Been using a bar bag...I can carry a 50mm tube with rubbing my legs raw. Add a mini pump, tire levers, patch kit, plug kit, and, most importantly, food. I do have a gigantic seat bag on my other bike, but if it slips out of place, I'm rubbing my legs raw. I'm definitely in the bar bag camp. BTW, both are listed as gravel bikes.
Small saddle bag with mini pump, multi tool, tyre levers, instant patches. Then inner tube, snacks and phone in jersey pockets. Does the trick on club rides. I wouldn't want a bag on the front, not very aero and ugly too!
If you're concerned about aerodynamics you should probably switch from a bar bag. They're probably the worst for aero even though they're pretty convenient sometimes
@@quarkonium3795 if you are worried about aero then you shouldn't have any bag at all. But if you want storage, then the difference in drag from bags isn't a concern at all lol. What a nothing burger of a video.
In my opinion, the big limit of the handlebar bag is that it works perfectly only on handlebars with complete internal routing for the cables. Otherwise it can interfere with the wiring. Let alone that the handlebar may already be crowded with a gps and a light. Personally, I prefer saddle bags. They are available in different sizes and aesthetically they are much better. I usually ride with a small saddle bag and a fake bottle. Then, if I need extra water like on hot summer days, I switch to a larger saddlebag.
How would slapping on a fat bar bag on a completely integrated bar/stem that's on your bike for better aerodynamics so you can save a couple of Watts on your rides make any sense.
I use a bar bag for my power bank, cables, windbreaker and camera plus a frame bag for my spares, levers and tools. I’m more of a bike tourer anyway so i guess practicality is a must for my goals.
Dylan Johnson did a wind tunnel test for gravel kit, and the “long day in the saddle” penalty of a handlebar bag was significant. I’d be more inclined to adopt the big saddle bag-the ones for bike packing that extend behind the saddle significantly-before using a bar bag.
The only thing you might need to grab while riding is food, and that can easily fit into jersey pockets. Phones e.g. should be out of reach during a ride, as it endangers yourself and others to watch your phone when on the move.
@@matprlz You have a bigger frame bag than me then. I usually carry spares/ repair kit in the saddle bag, and put whatever i need for the current ride in the small frame bag.
Great video, love the banter. I'm with Conner, love my Restrap bar bag (but only if i'm doing 100mile +). Used mine for a 200 mile ride, needed food at 190 mile, rummaged around in the bar bag and found half a flapjack, saved me from bonking and didn't need to stop, couldn't do that with a saddle bag!
i use a half frame bag because I have an automatic light attached to the saddle rails, while as a newbie, i feel that having a handle bar bag makes steering harder/ holding the front steady harder and as such, I try not to have anything on the bars and fork. for long rides where I anticipate ending up buying fruits/local delicacies, I have a backpack that you can keep in a pouch in the frame bag together with the innertube pump and levers.
I run a handlebar bag and a saddle bag. I'm 5'3". I don't really have space for a good frame bag, and I end up hitting my sensitive areas on a top tube bag. I love both my bags. I have a lot of combined space for tools and snacks.
I use a small saddle bag on my road bike. Spare tube, CO2, tire levers, and mini tool. I don't really like carrying things in my jersey pockets, and this way I have what I need on the bike all the time, because the one time you forget them is the time you'll need them!
Against recommendations, I re-use masterlinks. Therefore, I also carry a spare one of those. I live in a rural area that is often beyond cellular signal; I practically carry a bike shop in my bag on those occasions.
There’s a huge aero penalty for a handlebar bag. The saddle bag can actually be more aerodynamic than not having a bag at all because it fills in some of the area of low pressure behind the rider.
but this only matters if you care about how fast you are going right? 90% of my riding is solo training and I havn't looked at speed for that for a very long time.
Huge is an overstatement. You could change shirts and it'd have almost the same effect. Maybe if you're trying to win a race it matters, otherwise......
@@SecwetGwiwer buuut, so do your handlebars, stem, and headset which is a decent part of the air it's disrupting, just sooner. Not saying it's aero, but I think the 5-10w cost is overstated. If 5-10w is huge, ride a bit more and get more fit, or find riding buddies that won't slowly ride away .05mph faster than you.
I prefer a top tube bag. Handlebar bag or saddle bag don't play well with lights. And top tube bag is the perfect solution since most endurance bikes comes with top tube bolts making it easy to work with. You can also use a bottle-based storage system or frame bag to work if that is what you prefer. Bonus points for being more out of the elements than other positions. So point being glad there tons of options for frame bags so don't be afraid to go into bikepacking territory to looking into all the options available!
