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When I’m riding on MTB I use a hydration pack and carry a few tools, spares, pump, tube etc. On road rides I have a small saddle bag with a tube, multitool, latex gloves, spare link etc and pop my phone and money etc is a wee waterproof bag in a jersey pocket.
Gravel though.. I don’t like stuff in jersey pockets when bouncing around, so am toying with either a slightly larger saddle bag, though don’t like the aesthetics much, or one of these all the rage waist packs, such as the Evoc Pro one that was flagged on another thread as a winner. Would typically have a tube, tool, mini pump, small amount of spares (quicklink, brake pads, tyre boot), phone and wallet/keys. Water bottles on bike.
What are folks using and liking ?
Water bottle on the frame and a half-frame bag.
That gives me enough space to carry an extra layer.
I'm the same and recently purchased the evoc saddle bag for gravel life, it's expensive but waterproof and holds what I need.
if it's just tools and bits and bobs and you have a spare bottle mount put them in a tool keg (Fabric or a bottle-cage tool pod)
one of those Velcro frame strap things (Backcountry Research, Louri)
phone, wallet and keys would go in a pocket, it's really not that bouncy
That wee Evoc one looks good, however new bike coming next week has a 50mm dropper so don’t want anything round the post ideally..
Scotroutes, do I recall you had an Ortlieb saddle one that didn’t attach to the seatpost ?
I've got a Lotus saddle bag, about 6L capacity (very similar style to the Apidura or Rapha ones, just what my LBS had in stock at the time). No sure how (or if) it would work with a dropper post though as you mention.
Never used a bar bag as I had chicken levers but now I've ditched them I can add a bar bag to the mix.
The tiny Ortliebs don't attach round the post but the large one does. I've used it on my Occam though (with dropper) on the CL300. A couple of wraps of tape would protect the post.
EDC pump on the frame, with EDC tool and a CO2 canister, 1 or 2 bottles, and that's it.
EDC tool includes multitool, quick link, chain breaker, tyre lever, spoke wrenches, and the pump has a Co2 inflator built in.
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Baggie shorts pocket for phone with card in the case, gels/bar.
Ive got a blackburn half frame bag that zips into full size. Its ace and cheap. Got a divider, hose hole, zip pocket etc.
I use it all the time.
I use a Restrap large frame bag on my Camino size XL. It fits really well and is cavernous. Just enough space to fit 2 bottles too.
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I use a neoprene waterproof bottle tool holder from Rapha which was £12. Similar ones are on eBay for £5-£8. It holds, levers, tube, multi tool, quick link, pump, tubeless repair kit, and a few other bits. It the easiest to swap between various bikes and can even just be thrown into the Camelback.
Ortlieb half frame bag works for me. Never take it off now.
Dakine Hot Laps 2.
Depends on distance. If local either nothing carried except maybe water on bike and phone in pocket. More often I take an old-style Camelbak Lobo with the bladder removed. It has two pockets big enough for card, keys, phone, puncture stuff, minipump.
It’s so small I hardly notice it after 10 minutes and as a rule I don’t like carrying rucksacks of any type, it’s like being caught in an annoying web that makes your back sweat. The main compartment (with hydration bladder removed) is ideal to stuff in extra layer or waterproof, and/or coiled lock for pub or shop stop. Am currently looking at a bigger frame-bag or saddlebag for longer trips sans Lobo.
On a light/medium ride > 15 miles:
Mini-pump fixed on bracket under water bottle cage.
Small generic frame-bag with two different sized pockets for:
(Large pocket) small bike tool, puncture-kit, tube and keys. Maybe sandwich or energy bar
(Small pocket) Phone.
So basically this, with 500ml water bottle (not pictured):
On longer night rides I’d use a USB front light connected to power-bank in a small top-tube bag. But recently bought a self-contained light that does 8-10 hrs on medium so no need for the powerbank.
Some great ideas, thanks
Iain - you might recall that I also have one of the very nice Ortlieb waist packs. That works well too, but I prefer the frame bag as it keeps all relevant spares/tools on the bike meaning I'm unlikely to head out with the wrong inner tube etc.
^^^^ aye, just having a look at those waist bags at the moment 😀
The evoc one I have is dropper friendly by all accounts. I purchased this one from CRC
Waist packs? The 21st century bum bag
Same as road. Small pack under saddle with tube, multi tool, patches. Food in one rear pocket. If short, say a morning, that's it. Maybe jacket in other pocket. Add a fiver for longer rides. Pump under bottle cage.
What else is needed?
I would use your road setup as a starting point, and if you really need to empty your pockets then either:
- a slightly larger saddle bag would work (aesthetics become less of an issue when it’s a couple of inches below a hairy arse), but saddle bags aren’t kind to phones; or
- a Rickshaw Pipsqueak is a great pocket replacement for carrying a phone and a wallet, plus a chewy bar or even a small camera. Keys in the saddle bag unless you want a scratched phone.
teadrinker, that looks ideal, have just ordered one, cheers
Custom Alpkit frame bag. 2 compartments - bottom one has pump/tube/multitool/little box of spares/anchovy kit in, top has room for a lightweight waterproof, food, etc, or tarp, sleeping mat and tentpegs if I'm bikepacking.
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I use a Restrap frame bag. Very happy with it
Minor thread-jack, can anyone recommend a top-tube (behind stem) bag, about a litre or over? Have been looking at Topeak Toploader
I keep some bits on the bike in a Revelate gas tank
But also take a waist pack for other bits and bobs (spare layer, phone, keys etc)
How do those with waist packs find them ? Do they feel heavy, move around much ? Never tried one on a bike..
