QUESTION: What kind of bike bag is best for carrying my stuff on a ride? I see seatbags of all different sizes when I’m out riding, but I also have started to see people riding with bags on their front handlebars, which seems more convenient. Some people even have bags on their top tube. What’s the right choice? —John R.
RBR’S STAN PURDUM REPLIES: What bag to use to carry your “stuff” leads to the question of how much stuff you want to have with you on the bike. And the answer to that depends on what your riding goal is. Cyclists whose primary goal is high performance and speed are probably riding a higher-end carbon fiber steed. They are going to want very little stuff with them so as not to add much weight to their bike. For them, a small under-the-seat containing a multi-tool and the minimum needed items to deal with a flat tire is sufficient.
At the other extreme, cycle tourists who wish to travel self-supported are usually mounted on study steel or aluminum rides and are likely to want several large bags — and the racks to attach them to — to carry everything they need. Their “stuff” may include a tent, sleeping bag, cooking equipment, food, clothing changes, a larger selection of tools, possibly some spare parts and more.
But assuming you are talking about day rides and carrying enough items to be prepared for minor mechanical problems and enough clothing to deal with weather changes, you may get away with one medium bag or a couple of smaller ones.
When considering what bag or bags to purchase, a preliminary consideration is whether your bike already has a rear rack installed, and if not, do you intend to add one? While a rear rack increases the variety of bags you can use, a rack also adds weight to your ride and for that reason you may not want it.
But if you have a rear rack, you can use panniers — two large bags that hang, one on each side of the rack, usually connected by spring-loaded hooks or clips. Although sometimes referred to as “saddlebags,” unlike true saddlebags, some pairs of panniers are not connected to each other, so you can mount one or both, as needed for the volume of what you are carrying on the bike.
There are also racks that permit you to use panniers on each side of your front wheel. Many bike tourists use them, along with the rear panniers. One benefit is that they mount lower than the rear bags and thus are a good location for heavier items as they help keep the center of gravity low.
A rear rack will also allow you to use a trunk bag, which mounts on the top of the rack. Trunk bags are smaller than panniers but larger than under-the-seat bags and will provide sufficient room for a few tools, your jacket and your lunch. Trunks are essentially covered boxes, and most have some kind of plastic or fiber sheeting inside to help them hold their shape.
If you don’t have or want a rear rack, but still want a large bag, look at the seat bags made for bikepacking. Although they attach under the seat, they protrude at an angle upward and are supported by internal sheeting material.
The small under-the-seat wedge-shaped bags typically offer space for what you need for many on-road mechanical issues. In addition to a multi-tool and tire levers, you’ll have room for a CO2 inflator and cartridge and a spare tube and perhaps a couple of smaller items.
A larger option is the back-of-the-seat bag (sometimes called a “transverse” bag). Here’s one I use, which holds nearly double what my previous wedge bag did. This is the “small” back-of-the-seat bag, but the same seller also offers medium and large bags in this configuration as well.
Handlebar bags, as you have noted, offer convenience, and will usually accommodate your lunch, jacket, sunglasses, maps and a bit more. For many riders, the use of handlebar bag and an under-the-seat wedge bag gives enough space for everything they wish to carry on daily rides. There are also handlebar bags made for bikepacking that run larger.
Top-tube bags are good for small items you want quick access to, such as sunglasses or snacks, but be advised that many riders find the larger ones to be in the way when mounting and especially when dismounting the bike. If your personal dimensions mean you have a longer-than-usual top tube, you may get away with using the larger top-tube bags, but I’ve found that any one longer than 4.75 inches ends up in my crotch when dismounting. I now use that small one mounted on the back end of the top tube directly beneath the saddle, but even there, I had to trim its Velcro straps so that they do not snag the nylon of my bike shorts.
There are some under-the-top-tube bags that may avoid the interference problem.
There are also frame bags — good for bikepackers but they are probably overkill for day riders.
As to what’s the right choice, it comes down to how much stuff you want with you on the bike and which bag or combination of bags you like best, because every bag has some disadvantages. With small bags, you can’t get everything you want in them, and with big bags, you usually have to pull most of your stuff out of the bags to find the item you want. There is no bag perfect for everyone.
In truth, many experienced riders have in their garage or basement an assortment of bags they’ve tried and eventually decided against. So you might ask your fellow riders if they have any bags you can try out.
What’s more, bags take a beating while on the bike, so whatever you choose will eventually wear out, and by then you’ll know whether you want to replace it with a similar bag or try something different.
