Saddle Packs.

[bikeman66]

Looking to buy a small-ish saddle pack for my road bike and have been looking at a few on the net. It's difficult to gauge bulk and size from a photograph so I thought I'd seek your valued opinions.

I'm not keen on something that looks like a scaled down suitcase, and would like it to be more on the discreet side (balanced with the ability to fit the basics in to it).

Really like the look of the Zefal Z-light Small, which is a good price too. Ideally need to fit a tube, CO2 inflator, multi-tool, small puncture kit and a couple of keys.

Any of you guys own a Z-light and are able to comment on capacity and quality of manufacture? I'm open to suggestions of other brands too.

Thanks in advance for your comments.

 

[MisterStan]

Not sure how you feel about using a bottle cage for storage but I use one of these - I get a spare tube, chain tool, allen keys, patches, spare link, some kitchen roll, tyre levers and a pair of rubber gloves in there....

 

[Gez73]

Topeak Aero wedge in medium carries plenty of stuff for me. Will easily hold a spare tube, multi-tool, tyre levers puncture repair kit, latex gloves, chain tool. Not too bulky either and expands if required. I use the version with the straps not the clip on. Dead easy to remove too. Gez

 

[clid61]

 

[lee1980sim]

Topeak Aero wedge in medium carries plenty of stuff for me. Will easily hold a spare tube, multi-tool, tyre levers puncture repair kit, latex gloves, chain tool. Not too bulky either and expands if required. I use the version with the straps not the clip on. Dead easy to remove too. Gez

+ 1 for the above had one on my hybrid for about 3 years now, had plenty of 'abuse' and still going strong just ordered the smaller size for the road bike

 

[bikeman66]

Topeak Aero wedge in medium carries plenty of stuff for me. Will easily hold a spare tube, multi-tool, tyre levers puncture repair kit, latex gloves, chain tool. Not too bulky either and expands if required. I use the version with the straps not the clip on. Dead easy to remove too. Gez

Hi Gez,
Thanks for the reply. I looked at the Topeak Aero Wedge and it looked like it would be OK, but some of the reviews I read said the straps can come unstitched easily, which put me off a bit. I would prefer the strap type fixture rather than the clip-on version too, so it was a bit of a concern. Had any problems, or any evidence of things coming apart with yours??

 

[bikeman66]

Not sure how you feel about using a bottle cage for storage but I use one of these - I get a spare tube, chain tool, allen keys, patches, spare link, some kitchen roll, tyre levers and a pair of rubber gloves in there....

Thanks for the reply MisterStan,

I'm not against the bottle cage system, but the issue would be that a lot of the rides I do (and have planned) mean I'd want two bottles worth of drink. Some of these rides are likely to be in places where a re-fill of one bottle may not be feasible. Definitely worth considering for other rides though.

 

[Gez73]

Hi again, never had any issues with the straps myself. To be honest I wasn't aware of any issues with the straps but could be a problem for some. The velcro strap that goes around the seatpost might need to be shortened if there is an excess to avoid snagging on shorts/trousers. Mine is just the right size and sits snuggly. Hope this helps. Gez

 

[Gez73]

Here it is. Straps still perfect and on and off between bikes plenty of times. Gez

 

[simon.r]

Big enough for the basics and cheap as chips:

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/BAPXSSB/planet-x-small-saddle-bag

 

[Dave7]

I have just purchased a Topeak in large.............not a great deal bigger than the medium.
Halfords (on line.....collect in store) have offers on them at the moment. I think Topeak have changed something and these are the old models.........although I dont know what the difference is.

 

[Justinslow]

I have the topeak quik clip wedge version in (I think) medium and it's expandable. No probs.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

How about something old school like this:

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/BASMGBSB/selle-monte-grappa-borsello-leatherette-tool-saddle-bag

 

[MrGrumpy]

Had a seatpack before but found it rubbed my shorts, may have been the design/make but chucked it, I do have a bottle storage similar to the link above which was fine but rattles. When I`m out on the summer bike I just have a spare tube and levers tucked in a bag in a back pocket. Does me fine and no annoying rattling.

 

[MisterStan]

Had a seatpack before but found it rubbed my shorts, may have been the design/make but chucked it, I do have a bottle storage similar to the link above which was fine but rattles. When I`m out on the summer bike I just have a spare tube and levers tucked in a bag in a back pocket. Does me fine and no annoying rattling.

I find stuffing the gloves and paper towel in stops this. I prefer to keep my jersey pockets free for flapjacks.