Saddlebags are also made for
bicycles.
They vary in size, though almost all are relatively small, especially when compared to
the potential capacity of a
basket attached to a
rack on the
bike. These
durable, wedge-shaped bags are attached to the seatpost and
seat (or "
saddle") of
the
bicycle by means of buckles or
velcro strips.
A saddlebag is quite useful for the beginning
cyclist (like me). It provides
storage for
essential items like a
wallet, a set of
keys, or maybe a
folded
map or a small
snack. It's also a handy place to store things that should
always be kept with your bike, like a
patch kit for punctured
tires or a small
first aid kit. These items could also be stored in a
pocket or a belt pack ("
fanny pack"), but generally a saddlebag is a better bet.
By using a saddlebag instead of pockets to carry small essentials, the cyclist is free
to wear the more form-fitting and generally pocketless
bicycle shorts and other
cycling gear that make for a more pleasant biking experience. Also, I've found that
fanny packs can become uncomfortable when worn for long periods of time, especially in
the somewhat bent
posture of cycling.
In addition, the location under the seat is one of the most protected spots on the
bike. It is unlikely that any fragile items (such as a cell phone, or maybe a
GPS if you're attaching the bag to a $4000
road bike) housed in
a saddlebag will break if you should happen to
wipe out on a sharp turn or suffer
some other
misfortune.
Features to look for in a saddlebag:
-
Size: The most obvious. While all saddlebags are pretty small, there
is a certain degree of size variability. What are you going to carry with you? Also,
how much extra weight do you want to add to your bike? If you buy a big bag, you're
going to fill it with a bunch of crap that you will then have to carry around with
you. Add that to the weight of your bicycle, plus a water bottle or two and assorted
other accessories, and toting your bike up and down several flights of stairs is going
to quickly start to suck.
-
Material: I've seen saddlebags that are lined with hard plastic to
keep their shape or offer extra protection to articles inside. Some of the larger ones
are even thermally insulated to keep food items cold. At the very least you want
something that will resist rain, road dust, and tearing. Also it's nice if you can
find a color that matches your bike, because that's what accessorizing
is all about, after all.
-
Bonus Features: Okay, it's a tiny wedge-shaped bag, it doesn't have
many other features. A few you should take note of involve your rear reflector. The
saddlebag generally sits in the way of your reflector, and may lead you to remove the
thing entirely. To compensate for this, some saddlebags have a reflective stripe or
logo on the back. Others have a little strip of fabric where you can attach a
clip-on reflector (or LED, for nighttime rides). These are a good idea.
People who need to carry more than the capacity of a saddlebag or fanny pack might
look into attaching a rack and a basket to the back of their bikes. This setup doesn't
really compromise the stability of the bike as much as a basket on the front, and is
easy to do. (I've seen many people use cheap plastic milk crates as bicycle baskets.)
Another option is to wear a
backpack. If so, I recommend one that has a
waist belt
as well as
shoulder straps -- keep the weight low on your body to keep your
center
of gravity low, for
balance.
Saddlebags are available at bike shops and larger sporting goods stores.