Help me lighten my load
#1
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Help me lighten my load
Thought I'd weigh my typical saddle-bag with its usual contents. Surprised to see it at right about 2 lbs.
What should I leave at home..? here's the full contents:
Multi-tool (6-tool)
ParkTool patch kit
1 tire lever
2 spare tubes, in sandwichbag ziplocs with some talc inside
1 spoke wrench
1 cheapy 1/8" cable lock.. (for leaving bike for quick purchase inside a store or gas station, etc.)
1 Proflate CO2 trigger with 1 inserted cartridge
1 addt'l CO2 cartridge
2 nitrile gloves (these are very tiny and light)
Topeak bag that just holds all of this
One rear light
Lipstick battery charger for iPhone (I can leave this it home if I choose not to run GPS/apps, or if going on shorter ride)
What should I leave at home..? here's the full contents:
Multi-tool (6-tool)
ParkTool patch kit
1 tire lever
2 spare tubes, in sandwichbag ziplocs with some talc inside
1 spoke wrench
1 cheapy 1/8" cable lock.. (for leaving bike for quick purchase inside a store or gas station, etc.)
1 Proflate CO2 trigger with 1 inserted cartridge
1 addt'l CO2 cartridge
2 nitrile gloves (these are very tiny and light)
Topeak bag that just holds all of this
One rear light
Lipstick battery charger for iPhone (I can leave this it home if I choose not to run GPS/apps, or if going on shorter ride)
#2
Vain, But Lacking Talent
My own personal take: Forget the cable lock and ask yourself when was the last time you used the spoke wrench or multi-tool.
Also, consider one tube/CO2 package for rides under 50 miles. And forget the light if you're out in broad daylight.
All the preceding suggestions are my own personal experience/preference. They don't work for everyone and will most certainly not be agreed upon.
Also, consider one tube/CO2 package for rides under 50 miles. And forget the light if you're out in broad daylight.
All the preceding suggestions are my own personal experience/preference. They don't work for everyone and will most certainly not be agreed upon.
#3
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Lose the multi tool, 1 tube, the spoke wrench, the cable lock, and the battery charger, oh, and the talc.
edit...aaand get a smaller bag.
edit...aaand get a smaller bag.
#4
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Where do you live/do most of your riding? I carry all of that except the spike wrench, no bike lock, and just one tube, but I'm in New England and our roads are awful.
#5
Senior Member
Chances of getting two flats slim to none so loose a tube, I've never needed a spoke wrench on a ride so bye bye, same goes for multi tool (for what?), lipstick charger gone too, put the light on the bike instead of in the bag, I personally don't use a lock although I probably should but to each their own, and buy a smaller bag.
I use a PRO Branded keg that fits in one of my water bottle cages that holds one tube, one co2, tire lever, spare tubeless stem, and a paper towel just in case I drop the chain plus it helps keep the rattle down. I'm looking to buy a neat little kit that Specialized has made to go in one of your jersey pockets shown here https://www.specialized.com/us/en/ac...bespool/106001
I use a PRO Branded keg that fits in one of my water bottle cages that holds one tube, one co2, tire lever, spare tubeless stem, and a paper towel just in case I drop the chain plus it helps keep the rattle down. I'm looking to buy a neat little kit that Specialized has made to go in one of your jersey pockets shown here https://www.specialized.com/us/en/ac...bespool/106001
#6
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I stopped using a bag and carry everything in my jersey pocket:
1 tube
2 tire lever
Topeak mini 6 tool (73g) Topeak® Cycling Accessories ? Products - Mini 6, longer version
Lezyne Sport Drive HP pump (75g) Lezyne - Engineered Design - Products - Hand Pumps - High Pressure - Sport Drive HP
Phone, house key, credit card/ID in small pouch
I don't carry a lock but I know a lot of people use small luggage lock
PacSafe Retractasafe 250 Travel Lock - Sport Chalet
even a heavy cable lock can be cut in 5 seconds with bolt cutters so it's only a deterant and the luggage lock will do the same thing
1 tube
2 tire lever
Topeak mini 6 tool (73g) Topeak® Cycling Accessories ? Products - Mini 6, longer version
Lezyne Sport Drive HP pump (75g) Lezyne - Engineered Design - Products - Hand Pumps - High Pressure - Sport Drive HP
Phone, house key, credit card/ID in small pouch
I don't carry a lock but I know a lot of people use small luggage lock
PacSafe Retractasafe 250 Travel Lock - Sport Chalet
even a heavy cable lock can be cut in 5 seconds with bolt cutters so it's only a deterant and the luggage lock will do the same thing
#7
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Thought I'd weigh my typical saddle-bag with its usual contents. Surprised to see it at right about 2 lbs.
