Bought First Saddle Bag-Supplies?

[Velocivixen]

Hello. I've been carrying my spare tube, etc. in an Arkel "Bug" pannier. After my first long ride last weekend (turned out to be 25 and not 30 miles), I decided that I needed to go "lighter". I don't need a pannier to carry everything I own. So today I bought my first under seat or saddle bag.
It is a RavX Maxi X large wedge strap bag (see here): http://ravx.com/products/bags_racks/maxi_x.html

Here is a photo of all I think I should carry. I have a spare tube in the box (should I take it out of box & in baggie with talc powder?), two batteries for my rear superflash light, a small multi tool, some skabs patches, CO2 cartridge with pump, 3 tire levers & a Park Tool 13/15mm wrench in a roll kit.

I would also carry my cell phone, driver's license, credit card/cash, starbucks card. If I needed my lock I would bungee it to my rear rack like I used to do prior to the pannier. What do you put your driver's license in? The ladies at the LBS (guys too) had Driver's license/credit card together with a rubber band around them. I'm thinking of a small ziplock bag or something.

I also bought my first ever bicycling jersey. A Castelli Perla Jersey in purple, which has a large zip pocket in the back along with 3 deep traditional cycling type pockets. If the ride is longer I would bring snacks and the bag would fit some snacks like string cheese, fruit, boiled egg, gu or whatever.
Anything else I might need on a "lighter" ride?
Thanks for all your advice and help so far. It's been great!

[ClockworkOrange]

Smart bag and you are so very organised but think you should lose the box.

I'd slip in a couple of tissues, always useful also a satchet that's a wet wipe.

The new cycling top sounds cool also, you should have posted a pic.

[pll]

Sounds like you are mechanically skilled! I would not know what to do with the tools, save for the allen keys. I would check that your rear light works properly before leaving and not carry batteries, but I avoid riding when it's dark.

In addition to a tube and tire levers, I carry a patch kit, a CO2 cartridge inflator (in addition to a pump attached to the frame). As Clockworkorange suggests, a wet wipe is also handy (after replacing a tube).

Re the driving license, my wallet has a removable ID case, so I take that with my health insurance card, some money and my debit card. A zip lock bag works, too.

Other things I carry: something to clean my glasses, a small pack of tissues (usually in my jersey), a couple of advil and, er..., some emergency feminine supplies.

[Chicken Little]

Wow, you're certainly well prepared. I agree, loose the box. I think I have tiny multi-tool, a tube, two iron's, and a pump on my water bottle cage.

I slipped in 50 cents and always carry a credit card.

[Chile Pepper]

Wow, that looks like a lot! I carry a tube (no box, no baggie, just the tube right in the saddle bag), two tire irons (plastics, actually), and some tissues. I have a pump on my bike, and I carry my ID and a bit of cash in my jersey (along with my keys, a snack, lip balm,and cell phone). That's it. If I need anything else, I either have to make do without or (worst case) use my cell phone.

[Catrin]

I wrap the tube in a small rag to protect it. I have a little plastic "jenni?" wallet that I use to carry a COPY of my license and insurance cards if I have them with me. If I am riding from home then I just have my Road ID on my wrist. I should probably have money with me more often than I do.

I like my Arkel Tail Rider, though can only use it on one bike and that only for rides >3 hours when I need more nutrition than I can carry in my jersey - my new Camelbak has enough storage to serve for my other bikes.

[KatzPajamas]

checked out your RAVX bag at the website. NICE!

[Velocivixen]

My DH just gave me this for my ID. It's white plastic on one side and says "Emergency Identification", and this side is clear. The red is the "ziploc" closure. So I won't have to shop for a wallet.

[pll]

Oh! I've used one of those - would not know even how they are called. They are very convenient!

My DH just gave me this for my ID. It's white plastic on one side and says "Emergency Identification", and this side is clear. The red is the "ziploc" closure. So I won't have to shop for a wallet.

[Crankin]

My regular wallet is jersey sized and comes with me on all rides, in addition to my Road ID. 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. I have 2 tubes in a baggie with powder, a co2 inflator and 2 cartridges, 2 levers, some band aids, antibiotic ointment, and a couple of tissues in a baggie. I can usually squeeze in a Luna Bar and a couple of Nuun tablets or Shot Blocks, too. Friday, I took the Luna Bar out and put it in my jersey and was able to squish my vest in there.
I try to buy jerseys with deep pockets. The best one i have so far is one of the TE design contest jerseys I got last summer. You could put the kitchen sink in there! But, when we are doing a longer ride, like today we took lunch, DH has 2 sizes of Carradice bags which we use. I wish I could put one on my bike...

[owlice]

Oh, I also have a patch kit in my seatbag, which I'd use if I needed to (if I flatted both tires), but which I mainly keep in case someone else needs it for lack of a spare tube/equipment.

[nscrbug]

I agree about nixing the box. I always carry 2 tubes (rubberbanded to stay together), a C02 inflator w/2 cartridges, tire lever, mini-tool, a small container with Excedrin & Advil (I get headaches a lot during rides), an extra tampon, 2 packets of individually wrapped Wet-ones wipes, and a few dollar bills. All of this fits nicely into my medium-sized Topeak Aero Wedge seatbag.

[OakLeaf]

What I need on my person goes in one of those one-cup sized ziploc bags that you get bulk herbs and spices in. Perfect size for cards and phone.

Driver's license (original - who's going to accept a copy???), insurance card, organ donor card, store loyalty cards, one credit card, at least one $20 plus at least two $1 bills for vending machines if I'm desperate for water. Phone. Car key if I've driven to ride.

This weekend I double-bagged everything. I think I'm going to make a habit of that. I had a close call with getting my phone wet a couple of weeks ago, so I'm going to be extra careful from now on.


I think a second CO2 cartridge is optional if you have a really usable pump. I carry two since my back-up pump is really for emergencies only ... it takes a LONG time to inflate a tire to a rideable pressure even at my size. But if your pump will inflate a tire in a reasonable amount of time, I think a second cartridge isn't an absolute necessity. Really, if you're not under the gun (either commuting to work or part of a club ride), CO2 isn't a necessity at all.

[kajero]

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.

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

[OakLeaf]

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?