Bicycle Saddle Bags
All About Saddlebags For Bicycles

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Bicycle saddlebags are fixed under the seat. They are small or medium bags that can hold many useful items, like an outdoor first aid kit, food, bicycle inner tube, bicycle repair kit, puncture repair kits, and spare bicycle inner tubes, etc.

Although bicycle saddlebags can hold many items, I always carry a cycling backpack to hold my overzised cycling equipment.

If you are thinking about buying a bicycle saddle bag, you would notice a lot of options, and you might even get confused regarding which one to buy. Your choices are not just limited to durability and strength, but actually extend to good looks and trends as well.

While there are many cyclists who don't like saddlebags for bicycles, I would advise you to consider trying one. You can go for a small saddlebag, or to a large one: while large saddle bags might not look too trendy, they are certainly useful.

Types of Bicycle Saddle Bags

There are all types of saddle bags. The smaller ones are called seat packs, wedge packs or seat bags, and they completely fit under the seat. The bigger bags are actually the ones that are called saddle bags in common terminology and one famous saddle bag is Carradice Long Flap.

Here are the some types of bicycle saddlebags that you can get from the market:

Carradice Long Flap

These bags are the most durable and they can carry a lot of stuff. They come with double seam and are thus very strong. They are made from tough material and have leather straps. They can stand rugged handling and rough weather. These bags are perfect for long tours. I have 2 Carradice Long Flap bags that I take whenever I have to go to different places.

Delicate Blend

These saddle bags are made by a unique blend of softness and durability. While there is soft material on the outer side, there is hard and strong material on the inside. This makes them very appealing and fashionable. There are many lockable and waterproof bicycle saddle bags as well.

Carbon Saddle Bags

This bicycle saddle bag comes in carbon fiber and is very trendy. If you want to get rid of saddle bags that sag and don't look good, then this is the perfect addition to your bicycle accessories. It is functional, light weighted and nice looking. And since it has resin attachment, it can be attached to most bicycles.

Tubular Bicycle Saddle Bags

This type of bag is hard to find these days. These are rather traditional ones and are highly durable. They attach to the bike easily and come with many pockets and compartments so that you can organize your things easily. If you are looking for something easy and durable, this is the bag for you.

Expander Saddle Bags

These bags come with side pockets that allow them to expand in volume if you want to carry extra load. The strap of these bags is generally reflective so that there are low chances of accidents during night riding.

What Type of Saddle Bag do I Need?

It depends upon 2 factors:

The distance to which you have to travel
The weight that you want to carry

What to Carry in Your Saddle Bag?

Saddle bags are ideal for small things like cell phone, keys or a wallet. Make sure you carry also an outdoor first aid kit. After that, you can carry some food (such as energy bars and fruits), and some bicycle safety equipment. If you are a music lover, you can carry your iPod or other things in these bags, though I don't use my iPod while riding my bike.

If you are going out in winters, you can carry bicycle rain gear, an extra sweatshirt or a pair of bicycling socks.

Another important thing to carry is a simple bicycle repair kit. If you are going to distant places, you can carry more luggages, but I always prefer traveling light.

Bicycle Saddlebags, Cycling Backpacks or Bicycle Handlebar Bag?

If you plan to go hiking after reaching your destination, then I would advocate a cycling backpack since you can take it along with you as you hike. But if it is just a bike trip, then a bicycle saddle bag would be a better option. So it depends upon your need.

If you are going on a short trip that is less than 70 miles, you would need a small bicycle handlebar bag or bicycle saddle bag. If you are planning to go on a long tour to last a few days, you would need more luggage, and hence bigger bags. You can use saddlebags for bicycles to distribute the weight evenly on both sides of the bike - both front and back.