Cyclelogikal

Here is what I mean.............I see so many road riders that appear to not carry a single emergency item for road repairs while on the road. Here is how I ride for both safety and preparedness you might say:

-Saddle bag that is small but carries a small plastic holder of patches; a spare tube; and a plastic tire lever; and a multi-tool. I also have a blinkie light on my seat stem that like as stated blinks to assist with visibility. Oh yeah, a very small hand pump to pump a flat back up.

I don't see this as a weight hinderance what so ever. I see it as being prepared but I see so many riders with nothing on their bike or apparently stuffed in their rear jersey pockets!

Am I the crazy one since being a recreational and every so often event rider being prepared??? And if you ride and don't ride prepared what is your escape plan if many miles from your destination?

Element GT

But saddle bags look horrible

So I stuff a tube, patch kit, and tire levers in my jersey and I've never noticed them there on a ride sometimes I add co2 if it's a long ride and I know I won't want to waste energy pumping (I have a small frame mount pump you can barely notice)

Bacciagalupe

I believe most roadies carry at least patches, CO2 or pump, tire lever(s), a multi-tool & a cell phone. Quite a few carry a spare tube.

Most put their gear in their jersey pockets. Why is that a problem?

BTW, I carry a 1st Aid Kit and a RoadID. To me, you sound a bit unprepared.

caloso

I don't know anyone who rides without at least means of fixing a flat. Some carry it in a saddle bag, others in a jersey pocket, some in a lopped off water bottle.

puckett129

You're not being paranoid, you're allowing logic to overrule your sense of "too cool for you" style. It's like wearing a jacket when it's cold outside even when all the cool kids are wearing T-shirts.

Element GT

Fixed

Nachoman

Could you please have a talk with my son that just left the house, on his bike, and didn't bother to take anything with him.

gc3

You're not the only paranoid cyclist....just the most paranoid cyclist....

stilltooslow

Same. In all my years of riding, I don't believe I've ever ridden with anyone who didn't carry the basics.

Cyclelogikal

What an awesome idea!!!!!

Cyclelogikal

BTW- I do have my RoadID bracelet I wear too!!!

Going to do that bottle thing for sure!

caloso

I wish I could take credit for it. Just keep in mind that during summer, you will usually need two bottles.

DerHoggz

A saddle bag is more like wearing a fanny pack when your pants already have pockets. Ugly and redundant, and you are probably carrying too much if you "need" it.

Homebrew01

I don't think carrying spare tubes counts as paranoia. Just common sense.
Small pack under the saddle just big enough for 2 tubes & levers. Got one on each bike so they are always ready to go.

Those without spares are probably not thinking about it, and probably don't know how to fix it anyway.

MikeWMass

I think that having your jersey pockets stuffed looks ugly. I'd rather have people think "look at that stud on the dorky bike" than "look at that dork on the studly bike".
Seriously, why carry weight on your body when the bike can carry it? Also, with a seat bag, it is always there, I don't have to load it up for each ride, just replace anything I happen to use.
I also carry a frame pump. I find that my friends who carry mini pumps or CO2 ask to borrow my pump when they get a flat.

fried bake

agreed, tried the tube/multi tool/phone in the jersey pocket thing a couple times. it does not work for me. mini pump, gels, snacks, car keys, nuun tabs are enough.

coasting 

If you don't have a chain tool, you are inadequately prepared.

Bottom bracket tool is optional.

RoadMike

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not after you.I have an awesome little wallet type pouch that holds a tube, 2 co2, inflator, patch kit, extra KMC missing link, spoke wrench, Allen key set, chain tool, and my ID and some cash. Keeps everything organized and goes right in my middle jersey pocket.

coasting 

Totally agree. also when I have heavy stuff in the jersey pocket, the jersey gets pulled down and I get throttled by the neck line.

dissident

it's kind of like people who pass someone on an expensive road bike and come here to make a post about it... you can't assume anything by what you see.. maybe they're carrying it in their pocket or have people home who can come get them... basically... who cares.

I do carry all the essentials myself. Part of it might be that finding a GOOD saddle bag that doesn't look all ugly or flap all over the place can take some trial and error. I'll save posters the time:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

coasting 

I like the idea of a pouch. The reason I like the saddle bag is that I never have to remember what to bring for the bike. If it is tools etc. it is always there and I have no need to remove it. For personal tuff I use the jersey but often I forget something. The pouch might take some of the thinking out of the process which can be difficult early in the morning.

puckett129

I could easily fit the contents of my bag in my jersey pockets, but I find it more convenient to keep it in the bag. In both cases I would rather carry my stuff in a small bag than to utilize pockets stuffed to their capacity. So your fanny pack analogy works.

JohnDThompson 

TA used to make a product specifically for that:

coasting 

What's so ugly about a little bag tucked away under the saddle?

buffalowings

I'm too stylin' to have emergency gear, my bike weighs 19.15 lbs with pedals, cages, so it's already overweight, as a result, I don't have the luxury of carrying spare tubes, patch kits, ID, cellphone, pump etc.