TruF 

OK. I don't need to carry much. Cell phone, small digital camera, wallet, lipstick, light-weight jacket. But I want to be able to ride places and easily take my stuff with me if I stop to shop or eat. Like in a purse. A bike purse that looks decent, has a quick release, and a shoulder strap. I tried a handlebar bag from Schwinn. Good idea, but a pain to attach and detach. And it looks more like a lunchbox than a purse. An ugly black cordura lunchbox. I already have a saddlebag for essentials such as tool kit, extra tube, etc.

Any suggestions? I know you guys have the same problem.

Kurt Erlenbach

I carry my lipstick in my jersey pocket. Much easier to get to it while pedaling that way.

TruF 

OK. So maybe you guys don't have to worry about the part about the lipstick. Kerlenbach, how do you carry the other stuff you wouldn't feel safe leaving on your bike?

Hermes

Jersey pockets...I keep my wallet, phone, energy bars, windvest, arm warmers and etc. In the bike bag under the seat, I keep tire repair and tools. That is what I see on the road for both men and women.

Tom Bombadil

Something like this?

https://www.rei.com/product/724931

or this?

https://www.rei.com/OM/style/737832?c...4-88ddb3f6dc14

stapfam

Probably using swear words now but Bum Bags. I try to carry as little as possible on the bike and Wallet- phone and camera go in the pockets on my jersey. I Could squeeze a lipstick in if required- but the mirror, eyeliner and Face powder are too bulky to be comfortable. A bum bag Can hold the extra snacks- the 3rd tube and the full bike toolkit if required.

Coyote!

>>> Re: [Cell phone, small digital camera, wallet, lipstick, light-weight jacket] Any suggestions? I know you guys have the same problem.

That amount of freight is an expedition. Depending on the hydration expenditure on such a ride, I use a Camelbak MULE or one of those "trunk rack" combinations with detachable bag like the Delta Top Trunk Bag. . .both of which go where you go. [I share your security sense and am most comfortable when my wallet is physically attached to me in such a way I can feel it without grabbing for it. [We know "in the business" that grabbing to check for your valubles telegraphs their location to the jacals and hyenas].]

Oh, and if you've not considered it already think about adding a minimal toolkit* to your ride manifest.

* - Talked ad nauseum on this very Forum.

jibi

I use a MULE too on longer rides, and a Camelback Rogue for shorter ( up to 50 miles say) , for longer Audax ( 400 or 600 km) I will put a Rackbag on the bike.

Stapfam using the word Bum Bag, I thought in the States they were called Fanny Bags?? I still have a North Cape one that I used to use but it rubbed too much around the waist. I suppose I carried too much in it.

george

jp173

For shorter rides or "just exercise" rides I use the bag under the seat plus a fanny pack. Bike repair stuff in the bag under the seat. Energy bars, map in the fanny bag.

For longer rides or exploring rides with my camera, a "trunk rack" with detachable bag, plus possibly the fanny bag.

I always wear baggy shorts with secure pockets (zipper and/or velcro), so my identity cards and money go in a secure pocket (preferably zipper) in the shorts. No wallet, just my driver's license, cash card, a credit card, and insurance card plus cash in a plastic baggie.

I've seen too many wallets pop out of too many jerseys to trust a wallet in a jersey pocket -- it's bad enough in general riding, but especially bad in a fall.

Ditto cell phones. Never ever in my jersey pockets. I've also seen them smashed in a fall when in jersey pockets. I always keep my cell in the bag under the seat or in the bag on the trunk rack. If I stop someplace and leave the bike, I take the cell with me in my shorts pocket.

I guess I would have to think about using a Camelbak if I was riding someplace out in the boonies where I couldn't just stop at a convenience store and buy more fluid.

HopedaleHills

+1 on the fanny pack.

ctyler

I carry stuff in my jersey pocket and the cell phone in my seat bag.

Danddd

My wife and I have Carradice Zip Roll bags. The size is perfect to carry a small tool kit, tube, wallet, phone, camera and a light nylon jacket. I'd rather put it in the bag than carry stuff on me. If you think about it, the weights basically the same whether it's on the bike or on your person.

Bag is here: https://www.wallbike.com/carradice/zippedroll.html

You can put it on your handlebars or attach to your seat. If you need a seat adapter it is here:https://www.wallbike.com/carradice/clamp.html

BSLeVan

Here's what I use when I must carry more than what will fit in jersey pockets. I can get a cell phone, two energy bars, keys, rain jacket, small first aid kit, in it and still have a bit of room left over. https://www.rei.com/product/747531

Camilo

Ditto on the fanny pack / bum bag option. I see a lot of riders using them, even "serious" looking ones.

Kurt Erlenbach

BSLeVan has the right idea. Lipstick in the jersey pocket, and room in the pack for tricorder and phaser, with a light saber on the belt. Right?

Longfemur

Even a man needs to carry some things. In my case, I don't like things hanging on me when I ride, so I bought a little Louis Garneau brand handlebar bag. It's flat when empty, has two big pockets that can hold a small camera, my asthma meds, keys, wallet, phone, etc., plus a clear map case that I've never used. Quick on and off, plus for the ladies, it could easily serve as a purse with its included shoulder strap. It just hangs from the handlebar tops with two velcro straps. One of the best purchases I've ever made. I do have a little saddle wedge, but once the mini-toolkit and the spare tube are in it, no room for anything else.

stringbreaker

Glad to hear about the zipped roll I just bought one from Calhoun bike looks cool for a vintage ride.

doctor j

You might think about a frame bag. https://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FFP

I have one very similar to the Jandd frame pack, and it works well. You'd be surprised at all the stuff you can fit into one.

TruF 

Hi Danddd, I really like the looks of the Carradice bags. Nice change from the black cordura look. Is it easy to get off and on? To carry with you when you lock up the bikes?

Great suggestions, everyone. Tom, my second choice is that Ortlieb bag. Nice and compact, and looks like it was designed for just what I need.

All: I'm just a pleasure rider right now, so don't have the same concerns about weight and stuff that most of you have. I want to be able to ride into town and shop or go to a restaurant.

card

https://www.ortliebusa.com/cartgenie/...?pid=150&cid=2

I have one and love it. Pull a small lever back and you have the bag in your hand. Put a map case on top if you tour. they also make a mini version. Strap is included, but I don't know if the bag will match your shoes and lip stick.

roadiespinner

I have been carrying my cell phone and electronic car key in my jersey pocket but found that they got "moist" from sweat/rain. I got a waterproof pouch/wallet from the REI kayaking department and put them in that . No more worries about moisture, sweat or rain.

TruF 

Hey, tease me all you want about my lipstick. (I guess I was asking for it.) But at least I don't carry one of these around:

Angus

This summer I saw a pannier than was made to look like a purse. It had a print covering and it attached to a rear rack. But I can't remember who makes it! It was one of the big name pannier companies. I know this isn't much help except to say that such a product does exist.

Dchiefransom

A bumm bag (love those British terms) would be your best bet here. I have one I could use on my upright, but on the 'bent I can just slide the seat bag off and on when I stop. Some handlebar bags have a quick release, but I stay away from those, since the plastic can break.

BSLeVan

Light sabers are so passé. Today's OCP male traded these in for an electromagnetic stun gun two or three years ago.