How to Carry Gear

The best way to carry gear is heavily influenced by where it is that you are about to go riding.  We have written a series of stories to explain what the best options are for different types of riding.

How to Carry Gear – Bike Path, Trail Supported Day Riding.  How to Carry Gear – Commute or Urban Riding.  How to Carry Gear – Unsupported Multi Day Riding

How Much Gear do you need to Carry?

Water and tools should go with you every time you ride.  How much and whether you need extra things depends on…

• season/weather
• how far you are going
• how isolated it is
• facilities along the way (access to water, places to buy food)

It also depends on the type of riding that you are about to do so we have written gear lists for different types of riding, see below.  Once you have an idea of what your requirements will be, this will make selecting bag solutions easier.

Gear List for Multi Day Unsupported Riding.  Gear List for Bike Path, Trail, Supported Day Riding   Gear List for Commute or Urban Riding

Learn more here…  How much water should I carry when I ride?

Match the Gear to the Bag

Some bags are just designed for certain things so should be what you consider for that specific part of your gear list.  Tools are the most obvious example as Saddle Bags and Tool Rolls are a great way to carry tools.  Bags for biking tend to have compartments and design features that support the carrying of tools.  A hydration bag or hip pack will more than likely have a pocket designed to organise your tools, making them easy to get to when you need them.

Please read; How to Carry Bike Tools

If there is a need to carry heavier or bulky items we recommend getting them off your body and onto the bike.  Panniers are perfect for this type of gear carrying.

Commute bags often have special padding and pockets to carry tablets or laptops.  They are a good match to riding your bike to work and can replace the need for any other bag.

Match the Bag to the Bike

Some bags are just designed for certain types of bikes.  So make sure when you are considering a certain bag that you understand whether your bike is compatible, has the right shape or has a carrier.  An important feature to have on your bike for gear carrying ease is a rear carrier.   Panniers, shopping bags & commute style bags can all be attached to a rear carrier.

Front bags or baskets are a great match to town/urban riding and you will find the bikes ridden in this type of environment have no issue with mounting a front bag. 

Back country bike packing is usually done on a mountain bike and there is a huge range of frame bags that have been designed to work with a mountain bike frame shape.  So make the most of the amazing work designers have done to help you carry gear on your mountain bike.

Do you ride an E-Bike?  Where is your battery placed?  How will this effect any carrying options?  Does your frame have an integrated carrier?  E-Bikes make carrying extra gear much easier as you have assistance which negates the effect of added weight.

Ease of Access to Gear

Do you want to have easy and regular access to particular things?  Snacks, your phone, a map, water or your jacket.  Having these types of items in a handlebar bag or basket in front of you can work well.  A hydration bladder carried in a backpack or hip pack means that you can ride and drink small amounts more regularly. A saddle bag tucked under your seat is easy to get to and will allow quick access to tools.  Small frame bags attached in easy to access places will allow you to open them and grab what you want from the top.  Again understanding what you will be taking with you on your rides, really helps in choosing the right bag.

Carrying a Lot of Gear

As your gear list or shopping list gets large your carrying options will need to expand.  This can be done by having bags with bigger capacity or by having multiple bags that will spread the load.  What you chose here may depend on where you intend to ride your bike or the type of bike you have.  Panniers are an obvious option for lots of gear but they widen your profile and will not work for full suspension mountain bikes.

MAKE YOUR PURCHASE A SUCCESS…

Carrying gear and being safe.

Always spread your gear making the load easy to manage.  Keep yourself and your bike well balanced.  Practice in a safe environment before carrying a lot of gear for the first time.

What is the right bike bag solution for you?  Your success is different to others… use our stories and support, get the right solution