GiantDefyGuy

I was looking for something to hold my phone and keys while riding. I do have a small seat bag with flat-tire type stuff in it, but that's it. I tried a few different things, but I feel like I always wanted a little bag that sat right up there that I could use while riding. Well, they actually make those things! LOL

I got one, and I just think it's the most awesome thing since sliced bread. I can access my phone/music while riding now, and I don't have to keep checking to see if my key has fallen out of my pocket, or off of the string that I tied to the bike, or whatever. I can SEE my key now. I can also change songs if I really want to. And gloves and a Granola bar fit in there too. It's truly awesome.

Anyway, do other people use these top tube bags too? Is this the straw that breaks the camel's back and turns me into a Fred once and for all? I don't see many other people using them, but honestly, I don't see that many other bikers on the road either.

Just curious. I'm making these decisions in a vaccuum, and I'm afraid that I'm going to emerge as a SUPER-FRED. or SUPER-POSER. Whatever.

bdcheung

if it works out for you, who cares what other people think?

GiantDefyGuy

Oh, it works for me. And I'm keeping mine. I'm really just generally curious if other people are using these things too.

I definitely wasn't trying to start a thread like "should I not use this anymore because no one else does and they'll make fun of me?" No way. I'm using mine.

botto 

back pockets. safety pin the keys if you're that concerned. even better, but an assos jersey with a zippered pocket.

Caymem

I use one and love it. It's pretty Fred but I don't care. I think it's called a bento box...

AngryScientist 

i use the jersey pockets for this stuff. its pretty easy for me to reach back there and grab my cell phone or ipod or camera.

you dont see many self proclaimed serious road cyclists with bags like that, for whatever reason, but if you look at the commuting or touring group, they have all sorts of utility oriented bags on their bikes. i tend not to want to strap anything but the bare minimum to my bike, but whatever works for you is cool in my book.

GiantDefyGuy

Aah, but I don't wear jerseys, so I don't have those back pockets. I don't think I'm serious enough to wear a jersey. That would put me in the "poser" group when I'm clearly trying to make a spot for myself in the "Fred" group.

I do have pockets in my shorts (the MTN bike kind ), but I don't like to put stuff in those pockets because I'm scared it will fall out while riding. I am constantly touching my pockets to make sure my stuff hasn't fallen out. This box was the answer to this problem.

Actually, I think I AM in the ccommuting/touring group, but I just happen to have a road bike. Maybe that's my problem......identity crisis. When I was buying shoes/pedals this weekend, I told the guy "I liked these." He was like "but those are sport/touring shoes." I was like "WTF?! So what? I want them."

So it looks like the answer is "Yup....it kinda makes you a Fred." I'm well on my way.

botto 

4000Miles

One of my teammates last summer made a ghetto Bento Box out of a Nutty Bar box and some electrical tape. It was awesome... until it rained.

GiantDefyGuy

ROFL @ the Nutty Bar box idea.

The one I got actually has a little rain cover that is tucked away but can be pulled out and used at any time. When I'm not using the rain cover, it's got a see-thru plastic top. It's genius! Whoever this Garneau character is sure knows how to design a good top tube bag.

GiantDefyGuy

I have been face-palmed TWICE so far. And I've only started 2 threads. I think that makes me pretty awesome. I'm just sayin'.

the other thing that makes me awesome is my bento box.

Megiddo

This is what I use:
https://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...g/SDC10665.jpg

https://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...g/SDC10666.jpg

I got it at Walmart and it's fairly cheap. I use it for my phone, ID, wallet and the like.

GiantDefyGuy

Wow, yours is pretty fancy!

That's basically what mine is, but yours seems to have more secret compartments and stuff. Mine is pretty basic, but it does have that rain cover thing.

I guess I'm a little happy to find out that I'm not the ONLY one with this thing. I may be a Fred, but at least I'm not the only one. At least I'm not a poser! LOL

PlatyPius

I use one of these. Because I'm a fred.



Top Tube Pannier FTW!

AngrySaki

I use a handlebar bag which can hold an open bag of chips for leisurely munching. I'm tempted to add a top tube bag.

GP 

I see them on doubles. What made me notice is that the guys I knew with them normally carry minimal stuff.

A friend gave me one several years ago but I've never carried enough stuff to justify it.

Wanderer

I bought a small digital camera bag from Walgreens. It has lots of loops and rings. I zip tied it to the stem, so it is easy to get to, easy to hear, and holds ID, credit cards, cash, and cell phone. Cheap, an dperfect.

Philimon

I use:

https://topeak.com/products/Bags/TriBag_raincover

GiantDefyGuy

That is similar to mine with the way the rain cover is. (It appears to be optional like mine).
I bought it in the bike store, and the salesguy told me that they were big sellers for the Iron Man triathalon guys.

@GP: What is a "double?"

I'm actually glad to find other people that use these. And if someone ever makes fun of me, I can just point them to this thread and remind them that Platypius' top-tube panniers beat me by a longshot! (They're actually pretty cool, and I might just have to find a reason to get some.....how awesome would I be with a bento box AND a top tube pannier set?!). Actually, I think my knees may hit those panniers.

GiantDefyGuy

You need a top tube bag!!! Your chips could be like 4 inches closer to you!

GP 

double century. 200 mile ride.

Road Fan

I think we're seeing the return of the OCP.

Nice thing about us Freds is, we just go on. Slow, but go on. It's really a good thing all that corduroy and tweed last so long ...

tFUnK

i have both of those shown in previous pics, and i got them for precisely the same reason as OP (also i wanted to have enough space to pack things on longer chill rides and/or centuries). they tend to flop around a bit (at least on all my bikes) and don't work as well as i had hoped. also, sometimes my knees hit the bag when i am mashing out of saddle. a top tube bag is a nice concept, but now i just use my jersey pockets.

colombo357

Other people obviously.

We live in a kumbayatic world that must live in harmony. To achieve this, we must acknowledge the fact that image is everything.

Being a fred is almost as bad as being slow. Slow freds need to cut their losses and quit ASAP.

curiouskid55

ah.. dont your knees hit all that stuff?