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I think I want a pack for short (<2 hour) rides in order to avoid faff and ensure that I always have the right gubbins on-board. A backpack seems overkill, so I've been thinking of a glorified bum-bag/waist-pack/Batman utility-belt thang. I'm not too bothered either way about a bladder as I'm happy with a bottle cage.
Not sure if they are the practical solution, so STW real-world usage reviews and endorsements would be much appreciated!
Cheers.
Saddle pack. A tube, a multi-tool, CO2 and a few other essential. Mini-pump on a pocket or taped to the frame and you're sorted.
Use nothing else, with maybe a top tube bag for much longer rides. Holds pump (which could go on frame if I could be bothered) jacket, food, basic tools, money, phone.
It's a small, cheap Lowe Alpine job so not much outlay to try one out.
The issues with it only start in 'mixed conditions', where you're starting a ride with more layers but need to stuff away more gear as it gets hotter. I can get away with tiny shower jacket/softshell gilet/armwarmers in mine, but you would need a bit of bungee on the back for anything more.
This is the one I have:
https://www.needlesports.com/51955/products/lowe-alpine-lightflite-5-litre-bumbag-anthracite.aspx
Lunge - You might be right. I've always had a saddle pack on my road bike but really didn't fancy the wobble of it on a mountain bike, and its potential to interfere with a dropper post. Happy to be enlightened though. Any recommendations for a neat, little saddle pack that holds firm?
I've just gone for a Camelabak Chase vest for this type of ride (and possibly most rides as it's more flexible than I expected). Only one ride so far, so too early to say too much, but it might be worth considering.
I have a Mavic Crossride hip bag. I have an inner tube strapped to the back of the saddle and pump, levers, tool in the bag. It's ok. Not quite as staple as I'd like but ok. Fine for a quick local blast.
https://enduro-mtb.com/en/best-mtb-hip-pack-you-can-buy/5/
I've got one of these and it's spot on. It's tiny so you can't get much in there, but it doesn't attach to the seatpost which helps for droppers. The size means it doesn't wobble and you can strap it up tight to stop it rattling.
I've got a Dakine Hot Laps 5l which I've got on well with. Review on my blog here.
Dakine do two smaller ones as well - one which just holds a bottle and one which is just a utility belt.
Overboard Pro-Light 2l - waterproof but not the most stable when stuffed with heavy-ish items. Roll top so you can carry baguettes if that's your thing 😉
https://www.over-board.co.uk/pro-light-waterproof-waist-pack-2-litres.html
Also use a lot more stable Deuter Pulse 3, and so far I do like it a lot. Useful side pocket on the belt, light loop and reflective strips:
https://www.deuter.com/DE/en/hip-belts/pulse-3-3935219-purple-red.html
I've the Camelbak one the Repack.
Pro's: Doesn't move, carries pretty much everything you need, (pump, tool, bit of food, keys, a splash of water)
Cons: There's not a lot of space for much else, so if you do want to take a jacket (if it's changeable for instance) don't rely on being able to stuff it into the repack. the bladder takes up a lot of internal space if you brim it.
Nice blog orena45, enjoyed your review.
Appropriate pump and bottle frame mounted containing tools and tubes appropriate to the bike. If I carry a bag it is a tiny one from Aldi with a bladder in it but for two hours I'd just stick a second bottle cage on.
I've got a nice wee dakine hotlaps 3l which can hold (just) a bottle as well as a bit more kit than my normal belt type one. TBH I never feel wearing a pack is a problem but it's nice to just grab a bum bag off the shelf, throw in a bottle and go without faffing about with bladders etc.
I got a running waist pack from Sports direct. Half price at £8 and it fits everything in that was in my Camelback. Admittedly not much but quite heavy.
Small Dakine that takes a bottle here too. Usually have in it multitool, tubeless repair kit, co2, leaves space for thin shower proof jacket and snacks if required. Spare tube strapped to frame.
I've tried bigger waist packs including one with a bladder but they don't sit well and move around.
I've got a Raceface rip strip in which I can cram a phone, car keys, multitool, pump, random spares (i.e. links, tubeless repair, zip ties etc etc), some first aid stuff and also a 600ml bottle of water. As it sits so close to your body it barely moves and you forget it's there. A spare tube fits nicely into my frame out the way.
That said, I'm tempted to get a Lowe Alpine Mesa 6 so I can carry a small waterproof, a small bladder and a bit more first aid stuff. At less that £25 its worth a punt I reckon.
I've got the Lowe Alpine Mesa and really dig it. Bags of room for bigger rides. Easily swallows phone, keys, wallet, tube, tools, food, packable jacket, etc. Shorter rides needing less stuff I'd probably opt for the 4 litre Fjell but the Mesa does cinch down well when not full.
I bought a small frame bag from Decathlon and keep a tube, mini pump, multi tool, tyre levers and can even fit one of those tiny pack away jackets in there.
Its less than a tenner! https://www.decathlon.co.uk/100-bike-frame-bag-black-15l-id_8354453.html
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Oooh, thanks for that ads. I'm in Oxford on Saturday so may well pop in.
Thanks all for your input. Some good suggestions. I'm gonna do some research by poking around some bike shops and surreptitiously checking out peoples kit.
I got one of those Evoc bumbags that were in the psa let year. Friggin excellent. I use it almost all the time now instead of a rucksack.
Even paid the inflated price for the made to fit bladder as I like it so much!👍