Top Tube Bags

g0g

What's the craic with them? I rarely see them on bikes anywhere. Am I right in saying they're "frowned upon" or associated more with triathletes or something? I was just thinking the other day surely they'd be handier than the ones under your saddle as you could put something like a mobile phone inside them and be able to see it? Am I missing out on something simple that makes them very impractical, or are they just typically not the done thing?

Mugser

I bought one almost exactly like the one you've pictured there. 1st day trying it out and all was grand till I met the 1st hill which required me to get out of the saddle; kept hitting my knees off it. Went to the 'under the saddle' type then.

TinyExplosions

they're for try-athletes and should not be seen on a real road bike

g0g

Thanks for the replies!

Mugser wrote: »

I bought one almost exactly like the one you've pictured there. 1st day trying it out and all was grand till I met the 1st hill which required me to get out of the saddle; kept hitting my knees off it. Went to the 'under the saddle' type then.

Thanks, yeah I was wondering about that but thought maybe if it was tight enough it'd do the job. I recently nearly lost (thankfully someone found it!) a phone that fell out of my saddle bag - can't imagine same being as easy from a bag right under your face!

TinyExplosions wrote: »

they're for try-athletes and should not be seen on a real road bike

This is what I guessed might be the case. Is it just that it's not the done thing? What's the difference between a spare tube etc being under your saddle or on the top tube?

TinyExplosions

g0g wrote: »

This is what I guessed might be the case. Is it just that it's not the done thing? What's the difference between a spare tube etc being under your saddle or on the top tube?

See Here

Rule #29 // No European Posterior Man-Satchels
Saddle bags have no place on a road bike, and are only acceptable on mountain bikes in extreme cases.

You have pockets in your jersey, use em

Lumen

Triathletes presumably need to carry a lot of stuff whilst racing because they have to be self-supported. Also, if they attempt to ride one- or no-handed whilst getting something from a jersey pocket they are liable to crash.

It is a general characteristic of n00bs to be carrying too much stuff when cycling. Food, clothing, emergency beacons, maps, snow shovels, picnics, giant bottles of coke, etc. This is why you see people new to cycling going around with backpacks on weekend leisure cycles.

It's totally understandable because if you haven't done it much then how would you know what to bring?

So whilst in theory top tube bags might make a reasonable alternative to a seat pack, in practice they tend to contain overspill from a massive seat pack.

There is an art in carrying only what is necessary. That amount of stuff should fit into a small seat pack or pockets.

Why would you need to constantly watch your phone anyway?

detones

I got one of these for longer spins. Did not realise they were so frowned apon!

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I break up a couple of energy bars and throw them into it, and find it very handy for feeding. I can then eat little and often and access is much easier then reaching around to Jersey pockets and it a lot less messy. As for using one for a phone, cycle time is my time I don't want to be distracted by a phone.

Oldlegs

detones wrote: »

..... As for using one for a phone, cycle time is my time I don't want to be distracted by a phone.

Sometimes office time is actually cycle time, so need to keep the phone handy in case people are trying to call :P
"What's all that wind noise in the background?"
"I am just near the airport/train-station/<suitable noisy biz-related location> on my way to a meeting"

g0g

Lumen wrote: »

Triathletes presumably need to carry a lot of stuff whilst racing because they have to be self-supported. Also, if they attempt to ride one- or no-handed whilst getting something from a jersey pocket they are liable to crash.

It is a general characteristic of n00bs to be carrying too much stuff when cycling. Food, clothing, emergency beacons, maps, snow shovels, picnics, giant bottles of coke, etc. This is why you see people new to cycling going around with backpacks on weekend leisure cycles.

It's totally understandable because if you haven't done it much then how would you know what to bring?

So whilst in theory top tube bags might make a reasonable alternative to a seat pack, in practice they tend to contain overspill from a massive seat pack.

There is an art in carrying only what is necessary. That amount of stuff should fit into a small seat pack or pockets.

Why would you need to constantly watch your phone anyway?

Thanks yeah those points make sense to me and I'd agree there's defo an element of overpacking.

