Weight of bike getting me down
- Thread starter GoldDust
- Start date
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Yup.I carry tons of stuff for my commute including 2 mini U locks and a chain and padlocks.Spare lights batteries/tools.Inner Tubes/2 pumps.Spare chain.
EDIT Ha.I edited that badly.
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vickster
Squire
Basket and a backpack? Lose both and get a light weight rack and pannier 
Presumably as above you wear some of it like the helmet, or the bike carries some of it like the lights
Gaffer tape?
Presumably you don't need sanitary products 3 weeks of the year. A sanitary towel and half a dozen tampons aren't exactly heavy though
Presumably as above you wear some of it like the helmet, or the bike carries some of it like the lights
Gaffer tape?
Presumably you don't need sanitary products 3 weeks of the year. A sanitary towel and half a dozen tampons aren't exactly heavy though
Bodhbh
Guru
tbh I carry a small pannier with alot of that stuff no matter where I ride - just to lazy to split and swap things about depending on what I'm doing. So, for example, a full touring tool kit gets left in there. But - just weighed the lot - just under 3kg including the pannier. Not a big deal in the scheme of things.
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Basket and a backpack? Lose both and get a light weight rack and pannier
Presumably as above you wear some of it like the helmet, or the bike carries some of it like the lights
Gaffer tape?
Presumably you don't need sanitary products 3 weeks of the year. A sanitary towel and half a dozen tampons aren't exactly heavy though
You women do have it a bit rough according to the last line.
Saluki
World class procrastinator
- Location
- ...Norwich over the water.
Trying to think what I have in my saddlebag.
I do have my little pump attached to my bike. In the summer, for longer rides, I take a nice bit of flapjack too. I have been known to take my bank card in case I go too far afield, get lost/knackered and need to get a train towards home.
I never take a lock if I'm not commuting. If commuting I take undies, clean socks. I have wetwipes, deo and a comb in my desk drawer.
I check the weather forecast before leaving to see if I need a waterproof or not. I there is a bit of a chance of rain, I decided whether or not I am willing to get wet. At my age, I don't take female specific accoutrements.
If I stop at a cafe, I find one with outside tables so that I can stay with my bike so no need for a lock.
I am not surprised that that the weight of your bike is getting you down, you take an awful lot of stuff with you.
- Spare tube,
- glueless patches,
- CO2 kit,
- Couple of tyre levers (Bontrager red ones, as they are awesome),
- mini tool kit thing - looks like a big swiss army knife affair,
- spare tenner or twenty in case of cake attack,
- spare door key.
- I believe I have a chain quick link, it's been in my saddlebag, unused since 2009.
I do have my little pump attached to my bike. In the summer, for longer rides, I take a nice bit of flapjack too. I have been known to take my bank card in case I go too far afield, get lost/knackered and need to get a train towards home.
I never take a lock if I'm not commuting. If commuting I take undies, clean socks. I have wetwipes, deo and a comb in my desk drawer.
I check the weather forecast before leaving to see if I need a waterproof or not. I there is a bit of a chance of rain, I decided whether or not I am willing to get wet. At my age, I don't take female specific accoutrements.
If I stop at a cafe, I find one with outside tables so that I can stay with my bike so no need for a lock.
I am not surprised that that the weight of your bike is getting you down, you take an awful lot of stuff with you.
2 spare inner tubes is a precaution for tourists. Carry one, and keep one at work.
Weigh you load, sort by weight and attack heaviest items first. Work out cost-per-100g saved if that matters.
Most baskets are overweight. Rixen and Kaul make some nice, light mounts.
Wrap a length of tape around your pump if you want repair material.
Work out a recharging scheme, eg USB cable, and keep them topped up. Use some small backup lights such as the Aldi set.
Weigh you load, sort by weight and attack heaviest items first. Work out cost-per-100g saved if that matters.
Most baskets are overweight. Rixen and Kaul make some nice, light mounts.
