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Back in the 90's a bum back was my storage option of choice for on the bike. Plenty of space for tools and comfy to ride in. Even back then, I suspected I looked like a total dork.
Now I'm wondering if it might be a sensible choice for longer solo road rides. I'm currently using a tool bottle for keys, phone, money and saddlebag for tools - but that's limiting water carrying potential. Rucksack isn't very roadie and a bit sweaty.
Top tube bag/stem bag would be my choice instead.
I use a bum bag on my mtb and would happily use it on the road.
It's a Dakine Hot Laps 2l, fits a tube, puncture repair kit, inflator and co2 cannisters, multitool plus a couple of gels, snack bar and even has a fold away water bottle holder.
Was recommended off here and I love it!
I've got the same Hot Laps, it's ace. it sits pretty high so it's barely a bum bag, right? Right? Very impressed with it, I barely know it's there except that it can rotate around a wee bit over time, I think because of hte uneven weight of the bottle. But that's totally trivial
a selection of frame bags from tiny to huge for me
Rucksack isn’t very roadie and a bit sweaty.
Sod dorky its whatever makes sense for you. I would be thinking if you care about that shit maybe a saddle bag to keep the bottle holders free for water but personally I just use a camelbak on or offroad (but my road(ish) bike gets looked on with enough disdain by clannish roadies that even using approved gear would get ignored).
Ortlieb hip pack for local MTB rides. Plenty of space, comfortable, bombproof, fully water/mud proof. Will take a couple of 500ml bottles but I prefer a bottle cage really.
I don't falling off the bike and landing on my back with a well packed bumbag to act as the rod that broke the cyclist's back.
I tend to have tube/puncture kit/tools in a saddlebag, money/phone/camera in a Rickshaw Pipsqueak, and arm warmers etc in jersey pockets. That's seen me good for up to 14 hour rides in the summer.
For rides stretching over 2-3 days, or in particularly changeable weather, I'll either use a small post pack like the Altura Arran or a bar bag like the Altura Sonic 5, probably in addition to one of the above.
Wouldn't dream of using a bum bag or a rucksack myself; it'd just rub annoyingly and would make jersey pockets unusable anyway. YMMV.
Like you OP I'm currently giving away one bottle cage to a tool bottle on my MTB which limits me to 1L, this is only really a problem for longer rides (say over 3 hours), which is rare for me on the MTB now but it might be nice to have an alternative...
Rather than spunk £40+ on a brand named bumbag I might see what I can find for under a fiver from amazon, its only got to accommodate a few basics and TBH I prefer to carry as little as possible these days so a small, cheap bumbag might be a sensible option.
Just today, I purchased the hot laps 5L. Im making the transition from backpack to 'waist pack' so didnt want to dive right into the 2L incase it was too small. Looks great and feels comfy with 1.5L of water in the bladder, tools, snacks and a phone (keep a tube and Co2 on the frame). This was only trying it on so will see how it is this weekend on a ride!
I have a Dakine hotlaps too and it is brilliant. Bought it 2nd hand for 15 quid of here as i recall. MTB and Road, it has become an essential bit of kit. Big enough to take everything you need but not big enough to take too much / more than you really need.
It can even carry a jacket in the bottle holder part
Thanks all-looks like some good suggestions there to check out.
A good comfy bumbag with a thick band and a good buckle/closure is way better than putting bags on bikes, for actually riding a MTB. **** having weight attached to your stem.
What TJ said.
I have a frame bag from BeerBabe, one of the recycled inner tube ones. She will also do custom ones for you.
Same as scotroutes , ortlieb hip pack ,great bit of kit
Using the Osprey seral 7. 1.5l bladder and enough storage for the usual stuff. Comfortable and stays put.
keys, phone, money
Straight into jersey pockets, surely? Thus ditching the need for the tool bottle, and enabling a proper bidon neatly in it's place, no?
A good comfy bumbag with a thick band and a good buckle/closure is way better than putting bags on bikes, for actually riding a MTB.
Shame the OP wasn't asking about riding an MTB then 😉
Gonna lose a few watts with a bag disrupting the airflow but if that's not an issue then why not.
I have one of THESE bumbags/waistpacks from Decathlon. Sits nicely on my waist while riding and doesn't flap around, can store seemingly vast amounts of stuff when required but cinches up nice and compact when only carrying the basics. Has pouches for two water bottles, handy front organiser section and is a steal at £15.
Lowe Alpine ones are reasonably priced. Mine is comfy and seems well made.
I’m currently using a tool bottle for keys, phone, money and saddlebag for tools – but that’s limiting water carrying potential. Rucksack isn’t very roadie and a bit sweaty.
Rear pockets, thats the key. Tools in a small saddle bag, mini pump and food in rear pockets along with phone and a folded up gillet if needed, water in 2 bottles on the bike. If you’re worried about a wet phone put it in a clear pencil case with your keys, perfect size for a rear pocket.
No need for bags, bum or otherwise.
Osprey Savu for me, holds the basics and don’t really notice it during use, had to purchase from the US though as oddly it’s a US only model!!!!
I've had a few but I recently bought the evoc one. It's huge, sits tight against my back and I can hardly feel its there. Very recommended.
Shame the OP wasn’t asking about riding an MTB then 😉
Aye, I really should pay more attention Bez!
*wanders off muttering about how this used to be an MTB forum... 🙂
No single answer to this, but I'm a very traditionalist roadie. I use a tool roll ( https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Silca/Premio-Seat-Roll/EMBO ). Endura do a cheaper one that is fairly similar.
My money, 1 bank card and 1 house key goes in something like this in my jersey pocket....