As regular readers will know I put a lot of thought into this kind of kit choice 🙂 I have been trying out the camelbak-free idea again. Currently I use a saddle bag for tool, tube and keys but for phone I started using running belts. Much more secure and comfortable than a bum bag, I'm a fussy sod and I don't even notice it. Means I can wear loose technical t shirts without pockets when MTBing which is lovely in hot weather.
This thing is soon to become my favourite, it's great.
Also bought a frame strap for a bundled windproof/outer shell. Haven't used it yet but looks like it'll be a winner.
molgrips, that Salomon belt looks a good solution for phone, may combine that with the Evoc Boa small saddle pack, thanks
Ortlieb do a series of small saddle bags with the main attachment being a fixed mount on the saddle rails that it clips into. I've the large which I think is 3 litres and it's big enough for stuff for commuting so plenty big enough for trail tools and the like.
Looking at their current line up they've now just two sizes - https://www.ortlieb.com/uk/saddle-bag-two+F9411
Waist packs are great but they tend to give me a stomach ache on the really long rides.
Currently I use:
Tube taped to seatpost.
A runners waistband for my phone and keys. Its really secure.
Food, tool and pump go in Jersey pockets.
^^^^ which runners waistband you find best ?
I currently use a bottle cage canister thing and a pump on frame. Been looking at the smaller bar bags Though, like the Restrap Canister or the Rapha one. Anyone used one and find them good?
Tool bottle on the under downtube bosses, snacks and thin jacket in Jersey pockets, tube velcro'd behind head tube.
Tool bottle with mini pump, multi tool and tubeless repair kit in.
Food and phone in pockets.
i have a dakine hotlaps 5l that i use for MTB and gravel bike rides. the only difference is that i carry a spare tube when on the gravel bike, otherwise the rest is the same, multitool, minipump, tubeless repair kit, CO2, phone, drink.
I’ve tried a few options I used to have a 0.5l tool keg that sat in a bottle holder under the down tube.
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I really liked this option. Right up to the point that it jumped out without me noticing and wasn’t there when I realised (hours later) and went back to look for it. I guess someone must have “found” it.
Now I’ve got the same tools, tube etc in a 0.5l Ortlieb saddle bag, plus an Apidura top tube box that holds a light jacket, my phone and some snacks. Pump lives on a bracket by one of the two water bottle holders. So I can basically go out all day with nothing in my pockets.
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Tools, pump, CO2 in a Silca EOLO case in one jersey pocket. Inner tube in another. Phone in the third one. This means I can just take the right tube and everything else stays the same, whichever bike I'm on.
Roverpig - how does that top tube bag fasten on ?
The Mrs bought me a Rapha bar bag for Christmas.
It’s not massive but fits a tube, pump, tools, spare brake pads and split link along with a pair of disposable gloves and a rag in the main pocket plus room for my phone, keys and a buff in the front pocket.
I quite like it as it leaves the bottle cages free for water and also the frame and seat post free for bike packing luggage without having to relocate everyday carry stuff.
(Other brands may be less speedy and just as useful...)
I use a bottle for drink and another bottle for tools/spares. It's a zipped thing and holds quite a bit of stuff. I also have a small direct mount top tube bag for snacks/keys.
No photos but I've got a 1l ish saddle bag from arkel
https://www.arkel-od.com/seat-bag
That takes 2 tubes, pump, tool and a few odds and ends.
one or two bottles on the bike depending on temp/ride length.
Then stuff in pockets is a gilet, food and phone.
Has been fine for some quite long rides - 150milers. Obviously shop/cafe stop helps for more food and water.
In winter I occasionally take my camelbak as it is just easier if you need extra layers, gloves and things.
A simple top tube bag?
Btwin (Decathlon) frame bag. Can mount it above or below, but I find it sways about when mounted on top. About £8. Big enough for tube, tools, phone and keys.
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@iainc It just bolts on to the (bottle holder style) holes in the top tube. Plus a velcro strap round the spacers under the stem to provide a bit of extra support.
Tool bottle thingy whatsit under down tube. Phone, credit card and waterproof in pockets. Sometimes gaffer tape a tube to the seat tube as 2 32mm+ tubes are hard to fit in the tool bottles.
For me it's more or less saddlebag & pockets as per road riding, but I do have a small SeeSense handlebar bag if I want to take some extra snacks or a layer. Will prob use it a bit more for carrying binoculars now too.
EDIT: I had one of the ortileb saddle bags that just attaches to saddle rails. It rattled out of the clasp on rough roads so I suspect it would suck for graveaux.
For my sorta gravel bike I have a Wizard Works Lil Presto bag. Pretty much just throw everything in it tube, pump, leavers, phone, keys and all that.
https://wizard.works/collections/bags/products/re-use-re-purpose-lil-presto-barrel-bag
I use my normal road stuff however I do have one of the Kalenji (Decathlon) running belts that I use for MTB rides that I can do with just one bottle - it'd be ideal for a gravel ride. I find it doesn't move about despite me being slim (28" waist) but I have to wear it slightly off centre so the tube sits (comfortably) in the small of my back.
I use it for a tube (external pocket), levers, pump, chain splitter, multitool, keys and snacks. It'd easily take a phone too and I can carry a packable jacket or banana/large snack in the second external pocket.
My setup with toolkeg on downtube...
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