[bad mechanic]

I've ridden for decades with a hydration pack, but am really looking at the water bottle cage mounted storage and tool kits. Riding without a pack seems like it would be really nice.
However, what are people doing for phones and keys? Or if you're locking your phone in your car, what are you doing for keys?

Admin edit: Add photo for feature

 

[Catmandoo]

So do what roadies do. Tools and stuff for repairs in a saddle bag. Car key, phone, money and basic ID in a baggie in a back jersey pocket.

The primary reasons I use a hydration pack are 1) No mud on the bite valve. Mud and crap gets all over the water bottle. 2) I drink more as I can grab the tube while riding. Where you need to stop to drink a water bottle.

 

[mtnbkrmike]

Pockets. All my shorts/pants have very well designed pockets for my phone and keys that don’t interfere with riding.

7Mesh, Patagonia, 45NRTH and others are all over this.

 

[bad mechanic]

Pockets. All my shorts/pants have very well designed pockets for my phone and keys that don’t interfere with riding.

Really? I would have thought having keys and a phone bouncing around in your pockets would be a lot more annoying than a hydration pack.

 

[bad mechanic]

So do what roadies do. Tools and stuff for repairs in a saddle bag. Car key, phone, money and basic ID in a baggie in a back jersey pocket.

The primary reasons I use a hydration pack are 1) No mud on the bite valve. Mud and crap gets all over the water bottle. 2) I drink more as I can grab the tube while riding. Where you need to stop to drink a water bottle.

Do saddle bags play well with dropper posts?

I always stop to drink anyway, so that's not really a concern for me. You can also get bottles flip caps on them to keep crap off.

 

[mtnbkrmike]

So do what roadies do. Tools and stuff for repairs in a saddle bag. Car key, phone, money and basic ID in a baggie in a back jersey pocket.

The primary reasons I use a hydration pack are 1) No mud on the bite valve. Mud and crap gets all over the water bottle. 2) I drink more as I can grab the tube while riding. Where you need to stop to drink a water bottle.

Saddle bags don’t work with droppers and ultimately everything turns to dust in them. I hate roadie wear and using back pockets on jerseys.

I am good to ride pack free and have designed all my bikes around this but in the end, for most rides, I still use a CamelBak or Bontrager Rapid Pack because I don’t mind them that much. It took me a while to realize this. I ended up going full circle on the issue.

 

[Polk]

Do saddle bags play well with dropper posts?

Some do. Look for a bag that does not use a strap that goes around the seat post. I have a Lezyne that only straps to the seat rails and it works fine with a dropper. I think Arundel also sells bags without seat post straps. And I am sure there are others.

 

[bad mechanic]

I hate roadie wear and using back pockets on jerseys.

I don't even own a single jersey with a pocket.

 

[mtnbkrmike]

Really? I would have thought having keys and a phone bouncing around in your pockets would be a lot more annoying than a hydration pack.

Trust me on this. I have one of the biggest phones around - an iPhone 13 Pro Max. I rode for 4 hours yesterday with it in my 45NRTH pants pocket. Even though I also wore a large. CamelBak!

The pockets on all my shorts and pants are strategically located - they are all on the rear side of my upper thigh. They function flawlessly in terms of access, and my phone instantly disappears within seconds of riding.

I would never put a phone or key fob in a saddle bag, even if it didn’t interfere with the dropper. That’s just asking for trouble. Like I said, anything I have put in a saddle bag (BITD), turned to pixie dust bouncing around in there. My phone cost close to $2000.

To be clear, there are risks riding with my phone in my pocket. I get that. But that’s where Apple Care comes in.

Here’s an example of a pair of shorts with “magic” phone pockets.

Advanced Bike Apparel for Every Elevation | 7mesh

A knee-length version of our all-surface trail short, built for three-season riding and styled for stops at the watering hole.

7mesh.com

I also have these from the same company, if I ever don’t mind wearing spandex alone (different approach with pockets on the front thighs and built into the top rear of the shorts/lower junction of the bib):

Men's MK3 Cargo Bib Short

The MK3 Cargo Bib Short is a refined road cycling bib short, built to deliver dawn-to-dusk comfort and extended pocket storage.

7mesh.com

All of the better designed bike wear now has the rear upper thigh zipped magic phone pockets, including 7Mesh, Patagonia and 45NRTH. They can all be found on sale. I have not bought a single piece for MSRP.

Heading out now for an even more epic journey, phone in one of my two “magic” pockets, even though I will be wearing a large CamelBak again.

Good luck OP!

 

[Catmandoo]

I don't use a dropper.

But what you guys are saying is that a small seat bag strapped to the seat rails, prevents a dropper post from functioning ?.

 

[bad mechanic]

Trust me on this. I have one of the biggest phones around - an iPhone 13 Pro Max. I rode for 4 hours yesterday with it in my 45NRTH pants pocket. And I also wore a large. CamelBak! The pockets on all my shorts and pants are strategically located - they are all on the rear side of my upper thigh. They function flawlessly in terms of access and instantly disappear while you are riding.

Would you mind posting a link to what you use?

