Carrying your load

It depends how you ride

If it's rough stuff kit is best in your pockets or in a camelbak or similar, this is down to what is known as "unsprung weight". It's normally a concept for bikes with front or full suspension, it's best to have all the parts south of the head tube and rear suspension pivot as light as possible as it improves how well your bike tracks the terrain. On a rigid bike used for rough stuff such a crosser your legs and arms are the suspension so you want sprung weight instead - as in on your person.

If it's simply riding on smooth(ish) roads then it doesn't matter where you carry kit, saddle bags are fine, even a carradice.

Well I'm impressed, 16 comments and no one has mentioned... "the rules".

I thought there was some cycling version of Godwin's law the guaranteed such a mention within the first ten posts in any discussion such as this.

Well I'm impressed, 16 comments and no one has mentioned... "the rules".

I thought there was some cycling version of Godwin's law the guaranteed such a mention within the first ten posts in any discussion such as this.

It has already been said by everybody else, but saddlebag's are a great way to carry tools, CO2, spare tube, keys. Use your pockets for phone, cash, food, clothes and maybe a second spare tube.

Most of the pros use saddlebags on training rides; there's nothing wrong with them. Having a pump that attaches to your frame is a smart move too. I've got a Lezyne Road Drive that works really well for me.

Tuck it down the front of your shorts and cycle along with a smug look on your face.

It's better to mount your tools and paraphernalia on the handlebars than behind the saddle because it's easier to push the extra weight up the hill rather than pull it.

The weight is the same whichever but getting out of the saddle on a climb your having to lift the weight in your jersey pocket. Gets even worse if you swing about when hauling on the bars. Try taking your bottle out of its cage and put it in your pocket.

The difference if you support weight on your body is this can affect comfort/cooling and possibly very slight skeletal/muscular load - your lower back needs to be treated with respect. Of course if you carry the weight on your knee that's another discussion

As many seem to have already said, a small saddle bag can take a pretty impressive amount of stuff. It's basically like a third bottle cage, but in a more aerodynamic* position, and... not where the existing bottle cages are.

I had this conundrum before buying one. My bottle cages were needed for bottles and my pockets were needed for food and clothing (especially in the colder months), which left everything else in limbo. Enter saddlebag/Sandman.

For anyone not constantly riding with a support vehicle laden with several spare bikes behind them, I think saddle bags are a wise investment.

*I've never heard this stated, but I'm pretty sure it's true.

I don't carry anything on my person that could stab me if I came off. Its handy to have food in pockets, but a underseat bag is ideal for sharp tools/minipump/keys.

After a few hours in the saddle, anything heavy/awkwardly shaped will cause your back to complain, so why do it?

Hauling weight uphill requires the same effort regardless of whether it's on the bike or the rider.

If you're bothered about being streamlined then you should be wearing a skinsuit and a race number. A standard jersey will create more drag than a small seat pack, and even more when the pockets are full of stuff.

Tools, tubes, keys etc in the pack, pockets carry food and gilet/jacket. Mini pump lives on the bottle mount. As already stated, if it's on the bike it is always ready, there's no pre-ride faff.

I wouldn't want a pump, tools, phone etc in my pocket; partly because the pockets sag and feel cumbersome and there is less room for food and gilet; but also if I crash it could damage my back, a phone would get smashed or house keys get lost in the hedge.

Schwalbe, Continental and others make micro seat packs but I prefer the larger ones that have room for a second tube and other items.

My rule has always to let the bike take the load.

You never see cowboys with rucksacks etc. They get the horses to carry the luggage.

Keep the pockets for sweets and rations etc. Tools and stuff live on the bike, then I don't forget them.

It makes no difference-you are still moving the same weight, you, bike and tools etc. whether you carry them on the bike in some way or on you.

The other option is a storage bottle in one of your bottle cages. Whatever you're most comfortable with is best.

I use a tiny saddle bad for multitool, tyre levers, patches, cable ties. I stick tubes and mini pump in jersey pocket.

Weight wise it doesn't matter if it's on you or the bike - you're still working getting the "system" up the hill. I find there isn't enough room in the bag and with 3 jersey pockets for everything you need...can't imagine not having a saddle bag

Some people seem to think even little saddle bags are wrong. However, I have a mini one that holds 2 tubes, self-adhesive patches, 2 CO2 canisters & inflator, multi-tool including chain tool and spare quick link. That lives on the bike so I don't have to worry about picking up tools and stuff on the way out.