Waistpack recommendations?

Paul A. Steckler said:

I'm going to be doing a supported multi-day
tour late this summer, and I'd like to be able
to carry a few things, beyond what'll fit in
jersey pockets.

I've seen some waistpacks that are advertised as
suitable for biking. I don't want one of the
hydration models; I have a water bottle cage for
that.

Can anyone recommend a particular model of
waistpack?

-- Paul

Have you thought about a handlebar bag instead? Much more convenient
and no worries about heat or rubbing.

Paul A. Steckler said:

I'm going to be doing a supported multi-day
tour late this summer, and I'd like to be able
to carry a few things, beyond what'll fit in
jersey pockets.

I've seen some waistpacks that are advertised as
suitable for biking. I don't want one of the
hydration models; I have a water bottle cage for
that.

Can anyone recommend a particular model of
waistpack?

-- Paul

Dear Paul,

Many years ago, the same question about the best waist pack was
popular among U.S. trials riders. We also argued about whether it was
better to wear the pack in front or in back, an option not available
to people who pedal.

A visiting British expert saw our motley collection of waist packs,
shook his head, and pointed out that it made more sense to let the
motorcycle carry things rather than having ithem bouncing up and down
and chafing on our--

Well, he didn't call the waist packs because they actually tend to
hang a bit lower back there, don't they?

Ass-packs may make more sense than a knapsack when you're walking,
want to carry a few things, and may be taking them out and putting
them away frequently, but it usually makes more sense to use a frame,
seat, or handlebar bag to carry things on a bicycle.

If you still long for a [censored] pack, get one with the widest belt and
biggest, ugliest zippers that you can find. Thin and medium belts are
no fun, and struggling with ordinary zippers clogged with dust and
sweat is frustrating.

Good luck,

Carl Fogel

"Paul A. Steckler" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm going to be doing a supported multi-day
tour late this summer, and I'd like to be able
to carry a few things, beyond what'll fit in
jersey pockets.

I've seen some waistpacks that are advertised as
suitable for biking. I don't want one of the
hydration models; I have a water bottle cage for
that.

Can anyone recommend a particular model of
waistpack?

-- Paul

Go to a outdoor/camping store and try them on. It needs to be big enough.
The waist belt needs to be wide enough to be comfortable. Try various models
sitting in a chair bent over as you would be positioned on a bike. You don't
want a fastening device that ends up in an uncomfortable location. I have
one I have used for years when I need to take a little extra stuff and when
the weather means significant layer changes during the day.
What I'm using is similar to this:
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=676423&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=13643&bmUID=1083605254948
Bill Brannon

Try http://www.jandd.com/ for their medium [censored] pack. They have them in
the "sale items" section for $19. The medium packs have a wide support area
that makes them quite comfortable despite the large capacity.

Cheers, Shawn

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Ass-packs may make more sense than a knapsack when you're walking,
want to carry a few things, and may be taking them out and putting
them away frequently, but it usually makes more sense to use a frame,
seat, or handlebar bag to carry things on a bicycle.

I'll agree that it's aggravating wearing a [censored] sack (I wear one..) for
several reasons. However, the biggest argument against a bag mounted on the
bike (at least, ATB's anyway..) is that they rattle like there's a 6.9
earthquake going on and you're stuck in a cutlery store!!! If you decide on
a bike mounted bag, prepare to stuff it with rags and junk to shut up all
the [censored] clattering around in there.

My $0.02 worth..

Scott..

S. Anderson said:

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Ass-packs may make more sense than a knapsack when you're walking,
want to carry a few things, and may be taking them out and putting
them away frequently, but it usually makes more sense to use a frame,
seat, or handlebar bag to carry things on a bicycle.

I'll agree that it's aggravating wearing a [censored] sack (I wear one..) for
several reasons. However, the biggest argument against a bag mounted on the
bike (at least, ATB's anyway..) is that they rattle like there's a 6.9
earthquake going on and you're stuck in a cutlery store!!! If you decide on
a bike mounted bag, prepare to stuff it with rags and junk to shut up all
the [censored] clattering around in there.

My $0.02 worth..

Scott..

