Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Need help finding a large wedge/seat bag

My first century will be pretty much unsupported. I'd like to keep everything except my water bottles, under my seat where they would probably be more aerodynamic. I'd also like to start before sunrise because, well, for me at least, greeting the sunrise is a perfect way to begin a ride. That means starting with gloves and a wind breaker, even in the summer. I'm looking for a seat bag that is at least 300 cubic inches.

Everytime I've asked the different LBS's in town, I just get blank stares. Any ideas?

I'm pretty new here. I love this site, and I've already learned a lot just by reading everything here I can find while I fight the snowy, icy winter doldrums. So, thank you and ... WILL IT EVER BE MARCH?

How about this?;
http://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FMW3

I haven't used this, but I have a trunk and handlebar bag from them. First rate stuff!

Hi

also have a look at http://www.carradice.co.uk I am not sure about size but the super c saddlebag has 23 litre capacitiy and there are others of varying sizes.

The Carradice Barley (http://www.calhouncycle.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=131&idproduct=897) has 427 cubic inches. Helps to have a Brooks saddle to mount it, but you can buy a mount separately to make it work with tabless saddles. Definitely has plenty of space for anything you'd want to pack for a 100-mile ride.

You said you wanted a minimum of 300 cubic inches, but you might also consider this pack system (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=66&subcategory=1006&brand=&sku=14181&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Wedges%20%26%20Frame%20Bags) from Nashbar. The two bags combine for 240 cubic inches. They mount on a tiny rack that you attach to the seatpost. It's definitely a lot more aerodynamic than the Barley, and at $30, a third of the price. I still like the Barley for rides where I'm really carrying a ton of stuff, but I've done a couple solo 100-mile plus rides with the Nashbar system where I've used it to carry three tubes, small pump, multi-tool and tire levers, chain tool, a day's worth of gels/bars/sport drink mix, gloves, lights, windbreaker, and a few other assorted items. It says it's for 27.2 seatposts only, but I'm using it with a 27.0 seatpost and it works fine. (Wouldn't work with a bigger seatpost than that, though.)

I have the Barley and the Banana bags and find both more than adequate for long distance day rides.

+1 on carradice. looks good and is very well-made. get one and you'll be happy!:) :) :)

300 cubic inches?
Not sure what the Ortlieb (http://www.ortliebusa.com/cartgenie/prodInfo.asp?pid=39&cid=2) offers, but I use one depending on my ride. I have the medium and the large. I've used the large for centuries and brevets.

Waterproof too.


I just picked up a Carradice SQR Tour (http://www.carradice.co.uk/sqr-saddlepacks/sqr-tour.shtml). Haven't road tested it yet - but I like the size and the mounting mechanism. I thought about a Nelson or Camper - but like the smaller capacity of the tour, and the easy on easy off for commuting and into town rides as well as brevets and solo LD rides that I do self supported. With a h-bar bag I'd probably have enough room for a weekend of overnights at hotels...

I flip between the large Jannd wedge and Carradice junior and nelson. The Jannd is lightweight, great for shorter distances and for lighter loads. I use it often. However, if I need gear I pull out the monsters and add the bagman. Heavier but it gets the job done. Also, the Jannd was only about $50.00.

My gratitude to all resonding. I've got a fun little research venture in front of me! I just ordered the Koobi PRS saddle, so I guess I'd better wait for delivery on that to match it with the appropriate bag.

I'm hoping the Koobi suspension won't be a problem with mounting bags like this.

I use a Carradice Pendle on all by my road bike. (SQR makes it a snap to move from bike to bike), but for longer trips on my road bike, I use a Moots Tailgator, which is more aero, doesn't flop around and is lighter.

http://www.moots.com/images/tailgator.jpg
http://www.moots.com/ticomp-tailgator.php

My gratitude to all resonding. I've got a fun little research venture in front of me! I just ordered the Koobi PRS saddle, so I guess I'd better wait for delivery on that to match it with the appropriate bag.

I'm hoping the Koobi suspension won't be a problem with mounting bags like this.


My experience with the Koobi PRS is that the ti tubular rails are pretty thin (I broke one and I'm pretty easy on equipment). They work OK for hanging a wedge pack, but I wouldn't put a Carradice clamp or a Bagman support on them. In your case, if you want a Carradice bag the Carradice SQR system is probably the way to go. Hope this helps.

Dr. Bill

You should be able to stop and fill up on water and snacks / food during the ride. If it's 50 or 60 out before sunrise, you don't need full gloves, and a nylon windbreaker can be rolled up and tied around your waist. I've done 70+ mile rides with just a saddle bag, some cash, some Clif bars and 2 water bottles.

If shops are infrequent on your route, I'd use a rack and a good bag. It'll be more stable and easier to use. You may also want to bring a little more repair stuff, e.g. a spare tube in addition to a patch kit. I can't imagine the aerodynamic penalty is really all that significant.

Just out of curiosity, any reason to make the 1st century unsupported, rather than supported?

Just out of curiosity, any reason to make the 1st century unsupported, rather than supported?


