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I really don’t understand why more roadies don’t run top tube bags- they’re the perfect spot for handy stuff with no aero penalty. With a set of bolt holes there on my Diverge- it would have been rude not to put an Apidura racebag on it 🤣🤣
I do like the sewn on carabiner idea thanks- or I may loop a cable tie through the existing holes and keep the carabiner on the key.
erratum:
I often stop to take photographs but I
reallyrarely need my keys
I find wrapping phone in a plastic bag makes it bulky enough it doesn’t fall out of jersey pocket.
This works well for me, and avoids the phone getting sweaty or wet when raining.
I usually carry a small bundle of keys, and am normally wishing that I could get them out of my pocket it a bit more easily!
For those that put phones in frame/bar bags
Yes - So in a frame bag it hangs underneath the top tube again in a mesh pocket so it can’t get bashed around. And in my bar bag as mentioned it hangs in a zipped pocket at the inside-rear of the bar bag - so it’s suspended sideways rather than getting bashed around flat in the bottom. in addition to this, the bag is normally packed full with a rain jacket and skullcap/beanie so - plenty of padding. The phone itself lives in a bumper case with its own shock protection
Fit a key safe at home for you keys and buy a cellular smart watch. Sorted.
I really don’t understand why more roadies don’t run top tube bags
I really, really cannot stand top tube bikes, really inhibit movement when out of the saddle.
For gravel rides like mtb rides my phone goes in a pocket. Sometimes on its own, sometimes in a velopac bag and sometimes in a zip up pocket. Never bounced out yet🤔🤪🤞
Fit a key safe at home for you keys and buy a cellular smart watch. Sorted.
Or just put the key under that plant pot!
I really, really cannot stand top tube bikes, really inhibit movement when out of the saddle.
How so?
Stop me swinging the bike from side to side, hits my knees, does my head in. I'm not over keen of framebikes either but needs must when bike packing... I also cannot conceive how people use those funny bags to the side of the stem for food or bottles, they'd annoy the shit out of me I'm sure.
My top-tube bags are slim enough that I've never had the problem. I do have one of those feedbags too, though I rarely use it.
Stem cell bag from Decathlon eat a very reasonable £4.99. Fits everything you have mentioned and more. If your Lael Wilcox hard you can put a well salted bag of chips in there!
Go on ebay and look at the SP Connect stuff that Wiggle are getting shot of (think they are 'tri-sport_resort' on there). Couple of quid should secure you one of their wedge cases with a couple of fitting options. And if you've an iphone then their cases clip onto that too if you want the phone available to you.
My top-tube bags are slim enough that I’ve never had the problem
Maybe I have fat knees!! I'd rather put things in my pockets.
Phone & Keys in Velopac which fits in jersey pocket. Simples
I really don’t understand why more roadies don’t run top tube bags
Because everything fits in my three jersey pockets. Plus I don't need to carry much. Plus I don't want a bag on my bike. Understand now?
Downcountry Fanny Pack for the reach around, Shirley...
Because everything fits in my three jersey pockets. Plus I don’t need to carry much. Plus I don’t want a bag on my bike. Understand now?
Just how little do you carry and/or how big are your jersey pockets?
Small frame bag for me and its got in it:
- keys
- phone
- inner tube (or if a big off-roader, *2)
- Gillet/rain jacket (depending on weather)
- pump
- small bottle of Stans
- any food
- gel
- tyre boot
Tools and spares go in a tool bottle, and I've enough space for two more water bottles.
The only thing I carry in a jersey pocket is a banana or two.
I'm think we do different types of 'gravel' rides.
@kerley 🤣🤣🤣
I just find it hilarious that people ride like the pros do when they haven’t got a team car following them.
It’s so much nicer having nothing in your jersey pocket and everything is just right there! You don’t even need to break position to get food or gels.
It’s ironic that the only people on bikes realising it are the ones who ruin a good ride with a swim and a run 😱 🤣
I’m so many ways- it’s why Gravel is the saviour of practical cycling 🤓
Tyre clearance for every size
Brakes that work
Storage and mount options galore 🤩
Geo for making fast descents sane
Enough shite to ride for 10h30 non stop 😎
Front door key goes in the zip up pocket on my Jersey. My Iphone SE (gen 1) fits in a PlanetX zip-up bottle cage case, which then goes in the seat tube bottle cage. It has never fallen out even on my MTB.
I think that the vibration has killed the image stabilisation, because the quality of photos taken with mine compared with my daughter's identical phone is noticable. When I get a new phone its going to be too big to fit in the bottle cage case so will have to get one of those weatherproof cases to protect it from the sweat in a jersey pocket
If someone dislikes having bags on bikes just because they dislike having bags on bikes and no matter what kind of bag it will make no difference.