 

[127.0.0.1]

well .... when I have all these storage and carrying issues, I use a pack. fight me

 

[Catmandoo]

That’s just asking for trouble. Like I said, anything I have put in a saddle bag (BITD), turned to pixie dust bouncing around in there. My phone cost close to $2000.

I've used seat bags on all my bikes, road and mt. for 30 years. My tools and parts do not turn to dust. My mt. bike has a tube, a worm/hole plug kit, CO2 inflator with 3 cartridges and a Topeak Alien tool. It's all jammed into the saddle bag and doesn't move or rattle.

 

[Deeerek07]

PRO Discover Team Top Tube Bag | Pro Bikegear

The PRO Discover Team Top Tube Bag is a lightweight and waterproof top tube bag for bikepacking.

www.pro-bikegear.com

I run this. Ties to the top tube and seat tube. Fits a phone, keys, multitool, etc

 

[J.B. Weld]

Keyless entry?

My phone usually stays in the car but if I take it with me the least bothersome place is a center back jersey pocket.

Key stays with car, you won't find it.

 

[Catmandoo]

It always puzzles me, the disdain of mt. bikers for the clothing worn by roadies. I wear on the road, lycra padded bike shorts, in summer a short sleeve bike jersey with 3 rear pockets, SPD shoes, padded gloves, etc.... I wear the exact same thing when I ride a mt. bike. I do not go the baggie shorts route but will add add'l clothing when it gets cold, long sleeved polypro top, a wind shell, or PI Amphib jacket, lightweight lycra tights or leg warmers. Nothing is specific to mt. biking as I go back and forth from road to mt. bike, so am not buying specific clothing for mt. biking.

It always puzzles me that wearing roadie clothing on a mt bike seems to be a no-no, yet the clothing is perfect for any riding, has functionality and is comfortable. it's like some mt. bikers would not be caught dead wearing road shorts. I don;t get it.

 

[KevinWaterloo]

I've tried almost every combination over the years including hydration packs, hip (fanny) hydration packs, pockets, seat bags, and triangle bags.
I don't like the backpack style hydration packs. Too hot and sweaty.
Pockets were okay but I not large enough to carry tools + repair equipment like CO2. I ended up using a small waist-mounted pouch to hold my phone against my back anyway.
Seat bags would be okay, but my rear wheel would occasionally hit the seat bag when my dropper was down.
Triangle bags blocked access to my water bottle on my FS bike
I used a hip hydration pack for the past few years but I found it was really difficult to suck water when racing or when riding hard and my heart rate was pegged. You have to stop breathing for a second or two in order to suck water which is enough to impact oxygen intake. The weight a full bladder on my hips was also noticeable (but better than a backpack).

In the end I settled on a CamelBack Podium Flow belt. It is light enough that I can barely feel it when riding. On short trips I just use it for phone, keys, and tools with a water bottle in my frame. For longer trips I use it to hold my second water bottle (which also keeps it clean). I have found that I can pull out the bottle and drink easier than using a hydration pack with a hose. For me it also has a major advantage that I always have all of my emergency tools with me since I leave them in the bag.

 

[Nat]

I don't use a dropper.

But what you guys are saying is that a small seat bag strapped to the seat rails, prevents a dropper post from functioning ?.

The dropper works fine but when the rear suspension compresses the tire will hit the saddle bag and eventually rip a hole in it.

 

[Nat]

It always puzzles me, the disdain of mt. bikers for the clothing worn by roadies. I wear on the road, lycra padded bike shorts, in summer a short sleeve bike jersey with 3 rear pockets, SPD shoes, padded gloves, etc.... I wear the exact same thing when I ride a mt. bike. I do not go the baggie shorts route but will add add'l clothing when it gets cold, long sleeved polypro top, a wind shell, or PI Amphib jacket, lightweight lycra tights or leg warmers. Nothing is specific to mt. biking as I go back and forth from road to mt. bike, so am not buying specific clothing for mt. biking.

It always puzzles me that wearing roadie clothing on a mt bike seems to be a no-no, yet the clothing is perfect for any riding, has functionality and is comfortable. it's like some mt. bikers would not be caught dead wearing road shorts. I don;t get it.

Depends on how you ride. If you're out for an xc ride then dressing like a roadie is fine. Start going faster downhill and it's better to have some protection like pants, long sleeves, knee pads, full face, etc.

 

[Nat]

I've ridden for decades with a hydration pack, but am really looking at the water bottle cage mounted storage and tool kits. Riding without a pack seems like it would be really nice.
However, what are people doing for phones and keys? Or if you're locking your phone in your car, what are you doing for keys?

Keys most of the time go in my zippered pocket. Phone goes in a running armband attached near my head tube where it stays protected from impact (I can post a pic later if you'd like).

Also, there are ultra-slim waist belts that can carry a phone and keys under your shirt. The versions marketed to bikers can be more bulky than necessary. I have something similar to this one that I bought for trail running but it turns out that it works great for MTB if I just need a place to keep my phone, keys, wallet.

Amazon.com : Nathan NS7703-0433-34 The Zipster Lite Running Waist Packs : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : Nathan NS7703-0433-34 The Zipster Lite Running Waist Packs : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com