Jersey pockets vs saddle bag - why?
 

On my weekend rides, I sometimes see people with all their gear stuffed in the back pocket of their jersey. I'm talking about tubes, pump, tools, etc. (a bunch of stuff). Usually, these guys don't have a saddle bag.

I personally don't like a bunch of stuff on my back and wouldn't want to 'load up' for each ride, but obviously some people don't like the saddle bag approach for some reason. What is the benefit to skipping the saddle bag and carrying tools, etc. in the jersey?

I'm with you. I guess some people think a saddle bag ruins the beauty of their bike.

fify

The combination of my fit and my legs results in such a small saddlebag that I put a few items in my jersey. Otherwise, my legs hit all but the smallest of saddlebags.

I have a very small saddle bag with one tube, 2 tire bars, small multi tool and patch kit. Frame mounted pump. Everything for me, goes in my jersey pockets. A bigger saddle bag just gets in the way.

That's why jerseys and jackets have pockets, to carry things. When racing: food, when training: tools, tube and food. I find I can't be bothered with a saddle bag, taking it on and off and everything I carry is on the minimalist side of things.

I think it's a secret plot to keep the surgeons in business removing all the sharp and metallic objects from the backside of cyclists who fall with all that crap in their pockets.

That, and if you care that much about a saddle bag ruining the appearance of your bike, you're looking at your bike too much and not riding enough.

Bike's stuff goes on the bike, rider's stuff goes in the pockets. Form follows function, eh?

Because items weigh magically less if they're in your pockets beating against your back rather than in a bag on your bike....

Yes 15 years of racing and training and I have had to go in for this surgery many times. Nah, nothing is sharp, even my house key is buried in the folds of the inner tube. To each their own but I prefer to use the pockets.

My bike is heavier with a saddle bag

but seriously i am used to check all the stuff in my pockets. i carry the same stuff every ride. money / cell phone/ gum right pocket. tire stuff/ co2 levers center food left pocket. its what i am used to .

I guess I'm a minimalist....I don't use a saddle bag. but then I don't carry a lot of stuff.

On today's ride (pretty much every ride).....in my pockets.......
Left pocket -
*1 spare tube and a small container of glueless patches
*1 tire iron (I can remove and mount the Michelin Prorace 3 tires from the Fulcrum rim with just my hands but I carry a tire iron just in case)

Center pocket -
*small mini pump

Right pocket -
*cell phone
*military ID card (to get back onto Fort Campbell)
*1 Powerbar

I didn't feel overloaded at all..........oh and mid ride - with the temperature hitting the low 70's after starting my ride in the low 50's....I shucked off my polypro base layer and stuck that in my jersey pocket too. It's what I'm used too.....the stuff doesnt poke or pinch me and I've never been hurt by the stuff in my pocket in a crash.

I don't typically carry any "tools".......but now I'm jinxed and something will break on the next ride.

David

Here is why i don't use a saddlebag..
this little "pack" has 2 co2's, patch kit, tube and duct tape. I can fix just about any problems i encounter.
I also have 2 other pockets to use.. one for my phone, ID, cash and credit card... and the other for my gu's and other assorted pills...

anyway i guess it's all just preference. i've seen bags open... loose bags.. and yes down right ugly ones too.. i did use one when i first started riding.. but i didn't want to buy multiple bags for my bikes.. call me cheap buying thousands in bikes yet i didn't want to buy 3 saddle bags..
*****another thing i found is that i can "hear and feel" my bike much better without something rattling around under my saddle.. i hate riding with people who's bikes make funny noises.. very annoying...

My ass ruins the beauty of my bike...the saddle bag has nothing to do with it.

I think it was Anquetil who would take his bottle off his bike and put it in his jersey because he claimed a difference. Nothing to do with your question really, but fwiw I use a saddlebag occasionally on long solo rides, otherwise everything fits easily into pockets.

they do look a bit like a dangling turd though.

Doesn't need to be an either or situation. Pockets are handy for stuff like leg/arm warmers on chilly days, phone, etc. but it makes sense to have at least a small bag for tools, spare tube and whatnot.

They have 3 bikes and don't want to buy those accessories for all of them. Swapping saddle bags around is also miserable.

Personally I tend to wear a camelbak when riding. It goes on whatever bike I get on, and it can carry a lot of stuff comfortably. Plus, it keeps a whole lot of water and tricks me into drinking enough.

Me, I'm a dork. I have a rigid handlebar bag. I have a Topeak with the clip-on mount. One bag, a few mounts for my bikes. The bag carries a Topeak Survival Kit tool box, a few Clif Shots, a couple of tubes, a patch kit, 3 CO2s, and inflator, my cell phone, and $. Sometimes more.

i like to keep everything in my camelbak. /duck

Doh. Just realized I don't need both messenger bag and saddle bag for the commute. Can't believe it just occurred to me. That's 1/2 lb right there.

Above. And jersey pockets provide easy access to food and/or cell phone. If I bring a camera (very rare) it also goes in the jersey to reduce the chance of damage from vibration.

some find the rustling noise of things moving around when they go over bumps annoying when they run a saddle bag

i personally tried it for a month and couldnt get used to it

When I ride my tubular wheels, a saddle bag specific to tubulars comes with me along with a tube of Tufo liquid hole filler. I have also carried some glue tape in the tubular bag but the edges got gooie and stuck to everything else. With the clinchers, just a small bag with a tube, levers, patch kit and a joint...

I just use both. The things I always have (tire levers, patch kit, tubes, etc) go in the saddlebag which always stays on my bike. Things I don't always bring like food money and my phone go in the pockets. Pump is on the frame. Seems easier that way, I get a small saddlebag with the essentials, and things I won't want or need every ride stay on me.