I'd like to sort something to carry the 'essential' stuff to take on a ride - tube, multitool, little lock, levers, pump, that kinda thing. Mainly to be used for those after work 1-2 hour rides where I'll just take this, whatever it is, and a bottle.
I currently have a 0.75l Alpkit Enduro Pod, and that will just about fit everything in bar the pump, which will go in a pocket. However, I'm not that enamoured by it, as the velcro straps are a poor design (IMO) and it slops around on the toptube (which I've kinda sorted using an old toeclip strap, but it's still not ideal).
It can either be something that lives on the bike, or something that I just grab and attach to me or the bike when I go for a ride. For 'bigger' days I'll take a Camelbak, so this thing, again, whatever it is, would probably just get chucked in that.
Ideas? To be clear, I don't want to buy any more/other tools/OneUps etc, I just want to store and carry the stuff I've already got.
Ta.
I use a Lezyne loaded cage thingy, it has a little compartment for a multi-tool, chainlink, stick on patches & a chuck a C02 cylinder velcros to one side and you can either velcro a pump or another CO2 to the other, obvs it holds a bottle.
Tube & lever is under the saddle on one of those strap things and tyre plugs are in the bar ends, sorted.
Pump attached to the frame, then I use a 76 projects 'piggy' and drybag which has the following in it:
Tube
2x C02 cannisters & inflator head
Tyre plugs and jabber
This can be transferred between my bikes in about 30 seconds.
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Then I have a oneup tool in my FS head tube, or in the pump. Bottle on the hardtail and soft bottle in the pocket when I'm on the FS (that'll change for the next bike to being a small bottle).
£6 bum bag. Works perfectly.
I use a Blackburn Outpost Corner bag: https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Blackburn-Outpost-Corner-Bag_126558.htm?
Fits everything I need (have tube patches instead of a spare tube, and a combined pump/CO2 inflator) for rides up to 2hrs or so.
I've got one of those 76 projects things on my mtb. multitool, tyre worms, Co2 cartridges. etc.
don't take a pump, CO2 or bust.
Bike dependent - can the enduro pod go under the top tube rather than sitting on top just behind the stem.
Easy on a hardtail to put it at the seat tube/top tube junction.
If not, and you need to mount on the top tube, try partly unrolling your innertube so its a long flat shape, to sit in the bottom of the bag rather than stuffing a tennis ball shaped round thing into the bag.
I have a one up pump with the tools in it, but my spare tube / hanger/ bits and bobs are in a wolf tooth drybag.
My FS actually has a bottle mount thing under the top tube, so it’s attached there, but I’ve used the same thing under the saddle on other bikes without that option.
£6 bum bag. Works perfectly.
This, genuinely, is what I was thinking if I'm honest.
Bike dependent – can the enduro pod go under the top tube rather than sitting on top just behind the stem.
Easy on a hardtail to put it at the seat tube/top tube junction.
Yeah, tried that, didn't really work, and would certainly be a bit of a pain getting the bag off to us any of the stuff in it (esp. give the poor design of the straps)
Bike dependent – can the enduro pod go under the top tube rather than sitting on top just behind the stem.
Easy on a hardtail to put it at the seat tube/top tube junction.
If not, and you need to mount on the top tube, try partly unrolling your innertube so its a long flat shape, to sit in the bottom of the bag rather than stuffing a tennis ball shaped round thing into the bag.
+1
And I find that careful packing of the bag minimizes it's tendency to wobble too much, needs to be packed relatively solidly/full. And add an extra ziptie around the spacer above the stem if you have one and it reaches.
Most bikes have in built storage thankfully. Occasionally if it’s a big ride I’ll use bibs with storage for additional.
A fair amount of the time, I don’t carry anything. I’m at the point of discounting bikes now if they don’t come with some sort of additional carrying system, or inbuilt storage & I categorically will not wear any form of bag to ride a bike with.
if i`m not that far from civilisation i dont bother with anything. well, apart from a water bottle.
if i go a bit further i`ll wear a bum bag.
if im in wales miles from anywhere ill go all in with a back pack and cheese n pickle sandwiches.
why you would want to strap stuff to your bike is beyond me.
why you would want to strap stuff to your bike is beyond me.
Because even if I'm only going out for an hour, I can be 7-10 miles away from home without much issue. Walking that distance back (if no-one is available to come pick me up) is going to take several hours... All for the sake of carrying a few basics with you.
Most bikes have in built storage thankfully
Peak STW - I say I don't want to buy any more tools, and the answer is to buy a new bike 😉
TBH built in storage, aka a massive hole in the downtube, would be a no from me - I'm sure they're fine but something in me says cutting a huge hole in the most stressed tube of a frame shouldn't be a good thing...
On the road bike I have a small under seat thing for spare tubes and levers and then carry tools and a CO2 thingy in an only bottle in one of the cages. If I need two bottles on a ride, I'll be taking a daysack and the tools, food, etc go in there.
MTB is entirely dependent on what I am doing. Most of the time, it is local trails, so I just take a mobile.