Lol, great intro. I can‘t use a bar bag for a prolonged time. Always remembers me of my dad‘s bike in the 90s with a huge pink/green bar bag with 79 inner tubes and the kitchen sink in it. The exception is when I go on a trip that‘s longer than a day. I can often get away with saddle bag + bar bag and leave the frame bag at home. (don‘t like that much, interferes with the knees while pedalling)
😂 I suffered alongside Manon on every single ‘test’. It was like watching a needy child being comforted by their mum! Saddle bag for the win and of course if you’re going bike packing then other bags are needed.
@@serdiezv I should have said "if needed" I use the tt bag only on longer rides where the pockets are already stuffed or I wear cloves and a gilet at the beginning. hate to carry more than nessecary
@@serdiezv Especially true with the new(er) TPU inner tubes. I ride road tubeless and the TPU tubes that I carry as "doomsday spares" are less than half the size of a butyl tube. Other than that, three pockets: 1) Phone & Keys 2) Food 3) Wrappers.
I have the very same Topeak saddle bag Manon uses on both my road and gravel bikes. I also use a top tube bag on my road bike. I know this is passe, but I use a frame pump under the top tube of both bikes. Punctures are rare for me, but when they do occur, I find the frame pump moves a lot more air than the mini pump. I generally agree with Conor, I'm more of a tourer than anything else, so I'm all for practicality.
I put my handlebar bag the other way around, facing me. It works surprisingly well, and extremely practical as you can very easily access the contents while riding.
I own both ( plus a top tube bag . Only use the bar bag doing a century ride or suchlike - not to bothered about aero or pace on those rides and easier for more food , but normal rides up to 100k or there about’s a saddle bag is fine
For me, it depends on the situation, and ride your doing. For a very long, possibly, multi-day ride, where you're needing to carry plenty of necessary items for the trip, then the bar bag makes sense. But for just a general day ride, then the saddle bag is the option, just to take what you need for that single ride. I've got the same saddle bag, that Manon used, and for a ride, I can fit a spare inner tube, phone, repair kit, multi-tool, keys, ID (in case of an accident), and money/card. More than enough to see me through any potential emergency i may face.
Mostly saddle bags for me for tools, patches and chains. For cargo transport like buying 8kg of oats in bags, then cargo rack with saddle bags on the side. That also works well for glass bottles containing liquids. I did try a bag on top just before the handlebars, but my knees come against it. Have not had the fortune to use actual handlebar bags, but would certainly give it a try. The main thing for me is out of the way and enough carrying capacity. My mountain bike and my ebike are totally different setup because the ebike is front pedal assist and has batteries in front.
When I'm traveling, hands down handle bar bag. You're in a new area and you never know what might come your way. I always have a gilet tucked in there along with my pump, flat repair and snacks. When I'm out riding local roads, it's the saddle bag because I'm more familiar with the roads and kind of know what to expect with the weather.
Saddle bag was my favorite, but then came the tail light, "Assaver", and now the radar: Too crowded back there. Moved to a fanny pack which I love and is a constant. Bar and tube bags, and a small bike-specific backpack are for my much longer journeys: Right tools for the specific job.
Top tube bag: - The stem in front of bag reducing aero drag. * would interesting to do aero testing with differ bags. - in right in front of you so grab food. - power bank to electronic tech in short distance. - manufacturer have added mounts for it, for example canyon. Though don’t have a canyon love the idea.
I always try to use a saddle bag. If that not fits my stuff, the half frame bag comes in. After that is the handlebar bag. Each have their respective purpose
Carradice seat bag, hydration pack and a feed bag for quick access to my compact camera. I'm no racer. I've tried using frame bags, but on a 51cm bike, I can mount a bag or bottle cages (I use the cages for things other than water).
I use a bar bag in spring and autumn, when I need to carry more extra layer clothing and a saddle bag (if any bag) in Summer. This is not only for the bigger stowage space of the bar bag but also because it's position is better suited for rainy days. A bar bag gets mutch less sprayed onto with dirt from the road witch increeases the longevity of the fabric, the ziper etc.
I use the route werks bike bag on my winter bike and it's amazing, holder for the garmin, attachment for the light, plenty of space and super easy access when riding. On my summer bike, I use a saddle wedge as it offers a much better mounting point with the varia and aero bars aren't the best for mounting bar bags to either.
Hey! It's a wet and rainy grey day... It's horrible and slippery outside and visibility is really crap .... I think I'll go riding on the road and wear my all black GCN cycling kit!!! Yay!!! PS - the oranges were the most visible thing on your bike. Lift your game GCN... ditch the all-black kit.
Team saddlebag myself. On long rides where I need extra snacks, I add a behind-the-stem bento bag - aero AND easy to reach, while still allowing maximum size water bottles on the frame.
I have a saddle bag for repair essentials and another bag below my top tube for snacks on longer rides. And of course a totally different solution for grocery shopping.