Wrap a length of tape around your pump if you want repair material.
Work out a recharging scheme, eg USB cable, and keep them topped up. Use some small backup lights such as the Aldi set.
Bodhbh
Guru
I'm not sure belts and braces does that justice how many flats do you get? On the other hand, I don't carry the above and have been caught short with heartburn and batteries going a few times. Good idea!
As the others say, it depends what sort of ride you're doing. My ride to work is about 10 miles and for that I take
In my bar bag:
Clothes to change into
Lunch
(Wash kit lives in my desk drawer)
In my seat pack
Spare tube
Tyre levers
Multi tool
Cut down spanner to get the wheels off
Disposable gloves
Two or three cable ties
On the bike:
Pump
Lights
Today's ride was about 40 miles
The bar bag contained:
Waterproof
1st aid kit
Another spare tube
8 x chocolate brownies
The seat pack and bike stuff were the same. None of it got used (except the brownies)
In my bar bag:
Clothes to change into
Lunch
(Wash kit lives in my desk drawer)
In my seat pack
Spare tube
Tyre levers
Multi tool
Cut down spanner to get the wheels off
Disposable gloves
Two or three cable ties
On the bike:
Pump
Lights
Today's ride was about 40 miles
The bar bag contained:
Waterproof
1st aid kit
Another spare tube
8 x chocolate brownies
The seat pack and bike stuff were the same. None of it got used (except the brownies)
LocalLad
Senior Member
My list
■ Pump - assume it's a mini one, strap to frame. Or replace with co2, which is smaller
■ u lock - depends where you're leaving it. I don't bother on my weekend bike, but do on my old hackerthat I leave at the pool...this will be most of your excess weight
■ repair kit - leave at home, 2 tubes should do
■ 2 inner tubes - keep
■ chain links and chain tool - I wouldn't bother, take a twenty for a taxi
■ gloves - wear or leave, unless you're commuting and the weather is hugely different start to end
■ purse - take credit card and cash, leave the purse itself and all the gubbins I bet you have in there - library card etc
■ keys - I have a set that just has bike lock keys, and garage keys (garage to outside and garage to house)
■ first aid kit - wouldn't bother...have you ever used it?
■ multi tool - keep, assuming it's lightweight...Allen keys are pretty handy
■ gaffer tape - wouldn't bother, though could be a plaster if you ditch the first aid kit
■ cycle glasses - as gloves, wear or leave
■ cable lock - as main lock, do you really need it?
■ helmet - up to you
■ Basket - do you need these bags? I have a seat pack that fits in tubes, co2, levers and everything...I put keys in zipped Jersey pocket and phone in main Jersey pocket, otherwise it all fits in
■ Backpack - as above
■ phone - pocket
■ Rain jacket - wear or leave? Get a really light one
■ waterproof cover for basket - ditch the basket, ditch this
■ Spare light batteries - fair enough, if you're traveling at night...I nearly ran out ten miles from home, with no spare which was bloody scary
■ lights/computer etc - essential for dark
■ Underwear when I take cycle shorts off - commando? Though assume not much weight
■ Inhaler - probably keep!
■ Ladies things ( time of month ) - fair enough
Some thoughts on your list above
- Location
- Glasgow
Hi @GoldDust, I carry lots of stuff too, use the bike for commuting, shopping and leading group rides. The latter warrants the kitchen sink, you never know what may happen to a bunch of middle aged ladies on a cycling trip
Still, probably not every time I set out I need all of it: maybe try to prioritize?
I agree with @Ganymede and @vickster that both basket and a backpack are not necessary, the most comfortable way to carry stuff is a rack and panniers.
You can also fit lots more with this method, panniers full of groceries, cat food secured to rack with bungee cable ... I always have bungee cable in my panniers, a lady never knows when a bargain (cat food
) purchase opportunity presents itself.
Still, probably not every time I set out I need all of it: maybe try to prioritize?
