Yankeetowner

Rode a pretty hard 45 miles last evening, got back to my car pretty tired, went to open my saddle bag to get my keys AND discovered it was already open and I had no keys, spare, tire tools, nor CO2 cartridges. I didn't have enough light, nor legs to ride the entire 45 miles again, but road out 10 miles and back with no luck.

I have a small saddle bag and have to forcibly shove my keys in before every ride. It has a small clip inside which I used for my keys until the fabric holding the clip got stuck in the zipper, and frayed to the point I had to shove it inside the bag to keep it from constantly getting stuck in the zipper. I won't name the brand, but I've had zipper problems with my current saddle bag from day 1.

I don't want a large saddle bag, but I am looking for a slightly bigger one. I would like to carry my Ford truck key and five regular keys; one spare tube; plastic tire tools; 2 co2 cylinders with a small applicator; and a multi-tool (my current bag doesn't allow me to carry the multi-tool). A small pocket inside for paper money and a strap on the back to attach a light would also be great.

Anyone have a saddle bag that is somewhat aero, yet big enough to get the job done? I did a search of old posts, but I couldn't find anything except some really large bags. Thanks for any help.

SirHustlerEsq

Aero saddle-bag? Is that like a pocket?

danmc

I've done that several times; stopped to get a drink and snack mid-ride, forgot to zip up the bag, and my cell phone fell out. I eventually had to get a new cell phone. You'd think after it fell out the first time I'd buy a small pouch for it, but I'm kinda slow so it took about 3 times before getting the pouch.

achoo

That's why keys go in your jersey pocket.

RaleighSport

Dunno if this is small enough for what you want, but it's small and aero. Robot Check

I own one, I can fit, my Co2 with a cartridge in, 2 spare co2's, a tube, two good sized tire levers, a large multi, a patch kit, a kevlar spoke kit, and an adjustable wrench.. I think it should fit all your stuff you listed. It should be noted, when I load mine up it's to the gills.. I think you'll have room though, and there is a light strap on the back as well.

Dave Cutter

I like the Topeak Aero Wedge. It come in three sizes and different configurations (attaching with clips or straps). I find the medium plenty roomy.


But the best solution for keys and money (and cell phone) is in a pocket. I keep money, phone, a photocopy DL and insurance card, and cash in a Ziploc bag in my center back jersey pocket. In the saddle bag I keep the spare tube, inflator, and tools.... and another stashed bit of cash.

danmc

I don't carry my car keys. I have a hide-a-key on my car. Keys are too heavy and cumbersome (although I carry a multi-tool that weighs like 30 pounds )

bt

who uses their saddle bag for keys and or cellphone??

seriously, bike repair stuff only.

10 Wheels

I use a small bar bag. No surprises as you can see it as you ride.

JamesRL

This is what I have, main compartment has the stuff that I don't need to take in and out - tube, tools, etc. Smaller compartment has keys, coins. MEC Shell Major Seat Bag - Mountain Equipment Co-op. Free Shipping Available

BoSoxYacht

I never carry keys on rides. My garage has a coded opener, and I hide a key out back in case there's a power outage.

Yankeetowner

I carry my iPhone in a soft plastic case in my jersey pocket, which is how I was able to call for help last night. I've put my keys in my jersey pocket a few times, but I haven't been comfortable doing it. I don't carry any I.D. or emergency number in my jersey, which I need to start doing. I am actually glad I had nothing to identify me, my house location, or my vehicle (other than FORD on the key) with the keys that I lost.

Yankeetowner

Great looking bike! I'll probably stick with a seat mounted bag of some sort.

chaadster

I've had that happen, too, where I forget to zip the bag and lose stuff. Fortunately, haven't lost anything serious, just cash and a multitool. Dropped keys once, learned lesson, and now, on rare occasions where I'm somewhere with bike and car, I leave them tucked under the car somewhere, like behind the bumper or a rocker panel. A magnetic box underbody somewhere would work, too.

As for bags, I've discovered that using Scicon bags with the easy, quick release, Roller Mount have virtually eliminated forgetting to zip because I remove the bag to load, and have to reinstall before going, so the process makes it almost impossible to do. I guess I could forget to reinstall the bag altogether, but that hasn't happened yet! Also, the way it opens kinda helps minimize stuff just falling out the back as it does with an end-loader bag.

