WalksOn2Wheels

Just a small PSA as I had the experience of ending a 66 mile ride and noticing my saddle bag had disappeared somewhere along the route. Fortunately I keep only tubes, a lever, CO2, and a patch kit in there. And there was a happy ending as someone did manage to pick up my bag along the route of the organized event. I still need to drive out and pick it up from them, but I hate to think of what would have happened if my phone and car key was in that bag.

Or better yet, carry tubes in your jersey pocket if you like. Definitely wouldn't have lost anything then. I used to be anti-saddle bag, but it's nice having a small, simple kit ready to rock on the bike every time. Lucky I didn't flat. Apparently the guy found it well before the halfway point.

datlas 

There are tradeoffs. I personally carry tube/tire levers/co2 and/or minipump in middle pocket, phone/wallet on one side pocket, and keys/snacks on the other side.

No saddle bag for this guy.

That said, I am sure there are those who will tell you they broke their phone by having a crash and landing on it, and it should be stashed safely under the saddle in the saddle bag!!

WalksOn2Wheels

If I ever do a similar ride again, I would probably use the middle pocket if I didn't need to carry a 3rd bottle. In fact, after actually doing the route, I should have carried two bottles and just stopped at the midway point instead of mile 48. Two bottles would have been sufficient in that case. Next time...

dcsix

I carry my phone, house key and ID in my jersey, with the rationale that if a vehicle creams me, I then have a better chance of ending up with my phone within reach. Anything could happen-the phone could fly a hundred feet down the road and my saddle could end up in my face, just playing the odds.

WalksOn2Wheels

Ironically, I'm now remembering the time I had a spill in a turn on a rainy day and my phone fell out of my pocket. I didn't notice and when I went back to get it, it had been run over.

Ok, I lied. I have zero pro tips. Carry on.

jtaylor996

How did you lose that saddle bag? I use the same version (not pink), and it's super duper secure. I've crashed with it even and it never budges.

rpenmanparker 

Old fart tip: everything in the jersey pockets.

CliffordK

I don't have jersey pockets.

But I can tell you what happens to a phone when it falls out of a T-shirt pocket during a 35 MPH descent.

chrisjur

I don't like the idea of saddle bags, nor do I like the look of them on my bike, but practicality wins at the end of the day. I generally keep mine stuffed with two tubes, levers, two CO2 cans, patches and tire boots and that's it. The good part about putting these in a saddle bag is that you never have to worry about forgetting to pack something every ride - they are always there. Probably not the case with your jersey pocket...

Phone and keys always in my jersey pocket. If nothing else, it just makes the phone easy to get to if I hop off for a quick stop or - god forbid - have an accident.

aubiecat

The only thing goes in my pockets is food, drink mix and gels.

DrIsotope

Went highside, landed flat on my back, and I've been using a phone with a completely shattered screen for about 8 months now. My phone shall never again go in a jersey pocket.

Same.

brianmcg123

Pro Tip: Let the mechanic in your team car keep your phone and keys.

rpenmanparker 

In a hard shell holster. Problem solved.

jon c. 

Never lost an entire bag, but had one split open and lost my phone. Figured it was probably crossing the railroad track a mile away and didn't hold much hope I'd find it intact. But as I started back to look for it I found it had fortuitously fallen in the soft sand at the bottom of my driveway. I almost always ride from home, so car keys are not an issue, but keeping the phone in the jersey is a good idea. I can afford to lost the tubes as long as I can still call my wife to come and pick me up.

mcours2006

I'd rather have my 'stuff' anywhere except my jersey pocket. Having weight back there annoys to me no end, especially something weighty like a phone or keys. Heck, I may as well carry a backpack. Wait, I do carry a backpack...never mind.

DrIsotope

It was in an Otterbox commuter case, with the screen facing in-- toward my back. The type of case likely wouldn't have mattered.

Now it lives in a Maxpedition holster suspended below my bars. Safe as houses.

rjones28 

Correct

Reynolds 

Small Cordura/velcro wallet with ID and cash in left pocket / keys in right pocket / tube, levers, glasses in center pocket. Phone in holster velcroed to top tube.

f4rrest

Guilty! But I still don't use a saddle bag.

12strings

It's so obvious we all missed it...

For us non pros, I for one love my saddle bag. Tube, multitool and patch kit , phone, keys, all go there. Pockets are empty except for food on a longer ride.

MikeEckhaus

I left my saddlebag open once. About three miles in, the $32 I had shoved in there fell out. A mile later, a CO2 fell out, but I heard it and stopped. I went back just a short distance and did not see the money. The next day, I started my ride the same way and found the money lying in the gutter! Go figure. Anyway, phone, keys, food in my pocket. Tools, and spares in the bag.

Oh, and once on an organized ride, I took my phone out of my pocket. When I went to put it back, I mistook the gap between my big number and my jersey for the center jersey pocket and dropped the phone right through to the ground. Amazingly (and because I have a decent case) the phone was fine.

k_kibbler

How am I supposed to take my selfies if my phone is tucked away in the saddle bag?

Phone in back pocket, no keys (keycard/code access, no car). Flat kit in saddle bag. I'll rather land on an iPhone than a mini-tool if the rubber leaves the tarmac.

pvillemasher

I dunno, man. There are reasons not to have a saddle bag, but being afraid it will fall off your bike must be at the bottom of the list.

dvdslw

Here's a nice idea from specialized called the tube spool. I've been looking for a solution to a dangling saddle bag for quite some time and saw this on bike radar. Bought one and it is a nice option for either strapping it to the bottom of your saddle, empty bottle cage, or like me in one of your jersey pockets. It costs around $15.00 and comes with all of the separate pieces you see in the picture below, all you do is add a co2 cartridge and tube of choice with the end result being a neat little package shown on the left.

rm -rf

Just last week, another rider pulled something out of his pocket which dragged the keys with it. We weren't going fast, and the keys made a nice jangling noise as they hit the ground. Easy to retrieve this time.

I've left the saddle bag unzipped before. But it's small and stuffed full, so nothing fell out. Whew!

It's the kind with a locking strap that wraps around the bottom of the bag. I've had a bag with a velcro strap on each side pop off. Even when just one velcro strap comes loose, it's annoying, I had to stop and reattach it, since the bag was flopping around with only one strap.

Locking strap:




My Galaxy S5 phone is waterproof and sweatproof, perfect for carrying in a jersey pocket. This Speck case has rubber ribs, so I can pull out the phone with a very secure grip.



I don't see how someone can carry their phone in the saddle bag. Doesn't it get scratched up?