All of the organized rides in Eastern Washington this Spring are timed events, which from what I've seen, are too aggressive for me. I ride primarily to clear my mind, and as a business owner, my mind needs a lot of that!

I'm trying to find a cycling buddy, but as it stands now, I'd be riding with a cell phone along a paved trail that stays close to civilization. Plenty of restuarants and convenience stores, so I'm not concerned about safety or being stuck in the middle of nowhere.

There are some great rides on the other side of the state in June (Flying Wheels) and July (Seattle-to-Portland or STP), but that turns a one-day ride into a three-day weekend. Hard to get away as we gear up for our busy season. In the fall we have the Tour de Lacs, which is a great ride, and will afford me lots of miles over one weekend.

Eastern Washington is an amazing place for long rides; lots of paved roads in hundreds square miles of wheat fields. The only time these desolate roads are busy is during harvest season. So I'd love to see an organized century ride in May.

Who knows: anybody else out there who would like to see this happen?

I like the looks of that.

Thanks for the heads up on Koobi. The tech/customer support guy I talked with was very helpful, and said I'd have 30 days to use it and send it back if I had any problems. All the more reason to get lots of miles in ASAP.

I have another brand then the one I'm showing you but it's the same thing: http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=22889&subcategory_ID=2310 Notice it's only $20? I've had mine for 6 years and still going strong, and I pack a lot of crap in it.

Topeak makes some nice ones. The Dyna Pack is new, and spaces out at 322 ci. But if you specifically want a wedge pack over 300 ci, you'd have to go with a Trunk Bag, which vary in size, all the way to 1500 ci.
http://www.topeak.com/2007/products/bags/aerowedgepacks.php

REI seems to be the major retail outlet for Topeak. Looks like a great product, but it's not in the stores yet, and I have no idea what it will cost, but it doesn't look cheap. Apparently it's waterproof and easier to clean, rather than the water repellant fabric of most bags (but we aren't exactly preoccuppied with cleanliness, now are we?!:D )

If I can find what I like elsewhere, I'd like to buy from one of the sponsors of this forum.:) It's just that this has been a difficult item to find, until now!

Hey,

Thought I'd briefly jump in...you might consider the Apple Century in Wenatchee (Eastern Washington, for those who don't know) on June 9. The website is HERE (http://www.applebikeride.com). Pretty decent ride along the Columbia River to the Entiat Valley, then a climb up the Entiat River to Silver Falls Campground and return. It's well supported. This isn't all flat, however. A first-timer might want to consider lower gears and/or a triple.

2tall

you might consider the Apple Century in Wenatchee (Eastern Washington, for those who don't know) on June 9.

Man, I love this forum. I really appreciate you sharing that. Wenatchee's a great little town, and this looks like a fun event. Should be a great time of year too.

I should get my first century in before June, but hopefully it'll be just the first of many. If you make the Wenatchee ride, perhaps you'll want to look for me somewhere behind you ; )

Can someone translate cu. in. into real world junk capacity? For example:
2 tubes, patch kit, /ironsmulti-tool, a few CO2 needs, how many c.i. is about right?
The above with a day's worth of food?
Stuff for a non-camping overnight (fresh clothes, toiletries, plus the repair stuff and snacks)?
Etc.

Can someone translate cu. in. into real world junk capacity? For example:
2 tubes, patch kit, /ironsmulti-tool, a few CO2 needs, how many c.i. is about right?
The above with a day's worth of food?
Stuff for a non-camping overnight (fresh clothes, toiletries, plus the repair stuff and snacks)?
Etc.

The wedge I have now can barely hold one tube, two CO2 cartridges, a few tools, a cell phone, two small energy bars, keys, credit card, some cash (quarters included) and ID. I don't know the cubic inches on it, but am estimating that 300 would allow me plenty of room to include a windbreaker, gloves, cytomax powder to refill my bottles, a compact digital camera, and a second tube, with room to spare. That should leave enough room for the non-camping overnight stuff as long as you don't need much, including more supplies for the next day's ride.

Forgive me if this sounds pedantic, but think 5x6x10 inches. Would what you need fit in something that size?

Can someone translate cu. in. into real world junk capacity? For example:
2 tubes, patch kit, /ironsmulti-tool, a few CO2 needs, how many c.i. is about right?
The above with a day's worth of food?
Stuff for a non-camping overnight (fresh clothes, toiletries, plus the repair stuff and snacks)?
Etc.
I have the large Topeak wedge (90-120 CI) oilfree' referenced. I carry two tubes (26x1.5), a patch kit, an alien tool, my wallet, cell phone, a 35mm film can full of quarters, a pair of fold up reading glasses, 2-3 Cliff bars, and 4-5 baggies of Gatorade mix (premeasured for a 24 oz bottle). It's full, but not tight.

It serves well for supported centuries, and 60-70 mile unsupported rides.

I'm going to have to check out the Barley though for overnites.

The one I mentioned at: http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=2310 has enough space to carry a ultralight folding tire, a tube in it's box, Park MTB3 Multitool, 2 tire irons, QuikStik, folding pliers, dozen Park glueless patches in their container, small almost useless first aid kit, 2 AA and 2 AAA batteries (for front and rear flashers), 2 button batteries for computer and sending unit, keys, ID and about $20.50 cash; and still have room to squeeze in 2 PowerBars.