Stuffing bibbs bobs chachkies dodats and such, always in my trusty saddle bag. Which was an upgrade from my ye olde days carrying my sew-ups wrapped in a zip lock bags and fastened to the seat rails with two toe clip straps.
I use a hip bag (called "Deuter Security money belt II) under my jersey. It contains two spare tubes (Continental race light), tire lever, two torx tools (t30 and t25) and Park Tool tire boots (as with damadged tires, spare tubes don't help). A small pump (Topeak Pocket Rocket) is fixed under the top tube right behind the steerer tube to hide it aerodynamically as good as possible. In the jerseys pockets I have Kéo Cover (I use Garmin Vector 3 pedals), so I can walk home in case I have really big problems (e.g. rear derailleur, rim or chain broken).
I'm a fan of the handlebar bag, for sure. I've been riding with only a credit card, ID and house key in a jersey pocket on my back.... gloves, light jacket, cell phone, snacks and tools in the bag up front.
Team bar bag. Gotta love being able to grab some bits from the market on your way home from a ride. There's a farmer's market around every corner in the summertime.
Hilarious! Oranges? FIFTEEN? - On a race bike? lol I have never... I have all the dogs in this fight. - Training alone: anything goes - but still, probably not a bar bag. - Fast group rides: optimize accordingly - ditch the burrito FOR SURE. No, Zero chance I'll be carrying groceries home. - Bikepacking: an aero bar (Cyclite) bag which is reportedly more aero than my bare bars - replete with exposed cables. - Fast road rides: any old, small saddle bag. Phone, clothing and up to six hours of food can go in my back pockets. (I'm a little guy but this is not a burden for my back!) - Endurance/gravel races: a top-tube bag and hydration pack - depending on water/feed/support provided. My favorite pack atm is my Restrap race pack with external pockets, good attachment and water proof. I can get to contents "on the go" easier than a bar bag. It can carry a camera, food (not crammed), mini pump, gilet, phone. And it's not an air dam! I find most often (and certainly regrettably) race organizers will supply the air dam in the form of a large, unbendable number plate mandated to be placed on the bars. So in that case, "to burrito or not" is sort of moot I suppose - if that's your game.
I used to have a bright blue handlebar bag, so long ago that I'm not even sure what I put in it. A map, I think, as this was WAY before cell phones, maybe some food, probably a few tools. It used to wobble around and look dorky, so I eventually replaced it with a saddle bag, and haven't looked back. For most single day rides you don't really need more than what you can fit in one and your back pockets, and if you do pick up some unexpected items along the way, as I used to now and then, you just stuff them in your jersey or jacket and make do. I actually just got the exact same Topeak as the one here but haven't used it yet.
I use bar bag for clothes and snack, which i bring to work. Saddle bag for spare tyre, leveres and multi tool. But know i will use the bag for upper frame tube.
Next is bar bag versus mini or half frame bag! I’d also like to see Ollie get the bar bag, saddle bag, and mini/half frame bag in the wind tunnel and settle once and for all which one is the most aero. I know Si did a saddle bag versus backpack in the wind tunnel a few years back. I was pretty surprised by those results.
Only days before this video got posted, I bought my hybrid bike a 1L saddlebag only to carry the absolute minimum: a multitool, small wallet, and home keys. I'm keeping my handlebar as decluttered as possible to accommodate only a bell and a cellphone holder as accessories.
I have a saddle bag, witch is up to 10L capacity, but usually it is in its smallest condition, a bit larger, then one in the video. I think it is about 2L, while being in small version. It doesn't effect aero, I can easily take it with me if necessary and I almost never need to carry anything in my pockets))
I have a saddlebag, and sometimes that's only it but if it starts to get more than gran fondo long, I bring a hydration pack. Double gran fondo or longer? Saddle bag, hydration pack, and a handlebar bag.
I started years ago with saddle bags, then migrated to a frame bag and now Im using a bar bag which is my prefered option. Its no where near as large as the one in the video, its about the size of a burrito and it perfect.
It looks like Conner's bike has the brake and shifting cables hidden inside the handle bars, which allows for plenty of space to attach his bag. For many of us that still have exposed cables that bag of his would be difficult if not impossible to mount....a point worth mentioning. I think Manon wins!
I use a Topeak medium bag on the rear and have done for many years and to be honest has always worked for me but having seen the bar bag I would consider one as an addition if I needed extra capacity.
Always used a saddle bag until I got garmin varia. Now I’m looking for alternatives since the Varia needs to sit where the saddle bar sits. My issue with handlebar bag - the handlebar area is tight on space when I have a front light, head unit, and bar bag.