I use a 76 projects bag on the gravel bike where the tube is smaller, but use a weecog custom bag on the fatbike and and a Blackburn outpost bag on the full sus both just big enough for a pump and all the other essential tools + 1 energy bar.
Can't stand camelbak or bumbags now.
Oneup EDC in the steerer.
Tube and pump on the frame.
500ml of water if it's really hot and I'm out for more than a couple of hours-ish.*
If not I don't bother with water.
Don't see the point in carrying anything else.
If the bike needs more than a multi tool to fix I'll be walking back anyway.
*Normal ride is around 20 miles and 1100m
.
I dont carry anything for a 1-2hr ride.
Thats always walkable or jog out if worst came to the worst.
Maintain your bike well and you shouldnt have those issues.
Spesh SWAT multi-tool attached to bottle cage. Lezyne mini pump attached to second cage
Spesh SWAT saddlepack clips to my Spesh power saddle rails for tube, co2, anchovy and bits.
Anything else goes in my Jersey rear pockets
I take it that keeping that list of things in the camelbak and taking that is not an option..?
I just take the same bag every ride, with water bladder and coat etc removed depending on weather and length of ride.
Surprised no one is carrying a first aid kit with them
I take it that keeping that list of things in the camelbak and taking that is not an option..?
It's what I'd like to avoid, as I like riding without a bag on my back if I can. I will take one for longer rides or where the weather may be changeable etc
Surprised no one is carrying a first aid kit with them
I'm of the "if it's an injury that a first aid kit I could carry could fix, I can manage without it. If it's an injury that any first aid kit I could carry wouldn't fix, I'd be calling 999 anyway" school.
Saddle bag on road bike carries tube, minipump (not great for high pressure but will get me home, even on road tyres) and a small toolkit, plus an emergency cereal bar 🙂 For the MTB I've got stuff in the camelback instead.
The solution is to stop taking as much stuff.
You need some water, a phone and a little food if going further (but shops exist).
You probably need a quick link, a multi tool and some way of reinflating a tyre or plugging a hole. You might need a tube and some way of removing a tyre to put one in.
It is unlikely that you will need pretty much anything else unless you are going away from civilisation for a very long time.
Ive got a bottle pack which can either go in 2nd bottle cage, or as its quite soft, just as good in a jersey pocket, voile strapped under seat or under downtube. Or I chuck it in a bike bag or camelback if im taking other stuff too. It goes on every ride.
Currently a whole £1.49 at Planet X!! Fits just the right amount of stuff - small bottke of stans, multi tool, pliers, levers, valve extracor, CO2.
Edit - mines more like teh podsacs one with a zipped compartment, but just plain black carbon look. Only 99p!!!
The solution is to stop taking as much stuff.
You need some water, a phone and a little food if going further (but shops exist).
You probably need a quick link, a multi tool and some way of reinflating a tyre or plugging a hole. You might need a tube and some way of removing a tyre to put one in.
That is all I'm taking, smart arse, what do I take it in?
That is all I’m taking, smart arse, what do I take it in?
pocket?
pocket?
...was what I was doing before I got the toptube bag (well pockets plural, even the limited stuff that continuity says I'm allowed to take won't all go in one pocket).
I'd just like one thing that has all the stuff in it that I pick up and take with me, or that is attached to the bike all the time.
Those tool bottles look good, will investigate...
Jersey pockets. Overflow gets strapped/taped to the bike.
Your jersey pockets. I have three on my jersey. Some people have 5. Isn't that what they're for?
You could put some of it in a small light drybag so it stays together. Then put that in your pocket. Or if you don't have pockets, a voile strap to the frame.
That is all I’m taking, smart arse, what do I take it in?
The under saddle pack option is great, it stays on the bike, it never gets forgotten, and it's totally out of the way. You can buy different sizes to allow you to flex what *your* minimal requirement is.
I don't like the bottle packs as that means I can't carry a second bottle, and in current conditions that is essential fluid.
Get your roadie vibe on.
In here…
https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/rainproof-essentials-case/product/LEC05XXDNY
Goes a tube, small multi tool, quick chain link, some latex gloves, and my house keys. That plus this…
https://www.topeak.com/global/en/product/231-MICRO-ROCKET-AL
Go in my jersey pocket, and a water bottle on the bike.
That’s all you need for a ‘get me home’ scenario.
Oh, and a credit card, and Uber app.
I have a little Huck dry bag and strap. UK made by a small company. And it works. Prior to this I taped a tube to my frame and put my pump and multi tool in my pocket which also worked fine.
Small under saddle storage with Dynaplug racer, multi tool, quick link, spare Dynaplugs and Co2 inflator and co2. Small pump in back pocket and phone.
If it’s a middle of winter ride then also whistle and survival space blanket in back pocket.
If I am that hurt I need survival then I will not be able to get in a bag and will need to wrap the blanket around me.
Full suss- on one podsacs frame bag. The waterproof zip jammed with mud, i sewed a big zip on. Ugly but takes everything.