Stan Purdum has ridden several long-distance bike trips, including an across-America ride recounted in his book Roll Around Heaven All Day, and a trek on U.S. 62, from Niagara Falls, New York, to El Paso, Texas, the subject of his book Playing in Traffic. Stan, a freelance writer and editor, lives in Ohio. See more at www.StanPurdum.com.
Ronald R Beland says
What about transverse saddle bags such as those made by Carradice? They in much larger sizes and can fit saddles w/o bag loops with optional supports that allow quick removal. they easily fit racing style bikes and carry weight much better than a traditonal handlebar bag. with no effect on handling.
Kerry Irons says
By chance on my current bike my first saddle was a Fizik, which has a handy “click-in” small seat bag available that attaches without straps and can be removed quickly. Previous bags have worn the finish off my seat post with their strap attachment system. The Fizik bag is just fine for a tube, a couple of needed Allen wrenches, tire lever, instant patches, etc. Perfect for day rides in areas where you don’t have a lot of flat hazards but not big enough for two tubes.
Timothy Rueger says
I use a small under-seat bag for tubes and tools, and a top-tube bag for easy-to-reach nutrition. The triathletes also refer to a top-tube bag as a “bento box”, for those searching for similar.
Chris B. says
Don’t forget about the geometry of the bike. My bike handles poorly with a front load, but handles beautifully with a Carridice bag on the saddle.
The advice of borrow and try a bag first is spot on as loads affect handling.
Lloyd says
I got knocked off my bike while riding at 65 kph. One item that didn’t hit the ground and didn’t suffer even a scuff mark was the under seat saddle bag. I now use one that I can put my phone (emergency contact device) in. That way it’s got a good chance of being usable if I need it.
John says
Great overview, Stan!
Only thing I would add about bike bags is– GET ONE!
I’m mostly a ‘spirited’ road rider and use a small underseat bag with a small bento box on my top tube for small snacks/gels on longer rides.
I see too many “cool” riders strangely refuse to use any seat bag but instead stuff everything in their jersey pockets (tubes, CO2, gels, phones, etc.). Seems they are always squirming around while riding as their gear shifts in those pockets, and (not surprisingly) they see those expensive jerseys wearing out pretty quick.
Barry says
Agree with John. I too have seen full jersey pockets, stuffed with even small air pumps. Not only issues noted above, but the added risk of injury in a crash. Imagine the damage that pump, or water bottle will cause to bones and organs.
Dave Minden says
For day riders the handlebar bag seems to give an aero advantage over no bag at all. That’s Bike Quarterly guru Jan Heine’s conclusion after some preliminary comparisons with bikes without bags. So pack some things along with you no matter the bike!
John says
Like the author said depends on how much you want to carry. Advice is to buy the minimal you need, then as you go out on shake-down camping rides you figure out what you need to add, or perhaps take away, but if you did it right you shouldn’t have to take away more than one item. Most people take too much stuff on their first trip, so do shake-down rides first.
If you are doing road touring the pack weight most carry is between 45 to 110 pounds, let me tell you, 110 is a lot of weight, I run about 60. Off-road bike campers generally run between 20 to 45 pounds. Keep in mind that the lighter-weight equipment costs more, and in a lot of cases won’t hold up as well.
For road touring, I use rear panniers, a large handlebar bag, a regular-size seat bag like I use on my regular road bike, a small top tube bag, and no panniers on the fork, instead, I carry two 52-ounce water bottles on the forks.
I don’t carry anything in my jersey pockets, I knew a guy who had his mini pump back there, crashed, and had to get back fusion done because the mini pump damaged a disk. Soft food items should be fine, like a banana.
Richard says
I use fanny packs. Your stuff you cant afford to lose like your wallet, and phone is always attached to you – a big plus when you leave your bike exposed somewhere. I have a small one for warm weather and a big Orvis fishing one (the best I’ve found) for winter when I need to pack extra warm clothes. I don’t see why they aren’t more popular other than I’m sure some think they’re not stylish. . But they certainly are the most functional solution I’ve found having gone through many saddle bags, handlebar bags, racked bags etc.
Bob A says
Another option: A trunk pack, I run a Blackburn “LOCAL”. Around town it’s big enough for small shopping. On the road, the key is “carry enough stuff for about 1-1/2 hours, to get you through to the next time you catch up with the SAG wagon”. Like the water resistant (but not water PROOF) jacket. The light tights but not the rain booties.