I often use a small pannier bag. handy for all my bike stuff plus a change of clothes, my sandwiches and my laptop (if I’m off to work). For day rides I have a small saddlebag. Just fits in my essentials. Perfect 😊
I have saddle bags on the road bikes but a handlebar bag on my gravel bike. It has a spare rain coat and more importantly, it's the only one that fits a shadow stand in for those all important photo opportunities As an added extra, it also acts as a front mudguards to keep the muck off your face
I love this video--a great parody of all the x vs y videos they put out, except this one is completely subjective and clearly Conor and Manon were having fun. Also, I just joined team saddle bag (for mechanical stuff) plus top tube bag (for food and anything else I want to easily access).
Saddle bag stays attached to the saddle all the time, for bike repair kits. Two bikes, two different set up saddle bags, and never an issue. I recently bought a handlebar bag for carrying stuff like food, overnight trip things etc.
It's a personal choice. I've used both, and each have their advantages and disadvantages. For touring and long distance, the handlebar bag is optimum. But for regular road rides, the saddlebag is better. Since the question was, which is better for road riding, the saddlebag wins!
I use a combination of a tool case that fits a bottle cage and a top tube bag. The tool case gets my ABUS Bordo lock, tyre repair kit, CO2 pump and pencil-style torque bar. The top tube bag has my keys, masks and snacks. I can't use a handlebar bag as it would interfere with my headlight hanging from the handlebar mount.
I use a thin bag on top of my top tube. I can’t use a saddle bag because it’s faff to use a Garmin radar device with one and most bar bags are too big. In my bag I can carry a mini pump, a small lock, my phone, tubeless repair kit and a multi-tool
I did som aero testing with a small wind speed sensor, and with a large (11L) ortlieb saddle bag, I saw ~10W savings when the bag was equipped vs no bag.
Great entertainment and comedy. These two are great personalities to display the lighter side of GCN. Always love these funny [albeit mostly superfluous] tests.
As a roadie turned relax roadie wearing loose shirts with no pockets, I use my medium size frame bag. Super easy to get to stuff on the go without the aero penalty. Do whatever you want guys.
I prefer bar bag, because I can bring my mirrorless camera with compact prime lens for my coffee ride. For other purposes, I use saddle bag, or frame bag if I need to bring more items.
A small frame bag is best, best of both worlds, big volume like the bar bag, aero like the saddle bag and close to the frames center of gravity. 😅 I. Can’t wait to hear the hate come my way…
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How do you carry things on your bike? 🚴
Saddle and frame bags. No can defend.
short ride? run one water bottle, and shove my spares/tools into an old second bottle.
longer ride? saddle bag.
Been using a bar bag...I can carry a 50mm tube with rubbing my legs raw. Add a mini pump, tire levers, patch kit, plug kit, and, most importantly, food. I do have a gigantic seat bag on my other bike, but if it slips out of place, I'm rubbing my legs raw. I'm definitely in the bar bag camp. BTW, both are listed as gravel bikes.
Frame bag
Small saddle bag with mini pump, multi tool, tyre levers, instant patches. Then inner tube, snacks and phone in jersey pockets. Does the trick on club rides. I wouldn't want a bag on the front, not very aero and ugly too!
I'm team bar bag myself, but I think a top tube bag is the perfect middle ground!
The halfway house 🙌
What about a half frame bag? This could be more aero than none as well it fills the sentral triangle of the frame, equalling more aero gains?
@@gcn I remember a GCN video a few years ago when Simon got a lot of stick for using a top tube bag :) :)
If you're concerned about aerodynamics you should probably switch from a bar bag. They're probably the worst for aero even though they're pretty convenient sometimes
@@quarkonium3795 if you are worried about aero then you shouldn't have any bag at all. But if you want storage, then the difference in drag from bags isn't a concern at all lol. What a nothing burger of a video.
I’ve literally been trying to work out what bag to put on my new road bike, bought last Saturday. Unbelievably perfect timing
In my opinion, the big limit of the handlebar bag is that it works perfectly only on handlebars with complete internal routing for the cables. Otherwise it can interfere with the wiring. Let alone that the handlebar may already be crowded with a gps and a light. Personally, I prefer saddle bags. They are available in different sizes and aesthetically they are much better. I usually ride with a small saddle bag and a fake bottle. Then, if I need extra water like on hot summer days, I switch to a larger saddlebag.
How would slapping on a fat bar bag on a completely integrated bar/stem that's on your bike for better aerodynamics so you can save a couple of Watts on your rides make any sense.
Loving the front wheel orange zester that Connor used.
It's the zest that Conor needed to get up the hill 😂
I use a bar bag for my power bank, cables, windbreaker and camera plus a frame bag for my spares, levers and tools. I’m more of a bike tourer anyway so i guess practicality is a must for my goals.
Most riders are not competitive they just want to look it. I'm down with more bags/bag space is best. So I'm with you.