Hardtail 1. Aldi special frame bag in frame, tube, 2 co2 canisters under the saddle, pump on frame.
Hardtail 2. Tube taped on with insulations tape to frame, alpkit toptube bag upside down inside frame, pump on frame.
Gravel bike and road bike 1 same as hardtail 2
Road bike 2, pump under top tube, everything else in a water bottle.
I have a repair kit, hex keys and a lever bundled up with an elastic band, plus a separate mini pump. For work they go in one chest pocket, for other rides they go in a jersey rear pocket (other jersey pockets used for food, mobile, BC card, keys).
However, during the recent heatwaves, I've wondered if a saddle bag (ideally clamped on to saddle rail to keep it secure) would work better and give me the option of just using a pocketless baselayer.
Back pockets for anything softish like a spare tube, pie, or rain garment. Don't have multitools / keys etc nestling comfortably against your spine when cycling. Use one of the small bag or containers people have recommended for tools.
On a bike with two bottle cages, one cage is used for a 750ml tool bottle with 2 inner tubes, patches, multi tool, co2 cannister and pump head, zip ties, tyre levers etc... pump bolted onto the side of the bottle cage
On a full sus with only one bottle cage then i run a Specailized Swat MTN Bandit, this bolts to the bottom of a Specailized saddle and holds a inner tube, patches, tyre levers, co2 cannister and pump head, normal pump on the bottle cage again (which also contains a co2 cannister) multi tool is wrapped in a section of old inner tube and velcro strapped on to the bottom of the bottle cage
Another bottle works really well- 0.75 litre ones are tall enough for a pump, and a rag stops things rattling around.
I started with a very cheap bum bag, to see if I got on with the concept. Once I discovered that hip packs work for me, I splashed out on a Camelbak LR4. Even on longer rides nowadays, I love my hip pack so much that I try as hard as possible to stick to that. My Hawg hasn’t been off it’s hanger in the wall for months! Even for longer rides. The Camelbak is so much. Better than the cheap bag i had before. I was always having to fiddle with the straps in the cheaper one to get them right. I haven’t touched the strap adjusters on the Camelbak in a year!
Personally, I don’t like strapping stuff to my bike. I can’t think of a logical reason - other than I don’t like the look of it. Plus, when I swap form one bike to the other, I don’t like have to remember to swap something over between bikes. I’m guaranteed to forget.
I've got the Ortlieb Micro Two saddle pack, in 0.8l size.
It fits my Topeak Alien multitool, a Topeak 5NM little torque wrench, a puncture kit, 2 sets of 2 quick links (one pair Shimano, one pair of SRAM), 2 strong tyre levers, a spare inner tube (700c or 26", but a 29er is pushing things), some cable ties and a pair of latex gloves. It's rigid enough that it doesn't need a strap around the seatpost at all. I also have Lezyne pumps that have clips that mount under my bottle cages, and a waterproof wallet to keep my phone and a spare tenner in which lives in a pocket.
I also have the same bag's bigger brother - Ortlieb Saddle Bag Two which mounts to the same clip under my saddle, but does have a velcro strap for the seatpost. It's big enough to drop the other pack straight into, and add a proper waterproof or warm layer plus a few snacks. So good for longer rides.
Having bought both bags, I have 2 clips, so there's one on each bike and I just have to swap which inner tube is in it.
I've also just bought a couple of elastic straps to see if I can carry stuff that way on my 29er more easily - as I say, a spare 29" tube is really too big for the little pack.
I hate carrying backpacks on my bike and will go to quite some lengths to avoid having to!
Hip pack. As soon as it's on I forget I'm even wearing it. Mind you apart from water bottles I hate having any stuff fixed to my bike. It just doesn't look sexy. The bike I mean, not me with my hip pack.
I have a tiered system.
All rides = EDC pump and spare tube
<=2 hour = add hip pack with 1.5 litres water, toilet paper, paracetamol, dynaplugs
2+ with no facilities = add food to hip pack, 1 litre Sigg bottle and electrolytes to Blackburn cage, Restrap frame bag with extra food.
Going through a similar thought process recently I ended up splashing out on an EDC pump and tool when they had a few % off. I know it's not what you want to do, and it is crazy money, but it is a very good solution if you can't find another mounting option that works for you, and it is exceptionally quick to swap between bikes. I'm very pleased with it. On my small framed full suss I can't get anything but a small bottle in the front triangle, can't even fit a low profile light under my saddle without the wheel hitting it and didn't manage to mount anything atop the top tube to my satisfaction.
That said, I'm also a big water drinker so at the moment I'm hip pack as well for every ride. I just couldn't get myself to "stuff on the bike only". Also, when the weather isn't like this I'll carry another layer most rides, so that immediately puts me into hip pack territory again. So I have struggled to find a solution that gets everything onto the bike except on a minority of rides. But I have got to a solution that is low weight on my back and very low down, so that's as close as I can get I think. And I've got to mount a rear light somewhere.
Depending on your riding I don't think the ultra minimalist option can work for everyone. Punctures are too regular an occurence round here not to have pump and jabber as a minimum.
