How Do I Choose The Best Bicycle Saddle Bags?

Posted by | Posted on 1:10 AM

By Jeff Kudo

So you're ready to take a bike ride or tour but you dot know what type of bicycle saddle bags you'll need for your trip. In order to answer this question there are several things you need to know. How far you're traveling, how long your trip is, and how much weight you'll carry.

If you're going on a short trip then you probably wont need large panniers that sit over the front and rear wheel. So if you're traveling a short distance for only a day trip then you probably need smaller bags that don't require an over the wheel rack to mount them. These include; behind the seat bags, handlebar bags, and under the top tube bags.

I would start by looking at behind the seat saddle bags. These are really easy to mount right under the seat and cause the least impact to your riding. Low wind resistance and they don't impede your ability to steer or pedal the bike.

Handlebar bags on the other hand are also easy to mount but also add the advantage of easy access. Since they sit directly in front of you they can be accessed without dismounting the bike. Just be careful not to overfill your handlebar bag. Doing so will impede your ability to turn the bike quickly in case of emergency.

A great choice for small loads is a good under the top tube bag. This bag is very aerodynamic and light in weight. You'll have just enough room to hold your essentials such as; cell phone, wallet, some bike tools, and maybe a bag of peanuts. Keep loads to a minimum to prevent the bag from impeding your pedaling.

For longer touring or rides that last multiple days you'll need to carry much more gear and weight. Attempting to stuff a handlebar bag full of heavy gear is a formula for a disastrous crash. What you need are bicycle saddle bags that are designed for your long trip.

That's where panniers or bicycle saddle bags that hang off of front and rear racks over the front and rear wheels. These bags will allow you to carry much more weight safely. So finding the best bicycle saddle bags is about deciding on how much weight you need to carry and for how long.

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