Saddle Bag Alternatives

gaffmaster

Hi all,

I'm looking at saddle bag alternatives at the moment and am interested in two options.

The first is a tool bottle - such as this option: Lezyne Flow Caddy
It might be a tight squeeze to get a tube in there along with the tool belt, however. There are other options on the market. Anyone got a tool bottle that they think is brilliant? The obvious downside is, you're left with one less water bottle, which might be a problem on longer rides.

The other option is a back pocket wallet type thing. This looks ideal: Waterfield Ride Pouch
I like the idea of having a pocket sized saddle bag, or pocket liner. Everything needed for the ride on one bag, just grab it and go. However, this is out of my budget. Anyone know any cheaper alternative. I don't mind if it doesn't have a phone window.

At the moment I just stuff my pockets with tubes and tools, which get water damaged on wet rides (rusty multi-tool). So any other solutions appreciated.

Happy springtime.

jon1981

Just curious, what's the issue with a saddle bag? Vanity?

I think trading off a water bottle for a toolkit bottle is not a good idea on longer cycles. Not a fan of carrying everything in the back pocket either, if you were to fall off I don't like the idea of these things embedding in your lower back.

ford2600

gaffmaster wrote: »

Hi all,

I'm looking at saddle bag alternatives at the moment and am interested in two options.

The first is a tool bottle - such as this option: Lezyne Flow Caddy
It might be a tight squeeze to get a tube in there along with the tool belt, however. There are other options on the market. Anyone got a tool bottle that they think is brilliant? The obvious downside is, you're left with one less water bottle, which might be a problem on longer rides.

The other option is a back pocket wallet type thing. This looks ideal: Waterfield Ride Pouch
I like the idea of having a pocket sized saddle bag, or pocket liner. Everything needed for the ride on one bag, just grab it and go. However, this is out of my budget. Anyone know any cheaper alternative. I don't mind if it doesn't have a phone window.

At the moment I just stuff my pockets with tubes and tools, which get water damaged on wet rides (rusty multi-tool). So any other solutions appreciated.

Happy springtime.

Having a lot of stuff in the back pocket is a pain for me and I used to use a saddlebag, until it started rubbing slightly on shorts when I changed to a slightly smaller bike(longer stem would probably haved fixed it but there you go) and I just started using water bottle for tubes, multitool with pump on frame.

On a very long summer ride the one bottle might be an issue but it hasn't been so far, did 330 last Friday and having one bottle was the least of my problems:)

Suppose you could fit on underside of down tube although it probably breaks some silly rule..

Seaswimmer

I have this in 750ml size

http://www.pro-bikegear.com/en-gb/catalogue/accessories/94/bottles-and-cages/pr100330_main/storage-bottle

Fits multi tool, 2 tubes, 3 tyre levers, 1 CO2 cartridge and small CO2 adapter and a couple of tie wraps and some Velcro.

Obviously you need a 2nd bottle cage for longer rides.

endacl

Jawgap

Frame bag?

Wishbone Ash

gaffmaster wrote: »

...I just stuff my pockets with tubes and tools, which get water damaged on wet rides (rusty multi-tool)....

In winter, I don't use a saddle bag and wrap the multi-tool, chain breaker, tubes and some other bits and pieces in cling film when using my pockets. No hassle when on a wet ride.

I also do the same when those things are in a saddlebag (in the summer).

Statler

Got this recently: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/vittoria-bottle-cage-tool-bag/

Used to use a tool bottle, but they're a pain in the arse to get anything out of, the Vittoria bag unzips down the middle, so you've easy access to everything inside.

07Lapierre

There's always this:

http://youtu.be/WURkpsahUW0

SuperSean

2 of these bad boys -http://ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/art/60251383/
1 for my phone and a tenner and the other for mini pump/gas/multitool/tube/tyre levers

They're surprisingly good quality

ADW1

Hi,
I use the 750ml probike storage and place it in the bottle cage. It holds 1 tube 2 tyre levers, cable ties, chain link, co2 cartridge, multi tool and rubber gloves. I carry a second tube and pump in the back pocket. I was using a saddle bag which caused wear on the aluminium seat tube and as I've recently changed to a carbon seat post I no longer use the saddle bag. I usually can ride 100km on one bottle. Most 160km sportives have stops after 40 to 70 km therefore I refill if required.

07Lapierre

ADW1 wrote: »

Hi,
I use the 750ml probike storage and place it in the bottle cage. It holds 1 tube 2 tyre levers, cable ties, chain link, co2 cartridge, multi tool and rubber gloves. I carry a second tube and pump in the back pocket. I was using a saddle bag which caused wear on the aluminium seat tube and as I've recently changed to a carbon seat post I no longer use the saddle bag. I usually can ride 100km on one bottle. Most 160km sportives have stops after 40 to 70 km therefore I refill if required.

Agree ... No need for two bottles in Ireland. Most sportives have enough water stops to refill one bottle.

Luxman

For my short training spins (easy or hard) of 30-50k I get through 1.5 750ml bottles at least!?

harringtonp

07Lapierre wrote: »

Agree ... No need for two bottles in Ireland. Most sportives have enough water stops to refill one bottle.

Sportives yes but once a race goes over 2.5 hours or shorter but warm a second bottle comes in very handy.

Wishbone Ash

harringtonp wrote: »

Sportives yes but once a race goes over 2.5 hours or shorter but warm a second bottle comes in very handy.

Yes, but in fairness, I don't think 07 Lapierre was talking about racing. I don't race but I imagine that one you puncture, it's game over (unless you have a team car) and you're highly unlikely to need to carry 2 tubes, a multitool, a chain breaker, patches etc, on a race.

Brian?

07Lapierre wrote: »

Agree ... No need for two bottles in Ireland. Most sportives have enough water stops to refill one bottle.

Disagree. On a 4 hour cycle through Wicklow in the summer I'd drink over 2 litres of water, possibly more.

triggermortis

I use a Rose multicase at the moment as I don't need 2 bottles this weather. I think I'll just stuff things in my pockets when I do need 2 bottles as I don't want a saddlebag on my carbon bike

Lepet1

Would a good sized canvas pencil case do the job for you? Probably not very waterproof but would be handy to stuff in the back pocket.

Daroxtar

One of these, fits in your bottle cage.
I have one of their saddle bags and it's a good quality piece of kit. Sits well back from the saddle too so no rubbing http://sciconbags.com/products/saddle-frame-bags/shop-all-saddlebags-framebags/tubag

Lumen

I just stuff tools and tubes into a regular 500ml bidon in the second cage. CO2 canisters are mounted to the bottle cage.

gaffmaster

Some good suggestions in here. Thanks!

Might have a look at some pencil cases actually! Failing that, the zip lock bags might do the job.