opinions on some bits and bobs

[young Ed]

Some of us may have jumped the gun here. Are you talking about a round the world tour here or essentials for a trouble free 20 miles after school? My earlier post was tongue in cheek because however much you take by the time you get to Karachi there will be something you have forgotten. On the other hand with a telephone and your dad with a pick-up you could travel fairly light I would think.

not talking about round the world but talking max about 200 mile rides in one day
maybe a couple or so days touring doing 70-100 miles a day
Cheers Ed

 

[moo]

I gave up on saddle packs a long time ago.

Unless I'm doing a sub 2 hour ride I also don't bother with a tiny saddle bag/pack.

Instead I have this with mounts for both bikes:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/altura-arran-expanding-post-pack/

It's large enough to carry all the tools you'll ever need plus 2 full water bottles and some food.

Downside - it's not in keeping with the rules or very fashionable, if that sort of thing matters to you.

 

[young Ed]

Unless I'm doing a sub 2 hour ride I also don't bother with a tiny saddle bag/pack.

Instead I have this with mounts for both bikes:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/altura-arran-expanding-post-pack/

It's large enough to carry all the tools you'll ever need plus 2 full water bottles and some food.

Downside - it's not in keeping with the rules or very fashionable, if that sort of thing matters to you.

that is better and i would very strongly consider something like that for 1 or 200 miles just bits like a bar bag don't look particularly sporty or or fast and i have used one ONCE and found i didn't like it, not reallyy sure why but i just didn't like it. i guess it didn't feel very sleek but rather a bit clumsy. but it was practical, but i reckon something like yours would have the practicability of a bar bag but would feel better and nicer mentally! and yes i am a strange, strange person
Cheers Ed

 

[Fab Foodie]

that is better and i would very strongly consider something like that for 1 or 200 miles just bits like a bar bag don't look particularly sporty or or fast and i have used one ONCE and found i didn't like it, not reallyy sure why but i just didn't like it. i guess it didn't feel very sleek but rather a bit clumsy. but it was practical, but i reckon something like yours would have the practicability of a bar bag but would feel better and nicer mentally! and yes i am a strange, strange person
Cheers Ed

The Decathlon bag is sleek and unobtrusive, and because of where it sits is not in the least clumsy ... it doesn't affect the handling like weight at the saddle end does either ... and it's less than a tenner!

 

[Fab Foodie]

Topeak make some expandable saddlepacks that are pretty useful too.

 

[tiermat]

Using experience as my guide (as I am sure most on here have), I always carry:

2 tubes
Pump
Energy bars/flapjacks
mini tool
lock
tyre levers (long handled ones)
spare bolts (M5)
cable ties
1 water bottle

On longer rides and tours I add:
an extra tube
a knife
a spork
an extra multitool
an extra water bottle
spare clothing (gloves, buff etc) for if I get wet or it turns cold
local cash, plenty of it as change (notes can, at a push, double up as a tyre boot)
tyre boot

Forgot to say, all that in a Ortlieb Ultimate barbag (useful for keeping hands warm whilst riding)

 

[youngoldbloke]

The Topeak AeroWedge Large* is a good choice for winter - reckon you could get all the kit listed in the post above in it when it is expanded. I carry a small Topeak pump that fits in the bag, and CO2 to get a tyre fully up to pressure. A small Lezyne CO2 chuck takes up very little room. You can thread a cable lock through the seat rails and carry it outside/under the bag. I have 2 spare tubes, puncture outfit, Bontrager tyre levers (recommended), VAR tyre lever, Park Tool chain tool, Quick links, PX mini multi tool, spare cleat, batteries, keys, folded boil in the bag waterproof, aspirin etc etc. and there is still room for more. In winter I carry phone and wallet in a Topeak Tribag. Soft things like gels, energy bars, bananas etc can go in pockets. Call me over cautious but I don't carry hard objects in jersey pockets.
*I use a Medium most of the 'summer'.

 

[Fab Foodie]

For lightweight winter usage (extra clothing capacity) I think this is very hard to beat:

https://www.alpkit.com/products/koala
When fully packed it's slightly bigger than a Barley and then compresses down to a large saddlepack size when you don't need much space. If I didn't already own a range of Carradice bags already, it would be on Santa's list.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Uncool bar-bag shots

 

[young Ed]

For lightweight winter usage (extra clothing capacity) I think this is very hard to beat:

https://www.alpkit.com/products/koala
When fully packed it's slightly bigger than a Barley and then compresses down to a large saddlepack size when you don't need much space. If I didn't already own a range of Carradice bags already, it would be on Santa's list.

it is on my 'to buy eventually' list but with a £65 price tag it will have to come after tractor driving licence, spd shoes and pedals, new bottle, multi tool, tubes etc etc etc
have bought alpkit before and love it and realise that yes that is good value but still out of my reach for the moment
Cheers Ed

 

[young Ed]

have now ordered planet x multi tool mentioned somewhere in this thread, 3 tubes and a set of 3 tyre levers. once i have sold a few bits i will order pump and some other bits from wiggle
Cheers Ed

 

[young Ed]

planet x order came
3 cheap levers for £1.49p so will see how good they are
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TOJWTL/jobsworth-tyre-levers

3 raleigh tubes
and the multi tool mentioned somewhere in this thread for a fiver
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TURALIN/raleigh--innertube

all good, multi tool weighs a bit more than expected (177g) and is a bit more pink then the red it said on the website but i don't care. has all the allen keys i need and more and a mini chain braker and a flat and star head screwdrivers and a 25 torx which i don't need for my rim brakes
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TOOO11IN1/on-one-11-in-1-multitool
Cheers Ed