dbshabo

I've got a new bike that's great, now I need to put a couple bags on it for some distance rides.

I think I would like an expandable seat bag and either a handlebar bag or a bag that straps to the top rail and stem tube(?). Does a handlebar bag hang on the front or rear side of the handlebars? It looks like it would interfere with the cableing on the front side.

I want to carry a patch kit, spare tube, some sort of pump, some sort of multi tool, a wallet, cell phone, iPod, water and gatoraid (hydration pack maybe), a snack or two, and a 9mm compact pistol. Any other essentials that I should carry?

I was looking on a site call REI.com. They had a lot of stuff but I know there are a LOT more sites out there. Any suggestions of sites with reasonable prices and good customer service? Thanks in advance for any help.

Shabo

fairymuff

"a snack or two, and a 9mm compact pistol."

Right...

jt02gt

Where are you riding that you feel the need for a handgun that would be considered conceal carry....

qmsdc15

Louis Vuitton's new line for men is out.

dbshabo

I ride on some lonely roads to avoid the cagers. I could possibly find myself in a bad situation if the wrong person or persons decided they were going to assault me. I subscribe to wise old axioms such as, "It's better to have a gun and not need it than to need it and not have it", "I carry a gun because I'm not strong enough to carry a cop.", "When seconds count, the cops are only minutes away.", ect, ect.

I have a concealed carry permit and I put it to use. I have decided to take responsibility for my, and my family's security and not rely 100% on local law enforcement. I hope I never have to draw my weapon to defend myself or my family. Others feel differently, so be it. Different strokes for different folks.

Being the ignorant redneck that I am the Louis Vuitton crack went over my head.

Shabo

RollCNY

REI gets lots of positive feedback, and is supposed to have a great return policy. Nashbar and Performance Bike are cycling specific websites that carry bags and have good prices. With Nashbar, find what you like and wait a few days as they rotate through sales and you can pretty typically find 15% off your order or 20% off a single item.

I use an under seat expandable bag (made by Specialized) for tire "irons", tube, CO2 inflator, metric wrench set, chain tool, patch kit, and cell phone. Water bottle cage for water for 2 hrs or less.

Never found a handlebar bag that worked well with flat bars, but I didn't look that hard.

I have a Camelback for longer rides (75 - 100 miles) which is good for more fluid snacks, wallet, keys, and could probably carry a pistol.

Jerseys with back pockets also are the bomb. Routinely carry a liter of fluid, snacks, arm warmers and lid, and other stuff that I don't mind getting sweaty.

Good luck. It will boil down to a personal decision.

djulian

Found this thread very helpful: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...online-dealers

By the way, what goes "Clip, clop, clip, clop, bang, bang, bang, clip, clop"?

An Amish driveby shooting.

Carry a concealed weapon, by all means. I hope you never have to use it.

EsoxLucius

The Avenir Bigmouth seatpost bags are really nice and come in three sizes. The Serfas SB-2 large stem bag is pretty big (7.75" x 3.5" x 1.5") and attaches to the stem and top tube. The Inertia Designs Portage Pack and Triangle Bag are pretty neat too.

cranky velocist

Self-proclaimed 'redneck'.

Most 'rednecks' I've met are secure in themselves out on a nature trail, and most recommend wool instead of steel as a more portable security blanket.

Will you be asking would-be attackers to kindly wait for you to stabilize yourself on the ground in a ready position after having dug your firearm out of the reassesses of your bag, or will this just be a 9 mm cap-gun with enough kickback to seriously ruin your ride, at which point you'll be on your kiester tangled in a bike and vulnerable to attack by whomever wants to part you of your firearm which will so obviously miss its not even a plausible enough scene to make it into action movies?

Can't you just ride away real fast after hitting them with the big stick that fits so nicely in your you bike-polo-malet holster?

....I recommend panniers.

EsoxLucius

I've lived in Florida and concealed carry is a good thing for its citizens. I'm glad we're finally joining 48 other states which provide for it.

khutch

REI is a respectable place. I have one near my work and I often drop by to pick up odds and ends. I bought a handlebar bag there for a century ride to keep a few essentials handy. Otherwise, I put a Topeak rear rack and trunk bag on the bike to carry my normal gear. If I need something out of it, I just stop and retrieve it. There are other brands but Topeak is widely available and has served me well. My trunk bag easily clips and unclips from the rear rack if I feel the need to take it with me for security. I recently commuted all the way to work on my Fuji and I used the Topeak bag in place of a briefcase to carry my work gear. Very handy.