After reading what the others and my post can carry in our bags, do you think the bags are big enough for your needs?

My needs are different depending on length and remoteness of ride so I'll probably get two, possibly three bags. The info you all have posted will be very helpful. Thanks

Before I saw this thread, I posted in the 'show us your Century Bike' thread about a century ride that has lots of changes in elevation, and may require a jacket/gloves or full rain gear. I already have a Topeak rack trunk that would definitely work, as long as I get one of the MTX-EX seatpost racks, but would that be overkill?

I expect to have to carry:

2 tubes
CO2/patch kit/tire levers
Alien tool
Warmer/drier stuff (gloves/windbreaker/tights) that I can stow/get out as the temperature changes
small camera, Blackberry, wallet, chapstick and some bars

What about the RX rack and trunk bag? It's 170 ci....Would the Dynapack be a better option? I think it's 322....I want to make sure I've got everything I'll need out there, but I don't want to be dragging an extra 10 lbs of stuff that's not going to be used....

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/11026-010_SETMP2-2-Accessories-24-Bags/Sette-Max-Pak-Expandable-Seat-Bag.htm

Too big for me.

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/11026-010_SETMP2-2-Accessories-24-Bags/Sette-Max-Pak-Expandable-Seat-Bag.htm

Too big for me.

Maybe it's too big for you, but you realize that you can zip the lower zipper shut so that its only 110 cubic inches of storage; then if you need more space on longer trips you simply unzip the bottom and you can carry more stuff. Thus you no longer have to have 2 different bags-one for short trips and one of long trips.

you realize that you can zip the lower zipper shut so that its only 110 cubic inches of storage; then if you need more space on longer trips you simply unzip the bottom and you can carry more stuff.
I do realize, I once bought one. But even shut is too big for me. Currently I use a bell wedge that is also expansible, but it is smaller. But it may suit someone else.

I'll be riding in the Assault on Mount Mitchell in June, and since the conditions can vary a lot, I'll likely have to bring wet/cold weather gear, along with the typical tubes/bars and stuff. My road bike doesn't have rack eyelets, and I can't fit everything in my seat bag (and I don't want to wear a backpack). This is on sale from Bike Nashbar for $45. It weight 675 grams (is that about 1 1/2 lbs?) Would this be a good choice, or is it TOO big?

http://www.nashbar.com/nashbar_photos/small/TO-QTC.gif

Topeak MTX seatpost rack and bag combo (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?sku=16754)

I'm interested in getting a larger bag for brevets in the PNW, but I want something as aero as possible. I looked at the Jandd Mountain Wedge III, but don't really like the bungee cords. It's light, though. I looked at the seatpost racks, but I have a problem with wearing out my shorts on anything that's attached to the seatpost and most of these racks have QR levers or even bolts sticking out. I have the same problem with bags like the Jandd that attach to the seatpost with Velcro. I finally ran across the Detours rack bags sold by REI:
http://tinyurl.com/lwo3w
They have an attachment that looks pretty slick. I think I'll give it a try.

Make sure you heed the LARGE WARNING on the item description....

WARNING: Do not use the HIGH TAIL and its adapter on a CARBON SEATPOST. Failure to heed this warning could result in serious injury or death.


That rules it out for my OCR C2...Same goes for the Topeak MTX and RX seatpost racks. Owner's manual says not to use with CF. Don't know about the Dynapack yet, but having a CF bike/seapost really cuts down on the options.

[SIZE=2]I'm interested in getting a larger bag for brevets in the PNW, but I want something as aero as possible. I looked at the Jandd Mountain Wedge III, but don't really like the bungee cords. It's light, though.

I use this bag for brevets in the PNW, but don't use the bungee cords. It works fine with only a little sway, but not enough to cause any problems (it simply hangs from Brooks Pro saddle rails, not bag loops). Using that and a front bag, I can hold enough for distances up to 1200 km. It's the lightest, large capacity seat bag I could find.

Jon

I use this bag for brevets in the PNW, but don't use the bungee cords. It works fine with only a little sway, but not enough to cause any problems (it simply hangs from Brooks Pro saddle rails, not bag loops). Using that and a front bag, I can hold enough for distances up to 1200 km. It's the lightest, large capacity seat bag I could find.

JonAh, too bad. I already bought a Detours High Tail. It looks pretty good. I like the bungee on top for extra stuff and the detailing is quite good. It's light, considering what it is. There won't be a problem with my thighs rubbing on the seatpost attachment, which I would have had with the Velcro on the Mountain Wedge III. My CF Trek has an aluminum seatpost. Presumably there's a plastic liner, 'cause I haven't had any corrosion problems. I keep it greased.

See you at the brewery on Saturday. I'll be on my Trek 5200, riding with Pete R. My first ride with SIR. Usually I ride Goosebumps with Kent. A fellow GBer gave me this moniker when I got my Trek, 'cause I was such a kid about it. "Hey watch this! I push harder on the pedals and the bike goes faster! Unbelievable!"