Hi all,
I've always preferred to carry a backpack full of things on rides but really want to have a go at not doing that. What's the current thinking about carrying things? Steel hardtail with dropper post so no fancy downtube boxes.
Probably just want to carry car key, wallet, phone, multitool, tube. Maybe a snack if child #1 is riding too. Can do pump and bottle on the bottle mount. Do people just stuff things in pockets?
I use small saddle bag, One Up tool in stem or pump. Water bottle. Phone in pocket. Tube strapped to frame.
Frame bag or bum-bag...sorry lumbar pack 😁
I've not used a rucksack/backpack in years. Much less sweaty and nicer all round.
Plenty of choice on both fronts - I like Osprey and Evoc for waist packs.
My frame bag is a Blackburn one that adjusts from a smaller top tube bag to a full triangle one.
Phone & wallet in one pocket, phone screen turned in towards your leg and the wallet sitting over the back of the phone facing outwards, that way it gives your phone the most protection in case of a fall
Car key in the smallest zippable pocket so it doesn't rattle around
Multi tool look at EDC or Gravity for steerer tube options, see also for tubeless repair kits and chain tools that fit in the end of your bars
For a tube, patches, tyre levers, Co2 canister use a under saddle strap or tool strap that can wrap around the top tube
Pump mount on the bottle cage (ideal for back up if tubeless kit and c02 fail for some reason
Couple of things id add is in a small sealable bag are a couple of sets of quick links for chain repairs and a spare valve core and valve core removal tool
Small Tailfin frame bag. Mine is a Wedge Frame Bag, I think the 1.9L (small) one.
Pump (or electric mini pump), tubeless puncture kit, snacks, maybe a jacket / gilet etc, multitool.
Water bottle in the bottle cage.
Phone in rear pocket or, if I'm not wearing a cycling jersey, in the pocket of trail shorts / trousers.
Honestly it's one of those bits of kit I wonder how I ever managed without. And since then I've got a selection of bigger frame bags as well plus a small top tube bag for longer days out.
