jsdavis

I just bought my first road bike a few weeks ago and took it out for it's maiden recreation ride; it's been doing commuting/transportation duty on and off for the past few weeks. I went out with my panniers carrying my tools and some food, but most people I saw in bicycling clothes didn't have any of that except a small saddle bag but they aren't very big.

Do road bicyclists carry tools, food, pump, tubes, etc? My load was one pbj, one banana, mini-pump, two tubes, patch kit, 3 levers, multitool, u-lock, softshell jacket, two master links, 2nd pair of socks, couple extra batteries, and around 1.5L of water in the bottle cages. Well I guess there is keys, money, and transit debit card too.

For those familiar with SF, I went SF, Sausalito, Tiburon, Larkspur and then ferry back to SF. It was about 30-35 miles out, back on the ferry, and then 6 miles home.

StanSeven

Most riders carry similar stuff for recreational rides except maybe a u-lock. Unless you are leaving your bike a long time, most just use a small cable lock. Everything you mentioned should fit in a medium saddle bag plus jersey pockets. Also unless you ride in terrible conditions, one tube plus a patch kit should get you by.

patentcad

Don't forget the Complete First Aid Kit and the Jaws of Life.

jsdavis

That's what I'm missing...I didn't realize those jerseys had pockets on them. I went out in hiking pants with liner shorts and a wool sweater. I don't own any bicycle specific clothing except the liner shorts at this point.

shoota 

How do you have over a thousand posts and not know about jerseys?
I'm not trying to be condescending but I really am I confused here..

jsdavis

I have a hybrid bike that I use for commuting and riding around town mostly so any bicycle clothing and shoes wasn't really of interest to me. I'm not going to the work in bicycling clothes if my commute is only 4 miles. I mean I wear some fleece pull over or or synthetic shirt or hoodie whatever and change into a collared shirt, but that's about it. For pants I ride to work in jeans, Carhartts, Dickies, or some such. Most of my posts are in the hybrid, commuting, or utility sections. Maybe some in the mechanic section too.

Also I'm surely not going to the grocery store, bar, restaurant, movies, or whatever in bicycle clothing. I mean I've probably put down 12000 miles over the past three years but 95% of my trips are all under 8 miles and within the limits of San Francisco and I think two trips over the Golden Gate Bridge and right back.

While I'm sure that jerseys and other bicycle clothing are functional, but it didn't interest me because the function of my bike was to get me around town, not to set some Strava record. I knew they existed, but didn't know they have pockets. For me, functional is flat BMX pedals for good grip when wet with street shoes, merino wool sweaters because they dry quickly and are reasonably warm, 42mm tires (on the hybrid) because they roll over all kinds of crap in the city and soften the ride, rack and panniers because I can carry all kinds of stuff, fenders to fend off the stripe on my back and dirt in my face...that type of thing.

shoota 

That makes sense. You've alluded to what will bring you to some clarity. The intention of the ride will dictate what you should wear and what you should bring. A 30 mile, semi fast road bike ride doesn't require nearly as much stuff as you listed in your first post. In fact a lot of guys don't even use saddle bags (I have no need for one).
For some baseline all I do is road ride so for me I wear a typical kit of bibs and jersey and carry a zip lock bag in my jersey pocket with a tube, a CO2 cartridge, two levers, and a multitool. Then that leaves one jersey pocket for phone/money/keys and one pocket for food (if even necessary).

gsa103

Tube+tools go in the saddle bag.
Snack + phone go in jersey pockets.

The main thing is you dramatically over-packed for your ride. 30 mi ride should be about 2-3 hrs. 2nd pair of socks stays at home or in car. Jacket is worn or not needed. Batteries are not needed. As you get more familiar with riding, you'll figure out what you actually need.

Alternatively, a Camelbak works awesome.

Homebrew01

Could be foo

jsdavis

Yeah, I'm starting to realize that I was over prepared by a lot but a lot of that is my commuting load. Well I commute with one tube and no patch kit. I ride a lot well after bike shops close so I do have to be somewhat geared up. I wasn't sure what I was getting into, didn't know the area well (road conditions, bike shops, etc) and neither did my three friends who came with me. One was an experience bike tourist but hasn't rode regularly in since early 90s, he's 75 years old and very active otherwise.

Second pair of socks...that was from a hiking/wilderness mindset. I'm not bringing that next time since there doesn't seem to be nearly as much concern for blisters, trench foot type of thing.

Battery were for my front light since I didn't know how long the trip would take - front light runs for only two hours or so on one battery. I did run my lights in some of the wooded areas to make myself more visible - I run my lights even during the day when riding in the city.

Jacket I'm on the fence about. Starting point and GG Bridge were very windy and there was probably a 20 degree change between where I started and where I ended up. I think worst case I could strap it to my rack since I have no intention of removing the rack.

As far as Camelbak, do you mean the bladder or the backpack? I don't think I saw anyone with a hydration pack and backpacks are rather uncomfortable on a road bike in my experience - much more so than my hybrid.

