costs about £18 a go - and a cheap bar bag from Decathlon. She has cosmetics, a silk dress, some slip on shoes and two spare sets of cycling gear (and, yes, it usually dries out overnight) and I carry the tools, the tubes, a pair of 'ordinary' shorts, a lightweight pair of shoes and my spare cycling gear.

I did consider a large saddlebag plus bar bag; maybe that would be the best option.

I do have a Deuter rucksack, and it has pockets in the belt that goes round the hips, which is surprisingly comfortable and convenient, but, given the choice I'd rather have fresh air all around me

Mmmm, my thoughts exactly, particularly if it's warm on the day.

 

[fimm]

I think it will be my "normal" should that will the main issue with a small bag, such as a saddlebag. I did even consider taking my clipless pedals off and ride in trainers (with clipped pedals), but I think that might be too much of a compromise.

Assuming you mean "normal shoes" - could you get away with a pair of flip-flops or light sandals?
Dellzeqq's post has reminded me that a bar bag is on my list of things to get as well.

 

[Hacienda71]

I have taken a pair of flip flops in a large rear jersey pocket on a couple of occasions.

 

[Mike Alexander]

Assuming you mean "normal shoes" - could you get away with a pair of flip-flops or light sandals?
Dellzeqq's post has reminded me that a bar bag is on my list of things to get as well.

Yes, I did mean "shoes" (OS X auto-correct strikes again; I've amended my original post).

I was thinking of trainers, but flip-flops/sandals would work. Shorts would also be better than the jeans I was originally thinking of, which would further reduce the size/weight. So, in addition to my normal ride stuff (spare tube, basic tools, cash/card, etc.) all I'd need would be T-shirt, shorts, flip-flops, toothbrush/toothpaste (I'm assuming the hotel will have all of the other basic toiletries I'll need), and a small amount of detergent (to wash my kit).

Mmmm, starting to think that a large saddlebag and bar bag (plus my jersey pockets) might just be sufficient.

 

[Mike Alexander]

After much consideration, I think I'm going to go for a Deuter Race EXP Air Rucksack and see what it's like in terms of not making my back too hot. Worst case, I get a bit warmer on the bike, but at least I have something I can use any time off the bike as well.