I found a couple of the Topeaks at REI scratch and dent sale with broken clips, picked one up for $2. Jury rigged it with a zip tie under the clip mounting plate. It's awesome. PLENTY big (iphone, clifbar, Crank Bros mini-pump, mini tool, patch kit), and absurdly big if you unzip the expandable part (add a tube to the list). Great for no backpack days.BigRuckus said:I have the Topeak seat bag with the quick-click connector-
http://www.topeak.com/products/Bags/AeroWedgePack_DX_medium
The bag goes on and off the bike really quickly which is important to me when im putting the bike in and out of the bike stand (bag gets in the way when clamping the stand to the seat post). Plus if im using the camelback, i can easily leave the seat bag home. I had a different one with the straps that go on the seat rails and it was pain putting it on and taking it off and the bag moved around alot on the trails. The topeak locks in place and doesnt move. Plus it has waterproof zippers.
You sound like the perfect riding partner for those of us who prefer to not carry much of anything.manabiker said:A camelback carries much more stuff, I tried the seat bag, it just doesn't hold enough stuff.. you can never have enough stuff, the one thing you left behind is the thing you need the most on the day you left it behind. good luck
You can pack a ton in a small seat bag, and strap other stuff to your bike. I try with all my might to not carry a backpack. Even on very long rides, I use 2-3 larger water bottles in cages, strap tubes to my stem and seat post, tie a rain jacket and/or extra shirt to my handle bars, pump on bottle cage bosses, and keep all tools, spare parts, etc. in the seat bag.manabiker said:A camelback carries much more stuff, I tried the seat bag, it just doesn't hold enough stuff.. you can never have enough stuff, the one thing you left behind is the thing you need the most on the day you left it behind. good luck
Somewhat off topic, but it sounds like you could do quite a bit of consolidation there. The chain breaker, loose allens, philips & flat screwdrivers, and torx wrench could all be accommodated on even a modest multi tool. The valve stems are redundant if you already are carrying extra tubes, second tire lever is unnecessary (or possibly any depending on your multi tool), C02 is completely unnecessary if you have a pump already, and I'm not even sure what a chainring nut tool is but I'm sure I've never needed one.gearwhine said:Even on very long rides, I use 2-3 larger water bottles in cages, strap tubes to my stem and seat post, tie a rain jacket and/or extra shirt to my handle bars, pump on bottle cage bosses, and keep all tools, spare parts, etc. in the seat bag.
I'd say I have a small size seat bag...I have a chain breaker, small multi-tool, loose allens from 1.5mm through 8mm, mini phillips and flat screwdriver, extra chain links, extra power links, small bottle of chain lube, 2 tire levers, rag, patch kit, extra valve stems/cores, T25 torx wrench, CO2 inflator (the cartridge usually goes in a pocket), brake pad seperator, chainring nut tool, and other small odds and ends.
I've got a different opinion. I try to pack minimally, but I think about what I bring.brassnipples said:Somewhat off topic, but it sounds like you could do quite a bit of consolidation there. The chain breaker, loose allens, philips & flat screwdrivers, and torx wrench could all be accommodated on even a modest multi tool. The valve stems are redundant if you already are carrying extra tubes, second tire lever is unnecessary (or possibly any depending on your multi tool), C02 is completely unnecessary if you have a pump already, and I'm not even sure what a chainring nut tool is but I'm sure I've never needed one.
I'm all for over preparedness when it matters, but I'd rather be prepared for a wider variety of problems than carry redundant gear.
I totally respect the "prepare for anything" mindset (it's actually my brains default setting), but would argue that you aren't exactly a minimalist (which I try to strive for). I can be obsessive about every item that I carry, to the point that I've made spreadsheets, so I love getting a peek at other peoples' ideas and experiences with packing.gearwhine said:I've got a different opinion. I try to pack minimally, but I think about what I bring.
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To each their own...I don't find any of my gear redundant, especially when it all still fits in my seat bag.
ha...I am no where near a minimalist...I TRY to pack minimally...but as you see...I don't. I don't worry about an extra pound of useful things on my bike...the extra grams of some allen keys, valve stems, etc....whatever.brassnipples said:I totally respect the "prepare for anything" mindset (it's actually my brains default setting), but would argue that you aren't exactly a minimalist (which I try to strive for). I can be obsessive about every item that I carry, to the point that I've made spreadsheets, so I love getting a peek at other peoples' ideas and experiences with packing.
In my defense, that was for a week long mostly unsupported ride, but it was off the deep end of obsessive for sure.gearwhine said:I think your minimalism is nearing obsesseive with spreadsheets!
That's the bag I've got, I bought it used and have been trying to figure out who makes them! Mine has no labels on it though...so I think these are just rebadged. Either way...I have the same thing as the mini mountain wedge, and it is by far the toughest fabric of any seat bags I've used. It has lasted me over a season after probably 1-2 seasons from the guy before me. Everything else I've used has only lasted a few rides. It fits snugly under the seat, and it holds a surprising amount of stuff for how small it is. So...+1 for Jaand from me too.drag_slick said:+1 on the Jannd bags. Never had one fail on me yet!