@@ryanclark2266 yup, thats true. Cheers mate, enjoy the ride!
I never thought of a bar bag. But now I realize I could stuff a vest or rain jacket in one. I might go buy one.
I am 160 cm tall (or small). For me the best bag is either on the top tube or the saddle bag. My frames are just too tiny to fit a frame bag into.
I love the fact that GCN makes videos regardless of the weather. But being in England, that's just life.
I use both specially for longer rides.
Saddle bag = tools and spare tubes
Bar bag = personal stuff like mobilephone, wallet and a first aid kit.
All of these should fit into your jersey pockets.
Dylan Johnson did a wind tunnel test for gravel kit, and the “long day in the saddle” penalty of a handlebar bag was significant. I’d be more inclined to adopt the big saddle bag-the ones for bike packing that extend behind the saddle significantly-before using a bar bag.
Guys, guys, don't fight... get both. The bar-bag could be useful for things I might want to grab whilst travelling, as Manon pointed out.
The only thing you might need to grab while riding is food, and that can easily fit into jersey pockets. Phones e.g. should be out of reach during a ride, as it endangers yourself and others to watch your phone when on the move.
I think a small frame bag+ saddle bag is the optimal modular setup. Also, if you have a longer saddle bag it works like an ass saver of sorts.
How to avoid sway in a saddle bag? 👀
@@gcnuse a pannier instead
Agreed, but a frame bag could comfortably carry phone, keys wallet, small gilet, bars & repairkit, no? So what’s the need for the saddle bag?
@@gcn isn’t there a bikepacking brand that sells an anti-sway rack for those extended saddle bags?
@@matprlz You have a bigger frame bag than me then. I usually carry spares/ repair kit in the saddle bag, and put whatever i need for the current ride in the small frame bag.
Great video, love the banter. I'm with Conner, love my Restrap bar bag (but only if i'm doing 100mile +). Used mine for a 200 mile ride, needed food at 190 mile, rummaged around in the bar bag and found half a flapjack, saved me from bonking and didn't need to stop, couldn't do that with a saddle bag!
In either case, make sure you use some frame protection. It doesn't take too long before the bags start scratching the paint.
I learned that the hard way lol
The main benefit of the saddle bag is probably aero and not scratching frame
i use a half frame bag because I have an automatic light attached to the saddle rails, while as a newbie, i feel that having a handle bar bag makes steering harder/ holding the front steady harder and as such, I try not to have anything on the bars and fork. for long rides where I anticipate ending up buying fruits/local delicacies, I have a backpack that you can keep in a pouch in the frame bag together with the innertube pump and levers.
I run a handlebar bag and a saddle bag. I'm 5'3". I don't really have space for a good frame bag, and I end up hitting my sensitive areas on a top tube bag. I love both my bags. I have a lot of combined space for tools and snacks.
Same here. It's hard to go for the bigger sizes bags out there. It would rub on something.
I love 10K aero bikes with a hipster bar bag
I was shopping In Aldi this week and they had a saddle bag with a built in back light and indicators, with a Bluetooth controller. I couldn’t resist.
I use a small saddle bag on my road bike. Spare tube, CO2, tire levers, and mini tool. I don't really like carrying things in my jersey pockets, and this way I have what I need on the bike all the time, because the one time you forget them is the time you'll need them!
Against recommendations, I re-use masterlinks. Therefore, I also carry a spare one of those. I live in a rural area that is often beyond cellular signal; I practically carry a bike shop in my bag on those occasions.
Definitely team Manon. Aero is king and I still can’t get used to the look of a bar bag. As they say if it looks fast it probably is 😄
There’s a huge aero penalty for a handlebar bag. The saddle bag can actually be more aerodynamic than not having a bag at all because it fills in some of the area of low pressure behind the rider.
but this only matters if you care about how fast you are going right? 90% of my riding is solo training and I havn't looked at speed for that for a very long time.
Huge is an overstatement. You could change shirts and it'd have almost the same effect. Maybe if you're trying to win a race it matters, otherwise......
@@mrhankbotful it’s way more than a shirt because it disrupts the air over everything in its wake - that’s you and the bike.
@@fatbloaterdave it also matters if you care about how far you can go or how easy your ride is.
@@SecwetGwiwer buuut, so do your handlebars, stem, and headset which is a decent part of the air it's disrupting, just sooner. Not saying it's aero, but I think the 5-10w cost is overstated. If 5-10w is huge, ride a bit more and get more fit, or find riding buddies that won't slowly ride away .05mph faster than you.
Theft of rear saddle bag more than front cuz u don’t forget to
I have the triangle bag and I love it. I'm not a racer. I'm not riding an aerobike. I love the ease and utility
I prefer a top tube bag.
