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I've always ridden with a backpack that has a waterproof, bladder, puncture kit (only 1 tyre is tubeless), multitool, chain tool, 1st aid kit and a bag of jelly babies however I hate riding with a pack.
Currently strap a pump and spare tube to the frame, piggyback shock doesn't allow a bottlecage but new bike will, leaving everything minus the first aid kit as these are unnecessary for an average 10-14km trail ride. Anyone use a small top tube or saddle bag etc that they recommend to store kit?
Also, no idea how people get by without a waterproof when the weather turns sour every 10 minutes in the UK, just wear a single layer jersey or base layer and jersey and stay warm?
Cheers
Take a look at Weecog. Handmade in Scotland if that's your thing, and probably not the cheapest but I'm happy with mine.
I've got a Slider saddle bag and recently got a Cage frame bag, custom made to fit my frame.
Very happy with them and didn't move after a recent BPW trip.
Riding without a pack is so much nicer. Why only 1 tyre tubeless though?
See the "Lightening your load" thread - I posted a shot on that with an Alpkit Fuel Pod mounted inside the main triangle. Last weekend mine had: FAK (see next para); glasses; Exposure Joystick; multi-tool; tyre levers; small pliers; toothbrush and paste (we were bikepacking); MSR Trailshot water filter; various charging cables. My spare inner tube was in another bag.
FAK: Are you a trained paramedic? Just what level of injury are you actually capable of dealing with? Not being antagonistic here but once you get past cuts and scrapes the most serious thing you are likely to have to handle would be a broken collar bone or dislocated shoulder for which you can use a sling made from any item of clothing you have to hand. You'd only need a couple of safety pins. My FAK for even long multi-day rides in this country consists of a few plasters, blister pads, an antiseptic wipe or two and some safety pins - weighs a few grammes and fits in one of those small ziplock bags. Things like broken legs, broken back, concussion - I'm not trained to deal with those so if it's myself injured it's a case of 999, if it's someone else then it's make them comfortable and stable and call 999.
Waterproofs: last weekend I wore a Gore Windstopper jacket over a long sleeved thermal top which was ideal. We didn't have any rain for the three days we were out (Argyll) but it was cool and breezy. I've used the jacket in heavy rain and it's pretty good for that as well. I also have an Altura lightweight waterproof that fits in my jersey pocket - the main problem with this is that it's made of such light materials that in heavy rain and wind it presses against you and you get quite cold. It's fine for light, intermittent showers .
I use the smallest restrap frame bag. It can fit enough kit for a days summer riding, tools, spare tube, light jacket or gillet, food, cash etc. Water in one or two bottles.
Winter riding, the tools come out of the bag, and get put in a saddle tool roll and a large waterproof jacket goes in.
The restrap bag itself is well made, waterproof and has a hole for a camelback hose if you want to stuff a bladder in there (not found one that fits nicely though). The straps will mark your frame with regular use though (as with most of these types of bag) - so best to use help tape or similar in those areas.
Shorter rides I strap a tube to the frame and use the tool roll and either wear or stuff a jacket in a pocket.
have to recommend decathlon ones, tho does mean you're choosing sweat shop distant manufacture etc rather than uk. however, well made fleible fitting options, cheap.
Alpkit Stem Cell. I think it's better than a top tube bag, as it doesn't flop over or rub on your knees.
You can squeeze quite a lot of stuff in them. I usually have one for a tube, tools etc, and one for gloves or a lightweight jacket and phone etc.
Yep, can't fault the Decathlon one - especially considering how inexpensive it is compared to others.
Thats the bag in all its glory mounted to my NP Mega.
Another good Decathlon find was this water bottle https://www.decathlon.co.uk/500-ml-flexible-water-bottle-id_8487344.html
hardly notice it stuffed in your back sky rocket - so much comfier than a bottle
Have a look at Lomo/ewetsuits.com - not the lightest option, but good value and very water resistant.
Thanks, that's plenty to go on! I've been weighing up small frame/seat bags against the "enduro" type frame straps like the back country research ones and am unsure as to which way to go
I've a BeerBabe downtube bag - they weren't on her site at the time but they are now - http://beerbabe.co.uk/ourshop/prod_6230779-Downtube-Pack-various-sizes.html  I've the smallest which takes a Topeak Mini-morph pump plus tools and spares, Here's my setup for last year's YD200
+1 more to the decathlon one.
I've happily fitted 2 x 27.5in tubes in plus a multitool, foil balnket, quick link, small folding knife, some duct tape, a small bottle of squirt, a coupl eof random straps and still got space to squeeze haribo round it all.