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I mentioned this in the "Fred" thread but am serious about my question so I thought I'd post it to a new thread.
I want to get rid of my seat bag. My new bike looks so much better without it. It also rubs on my shorts and causes them to abrade. Plus, I don't want to have to swap the bag between my two bikes. If you carry your tools, etc in your jersey how do you do it? Seems like just using a ziplock bag would let it jab you in the back. Do they make something for this?
I'm not a big fan of stuffing everything into a jersey pocket. I have a nifty little Timbuktu bag that just attaches with velcro so I can take it off easily when I am racing (saddle bag while racing is a big no-no, because it could fall off and cause somone to crash). Even though it only velros on it is very secure and it is just big enough to stash a small repair kit - fits a tube, patch kit, tire levers and C02, if I only carry a patch kit and no tube I can put my minipump in there as well otherwise I stick that in my pocket.
As far as the ripping up my shorts thing - I've taken care of that by sewing a little sleeve that goes over the velcro attachment for the seatpost out of an old pair of cycling shorts - cause yeah every bag I've had will tear up the inside leg of my shorts if I don't cover that velcro.
I have a great under the seat bag. I think the brand is Topeka (I will have check on that when I get home). It has a clamp that goes under the seat, the bag just slides on and clicks in place. To take it off I just press something on the clamp and it slides off. I like because it does not swing back and forth. I never could get the velcro under the seat tight enough and it also does not pull my shorts. I had that problem also with other bags. It expands larger with a zipper, but I only unzip to take stuff out, otherwise it is fine in the smaller format.
I am also a fan of stuffing my pockets with as little as possible. I can also stuff my jacket in it when I expand it.
~ JoAnn
One idea is to pack a bunch of emergcy flat tools into a water bottle, like this:
http://www.outdoordivas.com/outdoord...AIAOGHJDIAIDJ&
I'm sure you could do it cheaper yourself. Here's a guy who does it too:
http://members.tripod.com/derek_fitz...e/trilist.html
Of course, then you'll need two bottle cages- one for actual water!
Personally, I find it too annoying and uncomfortable to carry extra lumpy stuff on my body when riding. Most small wedge shaped saddle bags won't touch your thighs at all.
You really shouldn't have an issue with the tool poking you in the back. I'm not sure if you're concerned with one of the allen wrenches or something poking you or just feeling a metal lump on your back. I'll address both...most multi-tools fold nicely and securely. One of the individual tools will not unfold and poke/jab you in the back. Once it's in your pocket folded up, it won't unfold. Also, I know some of the park multi-tools come with their own nylon carrying case if you are really concerned with that. As for feeling the big metal lump in your back pocket, you'll forget it's there after one minute. The way the back pockets are designed makes it very comfortable to carry items. You'll forget that you have a multi-tool and tube in your pocket.
The other option would be to utilize an extra water bottle cage (if you have one). I was flipping through a catalog the other day and saw they make a container that fits into your cage to carry tools, tube, keys, etc. It had a larger opening than a water bottle, but I would think a standard bottle could work also.
This is also interesting:
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=14883
Although I wouldn't sacrifice one bottle cage for that.
I don't like having a lot of stuff in my pockets, especially in the summer. (In the winter I don't have a choice because I carry extra tubes and CO2 and extra gloves...)
I have a small saddle bag that's the same color as my bike. Everything fits in and it's well adjusted so it doesn't move around.
I have a Topeak bag too, but it attaches with velcro. But it doesn't touch my shorts at all.
I, too, use a Topeak seat bag. I've never noticed it rubbing on my shorts.
Here it is: http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...nd%3A%20Topeak
You could also try one of those Bento Boxes that attach to your top tube. Otherwise, maybe you could find a small bag--not necessarily made specifically for bikes--that could hold your tools and whatnot.
Of course it's whatever you prefer, but I'm not sure I could get everything I carry with me--food, cell phone, money, ID, spare tube, CO2 cannisters, and tools--into my jersey pockets or that I'd want that much weight and bulk on my back. I usually don't make full use of my jersey pockets, in part because I have been known to wash them w/o emptying the pockets. I had some very clean raisins last year that I had to pick out out of my washer one by one!
I've often thought about getting rid of the seatpost bag too. Bike looks much better without it, plus I'm vain enough to realize that i don't like the way I look with bulging pockets. :o
I also remember someone here (I think it was our very own Susan O.) talking about her boyfriend crashing and getting his keys dug into his back because he landed right on them. That has me keeping everything except gu's and bloks in my bag.
If you decide on a cannister-type storage thingie for one of your bottle cages instead of a seatpack or jersey pocket, you might try a tennis ball can. We've used one on the tandem occasionally, and it's cheaper than buying a special container. But not all cages will accommodate one.
I have the same Topeak bag that Jo N NY has--that clamps on & off. Those are really nice. And since it releases so quickly and easily, you can take the whole bag in when you leave the bicycle outside.
Oh, and no rubbing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Aint Doody
I'd like to know which one it is, if it's small. I may just switch. I can't give up a bottle cage. I don't use a Camelbak. I already carry my cell phone and cleat covers in my pockets and sometimes a gel or bar. Maybe a small Tupperware type thing...buy they are too rigid. Any other ideas?Quote:
Originally Posted by Jo-n-NY
I'm tellin' ya. A ziploc bag!
You think I'm kidding. But I'm serious!
Okay. Maybe I'm Fred, and my DH, too. But we always carry stuff in our pockets in baggies. Keeps stuff (cash, credit cards, ID, phone, whatever) from getting goobered up. I have a small Pedros bag on my road bike and a small Performance bag on my commuter - each had its own set of irons, patch kit, and tube. DH carries a tube, inflator, and multitool in his jersey pocket in a baggie.
Sometimes a shower cap from a hotel works in a pinch! ;)
p.s. This is the saddlebag I have on my roadbike (the micro) - too small to do any rubbing: http://www.pedros.com/frame.aspx?url...bags.html?ride
Some people just do a "burrito wrap" for their flat repair kit. You take a square piece of canvas or other stiff fabric or thin leather, and wrap your tools up like a little burrito and then attach it anywhere on your bike frame with either a leather buckle strap or a bungee cord, whatever. Looks very neat and tidy.
Here's an example that Rivendell sells:
http://www.rivbike.com/webalog/baggage_racks/