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Why are snobs against seatbags, frame bags, and/or handlebar bags?

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Why are snobs against seatbags, frame bags, and/or handlebar bags?

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Old 10-30-14, 04:37 PM
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Why are snobs against seatbags, frame bags, and/or handlebar bags?

I see some bikes here don't even have a saddle bag. And the posters say they put their tools in their back pockets. Yeah, I got pockets too, but I much rather have my bike carrying the stuff than on myself.

For example, my seatbag carries the tools, tubes, and patches. My handlebar bag carries the riding essentials such as wind breakers, warmers, gloves for when it's cold. My back pocket is for the keys, cash, phone, and food. I'm getting some frame bags so I don't have to carry the food on long rides in my back pocket.

Each to his own but it's dumb to carry all this stuff in your back pockets so your bike can look "pro".
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Old 10-30-14, 04:41 PM
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I don't like seatbags cuz it doesn't leave room for lights on my road bikes.

I love handlebar bags, however.
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Old 10-30-14, 04:43 PM
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*shrug* Someone somewhere is always going to be snobby about something. IMO you're better off not worrying about it.
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Old 10-30-14, 04:43 PM
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Originally Posted by LesterOfPuppets
I don't like seatbags cuz it doesn't leave room for lights on my road bikes.
Just put the light on your seatstay.... problem solved
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Old 10-30-14, 04:44 PM
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Do whatever you need to do to deal with your climate, but anything other than a tiny bag under the saddle is ugly in photos.

If you need all that for your conditions, use it. Who cares what the couch-potatoes think?
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Old 10-30-14, 04:53 PM
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They care for the same reason that you care about what they care about, simple as that.
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Old 10-30-14, 04:57 PM
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You like to carry stuff in bags they like to carry stuff in their pockets. :shrug:

Originally Posted by Cue

Each to his own but it's dumb to carry all this stuff in your back pockets so your bike can look "pro".
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Old 10-30-14, 04:59 PM
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I don't care how many or how few bags they have as long as they wave.
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Old 10-30-14, 05:00 PM
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Originally Posted by bikemig
I don't care how many or how few bags they have as long as they wave.
Do you always wave first?
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Old 10-30-14, 05:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Cue
Each to his own
You just answered your own question.
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Old 10-30-14, 05:34 PM
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I like the way my bike looks without a big bag. I have a very small bag under the saddle that carries a tube, CO2, and patches. I carry a mini pump, phone, and energy bars in my pocket. What else is needed?
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Old 10-30-14, 05:38 PM
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Bags are ugly. Not just snobs think this. Many egalitarian members of the riding community concur. Comme moi.
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Old 10-30-14, 05:40 PM
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Tiny saddle bags under the seat for my road race style bikes.. anything under the sun that I want for any other of my bikes.
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Old 10-30-14, 05:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Cue

Each to his own but it's dumb to carry all this stuff in your back pockets so your bike can look "pro".
No, it isn't.

btw, there is very little I can do to not look pro. It's basically natural.
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Old 10-30-14, 05:58 PM
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When I blow past everyone I would hate people thinking I'm rubbing it in. A big pack does that.
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Old 10-30-14, 06:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Cue
Each to his own
Yep, and that's all there is to it: Proceed.

-Bandera
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Old 10-30-14, 06:04 PM
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I tend to prefer trimmer aesthetics, with the bike. But then, I also require solid utility for the combination. Which pretty much means a spot to carry the tools outside my pockets; a spot to carry the gloves and wind protection, along with spare batteries for the lights; with nothing getting in the way of lights.

Am evaluating options for a rear rack, trunk bag and rear pannier, right now. Leaning toward trimmer options. Trying to keep it sub-30lbs total, with lighting, rear rack, bags, tools, spares. (The endless challenge.) Will adjust the rear lighting and reflectivity to accommodate, whatever it ends up being.

Preference is to avoid a "heavy" (overloaded?) look to my own bike, though I don't bat an eye about having that "prepared" look. Fine line, perhaps.
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Old 10-30-14, 06:25 PM
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Bags lower my average speed.
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Old 10-30-14, 06:26 PM
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In situations where there is a higher probability of a crash, say a fast group ride, probably not a bad idea to carry tools and other rigid items in a seat bag and not in pockets near sensitive area of spine.

I try to follow this principal for the most part, but if I do need to put something like that in jersey i.e. iPhone, I'll use one of the side pockets. Probably being extra cautious here, but that's what I do.

But yes please, do remove the seat bag when taking bicycle "glamour" photos.
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Old 10-30-14, 06:28 PM
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Originally Posted by rpenmanparker
Bags are ugly. Not just snobs think this. Many egalitarian members of the riding community concur. Comme moi.
This. Once I heard or read mention of the fact that dangling seat bags actually look exactly like TruckNutz it was all over.

That said, I do use a canvas tool roll strapped efficiently to the seat rails using a spare toe strap, and occasionally a small pump strapped to that lot too. PITA to put that stuff in your pocketses
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Last edited by 1991BRB1; 10-30-14 at 06:36 PM.
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Old 10-30-14, 06:33 PM
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Because they are accessories and impure. They distract from and don't accentuate or enhance any of the bike's own qualities. I think they're a good idea to have, but they don't look good and shouldn't show up in 'glamour shots.' Bottle cages are 'impure,' too, but they tend to be more consistent, design-wise, with the bike, as are some frame-mounted pumps.
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Old 10-30-14, 06:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Homebrew01
Bags lower my average speed.
This post has so much win.
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Old 10-30-14, 06:36 PM
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Originally Posted by 1991BRB1
This. Once I heard or read mention of the fact that dangling seat bags actually look exactly like TruckNutz it was all over.

That said, I do use a canvas tool roll strapped efficiently to the seat rails using a spare toe strap, and occasionally a small pump strapped to that lot too. PITA to put that stuff in your pocketses
I had never heard of TruckNutz, but I always think I am following a large male dog when I see a dangling seat pack.
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Old 10-30-14, 06:38 PM
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They hang from one's trailer hitch in all their glory. But essentially the same idea as the dog.
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Old 10-30-14, 06:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Homebrew01
Bags lower my average speed.
And increase my average heart rate
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