I am fed up with my shorts wearing out from rubbing on the saddle bag connector and the bag itself.

I have seen lots of the guys in my club with the Fizik clip-on bag. I would like something similar to this but am too much of a cheapskate to buy a new saddle (current one is Forte SLX).

Anyone know of a decent saddle bag, big enough to hold a tube/patch kit/tire irons (and maybe even a co2 cartridge) that connects to the rear saddle rails, without a connection to the seatpost, and that is skinny enough so it won't rub the thighs?

And please don't tell me to just put these items in a ziploc bag and put them in my jersey pocket. I use the jersey pockets for cell phone, snack, etc and prefer to keep the repair stuff on the bike.

This

The micro looks like it might work. The "small" one looks like it's wide enough to still rub. I will look into it, thanks.

edit: looks like the micro only has 25 cubic inches of capacity, I suspect that might be a smidge small for my needs. And the small looks like it has rub potential.

It really depends on your particular saddle/seatpost/ass interface, but I've had good luck with the Serfas bags... they're reasonably narrow and don't rub, even the medium sized roadie bag with a seatpost velcro strap.

This one: https://www.serfas.com/product_details.asp?ID=106

Plus, I love that I can get a TON of stuff in it (two tubes, boot, mini-tool, tire lever, 2 co2 carts and inflator, and a few other odd-and-ends...

See their other smaller roadie bags and their "slimline" bags. Might help. Some of them can even be run quite successfully with the seatpost strap cut off, if that's what's eating your shorts.

I tried the Sci-Con"roller lok" system with one of their md-sized bags and the thing broke off and almost dumped the bag. I wanted to like it, and was lucky I didn't lose it whenit broke (twice), and I've never trusted the system since.

arundel dual seatbag

please take this recommendation seriously.

its such a great bag.

How about a FIzik seat bag that attaches with velcro straps?

scicon? it's an attachment system similar to fizik in the sense that it doesn't use velcro.

I have a small and a micro version from Topeak. There's a mount that clamps on the back of the seatrails and I just unclip and swap if necessary. The micro is good for 2 tubes, a multi-tool, and a pair of tire levers. The small one holds all that in addition to a chain tool, extra KMC missing link, a couple spare CO2 cartridges, and my keys with a little room to spare. I do rub slightly on the small one though but it's largely due to saddle position.

I have a Fizik saddle but these have a better build quality and design IMO as they don't flop around. The single clip design is great though and I can just pop it off when I have to lock my bike up somewhere (like a lunch stop)

Thanks, the scicon looks like it has the most potential to NOT rub.

And cheaper than buying a Fizik saddle.

I have a Topeak Aero Wedge, which I like but there are a few other options I would consider now if I were in the market for a new bag. I just bought a Lezyne pump and I really like there quality. Their stuff is just in a different league when it comes to quality. They have a bag called a Caddy, I would look at the medium version. Also, I have Arundel bottle cages on my bike so I would look at their bags too. I would probably buy one of these two bags over what Topeak makes now.

I just figured out that you don't need the special interface to tie a carradice saddlebag on a normal saddle last week. it's really useful and can be thrown on the bars with another bag if you need more storage but a little on the pricey side though. It doesn't rub my thighs but I guess it could depending on your set up.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...9&id=556144069

Datlas,

I too recommend you take a look at the Topeak Aero Wedge at amazon. I have a medium and can fit a patch kit, two tubes, a quickex pro pump, a multi tool, a pair of tire levers, two latex gloves and the car keys. The seat tube connector doesn't really rub that much nor the wedge shaped bag. It comes in a strapped version and a clip between the saddle rails version. I have the strapped version and IIRC it was $15 on amazon.

Ok, thanks again for the suggestions.

I went on a recovery ride today and had time to pay attention to where the shorts meet the saddle bag.

It seems that 95% of the wear problem is at the velcro strap around the seatpost.

So I am considering doing a surgical operation on the saddlebag and cutting the velcro strap off. I hope the strap that goes through the seat rails will support the bag adequately. If not, I may try sticking a velcro "patch" on the back of the seatpost to help with support.

If all else fails, I will look into the various bags suggested above. The scicon suggested by Yaniel looks pretty cool, although the cost is approx $35. Not ideal for a cheapskate like me.

I don't know if this will help, but this is how a pedros bag fits on my bike with an smp evolution which i believe is 129mm wide. This is the small bag, or maybe the medium. It's the one right above the micro and I have 2 co2 catridges, 2 tire levers, co2 chuck, tube, patches, zipties, gloves, small multi tool, and an ID in it.

[QUOTE=datlas;11562029]

It seems that 95% of the wear problem is at the velcro strap around the seatpost.

CORRECT.

So I am considering doing a surgical operation on the saddlebag and cutting the velcro strap off. I hope the strap that goes through the seat rails will support the bag adequately. If not, I may try sticking a velcro "patch" on the back of the seatpost to help with support.

THIS IS WHAT I DID WITH MY TIMBUK BAG. WORKED OKAY. GOT A CLIP STRAP FROM REI CLEARANCE FOR $3 AND USED THAT TO SECURE IT FURTHER... ALMOST A YEAR NOW, WORKS GREAT AND BARELY MOVES AT ALL.

datlas,
I would think removing the whole velcro strap would make the bag move quite a lot. I would have tried trimming the loose bit of velcro strap and then putting a piece of black electrical tape around the remaining section so that it is a smooth surface where it rubs the shorts before eliminating to totally.

btw, here is the small wedge and the medium wedge on amazon.

datlas,

I had the same issue and solved it with this:

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...mall-or-medium

i dont like the idea of the fizik bad being only useable on a fizik saddle. i like the idea of the topeak being a clip design and can be used on different saddle.

Friend uses the Topeak clip on, and it has flown off twice.

oh dear. that's not good. thanks for the heads up.

I would also try to fix and see it solves the problem. If it doesn't, neither the Lezyne Micro Caddy or the Arundel Dual attach have a seat post strap. The Lezyne has what looks like wings that go over the saddle rails and then wrap under the seat bag. The Arundel has a wear pad that makes contact with the seatpost.

I have the Topeak version that has straps that goes over the saddle rails and then clips at the bottom of the bag. Topeak sells both versions. Mine has been flawless.

I use the Scicon Compact 430 and have had NO issues with it flying off. At times I was concerned that it may fly off if not twisted on correctly or the mount was too tight (snapping) or too loose. No problems yet.

Here's a picture. The mount seems to somewhat push the saddle bag out and you can angle it to various positions but that depends too on your saddle rails.

Good luck on your choice!

+1

I had a problem with my Topeak unclipping, but it turned out that it was butted up against the seatpost and not able to push "in" far enough to really set the clip. I moved the clip mount a little further back toward the rear of the saddle and that solved the problem.

I'm a fan of the Topeak bags...and they do make a few models that don't use a seatpost strap, just a saddle rail clip.