I agree with @Ganymede and @vickster that both basket and a backpack are not necessary, the most comfortable way to carry stuff is a rack and panniers.
You can also fit lots more with this method, panniers full of groceries, cat food secured to rack with bungee cable ... I always have bungee cable in my panniers, a lady never knows when a bargain (cat food
) purchase opportunity presents itself.
shouldbeinbed
Rollin' along
- Location
- Manchester way
Maybe ditch the backpack and basket and go for panniers for shopping trips and a barbag/rack bag or hiking waist pack or saddle pack for to & from rides.
Are you taking clothes to a set destination / work? Could you stash some (& lady products) there rather than carry them onboard? I sweat too much to ride even slowly in work clothes on the commute in, so take a pile of shirts, trousers, underwear in every so often by car or bus and have socks, shoes, ties etc permanently there.
Chains fail mid ride very rarely but if you wish to carry for that eventuality, maybe consider a multi tool with chain tool incorporated.
I used to carry a first aid kit but barely have anything anymore, a roll of micropore, a few coffee shop tissues for shallow cuts and a 5x5 wound cover for a worse gouge (plus a hanky for a really big hole in me). Minor cuts and grazes aren't going to stop me riding, anything more than a big gash and I'm likely to be calling a taxi or family to pick me up
Helmet, no comment other than its a lot of bulk every time you go out.
Locks - every ride?? When you are doing a round trip ride or definitely just commuting or visiting friends with somewhere safe to park? You could consider a better quality and tough looking cable lock as it, then you have something to lock throught your helmet too rather than carrying it with you off bike.
Waterproof? How often do you get properly wet each year? Me, near daily in the Pennines and Manchester, I can count on my hands and still have fingers spare when I've properly needed a waterproof jacket each year. A softshell is invariably showeproof enough to suffice without discomfort or getting feezing cold wet.
For all but proper winter days. My gloves are invariably runner style, I go for windproof as priority & quite lightweight. Adding a £2 pair of glove liners from decathlon gives no carried bulk or weight but a heck nof a lot of extra warmth in autumn and winter. I do feel the cold in.my hands too but this works well for me.
Slim your purse down to essentials, a bank card you know has funds in it and a note/bit of change is a minimum & you can get wafer thin card carriers that'd manage that. Driving licence for a grumpy shop or worst case scenario piece of ID.
Glueless patches not a repair kit and if you feel you need 2 tubes then maybe what you really need is better puncture proof tyres - or plastic liners in your existing ones.
Gaffer tape??? A couple of zip ties would be just as good and if you really feel the urge for tape, maybe consider a nice little roll of electrical tape as a stop gap on the road answer.
Personally I'd bin the computer but I'm not into logging and recording my rides.
Maybe consider main lights that are USB chargeable (cateye volt series, smart 700 are all very good) if you don't have routine access to a desk or PC at work then leave a phone charger at regular destinations- no batteries needed. Maybe consider something like the Lezyne femto as emergency/backup lights, they're readily pocketable & only the bulk of an AA battery or two all in.
Never been a co2 fan but all of the manual pumps I own are tiny and well able to put 100psi in without breaking my arm.
All that said though, if that stuff is what you feel you need to be happy and feel safe on your bike then sod everyone else and go with your guts.
Are you taking clothes to a set destination / work? Could you stash some (& lady products) there rather than carry them onboard? I sweat too much to ride even slowly in work clothes on the commute in, so take a pile of shirts, trousers, underwear in every so often by car or bus and have socks, shoes, ties etc permanently there.
Chains fail mid ride very rarely but if you wish to carry for that eventuality, maybe consider a multi tool with chain tool incorporated.
I used to carry a first aid kit but barely have anything anymore, a roll of micropore, a few coffee shop tissues for shallow cuts and a 5x5 wound cover for a worse gouge (plus a hanky for a really big hole in me). Minor cuts and grazes aren't going to stop me riding, anything more than a big gash and I'm likely to be calling a taxi or family to pick me up
Helmet, no comment other than its a lot of bulk every time you go out.
