[Closed] Do I want a top tube bag?

What shape is your top tube? I found that my Alpkit top-tube bag would sit OK on my Solaris which has a flatter, oval shaped top tube but not on my On-One Pompetamine which has a round top-tube.

What do you have to carry waterproof wise? Just a top or top and trousers? I've used a http://backcountryresearch.com/super-8-strap-top-tube-mount.html to hold a jacket. Keep Pedalling in Manchester sell them. There are other similar straps like the Louri.

Here's my setup for the Dirty Reiver last year:

That strap looks like a good idea.

I need to carry:
Survival bag
Waterproof top
Waterproof bottoms
2 Tubes
Pump
5 Gels
Snacks
Drink maybe in bladder in hot laps.

How would you carry this?

Maybe I can strap the waterproofs on somewhere.

also be aware that any bags strapped to the frame, when ridden through gritty mess, become very abrasive to the frame paint..

I think I’d go saddlebag or handlebar roll. Doubt you’ll get all that in a top tube bag.

also be aware that any bags strapped to the frame, when ridden through gritty mess, become very abrasive to the frame paint..

I usually wrap some cling film around the frame while the bag is on and then take it all off after the ride.

That list sounds very similar to the Dirty Reiver list from memory. See the shot above! I used stem cells rather than a top-tube bag for the reasons stated earlier.

Just checked the event site which gives this in the T&Cs:

Participants must carry a form of identification showing their name, address and/or contact details of a person to be advised in the eventuality of an accident. It is also advised that all participants carry two drinks bottles, energy bars, tools, replacement inner tubes and suitable wet weather gear, money, mobile phone, spare inner tubes and a working pump (not CO2 canisters), as well as extra clothing to complete the ride being undertaken, taking into account the route and possible adverse weather conditions.

Have the advisory items been made compulsory? Anyway.

Pump: fix a mount under a bottle cage and clip it in to that. Topeak pumps come with such a mount.
Water: in water bottles in cages
Waterproof top: super-8 strap
Waterproof bottoms: either wear showerproof baggies or don't bother.
Tools and spares: in a top tube bag mounted inside the frame. This includes survival blanket.
Gels and snacks: in jersey pockets or stem cell or mini-top tube bag.

Here's my wife's bike using an Alpkit top tube bag as a mini frame bag.

The briefing notes which were e-mailed out today say:

"You MUST carry at least two spare inner tubes (new ones), tyre levers, a (real) pump, a Powerlink, a chain tool
and multi tool."

"You MUST carry a waterproof jacket, waterproof trousers & an Emergency Blanket and a mobile phone. We
strongly advise you also carry a dry base layer and small first aid kit."

Frame mounting that bag is a good idea.

I would use a small bar bag for that - less damage to frame from grit, still carry bottles easily, is all to hand quickly.

Not expensive, or fashionable, but very functional.

I have starting using a top tube frame bag Like this it leaves the bottle cages free and there is still room to sling a rolled up waterproof on the underside.

OK, a slight tightening down on what's on the site.

The clothing just bulks everything up! You don't say if you are doing it on MTB or gravel/CX bike. I'll assume the former since the tubes are bulkier.

I've a Wildcat version of one of these: https://backcountry.scot/product/revelate-designs-jerrycan/

In it I can get:

Phone (iphone 6)
Debit card and cash
small First aid kit (enough to deal with cuts and scrapes)
Emergency blanket
Muti-tool (inc chain tool)
tyre levers
Powerlink

Pump on frame as before.

That basically leaves the inner tubes, waterproofs and your food.

Tape one tube to the rear rails of your saddle. Tape the other in one of the angles inside the frame triangle.

Waterproofs strapped on using the super-8 strap.

Food in pockets.

What goes around, comes around.

also be aware that any bags strapped to the frame, when ridden through gritty mess, become very abrasive to the frame paint..

Aye, you only let that happen once .I just excessively duck tape all the contact points on the painted frames now, then remove it when the bags come off. Don’t bother much about the Ti frames 😉
Good work Flashy ,that top tube groin protector is Awezummzz

ps. I'm doing it on my CX bike.

I've just had a play around (geek mode of course!) and in the Alpkit top tube bag I get:

2x inner tubes (700x25c)
Phone (iphone 6)
Debit card and cash
small First aid kit (enough to deal with cuts and scrapes)
Emergency blanket
Muti-tool (inc chain tool)
tyre levers
Powerlink
3 x gels

And there's still room so you could probably fit slightly larger inner tubes in there.

@whitestone which one is this? Fuel pod? Which size?

I have just been having a play:

Being a CX bike, the cables run over the top tube, so I'm not sure if the super 8 will cause a problem pressing on them (and it looks a bit expensive).

I just tried strapping my waterproofs under the top tube with some Polaris straps and I think this will annoy me, I previously tried a frame bag from Planet X and my knees occasionally banged it.

It's the waterproofs that are annoying, maybe it will rain and then I can just wear them. There should be a decision made on the day to determine if they should be carried or not (like FRA races).

My current plan is to put the waterproofs in my Dakine Hot Laps (and maybe the pump. In my experience mud kills pumps so I like to hide them), carry drinks in bottle cages. Strap the tubes somewhere using Polaris straps. Then maybe a Fuel Pod somewhere with tool, phone, whistle an gels in. Survival bag can just be taped to the frame.

My other option is to take the kiddie trailer and shove it all in there. 🙂

Alpkit have changed their top tube bag a couple of times since I got mine, it was what was termed "medium". Dimensions are: 220mm long, 110mm high, 60mm wide. So looking at their site, it's the Fuel Pod 22.

I think I'd keep the pump out of a bum bag just in case you fell on it. Kit as above in Fuel Pod, waterproofs in bum bag, have gels in bum bag, pump TBD?

BTW, My emergency blanket is a Life Systems one, it's about the size of a road inner tube.

a small light backpack ?

Waterproof trousers are compulsory on an 85km ride? WTAF?

@iainc I'm trying to avoid a backpack. As a mountain biker/mountaineer this is what I have always done, even for short rides and have always taken the kitchen sink.

I'm trying to move away from this. I'm really liking just using a bumbag and not an uncomfortable backback that gives me a sweaty back, especially on longer CX rides. I have even taken to riding in lycra shorts without baggies over the top (will I be shaving my legs next?)!

I'm also trying to avoid purchasing something that I will never use again. I can see how a small top tube bag could be handy in the future.

Perhaps I should have called this thread "I really desire a Fuel Pod but they are a bit pricey so please convince me that I need one" 🙂