Saddle Bag – Simple, Yet Holds Everything I Need

Why did I go back to using a saddle bag? Today, I’ll show you how it can be minimalist while still being incredibly practical.

If you look at manufacturers’ product photos or professional cyclists’ bikes, you rarely see them cluttered with unnecessary bags or pouches. That’s one reason why saddle bags and other storage solutions often seem out of place on our bikes.

In recent years, alternatives such as integrated frame storage or manufacturer-specific storage compartments for road bikes have become more common. But what if your bike doesn’t offer built-in storage, or you simply don’t have access to those solutions?


Personally, I always carried a Tubolito inner tube strapped beneath my saddle in a protective sleeve. While the solution wasn’t particularly elegant, it ensured I always had a spare tube with me. What bothered me, however, was having to carry tools or repair essentials in my jersey pockets.

The first step toward a better solution came when I bought a saddle bag from Continental for my road bike. I paired it with a compact Pirelli SmarTube, and the idea was born.

MTB Setup

Let’s get straight to the bag itself, its contents, and how it performs in real-world use.

As mentioned above, the foundation is a compact Pirelli SmarTube spare inner tube. Alongside it, I carry a tire lever, two nitrile gloves, a quick link, a CR2032 battery, a tire patch, a spare valve core, and a few sensor mounts.

I also keep a small amount of cash in the bag for food, drinks, or perhaps a bike wash after a muddy ride. Since I run a tubeless setup, I carry a Lezyne tubeless repair kit in my handlebars, which also contains three zip ties.


The bag attaches with Velcro straps, so my main concern was whether it would stay secure on rough trails. We’ve covered more than 1,000 km together so far, and it hasn’t come loose or fallen off once.

The contents are flexible, so you can tailor them to your own needs. I’ve gradually added items that either I or my riding companions have found ourselves missing during rides. In today’s era of AXS electronic shifting, for example, I’ve already experienced a situation where the derailleur batteries were charged, but the shifter battery was dead.

I added gloves to avoid getting my hands unnecessarily dirty and a spare valve core because I once bent one during a puncture repair. At that moment, having a replacement would have been extremely useful.

Road Bike Setup

For the road-bike version, I kept the original road inner tube supplied with the bag and added gloves, a quick link, a spare valve core, and some cash. Since I use inner tubes rather than tubeless tires, I didn’t see a need to carry a tubeless repair kit.

I also included a few zip ties, which can be surprisingly useful. For example, they can help you limp home with a broken saddle. Yes, that actually happened to me, and thanks to a few zip ties, a friend and I managed another 30 kilometres of off-road riding.

What Could Be Improved?

There’s still room for improvement. I’d like to add a spare set of brake pads to the MTB setup.

Over time, I’d also like to add a compact multi-tool to both bags, although a chain tool will probably take priority. Naturally, the contents can be adjusted according to your own riding style and preferences.

Cost

The bag itself is inexpensive and already comes with a road inner tube, so the complete setup can easily be assembled for under €20, depending on what you include.

For the MTB version, the most expensive item is the lightweight butyl tube, but in return you get a compact and highly practical storage solution. The total cost comes to around €40.

I strongly recommend using small waterproof or resealable bags to protect money and other small items from moisture. Although the saddle bag is made from water-resistant material, some water will inevitably find its way through the zipper during heavy rain. That’s why I additionally wrapped some of the contents for extra protection.

Conclusion

This was a simple tip on how to build a saddle bag that suits your own needs. And even if it doesn’t look perfectly sleek in photos, everything important is always within reach under the saddle.