What should I leave at home..? here's the full contents:
Multi-tool (6-tool)
ParkTool patch kit
1 tire lever
2 spare tubes, in sandwichbag ziplocs with some talc inside
1 spoke wrench
1 cheapy 1/8" cable lock.. (for leaving bike for quick purchase inside a store or gas station, etc.)
1 Proflate CO2 trigger with 1 inserted cartridge
1 addt'l CO2 cartridge
2 nitrile gloves (these are very tiny and light)
Topeak bag that just holds all of this
One rear light
Lipstick battery charger for iPhone (I can leave this it home if I choose not to run GPS/apps, or if going on shorter ride)
What should I leave at home..? here's the full contents:
Multi-tool (6-tool)
ParkTool patch kit
1 tire lever
2 spare tubes, in sandwichbag ziplocs with some talc inside
1 spoke wrench
1 cheapy 1/8" cable lock.. (for leaving bike for quick purchase inside a store or gas station, etc.)
1 Proflate CO2 trigger with 1 inserted cartridge
1 addt'l CO2 cartridge
2 nitrile gloves (these are very tiny and light)
Topeak bag that just holds all of this
One rear light
Lipstick battery charger for iPhone (I can leave this it home if I choose not to run GPS/apps, or if going on shorter ride)
I don't know what my setup weighs, maybe 1.5 lbs? About the same as a water bottle so who really cares, I take it off the bike for races anyway.
Someone should start a, "Let's see your saddle bags!!!" thread.
#8
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Chances of getting two flats slim to none so loose a tube, I've never needed a spoke wrench on a ride so bye bye, same goes for multi tool (for what?), lipstick charger gone too, put the light on the bike instead of in the bag, I personally don't use a lock although I probably should but to each their own, and buy a smaller bag.
A few folks have said to scrap a multi-tool.. surprised I guess.. derailleur or brake or seat adjustment needs I suppose could occur.
Light on the bike doesn't weigh any less than clipped on the bag.. actually probably more since you need some clamp to fit around one of the frame tubes.
The lock and the charger I agree can be leave-at-home items... depends on the venue/ride/distance and whether the ride is a 6-hour or 3-hour outing I suppose.
#9
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#12
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#14
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#15
Senior Member
Thought I'd weigh my typical saddle-bag with its usual contents. Surprised to see it at right about 2 lbs.
What should I leave at home..? here's the full contents:
Multi-tool (6-tool)
ParkTool patch kit
1 tire lever
1 spare tubes, in sandwichbag ziplocs with some talc inside
0 spoke wrench
0 cheapy 1/8" cable lock.. (for leaving bike for quick purchase inside a store or gas station, etc.)
1 Proflate CO2 trigger with 1 inserted cartridge (replace with smaller inflator)
1 addt'l CO2 cartridge
2 nitrile gloves (these are very tiny and light)
Topeak bag that just holds all of this
(delete) One rear light (either put it on the bike or leave it)
(delete) Lipstick battery charger for iPhone (I can leave this it home if I choose not to run GPS/apps, or if going on shorter ride)
What should I leave at home..? here's the full contents:
Multi-tool (6-tool)
ParkTool patch kit
1 tire lever
1 spare tubes, in sandwichbag ziplocs with some talc inside
0 spoke wrench
0 cheapy 1/8" cable lock.. (for leaving bike for quick purchase inside a store or gas station, etc.)
1 Proflate CO2 trigger with 1 inserted cartridge (replace with smaller inflator)
1 addt'l CO2 cartridge
2 nitrile gloves (these are very tiny and light)
Topeak bag that just holds all of this
(delete) One rear light (either put it on the bike or leave it)
(delete) Lipstick battery charger for iPhone (I can leave this it home if I choose not to run GPS/apps, or if going on shorter ride)
#16
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The only change I could see would be 1 tube and some scabs. I have gotten more than two flats on a ride and if you are 50 miles from home and don't have someone to call, you will kick yourself for saving a few grams so you could walk 50 miles---so I carry a mini-pump.
