Bought First Saddle Bag-Supplies?

As I hinted in my other post, the CO2 is pretty much a necessity if you're under a time constraint, as in commuting to work - and it's definitely a matter of politeness if you're riding with others. If I did most of my riding alone I wouldn't bother with it. A "real" pump doesn't weigh any more than CO2 plus backup pump, and that's all I carry on the commuter. It's only on the roadie that I'm usually on a club ride and have to take other riders into consideration (and waning light, on an evening ride).

I will bump up this thread when I get around to ordering one. The quart sized zip-lock baggies are thicker plastic than any of the sandwich baggies I've tried. So, while it does need to be folded more it actually lasts longer for me.

Supposedly, the small Seal Line bag is 4"x6" and photos show an iPhone being a (somewhat close) fit. My cell phone is smaller, so I'm not too worried about things fitting inside the bag--I'm more worried as to how it'll fit in different jersey pockets. However, if I can't use it on the bike it'll still get used.

How large does the bag you have for kayaking actually measure, by the way?

It's 4x6, but that's on the outside. The seams take up a couple of millimeters, and just general stiffness of the material keeps me from packing it too tight. The sealing edge is hard plastic.

As a quick update I purchased a second CO2 cartridge and it's in the bag. So, other than some small sized pain relief, I think I'm good.

Thanks for all the great advice.

Oh - two other really small and light (but handy) things I carry because they don't take up much room - a couple of zip ties and a few safety pins.

there are also things called jersey bins, which are like thick eleastic pencil cases with a good tight zip seal. The Sag guy puts his car keys, cell phone and drivers licence in one and carries it in his jersey pocket. They are really sturdy and see throughable and are just slightly smaller than his jersey pocket so they also work well for keeping cue sheets and maps dry.

I like the zip tie and safety pin idea. another is to wrap your jimi with duct tape so you have some around for emergencies, mending torn clothing, torn skin, and I also have several various lenths velcro bands around my seat stem just in case.

marni

So you go for some of what I call "serious" rides! Nice job. My longest ride was 25 miles last weekend and we stopped and took photos, so it took just over 2 hours 40 minutes. I had snacks but didn't eat until we returned to the car. I think something like Gu or shot blocks would be advisable in an emergency. I'd rather eat real food if given a choice.[/QUOTE]

I too would rather eat real food, given the choice, and on the cross country rides, I will always stop for lunch and a longish break. Even on rides of three hours or more I try and find a coffee shop or Mac Donalds for an iced coffee. I tend to ride the same training routes and variations locally for set distances, with bail out points for food or turning around so I know where all the real food is. Since I ride through the summer, quite often what I need is a brief period in some ac so I will hit a Mac D;s or gas station just for the ac.

Like I said, the gu and blocks are only for emergencies as they kick in quickly for a bonk, but other than that, they are just along for the ride.

keep up the good riding and enjoy the process. Any day on a bike is a good day.

marni

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Originally Posted by marni

there are also things called jersey bins

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Hey, thanks Marni! I hadn't heard of JerseyBin. :)

@Marni, you're a woman after my own heart regarding food. ;), but I will get some Gu or similar "just in case". I've bookmarked the page for JerseyBin and it looks like I'd have to order online. Oh well.

So I have a question regarding safety pins and zip ties, since I'll probably add them to my saddle bag. What would be typical uses of these? I'm wondering about specifics so I can figure out what size pins & ties to use.

Thanks again to everyone for their great suggestions.
BTW, I have a small "Swiss Army" type knife that would probably fit. Not sure if I'd ever need it but it could come in handy.

I just carry "basic size" safety pins - the size they give you for race bibs when you run. I used pins once when I pulled away the corner of a jersey pocket from a shirt (maybe the pocket was overstuffed), or I thought they would be handy if I somehow managed to have a problem with a full length jersey zipper. Once we used them for temporary repair of a friends saddle bag strap (it attached with Velcro vs. clips) and kept pulling open. Used the zip ties on another friend's saddle bag when the strap broke so it wouldn't be bobbing up and down while she rode. If your shoes have laces instead of buckle or Velcro closures, a zip tie could also be used to fasten your shoe if the lace broke. Marni mentioned duct tape - definitely would be useful.

I've used a safety pin when the zipper pull on my bootie broke. I needed something in that slot to unlock the zipper so I could take it off.

That was in my cycling bag back at the car though, I don't carry them on me.

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Originally Posted by Velocivixen

@Marni, you're a woman after my own heart regarding food. ;), but I will get some Gu or similar "just in case". I've bookmarked the page for JerseyBin and it looks like I'd have to order online. Oh well.

So I have a question regarding safety pins and zip ties, since I'll probably add them to my saddle bag. What would be typical uses of these? I'm wondering about specifics so I can figure out what size pins & ties to use.

Thanks again to everyone for their great suggestions.
BTW, I have a small "Swiss Army" type knife that would probably fit. Not sure if I'd ever need it but it could come in handy.

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I have used zip ties to fasten a broken watch strap, reattach my garmin to the handle bar, replace a broken shoe lace, reattach a seat bag, as a lever to get a chain jammed in the rear derailleur and crank unstuck. Myriad uses.

Incidentally, duct tape is an almost instant stop and sterile closure for deep bleeding cuts, not so good on road rash, but when you slice your calf open on your crankk, definitely a god send.

marni

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Originally Posted by Crankin

My seat bag (which is smaller than the one I had before, but broke) is a bit smaller than I like, but I am constrained because of the small size of my bike, the teeny teeny bit of seat tube I have, and the modular shape of the tubes in general.

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Crankin,
I have the same issue because of the small of size my bike. What type of seat bag are you using? I'v tried about every one from the LBS here!
Thanks, K

Hey Velocivixen, did you make that tool roll?? Or if not, what brand is it? That's very cool. What's in the pocket on the left - patch kit? Space for spare CO2 cartridge? Space for the tube?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Velocivixen

As a quick update I purchased a second CO2 cartridge and it's in the bag. So, other than some small sized pain relief, I think I'm good.

Thanks for all the great advice.

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Have you had a chance to practice with the CO cartridges? I don't carry them myself, I have a pump, but my LBS has told me that if you don't practice using them that there are often problems using them when you need to. I do know that last year my pump was used fairly often on club rides by people who had problems with thier CO cartridges. My pump has two pressure settings on it so it doesn't take long at all to air up a road tire. Some carry both.