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Help me lighten my load

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Old 03-11-16, 04:35 PM
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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)
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Old 03-11-16, 04:39 PM
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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.
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Old 03-11-16, 04:40 PM
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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.
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Old 03-11-16, 04:42 PM
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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.
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Old 03-11-16, 04:48 PM
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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.

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
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Old 03-11-16, 05:08 PM
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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
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Old 03-11-16, 05:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Sy Reene
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)
That seems excessive. I roll with 1 tube, a tiny patch kit, a dollar bill for a boot if needed, 2 16g co2 cannisters plus a tiny inflator head, a lever, and a very minimal multi-tool that is just hex and Philips wrenches, no spoke key or chain breaker. I can't imagine why you need an iPhone charger unless you're doing 6 hour rides in areas with poor service. 2 tubes is also unnecessary, if you double flat you can use the patch kit and 2nd co2 and if you triple flat you should call it a day anyway.

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.
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Old 03-11-16, 05:22 PM
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Originally Posted by dvdslw
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 thought the same about 2 tubes.. but last year I think I had flats on 5 rides. 4 of the rides just one flat, 1 of the rides I had 2 flats (same wheel though). I guess though my worry is that inadvertently riding thru eg. a patch of glass could take out both tires in one shot.
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.
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Old 03-11-16, 05:25 PM
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Originally Posted by rms13
I stopped using a bag and carry everything in my jersey pocket:
The only difference doing this is the minimal weight of the (usually nylon) bag itself, and then having to feel a bunch of stuff digging into your back.
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Old 03-11-16, 05:26 PM
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Carry one tube and two bottles.

no phone or lock
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Old 03-11-16, 05:28 PM
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Oh, man. You're gonna be so fast after you dump half that bag. So fast!
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Old 03-11-16, 05:36 PM
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Originally Posted by RPK79
Oh, man. You're gonna be so fast after you dump half that bag. So fast!
I know, right? I'm actually looking to find a new bag, but in bright red as I've heard that will also help.
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Old 03-11-16, 05:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Sy Reene
The only difference doing this is the minimal weight of the (usually nylon) bag itself, and then having to feel a bunch of stuff digging into your back.
No, aesthetics is a big issue too
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Old 03-11-16, 05:57 PM
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Originally Posted by rms13
No, aesthetics is a big issue too
Right, but who wants to look like they have some type of abnormal growths coming out of their backside?
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Old 03-11-16, 06:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Sy Reene
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)
You have a patch kit already, you don't need two tubes and a patch kit.
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Old 03-11-16, 06:40 PM
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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.
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Old 03-11-16, 06:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Sy Reene
The only difference doing this is the minimal weight of the (usually nylon) bag itself, and then having to feel a bunch of stuff digging into your back.
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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Old 03-11-16, 07:09 PM
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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.
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Old 03-11-16, 07:52 PM
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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.
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Old 03-11-16, 08:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Sy Reene
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)
I'm pretty comparable, except no phone, charger, lock or spoke wrench.
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Old 03-11-16, 08:30 PM
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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.
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Old 03-11-16, 08:40 PM
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I would add a second tire lever.
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Old 03-11-16, 09:13 PM
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Originally Posted by DrIsotope
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.
I have a frame pump too.. it's obviously not in the bag. That's for the 3rd flat if arises (as would be the patch kit), and/or for someone else on the group ride who has a 2nd flat and only brought one tube or CO2 cartridge.
Originally Posted by TimothyH
I would add a second tire lever.
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.
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Old 03-11-16, 10:26 PM
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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.
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Old 03-11-16, 11:24 PM
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Originally Posted by exmechanic89
I'd lose it all. I dont carry any of that stuff unless looking a major ride like 100 miles or so.
There's really no need for any equipment whatsoever, even things like phones. If you flat, just remove the tire by hand and stuff it with grass.
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