As I say, I use a bar bag on the road/gravel bike, but for shorter rides and basic kit on the MTB/gravel bike I use a small frame bag (see pic) which interferes neither with my knees nor when climbing. I tried a ‘top tube’ bag (mounted on top, fixed to the headtube) And felt that (for the small capacity it offered) it robbed me of clearance when dismounting/mounting and climbing. So bar-bag for the win there if requiring easy access. ymmv
This thread shows are different we all are I have a riding buddy who will carry nothing other than a backpack or stuffed short pockets Because it’s not his ‘style’/‘spoils the look of his bike’ to have bags on it - whereas I detest carrying anything on my person other than clothes, and even then the less of them the better.
For me on the gravel bike it's a phone in the jersey pocket and nothing else.
Other bits and pieces go on the bike, which has a small Restrap frame bag attached at all times (partly for fashion reasons obvs) and then depending on how long I'll be out and what the weather is I add a top tube and/or canister bag for extra food/supplies/clothes.
On the road bike got a small saddle bag for some bits, and the rest goes in pockets. For some reason I feel like adding bags to that bike doesn't feel 'right', although really I appreciate that this is just fashion and aesthetics and that maybe I should just get over it. If I'm out all day I will tend to plan a cafe stop though rather than taking it all with me.
Gravel:
Road:
On the road bike got a small saddle bag for some bits, and the rest goes in pockets. For some reason I feel like adding bags to that bike doesn’t feel ‘right’, although really I appreciate that this is just fashion and aesthetics and that maybe I should just get over it. If I’m out all day I will tend to plan a cafe stop through rather than taking it all with me.
I made the point earlier that (my) gravel riding tends to take me further from roads, cafes and assistance than my road riding so carrying a bit extra seems sensible.
I made the point earlier that (my) gravel riding tends to take me further from roads, cafes and assistance than my road riding so carrying a bit extra seems sensible.
Yeah mine too in general, although I suspect that as you're in Scotland(?) and I'm in Hertfordshire it's somewhat relative!
perfect...
although really I appreciate that this is just fashion and aesthetics and that maybe I should just get over it.
Maybe run a poll/survey when out and about riding one day? 😉
(The public love surveys and polls 😀)
Simply print out the following and take copies with you (along with a few pencils)
_______________________________________
Answer either A, B or C:
1. Do you think that my gravel bike is fashionable?
A: Yes, very fashionable
B: Maybe/not sure
C: Are you having a laugh omg get over it!?
2. Do you think that my bike bag is fashionable?
A: Yes, very fashionable
B: Maybe/not sure
C: Don’t feel strongly either way
(Before answering the following question please request I first remove the bag from the bicycle)
3. Look at my bicycle again now the bag is removed. Do you think my bike is:
A: More fashionable without the bag?
B: Less fashionable without the bag?
C: Don’t care either way, omg-uh. Etc.
And, finally:
4. Do you think my bike looks more attractive with the bag fitted?
A: Yes it looks more attractive
B: No It looks less attractive
C: I have other important things to do, so ‘C’
For more accurate/nuanced results - conduct the survey both with the non-cycling public, and with the cycling public. And then finally with (1) gravel-bike-curious peers and (2) with gravel-bike-riding peers.
Maybe run a poll/survey when out and about riding one day? 😉
(The public love surveys and polls 😀)
Simply print out the following and take copies with you (along with a few pencils)
This is a great idea. Now, what luggage for carrying polls?
Just how little do you carry and/or how big are your jersey pockets?
3 standard jersey pockets, one with a zip. I carry a phone and keys in zipped pocket and food if required in the other two pockets.
I have a mini pump which is on a holder to the side of bottle cage.
I don't carry any tools or tubes because I don't need them. On rare occasion I get a puncture (tubeless) I just use the mimi pump to top it back up if too much air has come out before it has sealed. Been riding with that minimal amount of stuff for the last 20 years and 3-400 miles per year.
I just find it hilarious that people ride like the pros do when they haven’t got a team car following them.
It’s so much nicer having nothing in your jersey pocket and everything is just right there!
I clearly don't find it as hilarious as you do. I am fine with having things in my jersey pockets thanks.
In the rear zip pocket of the jersey
What bar bags do people recommend?
I just find it hilarious that people ride like the pros do when they haven’t got a team car following them.
It’s so much nicer having nothing in your jersey pocket and everything is just right there! You don’t even need to break position to get food or gels.
Im the same, id rather have the occasional rub of a knee on a bag than a sweaty back and stuff permanently bouncing around In pockets - especially on a gravel bike.
What bar bags do people recommend?
I borrowed an on point 'bike packing roll bag'. It wobbled, rubbed and bounced everywhere - and leaked in the rain.
I'm now running granny bag - Altura 6L on Klikfix.
It's properly bomber fit, doesn't move, quick to access on the move or remove at cafe stop. Ours were £7 from a daft OnOne clear out.
(Not my pic or bag model, but like this)
If going on a one day gravel ride my tools tube and tubeless repair kit etc go in tool bottle under down tube, two water bottles, pump attached at bottle cage, if it's a cold time of year I have a emergency foil blanket gaffer taped to saddle rails. The phone, keys, food spare clothes in Jersey pockets. Simples. If taking for example young son out I might use a frame bag to carry extra for him. If you like bags use them I couldn't care less, I don't, not sure why some on here find this an issue
If you like bags use them I couldn’t care less,
same
I don’t, not sure why some on here find this an issue
OTOH I really don’t think people have an issue with you not liking bags. Seems to be (overall) much more per-comment dislike for bags in this thread. Maybe someone (good-naturedly) teased your pocketage? oo-er.
