Where to carry spares on a road bike?

[JontyB]

I'm going to be doing a lot more road cycling this summer and wanted advise on where to carry all the equipment need for a days riding!

I come from a long mountain biking background where on a daily ride everything goes into my camelback backpack.
So I'll have a pump, 2 spare tubes, water, multi tool, energy bar, phone and money all in the back pack!
This seems to work out fine for mountain biking and is comfortable and secure and everyone else seems to do the same!

Now when i'm on my road bike, carrying the backpack gets my back really sweaty and uncomfortable, i have water bottle holders and an under seat pack
But its not really big enough for all the kit I think I need!

What gets me is when I see all the other road riders out and about, none of them seem to have any spare equipment on them and only one water bottle.
It also seems with in the road riding fraternity that back packs are a no no, I haven't seen any other road riders with back packs!

So where do you put and carry all your equipment for a day out on your road bike!

[Roman]

Inner tube, multi tool, phone, spoke key, cash, repair kit, tyre levers & keys in a small clip on saddle pack. Mini pump, energy bar, map, rain cape & sometimes 2nd tube in road jersey/gillet rear pockets.

Sounds like you need a road jersey.

[Captain Beaky]

A little pack under the seat works for me:

• Spare tube
• Levers and patches
• Multitool
• A few cable ties
• Some cash & keys
• Pocket Rocket waterproof

Anything else (jelly babies, phone etc) goes in the jersey pockets.

I have two bottle cages - I can bodge a token lock into one of them if necessary.

Easy

[itsnotarace]

Jersey pockets

[AyBee]

Tiny pack under the saddle containing mutlitool, tyre levers, money, spoke key, 1 spare tube. Into the jersey goes another spare tube, phone and tightly folded rain jacket if required. Pump goes on the bracket next to the waterbottle, of which I usually carry 2 if it's a long ride. Any energy bars/bananas would go in the jersey pocket - what else is required?

ETA: I have one of those topeak aero wedges - the mini I think - didn't want it looking too huge on the back of my saddle (I mean, slowing me down )

Edited by AyBee on Tuesday 15th February 14:46

[Rouleur]

I've got a Cannondale pack similar in size to the one below - I get 2 x tubes, levers, phone and some coins in there, plus food and keys in my jersey pocket. Pump goes on a bottle cage bracket.

http://www.topeak.com/products/Bags/AeroWedgePack_...

[Ianeire]

Two bottle cages on bike, mini pump mounted onto one of the cage points.
Small saddle bag with:
- puncture repair kit
- spare tube
- multi tool
- tyre levers
- bank card
- keys

Any food etc goes in the jersey pockets.

[Mr Will]

Spares? Water? what are these things you speak of?

I'm currently chancing it most of the time, I haven't got around to buying a saddle bag yet and haven't even got a bottle cage fitted to my bike, let alone a pump. I've only had to carry it home once!

(I probably should get around to doing a spot of shopping before venturing further afield though)

[JontyB]

Looks like a proper road jersey maybe on the shopping list then.
I've got the saddle bag, maybe carful repacking will give me more space!

Any recommendation for a jersey then?

[Captain Beaky]

Get a cheap-as-chips Karrimor one from Sports Direct for starters, then move on to something fancier if/when you feel the need.

I like Endura and Foska but there are lots and lots of options.

[AyBee]

JontyB said:

Looks like a proper road jersey maybe on the shopping list then.
I've got the saddle bag, maybe carful repacking will give me more space!

Any recommendation for a jersey then?

I have 2 dhb (wiggle) ones which I quite like - they're tight but then they are roadie tops Like the zipped pockets for my phone

[anonymous-user]

for short rides i use a bottle and put everything i need in that wrapping a rag around stuff that might make a noise.

for long riders i use a small topeak saddle bag and jersey pockets when i take two bottles of liquid.

as for jerseys, foska are pretty good for louder designs, altura and endura kit is reliable and affordable and dhb stuff is excellent value for money. assos is uber comfy but built for continental whippet like frames. team replica gear is good but seems to wear out quickly, whatever anyone says, the stuff you buy in the shops is NOT the same stuff the pros wear...

[IroningMan]

Wedge saddlebag has one or two tubes - or one tub - plus multi-tool and an emergency pack with chain links, patches and such.

Pump goes on a bottle rack clip on one bike, in a pocket on the other: phone and energy bars go in a pocket, although I have a top-tube 'bento box' for longer rides, and I'll carry up to two bottles - road rides go past things like shops, so topping-up fluids is easy.

[Engineer1]

You can get "bottle" kit holders that will take an inner tube tyre leavers and a couple of allen keys, here

[JontyB]

Engineer1- great idea that one. It may well be bought.

[cramman]

JontyB said:

Engineer1- great idea that one. It may well be bought.

I'm sure if you were tight you could just use an old bottle.

I also like to carry a cut of an old tyre, in case I need to cover a slice in tyre.
I also have a tiny key ring Swiss army knife which is useful.

Edited by cramman on Tuesday 15th February 21:16

[hoyin]

I got this:

http://www.xlab-usa.com/index.php?option=com_conte...

carries two spare tyres, 2 gas canisters and levers and two water bottles.

food wise - like everyone else in my jersey pockets.

[RRS_Staffs]

I never used to see the pint of cycling jerseys till I made the switch from MTB to road
Its the pockets you see!
And make sure at least on is zipped for your keys/money

In my opinion the zip is a sign the jersey was actually designed by someone who knows and cares about what cyclists want!

I did 70km on the road today:

Mini saddle pack - multitool, chain tool, 2 tubes, puncture repair kit, pump, CO2 inflater, quick patches, zip ties
Frame - 750ml of water
Jersey pockets - money, phone, house keys, cereal bar

In summer I ditch the CO2, extra tube, chain tool (multi has basic one) and repair kit
I could stick being stranded in summer but not winter

Cheers

[shalmaneser]

I just use a bag the same as i do when MTBing.

Keeps things simple, plus I get the advantage of the camelbak, which helps when it comes to rehydrating!

[b2hbm]

I use an armband (£2-£3 Ebay, from china) with 2 separate pockets for the phone, a few quid and a small camera if I'm touring. It keeps everything out of the spray from the rear wheel or sweat in the jersey pocket.

Brian