Re the phone, per my post above I lost one from a self-opening (!!) seat pack recently, and it'd be easier to know it was still there in a top tube back. That said, I wouldn't mind it being nearby on the off-chance someone were trying to call me urgently or if I was expecting a message or whatever.

I know there've been threads in past about what is minimum you need, but in my mind beyond the pump which is on the bike I still want phone, tube, patch kit, multitool, levers and potentially some snacks. Given that jersey could already be holding a rain top or buff-thing I reckon there's no way you could carry all of that without some sort of container on the bike.

TinyExplosions

Not a bag in sight!

marketty

TinyExplosions wrote: »

Image won't embed... see here

Not a bag in sight!

That looks comfortable

Lumen

g0g wrote: »

I still want phone, tube, patch kit, multitool, levers and potentially some snacks. Given that jersey could already be holding a rain top or buff-thing I reckon there's no way you could carry all of that without some sort of container on the bike.

Cycling jerseys have three rear pockets.

Centre pocket: tube, patches, multitool or allen keys*, tyre lever**, phone, money. Place phone and money in ziploc bag closest to body, to act as shield against kidney-puncture-by-allen-key.

Left pocket: rain jacket.

Right pocket: food.

* allen keys won't fix a chain, so consider how reliable your chain in.
** if you pick the right tyres, you don't need a lever

lizzylad84

i passed one guy with his iPhone and a Garmin mounted on his handlebars......WTF?!?!?!?!?!

couerdelion

Lumen wrote: »

Triathletes presumably need to carry a lot of stuff whilst racing because they have to be self-supported. Also, if they attempt to ride one- or no-handed whilst getting something from a jersey pocket they are liable to crash.

Most triathlon suits don't have rear pockets (or any pockets) and if they did you are trying to save time in transition so wouldn't want to have to pick them up and try to get them into your pockets whilst your fingers are numb after exiting a cold lake. There are some open top models known as bento boxes in wide use and you can even get them in aero shapes!

I find sellotaping gels to the crossbar works.

Lumen

couerdelion wrote: »

Most triathlon suits don't have rear pockets (or any pockets) and if they did you are trying to save time in transition so wouldn't want to have to pick them up and try to get them into your pockets whilst your fingers are numb after exiting a cold lake.

This is what you get for participating in a sport in which adults compete to see who can get dressed fastest. :pac:

TinyExplosions

Lumen wrote: »

This is what you get for participating in a sport in which adults compete to see who can get dressed fastest. :pac:

I don't think this counts as 'dressed'

couerdelion

TinyExplosions wrote: »

I don't think this counts as 'dressed'

if you're into that sort of thing check out the Faris Al Sultan appreciation thread on the Tri forum

sbs2010

At the Time Megeve Sportif in the Alps a few years ago one like the Topeak bag pictured was given out free to the entrants and lots used it.

That's fairly Euro, no?

For a long sportive you might want to carry more food than will fit in your jersey.

uphillonly

sbs2010 wrote: »

At the Time Megeve Sportif in the Alps a few years ago one like the Topeak bag pictured was given out free to the entrants and lots used it.

That's fairly Euro, no?

For a long sportive you might want to carry more food than will fit in your jersey.

I know it breaks lots of Velominati rules but I use one on most long rides & sportives. I like to be self sufficient in food and don't want my rear pockets laden down and heavy. Much more comfortable.

Joxer_S

Got one for touring and it was brilliant for maps, camera, wallet, stuff you'd need easier access to. I never use it for regular spins but would highly recommend it for touring.

TinyExplosions

sbs2010 wrote: »

At the Time Megeve Sportif in the Alps a few years ago one like the Topeak bag pictured was given out free to the entrants and lots used it.

That's fairly Euro, no?

For a long sportive you might want to carry more food than will fit in your jersey.

I got one as part of the pack for the Marmotte a few years back too. Doesn't make em right though

darkvalley

You wouldn't get a bottle of wine into it!

Grassey

Thoughts on a under bar bag?

TinyExplosions

For wine transportation on a steel framed bike it's acceptable.