How To Carry Everything You Need On A Bike Ride

Bike riding can be a very freeing experience, but it can all come crashing down if you don't have the right tools or spares for the job! But where are you supposed to carry all your things? Conor has years of experience stuffing equipment in jersey pockets and saddle bags, and has a few tips for you to make your bike rides that bit easier!

Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:28 - Jersey Pockets
4:04 - Saddle Bags
5:58 - Other Bags

Useful Links:

Do you have any tips on carrying cycling stuff on rides? Let us know in the comments below!👇

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🎵 Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound 🎵
You're Gone - Aiyo
Higherberries - oomiee

#gcn #cycling #roadbike #bikeride #cyclinghowto #cyclingadvice

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[santiagobenites]

I now tow a small trailer containing a completely stocked toolbox, a small air compressor, a workstand, and of course, a mini fridge that runs on solar. You can never be too prepared, in my opinion, and dragging that extra weight around has really gotten me in fantastic shape! 😂

[manuelmalagon]

I can share 2 hacks:

1) I use a running waist pack under the jersey to carry my big phone. It’s comfortable, has ton of space and that way my jersey pockets are not sagging with heavy items.

2) This one I’d say try it under your own risk to see if it works for you. But I put my Garmin radar inside a plastic card case and put it in my left back pocket. The case helps to keep it in place and aligned.
It detects cars behind me just as if it was installed on the seatpost mount. (I just find it ugly).

Good video!

[lmaoroflcopter]

Love the on-bike approach. Had an off (admittedly on a motorbike so at a higher speed) and got stabbed by my house keys in the thigh, lots of pain and an amount of blood that would belong in a hammer horror movie but thankfully aside from concussion it was the most major injury I had, and it was all caused by having my house keys in a trouser pocket.

Since then whenever I'm doing something that is more involved than walking, and I have a choice, I keep nothing "harder than my own skin" in pockets and on me. Everything else is on the thing I'm using, be it bicycle or motorbike.

[japphan]

I tend to use my 70 litre backpack. It's great whenever you pass a thrift shop with a substantial book section, or maybe a countryside food market. 70 litres is usually enough for my fill of leeks and pears, unless I've stuffed my backpack with too many books, that is.

[markclevedon]

Superb advice. Nothing worse than being stranded without the correct equipment as I discovered many years ago when riding solo in the Peak District and snapping a chain. Don't forget to pack quick links and a range of cable ties.

[CyclingLifePT]

I'm with Si on this. Handle bar cargo should be avoided at all costs. It is not just the aero dynamics that are affected, but also the steering and lights that become compromised. There are other options such as the cargo on the top tube or inside the bike frame which are easily accessible when riding more aero, and keep the weight of the bike centered. Also think about what you carry in your body because when you fall (for some reason) everything is going to fall with you which means you can break some stuff like your mobile phone screen, and if you carry spiked stuff you can also puncture yourself. Beware.

[paulworth]

I don't know about anyone else but every now and then I feel the need to reassess both what I take on a ride and how I carry it! It's a sort of constant itch...
Probably what's required is not a better saddle bag but counselling :)

[anderskjrsgaard]

What is often overlooked is to pack more compact things. You can get quite small mini pumps, tpu-tubes, multi tools. I have my phone, 2 tubes, pump, tire leavers, patches and quick link in my "cyclist purse" only taking up the size of 1 pocket.

Another tip is get a pair of bibs with pockets for longer rides. You dont notice a few gels. And it's also nice to have a pocket for the phone when taking breaks.

[workshopninjathest]

I like using a “tool bottle” for heavier things like tools emergency spares and a tube. Keeps the weight low down and easy to move between different bikes.

[jamesloiselle]

I have one of those bike racks that hooks up to the seat post. I zip tied a milk crate to it. Bungeed on an old retroreflective safety vest I had lying around. It works great. I get groceries, carry my backpack, have a couple tools, etc.

[yinszeilam]

I think in back of Si’s mind, aesthetic plays an important part in why he shied away from handlebar bag. You need a proper touring or retro bike to make it more aesthetically palatable. Yes, many of us are still channeling our inner bike snobbishness !

[thechadfords]

Top tube bags are great. Aero position, easy to get to snacks while riding, and just the right size for longer rides! I just don't understand bar bags on bikes that people have spent $$$ to shave a few aero watts.

[richarda]

Stem insulated bottle bags. I have two, one keeps a small flask of coffee warm for hours on cold winter rides and the other holds a whole packet of chocolate digestive biscuits. Many have a pocket for a phone as well, stops you landing on it when you fall off.😊

[bubblesezblonde]

I use a backpack for a lot of my stuff. Loved the vid and great to see a presenter wearing handshoes!

[PistachioFilmsLLC]

I always have a saddle bag on, and it has the usual, plus a quick link, zip ties, and a valve converter (could use a garage/gas station air hose instead of mini pump if I am near one or mini pump it until I get to one, and top up if need be). For food I have it all in a zip lock bag (the same one for 18 months now, it fits in one pocket and dirty empty wrappers I put them all back in the bag fold it in half to, most of the time, keep gel goo off the other food. Frees my other pocket up for arm warmers, pocket knife or other stuff. Pump is fixed to the bike frame under the bottle cage it's always on the bike, so i never forget to take it. Drew.

[andrevanderwalt]

Awesome advice, I've found its easy to slip half of your used gel and bar wrappers in the seam of your sock.

[alexandersnider]

My Ortlieb framebag keeps the center of gravity low and central, and has everything I would need on a rad; spare tube, mini-tool, mini pump, bike lock, visibility sash, and store my heart monitor in there as well. Two revelate design feedbags hold my gels, trash, keys, glasses, and whatever other random things I will have. I don't always ride with a cycling jersey (Merino wool base layer is sometimes just the trick), so it's nice to have the space right up front. For touring/bikepacking, pop on the saddle bag and handle bar bag, and two fork mounted bags if I need em, which usually in the winter I do for extra layers. Overall good modular system that works well for me!

[sventice]

For most rides, I just wear a very small rucksack and put all of my very few things in there. (rain gear, lock, repair kit.) If I'm doing a very long ride, I put my mechanical supplies (multi-tool, tubes, levers) in a second water bottle to spare my backside.

I agree with Si on handlebar bags. I do use them for touring/bikepacking, but they're almost as bad as panniers at mucking up the ride characteristics of a bike. I'm a huge fan of Tailfin's Aeropack; if you want to carry a decent amount of stuff on a multi-day ride and still enjoy the actual ride, this is a good option.

[galenkehler]

I got an 11L saddle bag, that easily carries a days worth of gear. And I've aero tested it and it's a few watts faster than having nothing, since it fills in the space behind the rider.

[chriswale]

Exact same setup I use. Also love a saddlebag for tools and pump as keeps both my bottle cages for their specific purpose as only taking 1 bottle on length of rides I go on would be too little.