Check out the Scicon 480:

heffdiddy

Ever used that air horn?

suzcruzrides

I started with this ^^ bag but found it to be too small so I bought another one & found it to be too big. Then, I found this one:
Ibera Water Resistant Strap-On Reflective SeatPak
It has pockets on the sides & room enough for what I need inside. I carry a tube, 2 CO2 cartridges, a small patch kit, tools, compact camera, etc. When I showed it to my husband he said Another Bag?? So I said haven't you heard of Goldilocks? LOL!

f4rrest

No need for more than a single key to your house or car (whatever you left when you started your ride).

Key in pocket. Phone in other pocket. Food in other pocket. Tools and tube in saddle bag, so you rarely open it anyhow.

Duh.

aubiecat

The only thing I keep in my bag is road side emergency gear.
I have a flip case that holds my phone, drivers license, debit card, insurance card, a $20.00 bill, a house key and a truck key. That slips nicely in the center pocket of my jersey.

rpenmanparker 

There are your saddle bag people and there are your pocket bag people. I am a back jersey pocket bag person. I used to say that I thought saddle bags looked like the equipment of a male dog hanging down behind me and swinging back and forth, but that offended people so I don't say it anymore. With a pocket bag stuff doesn't fall out. Wallet in one pocket, cell phone in the other, bike stuff in a small zip bag in the middle. Never had a problem. By the way, you don't need to carry all those keys. You only have to carry the car key. You can lock the rest of the keys in the car. Or if you start from the house, you only have to carry the house key.

DowneasTTer

I use the Topeak tool kit. It works great. One side has the tools the other has room for tube, keys, cell phone, some $$, a couple of CO2 cartridges and inflator. Here's the link on Amazon:
Amazon.com : Topeak Side Kick Stw with Fixer F25 : Bike Pack Accessories : Sports & Outdoors

Bob Dopolina 

Where do you carry your food?

Your setup isn't very "pro" btw. Smilie face.

TheSame

As some of the other guys are doing too... I only put my tools / spare tubes / emergency cash in the saddle bag. Key / ID / phone go in my jersey pocket.

I've forgotten to zip up the saddle bag a few times. Also, it's just easier to stuff those things in my jersey pocket and just ride off. I go months without ever unzipping my saddle bag.

rms13

That sucks. I have a Serfas bag, I keep tube, lever and co2 in it. I keep the real important stuff (keys, phone, wallet) in my jersey pocket

MikeyBoyAz

Another Jersey pocket guy here. I was forced to do so when I got a saddle that didn't work well with bags.

I spiced it up a bit and put my spare tube in a 'snack ziploc' and the nitrile gloves, levers, chuck and CO2 in another 'snack ziploc' two together side by side in a 'sandwich ziploc' fits perfectly in my center jersey pocket. Phone etc on the right, food on the left.

When I have a flat the punctured tube fits nicely in the sandwich bag so I can take it home and patch it.


From a vanity point of view I dig it because it looks 'all TdF like' because I am actually using the jersey pockets, though they likely only put food in theirs. Other rides don't know so I hold to the image.


OP: sorry about the digression, and sorry you lost your stuff on the road; that's a real bummer.

If I WERE to store my stuff under my saddle, I would just do ziplocs and velcro.

Niloc

I've started carrying everything in my jersey pockets on most rides. With three decent sized pockets you can carry a lot, and I don't find it uncomfortable. Never lose anything off the bike that way. Yep, leave the key hidden somewhere behind (I do most of my rides from home) or if you must, carry just the one necessary key. I have several times when using a small saddlebag, forgotten to zip it up. Friendly co-riders have alerted me and I didn't lose anything. You'd think it wouldn't be hard to keep zipped but there you go.

Besides no saddlebag is Rule #29 and Rule #31 compliant ;-)
@Bob Dopolina it's pro to not to use a saddlebag. I put my food in jersey pockets. Don't need much for a 2-3 hour ride. Any super long rides I simply stop somewhere for a bite and either eat there, like a roadside cafe, or grab additional food/drink at a convenience store. Events are usually supported with some kind of snack/water stop.

Jersey pocket people, if you use some kind of bag or organizer, what is it? I'm curious. I put my spare tube, tire irons, CO2 in a ziploc sandwich bag along with some paper money and it goes in the middle pocket. The rest just gets distributed around. I like having my iPhone in the jersey so I can occasionally check it for maps etc.

I can see the temptation of having a small saddlebag for emergency repairs. It would stay attached and zipped up the whole ride, only getting opened if you flat. No keys or valuables to go missing. On some longer rides / events where I'm out there and more concerned about flatting, and also need to bring along more food or arm warmers etc, I could see using the saddlebag.