I'm thinking about getting a saddle bag but I'm worried that it will be stolen. Are the saddle bags stolen a lot (the bag itself, not the contents)?

They seem pretty pricey but I'm ok with spending the money if its not likely to get stolen.

I bike around Central Austin.

Any brands you recommend?

Thank you

Look for Carradice bags using the SQR. You'll find more selection and lower prices at UK based sites like wiggle.

In the 25+ years that I've been riding, I've never had one stolen.

I am more worried about contents getting rifled than the actual bag getting swiped. I never leave mine on the bike when I leave it locked up. I figure less temptation the lower risk of people messing with my ride.

haven't ever had a problem, but it is a minor concern to me. i bought a cable used for seat posts a lock and wrap it through the handle on my bag or bags and the rack i'm going to be somewhere for a while, and I try to take the most valuable stuff out when I go.

i got some panniers on etsy that I like from black rose bags--I wanted something different from the normal ballistic nylon you often see.

I've had mine stolen exactly once. It did suck a lot though, it left me without tools for a few months while I slowly rebuilt.

If I'm at all worried for my saddlebag, I just toss it into my bag with me.

Of course, I've also left grocery panniers full of groceries unattended for some time and not had a single thing go missing.

If you get a Carradice, they make a Bagman bag support with a quick release. This makes it very easy to take the bag with you. I just got one myself. I also recommend trying UK sites like wiggle. Best prices.

Uh, point of clarification? Are you referring to what I call a seat wedge or what I call a saddle bag?

I have various removable packs/bags adorning my different bikes. The most valuable item is the smallest, my trunk bag with tubes, folding tires, pump, patch kit, front & rear lights, and tools. I move it from bike to bike, contents included, as I change mounts. If I'm locking up in the city, I take the most attractive & critical items with me, i.e. the lights. I've never had anything stolen, much less a whole bag/pack/pannier. But then I've never locked up (or needed to) in what would be considered a "bad area".

I never had a saddle bag stolen, plus their isn't any thing in there that i can't replace.

Thanks Guys!

Just to clarify (thanks no1mad) I actually mean a pannier rather than a saddle bag.

Damn, son, which side of the Pond are you originally from??*

Depending on your budget, there are panniers that provide enhanced security; I think if it uses Rixen & Kaul hardware/ClickFix, then there is a way to lock it to the rack.

*Unless you're a female, in which the first two words would be "Dang, girl"

In all my years of riding I've never had a saddle or pannier bag stolen. Granted right now I am also using my pannier and top bag as shopping bags i.e. I hang my pannier bags over the side of the shopping cart and fill them up as I'm shopping so there's little chance of them getting stolen.

As far as my saddle bag goes it stays on my bike and has as I've said never been stolen, nor has the contents ever been rifled.

I've never had one stolen either. And when I do my grocery shopping my panniers are sitting on my bike outside the store totally unsecured (but the bike is locked).

My Townies haven't walked off yet. I used to take them with me into the store, but putting them back on the rack fully loaded is a PITA...

Saddlebags are what you put on horses. (they are the female version of "love handles", also, but I'm sure that's another topic for another forum... But, I digress)

Otherwise, they are those little bags of goodies under the saddle of your bicycle.
Panniers are the larger bags that attach to a rack, on either side of the rear wheel of you bicycle.

No, I've never had any panniers stolen, but then I've only had a set for about a year and seldom use them.
In case it comes up, I've never had any saddlebags stolen, either.

And then there are saddlebag panniers- two bags connected by fabric and/or straps that drape across the rack.

Good point. I'd forgotten about those. They just confuse the issue of what to call them, IMO.

In a big city it is just a matter of time before anything that is not locked down to the bike disappears. Either get a removable seat bag that you can quickly put on and take off, or buy a cable to secure it to your bike. For an inexpensive seat bag zip ties might serve this purpose well.

I'd call them an excuse to carry way too much stuff. Had a pair of Knogs before, much happier using a combo of the Townies and backpack.

True that, but turns out the OP was actually talking about a pannier...

Well I suppose the same goes for a pannier... but I would just take that with me as opposed to leaving it on the bike. A permanent pannier == a cargo basket.

This entire thread is too subjective to be of use unless the posters are in the same town / community as you and match your behaviours as far as parking / leaving bike unattended. In general 97% of people are relatively law-abiding. You just gotta know when and where the other 3% are likely to ruin your day and use common sense.

I use a Carradice Barley seatbag with Bagman quick release so I can easily remove and reinstall my bag. It's not worth the risk to leave my bag unattended all day, even though I park my bike in a pretty secure location. For the tools inside it as well as the bag itself, it would set me back $200 to replace it all. I also remove my headlight but leave my computer and taillight.

But there ARE saddlebags for bikes. So you're not actually correct.