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Credit-Protector-Blocking-Business-Stainless/dp/B06Y52RZZK
I'm tubeless on my road bikes, I take with me a Dynaplug carbon tubeless repair kit. Not had to use it so far. For short rides of less than 50 miles I don't bother with a spare tube, I just take the Dynaplug and CO2 canisters. For longer rides I'll take the roll bag with a spare tube and two C02 canisters.
For long rides over a century, I'll always plan on at least one stop for water and food. On the long ride I'd have a banana after about 15 miles, food stop aimed at 40 miles (ish) and a gel at 70 / 80 miles. If I need to I'd find a shop / garage to restock up on water. (The banana and gel are in the jersey pockets from the start of the ride)
For 10+ hour rides with limited stops that's a different story and I take a small handlebar bag. Solid food, arm/leg warmers and a windproof jacket are stored in that. (Alpkit Gnaro)
Multi tool, tubes, spare links etc in a small tool bag mounted under the saddle. Phone, wallet waterproof, snacks in jersey pockets, leaving both bottle cages free for carrying bottles. That setup will work fine for a long day of riding.
For longer distance stuff, like 200km+ Audaxes, where I want to carry spare clothes for overnight and other odds and ends, I use a larger Topeak Mondopack under the saddle and the wee cheapo Decathlon handlebar bag. That's handy for carrying a bit of spare food to graze from while riding.
I can put up with a Camelbak for MTB, but my preference is not to have anything on my back or hanging round my waist while riding, if I can avoid it.
Recently got an EVOC one and after riding with it a few times this last week I'm a big fan.
Good size, had phone,keys, spare tube, multi tool, shock pump with plenty room to spare that could take a light windshell/waterproof if needed. I also had a full 750ml bottle in a holder (there's 2) and didn't really notice it tbh. Secure, sits snug against the back and after the intial putting it on didn't even think about it being there after a while. I'm sold on it and will use it probably for majority of all riding now apart from all day rides and even then that would be weather, route dependent. Felt good to have a breathable back aswell and less restricted.
*wanders off muttering about how this used to be an MTB forum… 🙂
We were all under the impression you thought it was a runners forum.
😛
FWIW I use a runners water bottle belt with a tiny pocket that can carry CO2 & multitool on my mtb.
being a non mtb/derp/roadie product there's no cyclist tax so it cost under a tenner including the bottle. light cheap and strong. (been landed on many many times)
I use a cheap chinese waterbottle bottle storage case (pod) in the second bottle cage on my roadbike to hold all spares/tools etc. 2x tubes, CO2x2, multitool, puncture stuff, quick links snacks and money in it all the time. small topeak iglow frame fit pump mounted to the seatpost (that doubles as a rear light). emergency fiver in the STi hood cover. phone on a runners arm band case so nothing in my rear pockets at all most of the time (possibly arm warmers in cerrtain temps/conditions). in the other bottle cage is either a 500, 750 or 900ml waterbottle.
Dakine Hotlaps gripper on the Eeb holds 2x tubes, CO2x2, multi tool, hanger, puncture stuff.
I use the hotlaps on DH bikes too mounted under the BB to aid stability (Not actually shitting you).
Tube sttrapped to the downtube by the BB under the linkage on the capra, CO2 mounted to the direct mount front mech adapter and a tiny multitool stashed under the saddle, puncture stuff and a ziptie inside the front maxxle quicklink on the gear outer. #DerpAF
other bikes I'll sometimes strap a tube to the frame. multitool in pocket (or for longer rides (2hr+) use the bag described above.
Haven't used anything as big as a proper bumbag or a camelback for years.
(except for guiding)
all of the above storage solutions (except the stuff I stash in maxles) could be used on a roadbike too.
I also have the 2l hotlaps but haven't actually ever used it. Fitted it sits nice n low under my belt straps. I'd have sent it back if it sat high as Northwind stated. high would be sweaty. low isn't in the slightest. I suppose it's up to you how you wear them though.
Why do you need so much water OP?
a 900/1000ml bottle should last you 3 hours if you drink lots before the ride and you can probably find somewhere to refill it on most road routes. no?
Most sub 2hr rides I don't even take water. (mtb or road)
I'm grappling with this as I switch from MTB to (more) serious roadie, and realise a camelbak isn't just unfashionable, but probably not ideal for shoulder pain on long road rides.
I still wear baggy MTB shorts (with lycra liner) because I'm not a lycra weirdo ;). So with 2 water bottles, saddle bag for tools and biscuits, and keys/ money/ phone and chocolate in short pockets, I'm all good for the moment.
For a more extreme solution, the photographer Chris Burkard on Instagram is doing some long-distance road rides, and has a pretty cool bag that sits on the top tube behind the stem - looks like a motorbike fuel tank. Looks like he has a hydration pack in there, plus tons of tools etc.
Touché geex! 🤣
Bum bag here. It was a quid from a charity shop, it works and I don't care what it looks like cos I can't see it 😆
Evoc waist belt?
Whats wrong with using your jersey pockets...
Deeply unfashionable but I have a small saddlebag with 2x tubes, 1x gas, multitool, tyre levers, quicklink and lock. Jersey contains keys, phone etc and any other clothing and food I want. No idea why you’d need a backpack... I could easily ride without the saddlebag just using pockets in the summer.
Good shout on the decathlon one, exactly what I am after for the mountain bike. Few other decent cheap bits on there as well.
Whats wrong with using your jersey pockets…
It's handy to have everything together in one place ready to go without having to remember to swap stuff from jersey to jersey. TBH I use all of the above options at various times (other than a backpack on the road bike). Weather, conditions, route length, snackage, opportunity for photo stops and so on all affect my choice on each ride.