Handlebar bag or saddle bag don't play well with lights. And top tube bag is the perfect solution since most endurance bikes comes with top tube bolts making it easy to work with. You can also use a bottle-based storage system or frame bag to work if that is what you prefer. Bonus points for being more out of the elements than other positions.
So point being glad there tons of options for frame bags so don't be afraid to go into bikepacking territory to looking into all the options available!
Lol, great intro. I can‘t use a bar bag for a prolonged time. Always remembers me of my dad‘s bike in the 90s with a huge pink/green bar bag with 79 inner tubes and the kitchen sink in it. The exception is when I go on a trip that‘s longer than a day. I can often get away with saddle bag + bar bag and leave the frame bag at home. (don‘t like that much, interferes with the knees while pedalling)
😂 I suffered alongside Manon on every single ‘test’. It was like watching a needy child being comforted by their mum! Saddle bag for the win and of course if you’re going bike packing then other bags are needed.
🧠 I put my saddlebag into my bar bag into my frame bag.
That all goes into my back pocket, of course.
things you hope not to need -(multirool, tubes,...)> saddlebar
things you will need (bars, powerbank, phone, etc) -> toptubebag
Powerbank? You must be doing some big rides? 🔋
Food and phone go in the back pockets, also some tissues, and house keys. A saddle bag is more than enough
@@serdiezv I don't like having things in my pockets. Feels weird. Rather have it in a bag zipped up and not on me.
@@serdiezv I should have said "if needed" I use the tt bag only on longer rides where the pockets are already stuffed or I wear cloves and a gilet at the beginning. hate to carry more than nessecary
@@serdiezv Especially true with the new(er) TPU inner tubes. I ride road tubeless and the TPU tubes that I carry as "doomsday spares" are less than half the size of a butyl tube. Other than that, three pockets: 1) Phone & Keys 2) Food 3) Wrappers.
I use a tailfin rack with a mini pannier on the carbon rack. It is really light and safe with no swaying.
I always use a saddle bag, and sometimes add a top-tube bag for fueling or extra layer. I think if the bar-bag can impact the handling of the bike
Aesthetic also
I have the very same Topeak saddle bag Manon uses on both my road and gravel bikes. I also use a top tube bag on my road bike. I know this is passe, but I use a frame pump under the top tube of both bikes. Punctures are rare for me, but when they do occur, I find the frame pump moves a lot more air than the mini pump. I generally agree with Conor, I'm more of a tourer than anything else, so I'm all for practicality.
I have a saddle bag but seldom use it. For long rides it is really useful but a saddle bag looks better IMO.
I put my handlebar bag the other way around, facing me. It works surprisingly well, and extremely practical as you can very easily access the contents while riding.
I own both ( plus a top tube bag . Only use the bar bag doing a century ride or suchlike - not to bothered about aero or pace on those rides and easier for more food , but normal rides up to 100k or there about’s a saddle bag is fine
For me, it depends on the situation, and ride your doing. For a very long, possibly, multi-day ride, where you're needing to carry plenty of necessary items for the trip, then the bar bag makes sense. But for just a general day ride, then the saddle bag is the option, just to take what you need for that single ride.
I've got the same saddle bag, that Manon used, and for a ride, I can fit a spare inner tube, phone, repair kit, multi-tool, keys, ID (in case of an accident), and money/card. More than enough to see me through any potential emergency i may face.
Mostly saddle bags for me for tools, patches and chains. For cargo transport like buying 8kg of oats in bags, then cargo rack with saddle bags on the side. That also works well for glass bottles containing liquids. I did try a bag on top just before the handlebars, but my knees come against it. Have not had the fortune to use actual handlebar bags, but would certainly give it a try. The main thing for me is out of the way and enough carrying capacity. My mountain bike and my ebike are totally different setup because the ebike is front pedal assist and has batteries in front.
i congratulations both of you to record vidéos in such crappy weather days afterdays
I love a bar bag. Saddlebags are fine, but they’re often too fiddly for me and I don’t like how they interfere with my rear light and/or radar.
When I'm traveling, hands down handle bar bag. You're in a new area and you never know what might come your way. I always have a gilet tucked in there along with my pump, flat repair and snacks. When I'm out riding local roads, it's the saddle bag because I'm more familiar with the roads and kind of know what to expect with the weather.
Connor didn’t have the cranks aligned, torpedoed his vote.
Panniers! Or, if traveling light, like a classic Radonneur, bar bag AND saddle bag(for tools). Great show! Thanks Manon and Conor!
Top Tube Bag with food and extra tube for long rides. Bottle for tools and spare tube. Mini pump attached to bottle cage.