I'm glad I don't live or routinely travel through areas where I would feel the need to carry a 9mm. It's a good thing too because Illinois is apparently the last state in the nation where the only civilians "permitted" to carry weapons are our criminals. The Wisconsin governor has or will shortly sign away their ban and that leaves only the state Lincoln would no longer recognize. Guns are always an emotional subject so don't be bothered by the criticism you are getting for mentioning them. Use your weapon responsibly if you ever need to and mostly just pray that you never have to use it at all. There are parts of this country where carrying a 9mm would be a good idea because of mountain lions if nothing else....

Ken

dbshabo

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated. Lots of sites to explore.

Guns are an emotional issue for sure. I didn't intend to start a flame war on gun issues and won't comment again on guns. The choice to carry or not carry is a personal one. I choose to carry and I have confidence im my ability to effectively use a firearm in a defensive situation. All I want is a chance. If I lose, I lose, but I'm showing up at the pearly gates with powder residue on my hands.

If I was worried about mountain lions I'd be carrying something with more ass behind it than a 9mm.

Shabo

goagain

I like the Avenir Bigmouth underseat bags and S&W 38 spcls. The medium and large sizes are expandable, I think. Amazon's prices are good. I have the small size Avenir which is, well, very small, and great for the basics (IDs, credit card, $, keys, cell phone, patches, even a small camera, gps, or tube), but you would probably want a med. or lg. They seem very well made and aren't clunky looking.

Talldog

I thought it was a joke ... but I realize that you are serious .... sad indeed.

EsoxLucius

Canada's failed gun bans and registry are what is really sad.

Talldog

I agree wholeheartedly, so if that comment was an attempted "dig" at me it failed.

cranky velocist

I try never to be 'emotional' when it comes to equipment selection no matter how hilarious the premise.

Its just that a pistol is alot of very heavy, bulky steel and having survived attacks by muggers, cars and animals on my bike I can't imagine ever wanting something that would take that long to use.

Most of the little bags described above are for the sorts of tools that go along with biking - Velcro and nylon wont do for long-term transportation.

DarthMuffin

I would just get a standard under-seat pouch for everything except the pistol. Having it in the pack is just a bad idea, IMO. I carry too, but on my person where I can control it and have access to it if needed. What are you going to do when you have to park the bike for a few minutes to use the facilities? I don't know what FL's laws are but in WA leaving it unsecured would be illegal. AFAIK, if the gun is even seen at all in FL you've got problems, so how do you get it in and out of the bag?

Coyote21

Fanny pack for the pistol? Here in Texas we just wear a holster. And good for you for taking the responsibility for your welfare into you own hands. I bet you're not PC either.

Coyote

GaryPitts

I got a little top tube bag https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002TENGXI which is large enough to carry my Tomcat, but nothing bigger. Much easier access than in the tail bag.

dbshabo

Thanks for the suggestions. Yes in FL concealed means concealed, if your weapon is visable, even briefly, it is a violation of the law and could result in your permit being revoked. I believe the state legislature just passed a law that would protect the permit holder if the weapon is accidently revealed in public. No, I have never been accused of being politically correct.

The fanny pack is a good idea. Although everytime I see one the first thing that enters my mind is that the person is carrying a weapon. It takes the element of surprise away which is always a good allie in a bad situation. I was thinking of getting a bag for the top tube as Garry suggested above. I think that would be the best option as far as accessability is concerned. The weight is a concern as cranky mentioned above. I would need a bag with some support in the bottom to handle the extra weight. I could probably add that myself if I could find the right bag. I wouldn't want a mesh top however, it can rain in FL at any time in the day this time of year. A waterproof bag would be ideal. I'll continue my search.

Shabo

Talldog

Just call these guys ....

Talldog

Or just get the right kind of bike ...

cranky velocist

It sounds more like your going for offensive than defensive here and it sounds rather unglued to be asking about that on a biking website.

I was almost-mugged on the Manhattan bridge after midnight before. The guy used the element of surprise - if I hadn't noticed him as a threat and picked up speed I wouldn't have gotten away.

Nobody in their right mind would go for a moving target without the element of surprise. Have you ever read a news report of an attacked biker who saw it coming? And a gun will do nothing in that situation but make a vulnerable target slower.

cranky velocist

Talldog, do you have any thoughts on a gatling-fed crank operated crossbow? Perhapse with an over-handle mount?

In the event of a zombie apocalypse, I'm emailing Nash-bar to start carrying them.

Seriously though, get your own damn land and cut a few single-track trails through it. It sounds like thats what the good state of Florida intended for this sort of situation.