MikeinBuffalo

Hello:

For me, I prefer backpacks to on-bike bags when I ride. I like the knowledge that all my stuff is attached to my physical self, and that I can hold a ton of gear, not to mention the fact that I can take it with me without having to fuss with unstrapping or untying a pannier or rack bag.

I don't mind the added heat..up here it doesn't get too warm anyway.

So..

I bought a very nice Green Guru Cyclopath backpack (Cyclopath Multi-Color Backpack ? Green Guru Gear) to carry all my gear. beautiful bag, crazy lightweight, made in USA of upcycled materials, and it is very secure. So far, I have added..

-Two pens
-A notebook (for general useage)
-Extra sweatshirt (in case of rain, cold, etc)
-First aid kit
-lock
-patch kit
-portable pump
-couple granola bars
-road map of the area
-water bottle
Anything look missing? I have tons of room to go, and am thinking of stuff like a couple inner tubes, tools, bug spray, etc. Any thoughts?

Thanks guys.

bovine

Chain tool
Master link
Foldable hex wrench set
Small knife
Tube(s)
Tire levers
Several zip-ties (nice just to have a couple, but a bag of 'em can help in the case of an unexpected sleet)
Packable rain jacket
$20-$50 bill

obed7

I bought one of those bags a couple years ago.. used it a couple times and put it away...I think it is still in my closet...the more room I had, the more useless crap I carried... everything I really am likely to need on a ride will fit in my under the seat tool bag or in my jersey pocket...pretty much if it won't fit there, I will not likely need it.

bovine

CSB, obed7.

I like cheese. Not American, though. Mostly sharp cheddar and some of the stinkier soft cheeses like feta, bleu, and gorgonzola.

This is the thread where we post irrelevant asides instead of answering the OPs question, right?

no1mad 

Depending on your lights, spare batteries. Also a good idea to carry a spare tail light.

obed7

nope, I was saying that I figure that within a year, he will not be using that bag...except maybe on a short tour...you can carry too much stuff... most of it useless for the average day ride...it just adds weight for no real reason...the OP already carries all he really needs, he does not need to add anything to the bag....I was answering his question.

ShortLegCyclist

Mike, the other consideration with backpacks vs on bike storage is that a backpack, especially full of heavy stuff, is higher up center of gravity wise than on bike when its on your back.

That can throw off handling especially in tight quarters turning and such, avoiding potholes, swerving to avoid small animals, etc.

Because of that I usually store heavy items, and also items that are always going to be needed only in the context of cycling (like chain tool, tire levers, spare inner tube and multi tool) on the bike itself rather than on backpack.

That way if I have time for a quick ride, and am not actually going anywhere or needing to move items from place to place, I can do that without any backpack and still have emergency items on the bike at all times for ready use.

Doesn't have to be a big on bike bag to do that, a top tube bag can hold that stuff and mine have windows you can place a smartphone into as well.

jimc101

Got to agree with this, the bigger the bag, the more stuff you will carry, needed or not. From having a quick look at the bag from the link in the Op's 1st post, it looks nice, but it's soo big, and will encourage you to pack it out.

Leebo

Beer and bacon? Mandatory.

bovine

Oh, okay. OP: go with a rack and panniers, preferably Orliebs with their quick release system. No real input on what your actual question was though. Sorry, not sorry.

Doesn't matter. At least two data points show that your preferences are invalid. Rack and panniers or minimalist jersey/saddle bag storage are your options.

obed7

The data points from folks who have been there, done that, show that his preferences tend to be preferences of a newbie who has something that looks good to him...but is not likely to work out that way...lots of things that look good don't turn out that way...look at the divorce rate. If he actually enjoys a loaded up bag after he has it for awhile, more power to him. What ever keeps you riding works for me.

spdracr39

I have a camelback and carry all kinds of stuff I have never needed on my mountain bike. It's been so long now I'm am certain if I remove any of it I will then need it.

hillyman

Thought your list looked pretty good to me. I always think what I need for minor repairs, a rain jacket, phone and a small first aid kit. You have that covered. Food and water and ride. I also carry a camera and monocular because Im a nature nut.

bakes1

Ok, I'll bite.
Who seriously worries that much about being caught in an unexpected sleet and what does a bag of zip ties do to combat sleet?
Assuming we are talking about sleet as precipitation and not some bicycling term I am unfamiliar with lol.
Wouldn't a glance at the weather report pre-ride be a better form of preparation btw?

bovine

If only I had provided a link in the post.