Saddle bag was my favorite, but then came the tail light, "Assaver", and now the radar: Too crowded back there. Moved to a fanny pack which I love and is a constant. Bar and tube bags, and a small bike-specific backpack are for my much longer journeys: Right tools for the specific job.
Top tube bag:
- The stem in front of bag reducing aero drag. * would interesting to do aero testing with differ bags.
- in right in front of you so grab food.
- power bank to electronic tech in short distance.
- manufacturer have added mounts for it, for example canyon. Though don’t have a canyon love the idea.
I always try to use a saddle bag. If that not fits my stuff, the half frame bag comes in. After that is the handlebar bag. Each have their respective purpose
Carradice seat bag, hydration pack and a feed bag for quick access to my compact camera. I'm no racer. I've tried using frame bags, but on a 51cm bike, I can mount a bag or bottle cages (I use the cages for things other than water).
I use a bar bag in spring and autumn, when I need to carry more extra layer clothing and a saddle bag (if any bag) in Summer. This is not only for the bigger stowage space of the bar bag but also because it's position is better suited for rainy days. A bar bag gets mutch less sprayed onto with dirt from the road witch increeases the longevity of the fabric, the ziper etc.
I use the route werks bike bag on my winter bike and it's amazing, holder for the garmin, attachment for the light, plenty of space and super easy access when riding. On my summer bike, I use a saddle wedge as it offers a much better mounting point with the varia and aero bars aren't the best for mounting bar bags to either.
I have a Route Werks handlebar bag on my gravel bike- I really love it!
Hey! It's a wet and rainy grey day... It's horrible and slippery outside and visibility is really crap .... I think I'll go riding on the road and wear my all black GCN cycling kit!!! Yay!!! PS - the oranges were the most visible thing on your bike. Lift your game GCN... ditch the all-black kit.
Saddle bag for tools and tubes & top tube bag for phone, power bank, spare light and gels bars etc works for me.
Team saddlebag myself. On long rides where I need extra snacks, I add a behind-the-stem bento bag - aero AND easy to reach, while still allowing maximum size water bottles on the frame.
I have a saddle bag for repair essentials and another bag below my top tube for snacks on longer rides.
And of course a totally different solution for grocery shopping.
Stuffing bibbs bobs chachkies dodats and such, always in my trusty saddle bag. Which was an upgrade from my ye olde days carrying my sew-ups wrapped in a zip lock bags and fastened to the seat rails with two toe clip straps.
I use a hip bag (called "Deuter Security money belt II) under my jersey. It contains two spare tubes (Continental race light), tire lever, two torx tools (t30 and t25) and Park Tool tire boots (as with damadged tires, spare tubes don't help). A small pump (Topeak Pocket Rocket) is fixed under the top tube right behind the steerer tube to hide it aerodynamically as good as possible. In the jerseys pockets I have Kéo Cover (I use Garmin Vector 3 pedals), so I can walk home in case I have really big problems (e.g. rear derailleur, rim or chain broken).
I'm a fan of the handlebar bag, for sure. I've been riding with only a credit card, ID and house key in a jersey pocket on my back.... gloves, light jacket, cell phone, snacks and tools in the bag up front.
Team bar bag. Gotta love being able to grab some bits from the market on your way home from a ride. There's a farmer's market around every corner in the summertime.
Small or medium saddle bag. I sometimes carry a musette (remember them?) rolled up so I can stock up on bread/pastries from artisan baker on way home.
Hilarious! Oranges? FIFTEEN? - On a race bike? lol I have never... I have all the dogs in this fight.
- Training alone: anything goes - but still, probably not a bar bag.
- Fast group rides: optimize accordingly - ditch the burrito FOR SURE. No, Zero chance I'll be carrying groceries home.
- Bikepacking: an aero bar (Cyclite) bag which is reportedly more aero than my bare bars - replete with exposed cables.
- Fast road rides: any old, small saddle bag. Phone, clothing and up to six hours of food can go in my back pockets. (I'm a little guy but this is not a burden for my back!)
- Endurance/gravel races: a top-tube bag and hydration pack - depending on water/feed/support provided.
My favorite pack atm is my Restrap race pack with external pockets, good attachment and water proof. I can get to contents "on the go" easier than a bar bag. It can carry a camera, food (not crammed), mini pump, gilet, phone. And it's not an air dam! I find most often (and certainly regrettably) race organizers will supply the air dam in the form of a large, unbendable number plate mandated to be placed on the bars. So in that case, "to burrito or not" is sort of moot I suppose - if that's your game.
I used to have a bright blue handlebar bag, so long ago that I'm not even sure what I put in it. A map, I think, as this was WAY before cell phones, maybe some food, probably a few tools. It used to wobble around and look dorky, so I eventually replaced it with a saddle bag, and haven't looked back.
