If you’re not one of those lucky ones that are accompanied by a team car carrying spare bikes and a mechanic on every tour, you need to be able to solve a mechanical problem, be stocked if you get hungry, and be properly equipped if it suddenly starts pouring. So, you always need to have at least some of the most important things with you. 

However, carrying all those things means an additional weight and as we all know, additional weight sucks. We gather you take at least your phone on every tour, but what else is there that you should always carry?

Saddle Bag, a Bag Under the Seat

First, you need to choose one! Which saddle bag you choose depends also on the fact if you ride a bike in the rain. If you do, consider buying a saddle bag made of waterproof materials and zippers.

“Does a saddle bag suits a racing bike or not is up to an individual, but the fact is that when all your back pockets are stuffed with windbreaker, keys, phone, spare tube, mini pump, energy gel, power bar and other things, you quickly run out of space and a hump on your back starts swinging to and from.”

Saddle bag is a simple solution to the lack of space problem, and what is even cooler, once you fix it to your bike and put everything you need in it, you simply forget about it. Well, at least until the next incident, when you’ll need a multi-tool, tyre levers or tube patches. You’ll have it all at hand, neatly packed under your seat.

What to Pack in the Saddle Bag?

Puncture is the most common nuisance that sooner or later happens to every biker. So, a spare tube and tyre levers are definitively something you always need to have at hand. However, since everything can happen on a tour, you should never exclude a possibility that you'll have more than one puncture, so it is a good idea to pack tube patches as well. There are self-adhesive ones that will at least get you to your home.

No spare tube or tube patches can help you if you don't have a bike pump or CO2 cartridge. Yeah, we know, a mini pump that you attach to the bike frame is not really stylish, but it can save you from hitchhiking or walking to the nearest bus station. You attach a mini pump once and simply forget about it. It'll always be there when you need it. 

CO2 cartridges are conveniently small, you can put one in a saddle bag, just don't forget that you have used the last one 14 days ago and you need to buy a new one.

Ironmongery, Smithy, … in a Word, the Tools

The next must-have is a multi-tool (multi-purpose tool). There are smaller and bigger ones, having six different Allen (hex) keys all the way up to 20 different Allen keys, Torx keys and screwdrivers, tyre levers, CO2 cartridge fitting and chain tool … We recommend you to buy a multi-tool that suits you best. Also, check that Allen and Torx key sizes fit the screws on your bike.

 “Bottom line is that even the smallest tool kit can solve many problems that would without it be impossible to solve.”

Good to Have Bits and Bobs

In addition to the already mentioned obviously good-to-have things, there is always some space in the saddlebag for a zip tie or two, spare chain link (Powerlink) and a bank note. Euros that come in handy when you meet a friend on a tour and you stop for a pint after the tour. Or you can pay a taxi if you had the second puncture in a day while carrying only one spare tube, but no patches. : ) 

Saddle Bag Content List:

• spare tube,
• tyre levers,
• tube patches,
• CO2 cartridge,
• multi-tool,
• some money,
• zip tie or two.
  
  

Conclusion

There will always be two camps among bikers. Namely, those who say that a saddle bag doesn't fit to a bike, and the others who cannot live without it. It is really up to you what you like or dislike. However, if your pockets are always stuffed, then a saddle bag is the most practical solution. And you’ll definitely be able to find the right one among all saddle bags we have in stock.  ;)