Dear Scott,

Loose things rattle in bags, whether strapped to frames or fannies. In
any case, a rag isn't the worst thing to have handy when fixing a
bicycle on a hot day or in a rainstorm.

You might better object to the paint damage from a bag's straps.

Carl Fogel

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Dear Scott,

Loose things rattle in bags, whether strapped to frames or fannies. In
any case, a rag isn't the worst thing to have handy when fixing a
bicycle on a hot day or in a rainstorm.

You might better object to the paint damage from a bag's straps.

Carl Fogel

I used to use the underseat contraption. I had a rag in there trying to
quiet the cacaphony but it eventually drove me insane, hence my present
state of affairs. ;-) It still rattles a bit around my Michelin pneu, but
it seems to be once degree removed from the vibration, on a "liquid damper"
system. And you're absolutely right, the rag is dang handy. No complaints
there.

Cheers,

Scott..

Dan Daniel said:

Have you thought about a handlebar bag instead? Much more convenient
and no worries about heat or rubbing.

My thoughts exactly. Or alternately, a good-sized saddlebag.

Why would you want something hanging on your body, chafing you and
soaking you with your sweat?

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Quoted message said:

I'm going to be doing a supported multi-day
tour late this summer, and I'd like to be able
to carry a few things, beyond what'll fit in
jersey pockets.

I've seen some waistpacks that are advertised as
suitable for biking. I don't want one of the
hydration models; I have a water bottle cage for
that.

Can anyone recommend a particular model of
waistpack?

-- Paul

Okay. get this one and take out the water bladder:
http://www.hydrapak.com/PACKS/pop.html?pack=hipSip70

I like it because it hangs down kinda low on my hips (not directly on my
waist) when loaded with water. It's roomy and the belt part is extremely
sturdy.

Pat in TX

Quoted message said:

"Frank Krygowski" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Dan Daniel said:

Have you thought about a handlebar bag instead? Much more convenient
and no worries about heat or rubbing.

My thoughts exactly. Or alternately, a good-sized saddlebag.

I have a Topeak handlebar bag on my other bike, which I quite like.

However, the fat bar on my road bike won't accept the Topeak mount
clip -- I tried.

So I need some other means of carrying things.

-- Paul

In article <[email hidden]>,

Frank Krygowski said:

Dan Daniel said:

Have you thought about a handlebar bag instead? Much more convenient
and no worries about heat or rubbing.

My thoughts exactly. Or alternately, a good-sized saddlebag.

Why would you want something hanging on your body, chafing you and
soaking you with your sweat?

I guess it's easy to take stealable stuff with you, after
parking the bike to go into a store or something.

Last summer I met my next-door neighbour at the green grocer's
down the street; he was stuffing an entire watermelon (big one)
into his backpack for the ride home. I thought he was tempting
Murphy's Law a bit too much, but he made it home okay.

I hate packing stuff on me, when there's a whole bike to load
it on. But I guess it boils down to personal preference. And
a [censored] pack (or a handlebar bag for that matter) ain't a
backpack with a huge watermelon in it.

But I figure a handlebar bag might be more accessible on the
fly than a waistpack. And if it's easily detachable, it should
be just as convenient to pack around off-bike. Plus there's the
benefit of route sheet/map holders on the handlebar bag's lid.

I just had a thought -- I wonder if the Original Poster might
find something that best meets his requirements at an army
surplus store? Something to investigate, anyway.

cheers,
Tom

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Paul A. Steckler wrote:
:: I'm going to be doing a supported multi-day
:: tour late this summer, and I'd like to be able
:: to carry a few things, beyond what'll fit in
:: jersey pockets.
::
:: I've seen some waistpacks that are advertised as
:: suitable for biking. I don't want one of the
:: hydration models; I have a water bottle cage for
:: that.
::
:: Can anyone recommend a particular model of
:: waistpack?

Get on of those bags that fits on the top tube....mine has compartments on
either side...so I put my garage door opener on one side, along with my
mobile phone, keys, and on the other side I put some food and paper towels.
Still plenty of room left, too.

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden]
says...

....

Quoted message said:

I hate packing stuff on me, when there's a whole bike to load
it on. But I guess it boils down to personal preference. And
a [censored] pack (or a handlebar bag for that matter) ain't a
backpack with a huge watermelon in it.