What bar bags do people recommend?
One with a Klik Fix and sufficient capacity (ie not too big or small) for what you need to put in there. Mine’s just big enough for a folded cagoule and café-stop combo cable lock and has a pocket inside that was luckily the right size
for my phone. It has an extra front compartment in which I keep multitool, rag and puncture kit. In summer-time and if just taking my phone and multitool I’ll use the small frame bag instead.
I’m more of a fan of nylon bar-bags in order to keep the weight down - as while canvas ones may look attractive I don’t really see any benefits otherwise. Can’t recommend a particular model because the one I use is a discontinued bag ( NOS deal I found) and is U.S.-made. All I can say is the Klikfix QR and the handle-loop on top make it really handy for shortstops - ie if you want to take the bag with you it saves transferring phone, keys, card etc into your pockets.
As I say this is only really for when stopping at pubs or cafés or whatever, and/or in winter when a rain-jacket/windcheater is handy to stow.
On short keep-fit rides I’m sure I’d be happy with a smaller bag such as a Carradice zipped roll - just for phone and keys and beanie/whatever.
Or - nothing at all. Stash/hide keys, leave phone at home.
I remember happier times when all phones connected to the hallway-wall by the cable 😉
Roadies in lack of humour non-shocker?
The spirit of gravel is definitely dead in this thread 😞 🤣
^^^^ I did start the thread slightly tongue in cheek 🙂 ,though do/did have a genuine worry about a phone pouch exiting my jersey pockets on bumpy stuff. Some cracking replies though !
I think you approach gravel riding luggage differently depending if you come from an MTB or a road background.
When I first moved from MTB to road I was similar - I had no idea how I was gonna carry everything. You very quickly get better at having a more adaptable clothing system and more compact toolkit.
As a result I now carry far less on the gravel bike. Pump/spares either in a fake bottle or in jersey. Everything else in jersey pockets.
Does me for 40-50 mile rides in the peak - its not like I'm riding in Outer Mongolia. Usually have to schedule a stop at some point to fill water bottles anyway.
Tourbon offer a nifty little number. Bars, top-tube or saddle fitting. It’s similar to the slightly smaller Carradice Bingley
they do a slightly larger zipped bag also
And there’s the Restrap Canister
OTOH I really don’t think people have an issue with you not liking bags. Seems to be (overall) much more per-comment dislike for bags in this thread. Maybe someone (good-naturedly) teased your pocketage? oo-er.
So you don't have an issue with me not liking bags, but still are at pains to point out that it's because someone said something to make me fashion conscious or something...wired. I just don't like them for day rides because they get in my way and I don't need them. It really is that simply. Your view may differ, that's fine, good luck, enjoy your ride.
Im the same, id rather have the occasional rub of a knee on a bag than a sweaty back and stuff permanently bouncing around In pockets – especially on a gravel bike.
You are doing it wrong. My stuff doesn't bounce around in my pockets or give me a sweaty back as I am wearing proper fitting jerseys. I can't even feel I have anything in the pockets.
If you need to take loads of stuff with you then get a bag but just because you need one doesn't mean we all do, especially when the question was only about a phone and keys and not about asking about carrying enough stuff for a full day out.
Roadies in lack of humour non-shocker?
Maybe you are not as funny as you think you are.
Here you go. £12 and job done.
https://www.velopac.cc/shop/ridepac-tarp-matt-lime/
It's the sturdier/grippier one. More green than lime.
Also ideal for epipens, first aid kits, etc.
I don’t carry any tools or tubes because I don’t need them. On rare occasion I get a puncture (tubeless) I just use the mimi pump to top it back up if too much air has come out before it has sealed. Been riding with that minimal amount of stuff for the last 20 years and 3-400 miles per year.
Hmm, so averaging less than 8 miles per week.
I guess a bit different to the stuff I do where I can easily be 8 miles from the nearest road - and a split tyre could cost me a 2-3 hour walk...
With Dirty Reiver done I’ve just stripped everything off of my bike now- don’t want to look like a Fred on the Chaingang next week in case Kerley rocks up with his gravel beef 🤣
Thankfully my Diverge has the swat box so I can still covertly stash stuff gravel-style whilst pretending to be a roadie 😎
Hmm, so averaging less than 8 miles per week.
I missed a zero off the end! I ride between 3,000 to 4,000 miles a year and yes I have once got caught out resulting in a 2 hour walk home when my chain snapped (my own fault for breaking and rejoining it so often, fixed gear with numerous gearing changes over the year)
Based on that I won't be carrying a chain tool, spare links, gloves etc,. just for that once in 20 year occurrence.
With Dirty Reiver done I’ve just stripped everything off of my bike now- don’t want to look like a Fred on the Chaingang next week in case Kerley rocks up with his gravel beef
Whatever you look like, you still won't be as funny as you think you are.