Having no car with which to commute, I ride regardless of the forecast. I also don't own studded tires, since I live in Austin. We still get sleet or ice pellets occasionally though and in fact did earlier this year.

Upon reflection, this inclusion in the list is pretty ridiculous for the OP though, since a) he's probably not commuting on this thing; and b) he has to wear his weight on his back whereas I just dump anything I could possibly need into a pannier on a 75 lb cargo bike, so anything short of a cinder block is on the table.

bakes1

Doh!
Just saw the link lol.
Very nice!

bovine

You're right, obed7; I don't know what my problem was yesterday. Totally valid input.

bovine

Having a couple zip-ties on hand is nice though. On several occasions they got me to a bike shop or home:

Once when a bolt came out that had been holding my rack/fenders on (my fault for using too short a bolt);
Once when a bolt sheared that was acting as the axis of my front derailleur; and
When one of my sons absentmindedly kicked a wheel skirt into the spokes of my cargo bike.

It does now occur to me that most people aren't looking to outfit their bikes like they might have to bug out on them come the zombie apocalypse, so my advice is probably less than helpful.

JonathanGennick 

Every time I try to weight-weenie my Camelback, I pull out the optional stuff only to realize that all the weight is really in the water.

My "optional stuff" includes a $20 bill and a spare contact lens, and a pocket-size pack of tissues. I otherwise carry as little as possible for where I generally ride, taking care to ensure that I can deal with the more common problems I'm likely to encounter such as a flat tire.

spdracr39

I add to that a chain tool, chain links, duct tape, small first aid kit, Poket Knife, wire ties, Multi tool, and GU packs.

MikeinBuffalo

Yes, yes, I know how everyone says "rack and panniers is the way to go".

Here' the thing, though, I also love taking pictures, and I have a very nice camera (a Canon rebel), which take up a good deal of room. Now, yes, I could put it in a trunk bag on a rack, but I feel safer knowing my $1000 dollar camera is half an inch away from my back.

I also think the bike looks "cleaner" with no rack. A rack is one more thing that can be stolen off the bike (I might be reaching here, but I have had my seat, handlebars, and pedals stolen before, so..)

To quote obed7, while I am a newbie to being more serious about biking, I have used backpacks instead of a rack forever. Guess I am just used to it.

Thanks for all the advice, people.

ColaJacket

There have been many people on these forums that have written about having a crash and having things in their jersey pockets or camelbak injure them. Sharp items have actually caused puncture wounds, and other items have caused massive bruises or broken bones.

That's why you should never put sharp or hard objects in jersey pockets (or backpacks).

Are you really willing to try falling on your back from 5'-6' with that $1000 camera strapped to your back? It would be a complete loss, and I'd hate to think of what it would do to your back.

GH

MikeinBuffalo

This is a good point, but wouldn't the same thing happen if the camera was in a bag or pannier on a rack?

bakes1

Second camera maybe just for biking?
I have a very nice Nikon D90 with multiple lenses that I wouldn't dream of bringing on my bike but I also own a decent little point and shoot that takes very nice still pics. For under $200 you can get 18+ megapixels with a decent lens. You can also get an all weather version that is very rugged and still inexpensive.
Just a thought

ColaJacket

Why? It's not strapped to your back at that point. (And my point was really the injury to your back, now the injury to the camera.)

If you crash, and your bike lands on your back, I guess the same thing could happen, but the odds of it happening are much lower.

Now, you might want to get a hard case for your camera (if you don't already have one) for the times that you might have to lay your bike down (not that you'd want to, but it happens to everyone occassionally).

GH