Ghost Ryder

I carry 2 tubes, tire lever,gels,multi tool,keys,pair of nitrile gloves in my saddles bag,mini pump(mounted on frame), keys,cash/cards in my phone holder, wind breaker,cliff bar(or 2), & 2nd pair of lenses for rides just before sunset in my jersey pocket.
Two cages for two large Camelback Podiums.

When I ride to work, I use a backpack to carry work clothes, & lunch. I ride to work in my bike gear, & change when I'm there.

aaronmcd

I commuted on road bike for years without knowing what a jersey was or owning bike shorts. I always had a backpack to carry stuff. I didn't get sore so I didn't need bike shorts. Plus I never changed (I'm one of those lucky ones who doesn't stink when sweating, and my office was really casual anyway). Plus I had office, then school, then back to office, back to school again, then home. Only after finiahing grad school did I ride recreationally. I still rode in normal shorts and a t shirt with running shoos in toe clips. I have since turned into a more normal roadie, and find the pockets really useful for phone, key, ID, card, cash, food. I've always used the seat bag for spare tube, levers, multitool, spoke tool. Pump on frame, water on frame and that covers everything. When I went to campus I had to carry a lock, but that went in my backpack.

c0urt

just look for post in the custom messenger bag post. with my name

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...+messenger+bag


my favorite bag

gc3

I don't carry anything. My personal assistant follows in a car at a discreet distance.

Pirkaus

1 tube, 3 tire levers, patch kit, and small Serfas pump in middle pocket.
Phone, keys, money, and ID in right pocket.
Food in left pocket, for 30 mile plus rides, other wise even out right and left.
Arm warmers, leg warmers,wind jacket can all fit in the pockets if required.
As far as tools go, I am fanatical about maintenance, so I have not experienced any issues that require tools.
I commute 20+ miles when weather permits, longer ride and some group rides on weekends.
Pirk

Bike Gremlin

The thing I don't like about road bike is it's not versatile enough. I often use bicycle for weekend trips so need some layers of clothes (gets colder in the evening). So in spite of making a bike heavier, this spring I'm mounting a rack on my road bike.

For just training and/or joyrides, within 50 kilometers from home, all I need can be put in the saddle bag and jersey pockets. However, I sweat like a pig, so I put nothing in my jersey pockets. Slightly bigger saddle bag does it.

coasting 

Always be prepared. I applaud you.

rumrunn6

I'm a big fan of a rear rack with a rack trunk. I have several to choose from depending on the ride. You can spend way too much at places like REI and you can get a great starter trunk at walmart. this is my smallest. and it gets compressed w just 1 bungee cord. I can even fit my mini pump in it. I believe I got it at walmart.

I also have a Zipp Speed Weaponry Bag, that straps behind the stem on the top bar that is good for a cell phone and small energy snack.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Blue Belly

If I can't carry it in my jersey pockets, it doesn't go. When I was commuting I had a pack for work clothing & food.
Riding sewups I always have an extra tire, a pump, a few misc tools, food, phone, wallet & keys

10 Wheels

I carry lots of stuff.

Day Panniers from Nashbar work good for me.

Trunk bags don't hold all that I want to carry.

coasting 

are we talking about touring or regular rides?

Jakedatc

that is a lot of stuff for a 40mi ride. having the ferry ride in there is a bit screwy because you will cool down depending on the temps. not having pockets to put stuff that isn't normally in the saddlebag is a disadvantage. arm warmers would fit in a pocket if you got chilly on the ferry.

for me a 40mi ride would be 1 water bottle. in my pockets would be keys, phone and a gel flask. saddle bag is always on 1 tube, multitool, CO2, 2 tire levers and a few patches. mini pump on the frame for backup.

the engine

I am definitely a road cyclist ... I use cycling jerseys on any ride over a few hours, where I need to carry extra food, tubes, ect.

Both, my training and event bikes have the following ...

I use two bottles in down tube cages. I use a small under the seat saddle bag ... carries tyre levers, patch kit, and CO2 setup (year round). Two additional bottles in hot weather months (seat mounted cages). Front and rear lighting in winter months, when darkness comes early.

Use a small bag sitting on the top tube for gels/bars and cell phone. Take on and off as needed.

Have a seat post rack, and bike "trunk" bag for Randos ... extra clothing, rain gear, food, extra tubes, back-up lighting (winter months) and tools. Also, attach my frame pump. I only put the rack on for brevets, as they are unsupported, and I must be self sufficient. Also, take on/off as needed.

For organized centuries, I use the top tube bag, and my frame pump. I carry all my food for between rest stops in my jersey pockets. No need for a lot of extras, as these rides usually have adequate food at stops, and a sag wagon, if needed.

You use what u need ...

Darth Steele

I am have supersix ultegra with conti 4000s tires and I still carry two tubes and patches.. I wouldn't feel comfortable with one tube.

Darth Steele

any ride under 2 hours you shouldn't need food for

the water bottles should be enough