10 Saddle Bag Essentials To Take On Every Bike Ride
10 Saddle Bag Essentials To Take On Every Bike Ride
When it comes to packing your saddle bag the question everyone asks is what do I actually need? So in this video, James shows you all the things he thinks you should have in your saddle bag.
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Spare Tube
Right, let’s get started with an obvious one the spare innertube. Now this we would say is a must, even if you use tubeless tyres, sometimes you’ll get punctures that just won’t seal no matter what you do, so having an inner tube handy will stop you having a long walk home. We would use a small plastic bag to wrap your spare tube in this way you can roll it tight to save space and it is also protected from getting snagged or damaged.
Tyre Levers
Some seasoned cyclists out there will say you shouldn’t need tyre levers as you should be able to remove a tyre with your bare hands. But why take the risk? If you’ve got cold fingers or tyres that are new they can be really tough to get off having, So having a pair of tyre levers will make life a lot easier. As to what ones to go for I would go for some plastic ones, this way you won’t damage your rim and as an added bonus they are also nice and light.
Multi-tool (with a chain breaker)
It’s worth taking a bit of time over this one because there are multitools and then there are multitools. Many multi-tools are nothing more than a selection of different size Allen keys, but we would say the main thing you want to make sure any multi-tool you’re using has, is a chain tool. This means that if you do ever snap your chain out on a ride, you can remove the broken link before fitting the next essential product on our list.
Quicklink
A quick link is a small but effective bit of kit, It’s fairly easy to apply you might need to put some pressure on the pedals to click it in securely, this is a lifesaver in the event of a broken chain. A quick link looks like this it looks like a normal chain link with a gap in it so you can apply nicely and easily. (Think of it as a quick release for your chain).
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Small needle nosed pliers to pull a sliver of metal, glass or wire from tire.
I would add some toilet paper/wet wipes and a single edge razor blade for trimming tube seams down and cutting tire boots to size. Also possibly a tubeless tire plug kit.
If you take care of your bike, have maintainess regularly, check your bike components before riding it, then you can forget about multitools. I haven’t carry it for many years.
Apart from the essentials like innertubes and tire patch,,Valve adapters and a cut out piece of an old tire if youre very cheap into buying tire boots will save you or your mates from long distances of riding..
That’s one big magical saddle bag
Nice! 5k beautiful looking road bike. Bad! Crap looking topeak saddle bag. There are some great on bike storage solutions which don’t negatively affect the handling of your bike on the market and don’t impact the look of that nice looking aero bike.
I also bring a copy of my drivers license, extra 2032 battery, allergy pills and an Advil.
There have been several comments, but I didn’t see anyone mention a spare derailleur hanger. they are light, small and it seems every bike has a different size or type. It’s not a common issue, so just having a spare in the garage may be good enough. Every rider should have a back up though in my opinion.
A handpump is always essential!!!
My #GCN valuables pouch never misses a ride!
Thanks Hank! Excellent. You have suggested things I had not thought of, and in one case (tyre boot) I had never heard of!
If you’re going to be riding after dark, a headlamp for your noggin’, like hikers use, can be very useful if you have to do some sort of repair.
Hi if switching over to tubeless does this reduce the amount of items needed in the saddle bag?
Rule #29 !
Lezyne Caddy Sack all the way.
2 tubes in Tyvek envelope to stop chafing, 2 CO2, Multi Tool (with Chain tool), quick link, valve core tool, string, cable ties, tyre levers, patches, boot, Jethro Tule for the fixed gear and beer
Again, there is no video “down there” to click on.
Thought he was pulling out a bag of weed at 1:15 😂
Nice video. I carry all those plus things listed in the comments. I don’t worry about the weight, I’m personally carrying much more and a little extra weight just means more exercise. One question, though – the title says 10 things, I counted only 9, unless the tire levers count as two. Am I missing something?
