Best way to carry all your stuff on a long ride?

Question

I cycle to work and I cycle long distances frequently. When I go to work I carry all my stuff in a back pack and for other rides I wear my camel back and a Roo (fancy fanny pack thing). This holds all my stuff (CO2 pump, innertubes, tools, sunscreen,food, keys, cellphone). But it is obnoxious!!! I have a racing bike and the bike shop told me I can not get a back rack on my bike. That little puch under the seat just isn't enough. What do you all do?? How in the world do people fit all their stuff in a little pouch and jersy pockets?

Answer 1

Ah, the largest size possible under seat pack, or a clip-on rack that supports a "trunk" bag (like a shoebox). Most of my friends have the clip-on rack (holds onto seat post). Panniers don't fit (easily), but trunk bags do.

Plus a medium to small handlebar bag; however, be sure to put only very light weight items in your handlebar bag because it can affect the steering if there's some weight. I put toilet paper, small camera--and the camera is the only thing with weight. The rest of the stuff in front is like cloth.
You might could get away with a small camera and a small phone, or a combination cameraphone dealie.
*No 15 car keys, cans of soup, sunblock, or other heavy extras. Handlebar bags are for lightweight things and for things you need access to while onboard the bike. Things you use while stopped and heavy things go in the trunk bag. ;)


A Minoura water bottle adapter can also be used to transport extra water, hanging from the side of the stem or at the handlebar. Be sure to limit this to one carrier max with a smallish water bottle. There are also alloy clamp-on water bottle cages. Put these on the "you" side, not the front.

Another place for an accessory water bottle is in front of the bottom bracket. The front tire will put lots of dirt on it here, so you'll have to unscrew the top to use the water.

There are racks that fully clamp onto the seat stays. However, one should use extreme caution and never clamp a rack onto carbon fiber or 3d aluminum tubing. In any case, use a trunk bag or the smallest size panniers to avoid overloading.

A word on panneirs. While it is possible, they aren't areo, and they'll slow you down. Even Nashbar's Day Tripper catches a little bit of wind; although, those don't catch much. ;)

There's also some bike options:
1) Trek professional tourbike
2) Schwinn Super Sport (some models with front and rear rack attachment points--very inexpensive and touring specific)
3) Xtracycle (carries a whopping huge amount of stuff--throw the car away)

Last, because it is funny looking, a fanny pack can hold keys, sunblock, phone, kleenex, checkbook, and with room left over. There are designer models with a purse-ish or rugged-ish appearance available, and those look better.

Answer 2

Alright, if you cart so much stuff that you need a backpack for weekend rides, you carry too much. multitool, innertubes, tire levers, and pump(pump if you get a strap kind not a clip on since you can strap in under the bag.) The you can put your food ( PBJ and/or Bannana), keys and cell phone all into two out of three jersey pockets. If you must carry sunscreen, put it in a super small bottle, like the shampoo bottles at hotels. It will all still fit into 2 jersey pockets. carry arm and leg armers, a wind breaker, long sleeve jersey, or vest, and you fill all 3 pockets. There anre also really big seatbags availible where you can put everything i just mentioned in, though i would still reccomend putting your cell phone and xtra clothes in jersey pockets for easy access on the bike. how much of the stuff you carry do you actually use? You dont need a jacket if its sunny, you dont need 5 tubes, you dont need a floor pump. You just need the essentials. Carry money and a PB&J, dont bring a picnick with you. And if you have a racing bike, you are defeating the point by carrying so much stuff. The onyl people that need so much stuff are the peopel who go across the world to to backcountry biking.

Answer 3

Wearing a back pack while cycling isn't a pleasant experience. While it is ok for shorter trips, with light stuff, it isn't the best.

I call BS on the bike shop not being able to fit a rack to your bike. A good rack will come with clamps that will fit to your chainstays, and seat tube. I fit a rack to my competition bike no problem. I would just order a rack, and try to make it fit. You may need some extra zip ties or what not, but where there is a will, there is a way.

Then get the rear panniers, and you are good to go!

ps: I never recommend a front handlebar bag (or front panniers) if you can help it. Too much negative consequence on steering.

Answer 4

Those people who try to fit all that gear in the seat pouch and jersey pockets usually have the bare minimum or not enough. If you are going on a really long ride I would suggest using a hydration pack with ample storage for food, gear, etc. Also, you can get a rack on the back by using those that attach to your seatpost--then you have extra storage in the form of panniers or other bags that can be bungeed to the rack.

Answer 5

I carry one of the larger Camel-Pak with extra storage. Smaller than a full size back pack but big enough to carry extra tubes, tools, food, phone, extra clothing for cooler or wet days. I'd rather carry it on my back. I tried the pouches on the bike and I found them to be a pain.

Answer 6

A front handlebar mounted bag works best,easier if you have Campy.no cables,the back is the worst place by far
You carry too much stuff,just carry tube,co2,key,and cellphone all can fit in under the seat small bag!!

Answer 7

CamelBak Mule. Next year they'll be adding a mp3 speaker and some other neat things.