Saddle bag for touring bike

Hi,

First off, I just want to say how happy I am that the forum’s back up. It really means a lot. When it went down, I realized how much time I spent here and how much I valued this space for sharing. :) Hopefully, it’ll regain its momentum.

Anyway, I’m starting a thread. I’d like to get a saddle bag. I’m working on making my touring bike more versatile. It’s currently set up with racks for panniers, but for shorter rides, I’d like to remove the racks and switch to "bike-packing" mode. I’ll also be using a lighter set of wheels.

Long story short, I’d love to hear about your experiences with saddle bags you’ve used. This way, I can make an informed choice before buying.

Thanks!

Matt

Hi there,

I’ve bought several over the years as my needs changed.

The first one was a Specialized Bura Bura, which I got in 2015 with my Awol frame. I think it’s discontinued now. It’s pretty heavy because the fabric is thick, but it slides onto a hoop that attaches to the seat post with a clamp, making it very stable—especially if you’re pedaling out of the saddle. It’s also fully waterproof. Next, I bought an Apidura after getting swayed by the lightweight hype. Well-designed, but it has the downsides of its strengths: thinner fabric, no hoop, so it tends to sway if not packed or tightened properly. No issues with waterproofing, though.



Then I got an Ortlieb saddle-bag in high visibility (not easy to mount on a Brooks Swift saddle!) to match my other Ortlieb panniers. Compared to the other two, this one is much smaller, but I only use it to store clothes—mainly my rain gear. They’re easily accessible without having to dig through my panniers.



Saddle bags are great for short trips, but given how high they sit on the bike, it’s best to avoid putting too much weight in them. In my opinion, it’s better to combine a saddle bag with under 10 liters of capacity and one or two frame bags on the top tube (one on top and one underneath). After buying quite a few bikes and bags, my current take on bike touring with full autonomy is leaning toward front panniers on a low-mounted rack, plus a bag on a rear rack and a saddle bag for clothes I’ll need during the day, depending on the temperature and rain. All topped off with a small bag on the top tube. But that’s just my current opinion based on how I ride these days. Of course, if I were 20 or 25 years younger, I’d go for a fully equipped carbon bike with Apidura or similar gear to ride fast (see photo 2).

Hi Matt, I’ve had a Miss Grape 20L saddle bag for several years now. I’m really happy with it. It’s lightweight—around 500 g, maybe even a bit less—and 20 L is already plenty of space.