Mountain Biking - help choose saddle bag & tools

hi, i am a beginner on MTB-ing... now i am thinking of getting a saddle bag(the little bag held under the saddle). I am a freerider and using mechnical disc brake and tube tires.

which brand and model of bag will u choose? price is not main concern.

what kind of tools/accessories/spare parts will you put in your saddle bag?



Thanks in advance.
:D
greetings from Hong Kong

I'd say:

Tube, tyre levers, patch kit, multi-tool, and a place for your cell phone. Try to get all this stuff together and test the smallest bag you can fit all of them in. Dunno if they sell Pedros saddle bags there, but I like those personally, coz they use recycled materials to make their stuff.

Nice to hear from HK. :)

I'm currently using a Specialized-branded saddle bag. A little bigger than I might like, but it does the job. In regards to the items you should carry, I would suggest a tube/patch kit/pump(attached to bike), and a multi-tool. I have used a Topeak Alien for almost 2 years now without a problem. It looks like more stuff than you need but you would be surprised how much you actually use. With your discs, you would want a multi-tool with a Torx bit. I think that a torx bit now comes standard on the Alien, but you would want to check first. One of the multi-tools like the Mgyver(sp.) by Topeak would be what I would consider way overkill.

-Moab


Edit: You don't want to forget some tire levers either. I can pretty much change a tire without levers, but you never know when your hands will be really cold or you just can't get a good grip on the tire - it's these times that you would be wishing you brought some levers. Using the levers that the multi-tools claim to include isn't fun. Trust me.

I got away from using a saddle bag and now carry all the stuff I used to carry in my CamelBack, plus water!

I prefer having the weight on my body vs. the bike, plus I can carry more water with me.

L8R

anyone will share more their saddle bags choice? i know u guys are great rider and experienced to choose products for riding.

so i will need a multitool / patch kit / tube / spare brake wire / tire levers / cell phone / pump

how would u guys rate the "Crank Brothers Multitool 17" ? is it good or bad?
I want a multitool that can remove/attach the chain(shimano), and tool for my mavic rim.

i totally agree with "a2psyklnut", less weight on my bike means easier to ride ! =)

i have a little questions beside the saddle bag.
if i have a patch kit, will i still need to bring a spare tube?

Spare tube is like a quick fix, so you can get riding again. Patching a tube takes time, and you can usually get away with getting home and patching it. However, in the unlikely event that you lose both tubes, you might need the patch kit. :p It's very light, coz it's only a couple pieces of paper-thick stuff, so no weight penalty with taking a patch kit w/ ya.

A good multitool will have a chain tool. Not sure if the Park Tool multitool has one, but Park does make a miniature version of their chain tool called the CT-5. I have it, and it weighs maybe a couple of ounces.

You asked about the Crank brothers multi-tool. From what I can see, it would have everything you would need on the trail. TThe chain tool look s a little minimal, but then again it would probably work in a pinch. I believe it has recieved good reviews in the MTB mags around here. You can research multi-tools that you may be considering at www.mtbr.com in order to get more reviews of how people who use them like them.


-Moab

Nashbar (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&brand=1613&sku=8550&storetype=&estoreid=) and Performance (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.html?SKU=16607&Store=Bike) both have good prices on a Pedro's bag and tool kit. It has your chain toll, tire levers, some hex wrenches and a screwdriver. Pedro's stuff is good quality. Toss in a tube and a torx wrench, a tube and a patch kit, strap a mini-pump to your frame and you're gold.

I have the Crank Bros tool and love it. Its small and has about everything you would need on it. I also carry a Leatherman tool with me which has pliers, wire cutter, knife etc. I agree with a2psyklnut and carry everything I need in a Camelback pack. The model I use is the Hawg. It has enough room to carry any tools I need, water and two tubes.

both Nash and performance saddle bag package are not available in my area(hong kong)

beside getting a camelback pack, any other comments or experience on different brand of saddle bag? What about toppeak? any good?