bloody hell sure you dont have a back pack for that lot
I always carry one of those individually-packed wet wipes, liberated from a fast food outlet. Handy for cleaning your hands after a puncture, dropped chain, etc. The packet makes an excellent tyre boot and, I guess, the wipe could save the day in a Tom Dumoulin situation
In addition to James fine list, here are some more essentials:
1 – thin rubber gloves (to keep hands clean when working on a chain — this is in case I need to help another cyclist — my chain is waxed so it’s fairly clean to work on)
2 – small cotton rag for cleanup
3 – spare presta valve core (during cold weather it’s easy to unscrew the valve core instead of the valve and the core goes flying and cannot be found)
4 – valve wrench (Park Tool VC-1)
5 – band-aids (in case you cut yourself)
6 – toilet paper (enough for one "serious" emergency)
7 – identification and insurance information (in the U.S. I carry photocopies of my driver’s license and insurance card — I do not carry originals so they cannot be stolen)
8 – emergency contact info (my wife’s name and cell phone number printed on a small piece of paper — I carry two copies, one in my pocket, one in my saddle bag)
Regarding multi-tools, I carried a *Park Tool MTB-3* for many years. It was great having so many tools in one and I used it many, many times. But it was heavy and it’s chain tool wasn’t designed for 11-speed chains. Last year I upgraded to a *Lezyne STL-20.* It’s much lighter and includes a chain tool that is compatible with 11-speed chains. I had to use the STL-20 for a couple of emergencies last year and it worked great! _Note: I think it is always best to carry a multi-tool that has a built-in chain tool._
Regarding the CO2 inflator, I prefer a small pump because it can be reused. CO2 cartridges are single-use, heavy and can malfunction. My training routes are long enough that I usually want to be prepared to fix two or more flats on one trip. So I carry a pump even though it requires upper body strength. The tough question is "which pump?" I chose a *Lezyne Digital Road Drive* mini hand pump because it can pump up to 160 psi (11 bar) and it has a digital pressure gauge built-in. It has a short rubber hose to connect to the valve so you can operate the pump without stressing the tyre valve. And it is small enough to fit inside my aerodynamic *Ibera SB9* saddle bag so I don’t have to carry it in my pocket or elsewhere on my frame. I’ve had to use it twice last year to pump a tyre up to 120 psi (8.3 bar) and it was a lot of work _but it did work._ The tyre only needed 110 psi (7.6 bar) but, when you use a mini pump, you generate a lot of heat and this temporarily raises the temperature inside the tyre. Once it cools, the pressure will go down a little. So, when using a small mini pump, pumping to 120 psi will usually result in a final pressure near 110 psi after the tyre cools to the ambient temperature. _Note: When choosing a pump, I select one that is rated for a minimum of 120% of the highest pressure I need._
Regarding money, I only carry it in my pocket (along with the aforementioned photocopies of my identification and insurance information). If money is needed, you don’t want to forget that you left it in your saddle bag. It’s much better to carry it in your pocket so it’s always with you. I use a small zip-lock bag for this (to keep it dry). When carrying paper money, I never carry a single denomination. Rather, I carry several small denominations so I can "make change" if necessary — in an emergency, the person you need to pay may not be able to make change. For similar reasons, I carry a few coins. Plus the coins are helpful if I need to open a battery compartment (some power meter battery compartments are designed for this).
Ibuprofen, for when stupidity or ego reward me with a long limp home.
It’s funny that the title is the 10 saddle bag essentials and yet he only mentioned 9 items.
Duct tape can fix anything. Ask McGiver.
I put it all in one bidon
The British love the word Kit.
Beautiful bike
A hammer, always a hammer and duct tape!!
How tf you got a camletoe?
I carry all of them 🙂
50 quid as spare cash? wtf GCN you know we’re a month away from brexit and all my money’s gone to stockpiling
ps you’re stretching the ‘essentials’ if you consider a CO2 canister essential
How about a snack bar, some simple first air supplies, a whistle? Those are a tad more ‘essential’ than CO2 canisters
Who needs tubes when you’ve got tubs!?
Yo Hank, quick link chain links are not going to help at all without a chainbreak tool. If you had the Topeak Survival Wedge one would had been all ready included along with spoke wrenches (spanners). Also, a few plastic ties and a roll of electrical tape have saved many rides. And I always wear a few rubber bands on my wrist for those who just can’t keep their hair out of their eyes! 😉
Gas canister? I’d rather take a mini pump for infinite re-use (it fits in my frame bag, saddlebags interfere with my rear reflector and light).
A quick link is useless if you can’t remove the broken link. Where’s the chain breaker?
Perhaps a pair of small backup lights, in case the ride takes longer than planned (applies to both day and night rides).
I always bring a raincoat inside my saddle bag and another tools for my bike
Spoils the look of the bike.
Have we missed anything that you put in your saddle bag? Let us know. 👇
The #1 essential item for a saddle bag is a box of matches so that you can burn the saddle bag by the side of the road before you set off
Essential: put all your stuff into your gcn bag an then into your trikot.
That’s a nice bike
If you’re over 50, a compact pair of reading glasses might come in handy. All those gadgets are useless if I can’t see what I’m doing with them.
Rule #29 // No European Posterior Man-Satchels. — —Rule #31 // Spare tubes, multi-tools and repair kits should be stored in jersey pockets.
Things not to carry on a bike…
Saddle bag
always check your multi tool every few months after being in a saddlebag un-used they seem to attract grit and damp a quick loosen and spray
will make sure that its useable if you ever really need it
Thanks mister cool guy.
There is no one post on GCN talking about Laidback Bikes, why wouldn’t you?
A quick link is handy, but only if you have the tool to drive out the chain bolts.
What about the good old pump? I prefer it especially in winter to stay warm while pumping up the tire again 😉
I also use a copy of my citizen card and even a very small card with my blood type and some emergency contacts… We never know!
I definitely carry an inner tube and a CO2 canister but UK roads sound really bad on gcn and cycling weekly videos. I get about one flat every 1-2 years.
Buying rounds of mineral water
instead of the tire boot use a Cliff Bar wrapper.