Locks - every ride?? When you are doing a round trip ride or definitely just commuting or visiting friends with somewhere safe to park? You could consider a better quality and tough looking cable lock as it, then you have something to lock throught your helmet too rather than carrying it with you off bike.
Waterproof? How often do you get properly wet each year? Me, near daily in the Pennines and Manchester, I can count on my hands and still have fingers spare when I've properly needed a waterproof jacket each year. A softshell is invariably showeproof enough to suffice without discomfort or getting feezing cold wet.
For all but proper winter days. My gloves are invariably runner style, I go for windproof as priority & quite lightweight. Adding a £2 pair of glove liners from decathlon gives no carried bulk or weight but a heck nof a lot of extra warmth in autumn and winter. I do feel the cold in.my hands too but this works well for me.
Slim your purse down to essentials, a bank card you know has funds in it and a note/bit of change is a minimum & you can get wafer thin card carriers that'd manage that. Driving licence for a grumpy shop or worst case scenario piece of ID.
Glueless patches not a repair kit and if you feel you need 2 tubes then maybe what you really need is better puncture proof tyres - or plastic liners in your existing ones.
Gaffer tape??? A couple of zip ties would be just as good and if you really feel the urge for tape, maybe consider a nice little roll of electrical tape as a stop gap on the road answer.
Personally I'd bin the computer but I'm not into logging and recording my rides.
Maybe consider main lights that are USB chargeable (cateye volt series, smart 700 are all very good) if you don't have routine access to a desk or PC at work then leave a phone charger at regular destinations- no batteries needed. Maybe consider something like the Lezyne femto as emergency/backup lights, they're readily pocketable & only the bulk of an AA battery or two all in.
Never been a co2 fan but all of the manual pumps I own are tiny and well able to put 100psi in without breaking my arm.
All that said though, if that stuff is what you feel you need to be happy and feel safe on your bike then sod everyone else and go with your guts.
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midliferider
Guru
- Location
- Northampton
Wow, I am reading this with interest.
I think it all depends on how much risk are you prepared to take and what is your contingency plan.
I must say that I do not take that much even when I am touring alone in Europe. My entire belongings are in an overnight bag, the size that Wizz air let you take as free cabin bag. It is smaller than ordinary cabin bag that most other budget airlines allows. In my tour of Portugal, I just carry that on a seat post luggage holder on the road bike.
I think there is something wrong with me, you all have scared me.
I think it all depends on how much risk are you prepared to take and what is your contingency plan.
I must say that I do not take that much even when I am touring alone in Europe. My entire belongings are in an overnight bag, the size that Wizz air let you take as free cabin bag. It is smaller than ordinary cabin bag that most other budget airlines allows. In my tour of Portugal, I just carry that on a seat post luggage holder on the road bike.
I think there is something wrong with me, you all have scared me.
For work, I have a bag on the rear carrier with lunch and work trousers and shirt. Work shoes are kept at work. In one side pocket are work ID pass, wallet and phone. In the other are keys and any cash I happen to have on me when I pack the bag. In the top pocket are CO2 canister, tyre levers and spare tube. In the even of a puncture on the way in I'd either buy a new tube from the Wilko near work or chance it; I get a puncture about every two years. Sometimes there's a multitool in there as well, depending on whether I could find it in the morning. Club/solo leisure rides - saddle bag containing tyre levers, spare tube and CO2 canister, debit card and car/door key depending on whether I drove to the start point. Pockets of jacket/jersey may contain snacks. On the odd occasion I've had a failure other than of an inner tube I've coasted down to the nearest railway station; it's hilly around here so you only have to walk half the way and can freewheel the other half - often most of it, because stations tend to be in valleys. The lock stays on the stand at work; I don't take one on club/leisure rides because I/we tend to sit outside with the bikes.
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