But I figure a handlebar bag might be more accessible on the
fly than a waistpack. And if it's easily detachable, it should
be just as convenient to pack around off-bike. Plus there's the
benefit of route sheet/map holders on the handlebar bag's lid.

Do you know of any handlebar bags which hang low enough to fit under
aero bars? I like the aero bars on my tourer, but haven't located a
handlebar bag which will work with them.

.....

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Remove the ns_ from if replying by e-mail (but keep posts in the
newsgroups if possible).

"Dan Daniel" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Have you thought about a handlebar bag instead? Much more convenient
and no worries about heat or rubbing.

I have personally used both quite a bit. The very nice thing about a
waistpack is that you are wearing it -- you don't have to carry around a
handlebar bag, which is designed more for sitting on your bike than being a
purse. They are awkward to carry around. The secondarily nice thing about a
waistpack is that it cuts off cold air flow up your shirt/jacket/jersey,
which is a disadvantage in the summer, but it much cozier in the winter.

I have a cruddy waistpack as they go, though, so I won't recommend it to the
OP.

Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
Please replace earthlink for mouse-potato and .net for .com
Home of the meditative cyclist:
http://home.earthlink.net/~cpetersky/Welcome.htm
See the books I've set free at: http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky

"Roger Zoul" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Get on of those bags that fits on the top tube....mine has compartments on
either side...so I put my garage door opener on one side, along with my
mobile phone, keys, and on the other side I put some food and paper

towels.

Quoted message said:

Still plenty of room left, too.

Yes, those look good. I've seen the ones from Nashbar and Jandd.

But is there a way to make one of those work when there's already a
frame pump that runs along the top tube? Are the straps long enough to
reach around a pump, or would the pack be stable enough if affixed directly
to the pump?

-- Paul

Paul A. Steckler wrote:
:: "Roger Zoul" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
:: news:[email hidden]...
::: Get on of those bags that fits on the top tube....mine has
::: compartments on either side...so I put my garage door opener on one
::: side, along with my mobile phone, keys, and on the other side I put
::: some food and paper towels. Still plenty of room left, too.
::
:: Yes, those look good. I've seen the ones from Nashbar and Jandd.
::
:: But is there a way to make one of those work when there's already a
:: frame pump that runs along the top tube? Are the straps long enough
:: to reach around a pump, or would the pack be stable enough if
:: affixed directly to the pump?

I have one made by Jandd, but I don't have a frame pump. Mine has 4
straps -- one goes around the length of the top top, so it is very long.
Another, right above it, also goes around the top tube but is less than an
inch in length along the direction of the top tube. The other two straps go
around other lower tubes toward the front of the bike to hold the bag fixed
in place so it won't move as you ride.

Now, if your frame pump is no thicker than your top tube and you have some
room to get the straps through it, I do believe it would work, provided your
pump is long enough. Obviously, your pump would need to be attached in a
sturdy manner to support the additional weight of the bag. You might find,
however, some other problems -- there might not be enough room for the bag
to fit due to its lower position under the pump. My bag goes toward the
front -- right below where the stem and top tube meet, so if you lower it
too much things may not fit right.

That long strap that goes around the top tube does not come with any extra
length, so it must wrap around either your top tube or pump. Those two
lower straps are made (on the Jandd) to be cut to length, so you can custom
fit the bag to your bike. So, there may be more flexibility there than I
imagine.

Good luck.

In article <[email hidden]>,

David Kerber ns_dkerber@ns_ids.net said:

Do you know of any handlebar bags which hang low enough to fit under
aero bars? I like the aero bars on my tourer, but haven't located a
handlebar bag which will work with them.

If you go to
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=50299
and scroll down, you'll see pix of stuff that just might
be the answer you're looking for.

cheers,
Tom

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Paul wants a [censored] pack...

Some years ago I discovered an el cheapo *.Mart h'bar bag that
doubles as a [censored] pack. It is not technically wonderful; just a
couple of velcro loops to affix it to straight bars (or unencumbered
drops). But it holds just enough wallet-keys-phone-lip balm to be
ideal.
Try the big box retailers, as well as LBS and Google.
HTH
--Karen M.