Maybe lose the charger.
I carry lights in case I don't feel like going home and night falls. Like yourself, I carry a joke lock in case I need to use a convenience store toilet or want to buy a battery for my computer, or some Gatorade.
I use everything I carry---that's how I decided what to carry. If folks don't mind an expensive taxi ride in order to carry three ounces less load, fine with me.
Maybe lose the charger.
I carry lights in case I don't feel like going home and night falls. Like yourself, I carry a joke lock in case I need to use a convenience store toilet or want to buy a battery for my computer, or some Gatorade.
I use everything I carry---that's how I decided what to carry. If folks don't mind an expensive taxi ride in order to carry three ounces less load, fine with me.
#17
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Yeah, I don't get the appeal of pockets full of stuff. Having it under the seat means 1 less pre-ride thing to do.
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#18
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Lose the second tube if you have patches because you can always just patch the second, third, or whatever excess flat you get. If you carry a pump then ditch the CO2 and inflator. If riding solo, I typically roll my bike into the convenience store, so I don't carry a lock.
What's in my saddlebags: spare tube, patches, tire levers, quick link, multitool.
What's in my saddlebags: spare tube, patches, tire levers, quick link, multitool.
#19
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One tube, stick on patches, lever, 2 CO2 cartridges with little head. That's it. If something major goes wrong, that's why I have a phone. If you keep your bike in good condition (replace cables, lube, check chain, etc.), and inspect often, that's all you normally need.
#20
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Thought I'd weigh my typical saddle-bag with its usual contents. Surprised to see it at right about 2 lbs.
What should I leave at home..? here's the full contents:
Multi-tool (6-tool)
ParkTool patch kit
1 tire lever
2 spare tubes, in sandwichbag ziplocs with some talc inside
1 spoke wrench
1 cheapy 1/8" cable lock.. (for leaving bike for quick purchase inside a store or gas station, etc.)
1 Proflate CO2 trigger with 1 inserted cartridge
1 addt'l CO2 cartridge
2 nitrile gloves (these are very tiny and light)
Topeak bag that just holds all of this
One rear light
Lipstick battery charger for iPhone (I can leave this it home if I choose not to run GPS/apps, or if going on shorter ride)
What should I leave at home..? here's the full contents:
Multi-tool (6-tool)
ParkTool patch kit
1 tire lever
2 spare tubes, in sandwichbag ziplocs with some talc inside
1 spoke wrench
1 cheapy 1/8" cable lock.. (for leaving bike for quick purchase inside a store or gas station, etc.)
1 Proflate CO2 trigger with 1 inserted cartridge
1 addt'l CO2 cartridge
2 nitrile gloves (these are very tiny and light)
Topeak bag that just holds all of this
One rear light
Lipstick battery charger for iPhone (I can leave this it home if I choose not to run GPS/apps, or if going on shorter ride)
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Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
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Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
#21
Non omnino gravis
I treat every ride like I'm going on a mini-tour. Heck, I've got a spare quick-link, extra Presta cores, spoke wrench, anything I might conceivably need. An extra few ounces on the bike beats walking.
Though for the OP, swapping out the CO2 and valve head for a frame mount pump provides an unlimited supply of air for about the same weight.
Though for the OP, swapping out the CO2 and valve head for a frame mount pump provides an unlimited supply of air for about the same weight.
#22
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I would add a second tire lever.
#23
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I treat every ride like I'm going on a mini-tour. Heck, I've got a spare quick-link, extra Presta cores, spoke wrench, anything I might conceivably need. An extra few ounces on the bike beats walking.
Though for the OP, swapping out the CO2 and valve head for a frame mount pump provides an unlimited supply of air for about the same weight.
Though for the OP, swapping out the CO2 and valve head for a frame mount pump provides an unlimited supply of air for about the same weight.
My 2nd tire lever is in my bike wallet, which I do carry in my jersey, which also has ID, cash, house key, and a couple bandaids. THough I will say it's rare that I haven't been able to change a tire without using a 2nd lever.
#24
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I'd lose it all. I dont carry any of that stuff unless looking a major ride like 100 miles or so. In that case I would carry one tube (or patch kit), 2 tire levers, and a frame pump. I do always carry a phone and credit card, though.
#25
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