General Cycling Discussion - are saddle bags and rear lights compatible?

I'm interested in buying this Arkel seat bag (http://www.arkel-od.com/us/review/product/list/id/34/category/6/) but I have a Knog Boomer rear light. It seems like the seat bag would cover the rear light. Is this an either or decision? Can I not have a seat bag hang off my saddle rails and a light on the seat post. My seat post is only extended about 3 inches, so there isn't much room to adjust on? Would I be better off with a handlebar bag? I've been carrying most of my stuff in a backpack but I've noticed I over-pack because I have the room to do that. I was thinking a smaller bag might help me carry just the essentials and avoid the backpack altogether (unless I'm actually carrying something bulky)

Any suggestions on seat bags or handlebar bags would be great, too.

The Sackville Saddlesack XS (http://www.rivbike.com/products/show/sackville-saddlesack-xs/20-130) at Rivendell looks pretty nice, too, but again the issue of can I ride safely lit at night comes up.

A lot of times tail lights can be clipped on to saddle bags. However, with the knog, from my understanding, there is no clip. You could invest in a blinky such as this one
http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-Blinky-3-Led-Bicycle/dp/B000RYAKHC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qlEnable=1&qid=1295675413&sr=8-1-catcorr&searchContext=B000RYAKHC,B000KBEH1W,B000AO7JP0

that will have both an option of a clip and a seatpost mount. However, your knog my still be suitable. You may just need to try it out.

The arkel bag that you showed looks like a light can be clipped on the reflector strap on the back of the bag.

The Arkel has a reflective tab that you can mount a rear blinky light onto with a clip. Or get a Planet Bike Superflash and mount it on the left seat stay with the included mounts.

Commo_soulja, you took my entire suggestion right out of my mouth. In other words, pick the seat bag that works best, and go for the super flash if you need to.

You can always mount the rear blinkie/taillight on the left seat stay.

Put a rack or mudguards on and you can fit a tail light on either.

I put a blinkie on the lid of my Carradura large saddle bag.

bending a stiffner that it was attached to,

has given it a better directional aim backwards.

My seat post is only extended about 3 inches,...

Is it the right size of bike?

Anyway,...


Any suggestions on seat bags or handlebar bags would be great, too.

That bag looks pretty big for sure. How much do you think you need to carry? I used to try to put everything in a bike bag, but after a while, I got tired of digging underneath my seat for frequently-used things like cash, cell phone, minitool, or whatever. Now I carry "me stuff" on my person (including a multitool, since it's more convenient to just get it from my back pocket if I want to adjust the handlebars) and "bike stuff" on the bike (which ends up being just a flat kit).

I had been getting away with a Pedro's micro-sized Blowout Bag. I fit a road bike-sized inner tube, inflator chuck, one or two threaded CO2 cartridges (probably just one), maybe two levers, and some preglued patches, all in the little 25 cubic inch bag.
http://www.pedros.com/blowoutbag.htm

Now I've got an Arundel bag -- a bit nicer, still narrow, with a leather patch to bump up against the seatpost clamp so it won't wear a hole through the fabric like it did with the little Pedro's bag (which, I think, I simply stuck inside the Arundel bag).
http://www.arundelbike.com/dual.html?p=1.1.2.1

I also have, but don't always use, a "bento box" -- it sits on the top tube and straps to the steerer tube under the stem. Really handy, big enough for a small bagel or half a sandwich and fits my iPhone in its side pocket. I got an Axiom bag, but several brands make them.
http://www.axiomgear.com/products/gear/bags/specialty/power-bag/

I mount tail lights, blinkies, ecetera on seat stays and racks if I have a seat bag that gets in the way. But being as tall as I am I usually have plenty of seat post to share real estate on. Most of my bikes run PB Superflashes on the seat post, I normally use a rack bag rather than a saddle bag.

Aaron :)