Re-thinking my luggage

by Matt | January 26, 2018 | Filed under Bike talk, Trends | 8 replies so far

Alpkit Enduro Pod bike bag
For years now I’ve found myself carrying all my kit on my back thanks to a capacious Camelbak. But maybe there’s a better way?

When I say all my kit, at various times I really do mean all. As in, I’ll never live down the South Downs Way in a Day epic that saw me travelling with both a spare tyre and my chainwhip!

Now, that’s an extreme, but even so my Camelbak carries a reasonable amount of ‘just-in-case’ stuff (which I’ll itemise one day). I just think that for a lot of the time it’s just overkill, especially if we’re talking short 1-1.5 hour rides. On those occasions I just want to get out and blast round without having to overthink anything.

Not only do I think it’s overkill to carry all that kit, but for a lot of the time it’s also unnecessary to carry more than a litre or so of water, unless you are out for a long day in the saddle.

So, I’ve been having a think and have come to the conclusion that my essentials could easily be carried on a suitable bag on the bike itself, taking the strain off my poor back. This let’s me use a smaller and lighter back pack for water duties while at the same time putting the items I need most often within easy reach.

One product which caught my eye that might cover this rather well is the Alpkit Enduro pod, a top tube bag that sits just behind the handlebars. In there I reckon I can get a multi-tool, my magic Tyre Treatment Box along with a spare inner tube. Any other space could easily be taken up with an energy bar and emergency Haribos, plus my rarely seen spare cash. This would mean a back pack need only carry water, a pump and my house keys.

There are many companies getting into the bike bag scene, in large part because the Adventure bike thing is encouraging bikepacking as a way of getting out on the hills. Camping of any kind is not really my thing but it does mean there’s a lot more options to choose from.

With the London Bike Show just a month away now, I shall be looking at these sort of bags more closely.

Thanks for reading,
Matt

There are 8 replies to Matt so far

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  1. January 26, 2018 at 1:30 am

    Elliot says:

    I have one of those Enduro Pods, in yellow as that’s what was in stock at the time. I usually stick my tools in a little storage bottle, but the pod useful for extra space, or to use the bottle cage for an actual drink, or for bikes that don’t have a bottle mount. I managed to squeeze in (force the zip closed) a pump, multi tool, tyre lever, tube and small pack of chain links/bolts.

    I got no end of grief for strapping it to the V10 in Morzine last year! 🙁

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  2. January 26, 2018 at 7:28 am

    Roy McNeill says:

    Try http://www.beerbabe.co.uk/ourshop/cat_898659-Packs.html – local to the Surrey Hills, recycled, made from used inner tubes & malt sacks,& custom if required & lots of options ?

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  3. January 26, 2018 at 9:40 am

    Steven Dunn says:

    I have had no problems just using a backpack, I know what is in it, keep the basics and just add stuff as required. A new multi tool (because what I need changes, my most recent one has a T-30 bit much loved by Shimano these days) has helped reduce things. Elliot makes a good point, I have two friends who use a bottle to carry some spares and tools, which is an excellent idea. I thought bags on the bars were for keeping ride snacks in. 🙂

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  4. January 27, 2018 at 1:55 pm

    Lloyd says:

    Best option for short rides is a hip pouch. It takes a bottle of water, small bag of essential tools, mini pump, and spare tube. If you get a good one with broad, padded waist straps it is comfortable and you hardly notice the weight sitting on the hips, and no weight on the back at all.

    I can also use it for walking – which could not do with a bike only bag

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  5. January 29, 2018 at 11:57 pm

    Jemster says:

    I also use a hip bag in the summer months rather than a camelbac, as you can keep cooler with the air circulating through your top more effectively.
    Also have a triangular bag that sits on the hardtail for tools , provisions. Got it at the bike show last year.
    However Elliot’s yellow condom bag really looked wrong placed on the top tube of a 6k SC V10. I think the Santa Cruz police are still looking for him!

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    • January 30, 2018 at 12:15 am

      Elliot says:

      8k I’ll have you know. Anyway you guys need to make your minds up! Was it a condom, a banana bag or a shower cap?

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    • January 30, 2018 at 10:48 pm

      Matt says:

      I’m not sure about the fanny pack approach but would be willing to consider it I suppose. I just felt that this top mounted bag had something going for it – though not in yellow – I think that’s a given unless it suited the bike beneath it. Kind of like collars and cuffs matching 🙂

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