- For all but the shortest bike rides,
you're gonna need to take some stuff with you.
At the bare minimum, a mini-pump,
a multi-tool,
and an inner tube to help you fix any road-side
mechanical problems.
- Yeah and avoid
having to walk home.
Weirdly, though, how you choose to carry that stuff
is the subject of much debate.
- [Dan] Do you use a saddle bag, in training?
- Yeah, of course, yeah.
- Yep.
- Always.
- Of course.
- Yes.
- No, no way.
Because,
yeah, I have one at home but I always forget to put it on
or, so
I put my stuff in my back pockets.
(smooth jazz music)
- So what are your options then?
Well firstly, the jersey pocket.
Or
pockets.
Now if you are wearing cycling kit, the chances are
that on your jersey you will have pockets
on your lower back, normally three of them.
And so these are absolutely perfect
for popping a mini pump,
an inner tube
and a multi tool in before you head out the door.
And away you go.
- Now, this is particularly convenient
but there are downsides.
Now if you're going out for a reasonably long bike ride,
you're gonna wanna take some food with you.
Potentially quite
a lot of food.
So let's just put some of that in there.
- Can I have a mix of bars and gels?
- Yeah, a mix of bars and gels.
Secondly, you're gonna wanna take
another layer of clothing.
And even packed down nice and small,
it's still gonna take up a fair
bit of room.
And finally, in this modern era, without shadow of a doubt,
you're gonna wanna most likely take your phone with you.
So let's just pop that in there
as well.
- Now, that is starting to feel like quite a lot of stuff,
it must be said.
It's still comfy, given that this is a nice, tightly
fitting jersey, but it's not far off
starting to feel like a really massive bum bag.
Matt, that's probably enough.
Enough food now.
- Just one, just one more because you can never be sure,
mate, just one more.
- Right, fair enough.
As well as feeling like I'm wearing
some kind of giant rucksack,
when we've talked about carrying
items in your jersey before, some of you have raised
concerns about safety, specifically
the idea of falling off
when you're carrying a mini pump
in your central pocket,
therefore over your spine.
- Now I've never actually heard of that happening,
ever,
but I guess it is more of a risk than attaching
the pump to your bike.
- Yeah.
(smooth jazz music)
- So, tuck your multi tool and inner tubes neatly
behind your saddle.
In fact,
heck, let's put two in.
- [Simon] Whoa-ho!
- And you can leave it there,
so it's always with you.
- Unless,
unless you happen to be lucky enough
to own more than one bike,
in which case you need to remember to take it off
and swap it between them.
Although I suppose
you could actually buy more than one saddle bag
but it seems like an extravagance.
- Hmm.
But what about the other downsides, Si?
Now believe it or not,
saddle bags can be just a little bit
of a contentious issue.
- True
- And there are people that think
a saddle bag, fitted to a nice, lean, fast race bike
just looks a little bit out of place and I must admit,
I tend to agree.
- Yeah,
yeah, yeah, it can, can't it?
However, I think that
is actually
that's cool.
- I would agree with you on this.
This does look pretty sleek.
That does fit the bill.
- That is cool.
The other downside, though, is that if you pack it poorly,
you could end up with rattles
or jiggles, neither of which
are good.
- And so, what about the most important question, Si?
Aerodynamics.
Which is the most aero?
The pockets stuffed with stuff?
Or, the humble saddle bag?
Well, we consulted our aerodynamics experts
over at our friends at Zipp
to answer this very question.
And it was David Morse, the advanced development engineer,
who was unfortunate enough to have to answer this question
for us.
- Yeah, sorry Dave.
He said, that although they've not actually tested
this particular scenario in a wind tunnel, which I can't
quite imagine why, he said that he would lean towards
the saddle bag as being the fastest option.
And then furthermore,
he then went on to say,
that actually, if a small saddle bag like this one,
and we stress the word small,
actually then affords you the luxury of being able to ditch
your jersey and put on a skin suit instead,
then it would be an absolute slam dunk
for the saddle bag.
- So, perhaps counterintuitively, the humble saddle bag
is gonna be
well, the option of choice, for speed merchants.
Although we must stress,
it needs to be an aero one.
- Yeah.
That took me by surprise, you know.
(smooth jazz music)
Yep, the half water bottle.
Neatly packed, and then stored inside one of your water
bottle cages.
Which admittedly means that you will take one less
water bottle with you,
but probably then just good for short rides.
- The advantages, well arguably,
aesthetics if that's your thing.
But very much like the humble saddle bag,
it's always with you.
- Doesn't it fill up with water?
- Only if it rains.
- So,
so what's the point?
- It just looks pro
and neat.
- [Dan] And finally, do you use a saddle bag in training?
- No, I use a bottle, bottle cage.
Think it looks more, more sexy.
- [Dan] That, it's just down to the looks?
- Exactly, yeah.
(smooth jazz music)
- What
if you need even more space, though?
Well, we'll admit, we are into unchartered territory here.
We don't often use frame bags or bar bags or panniers,
although all absolutely have their place.
But, we think that unless you're doing the most epic,
self-supported ride, if you're gonna be home before
the end of the day, then you probably don't need
that extra space.
- No, but check this out.
This is former Giro d'Italia winner, Ryder Hesjedal's
tool bag.
And yes, you have spotted two chain-link removers.
He takes those on every ride, too.
- Was there, though, Matt, anything to fix
a broken handlebar?
- Not that I spotted, no.
(smooth jazz music)
- [Both] Oooof.
- How, how'd he hold that up in flip flops?
- Skills.
- Anyway, ultimately how you carry your stuff on your ride
would depend on how long you're riding for and how much
stuff you'd like to carry with you.
- Yep.
Short rides,
I think jersey pockets. - Yep.
- Medium rides, I'd go for a saddle bag,
and then on long rides,
following car?
- Fair enough.
But, there is no real wrong or right.
- Nope.
Actually, hang on a minute, Matt.
There is definitely a wrong.
Have a look at this clip.
- [Dan] Do you use a saddle bag in training?
- Nope. (laughing)
- [Dan] Where do you put your spares?
- I don't take any. (laughing)
- [Dan] Have you always got a support vehicle?
- No, no, no, but I always rely on my good luck.
(weak laughter from Dan)
- Bobby!
Bobby.
You need to subscribe to GCN.
You can do so by clicking on the globe.
Not just Bobby, the rest of you who haven't.
- He might already subscribe.
- But you never know.
- You never know.
Right, if you're after more content,
then how 'bout these two videos which are very relevant.
Firstly, how to pack your saddle bag
to stop rattles and jiggles.
That one is just down there.
And for five
essential road-side fixes,
which you will need to know, click just down there.
- Remember, no rattles or jiggles.