For most single day rides you don't really need more than what you can fit in one and your back pockets, and if you do pick up some unexpected items along the way, as I used to now and then, you just stuff them in your jersey or jacket and make do. I actually just got the exact same Topeak as the one here but haven't used it yet.
I use bar bag for clothes and snack, which i bring to work. Saddle bag for spare tyre, leveres and multi tool. But know i will use the bag for upper frame tube.
NEITHER! Top Tube Bag for EVER. Aero and it Blends in.
Yep, got one of those on the trail-a-bike bike with a handy clear top so I can see my phone while riding.
It looks like crap if you don't find one that perfectly fits. And the straps are awful if you haven't a dark frame.
@@DavidMartin-tk4fs And the good thing is that on a sunny day your own body shield is from the sun and keeps it readable
Most aero is no bags at all! Put your stuff into your jersey pockets.
Next is bar bag versus mini or half frame bag!
I’d also like to see Ollie get the bar bag, saddle bag, and mini/half frame bag in the wind tunnel and settle once and for all which one is the most aero. I know Si did a saddle bag versus backpack in the wind tunnel a few years back. I was pretty surprised by those results.
Only days before this video got posted, I bought my hybrid bike a 1L saddlebag only to carry the absolute minimum: a multitool, small wallet, and home keys. I'm keeping my handlebar as decluttered as possible to accommodate only a bell and a cellphone holder as accessories.
I have a saddle bag, witch is up to 10L capacity, but usually it is in its smallest condition, a bit larger, then one in the video. I think it is about 2L, while being in small version. It doesn't effect aero, I can easily take it with me if necessary and I almost never need to carry anything in my pockets))
I use a compact saddle bag on most rides. 150km rides and above i go for either a bar bag or a 1.5L saddle bag.
I have both saddle bag carries tools tube gauge etc bar bag carries food and phone keys and anything else i need quickly
I have a saddlebag, and sometimes that's only it but if it starts to get more than gran fondo long, I bring a hydration pack. Double gran fondo or longer? Saddle bag, hydration pack, and a handlebar bag.
I started years ago with saddle bags, then migrated to a frame bag and now Im using a bar bag which is my prefered option. Its no where near as large as the one in the video, its about the size of a burrito and it perfect.
It looks like Conner's bike has the brake and shifting cables hidden inside the handle bars, which allows for plenty of space to attach his bag. For many of us that still have exposed cables that bag of his would be difficult if not impossible to mount....a point worth mentioning. I think Manon wins!
I have a tailfin and it is without doubt one of the best things I have ever bought
I use a Topeak medium bag on the rear and have done for many years and to be honest has always worked for me but having seen the bar bag I would consider one as an addition if I needed extra capacity.
Only sadle bag. Thank you very much!
What’s in Connor’s top tube bag if the bar bag is so spacious?
Dylan Johnson recently did wind tunnel tests in conjunction with silca regarding this.
clear winner are the bags that go into the frame triangle (not sure what they are called in english) in austria we call em "Dreieckstasche"
Always used a saddle bag until I got garmin varia. Now I’m looking for alternatives since the Varia needs to sit where the saddle bar sits.
My issue with handlebar bag - the handlebar area is tight on space when I have a front light, head unit, and bar bag.
Look up Varia strap mounts to attach to your saddle bag.
top tube bag i use but not for inner tubes a couple of cloths to wipe the wet seats for when resting a ecig to vape :)
I often use a small pannier bag. handy for all my bike stuff plus a change of clothes, my sandwiches and my laptop (if I’m off to work). For day rides I have a small saddlebag. Just fits in my essentials. Perfect 😊
@@happydogg312 yeah, they are practical but I’ve a tendency to leave lots of junk in it!
I have saddle bags on the road bikes but a handlebar bag on my gravel bike. It has a spare rain coat and more importantly, it's the only one that fits a shadow stand in for those all important photo opportunities
As an added extra, it also acts as a front mudguards to keep the muck off your face
I use both…tools for the saddle bag and food and item I like to have on the ride in the handle bag.
I love this video--a great parody of all the x vs y videos they put out, except this one is completely subjective and clearly Conor and Manon were having fun.
Also, I just joined team saddle bag (for mechanical stuff) plus top tube bag (for food and anything else I want to easily access).
Saddle bag, longer rides i add a frame bag or a very small back back, depending on the ride, and/or weather.
Saddle bag stays attached to the saddle all the time, for bike repair kits. Two bikes, two different set up saddle bags, and never an issue. I recently bought a handlebar bag for carrying stuff like food, overnight trip things etc.
It's a personal choice. I've used both, and each have their advantages and disadvantages. For touring and long distance, the handlebar bag is optimum. But for regular road rides, the saddlebag is better. Since the question was, which is better for road riding, the saddlebag wins!
Only ever used a saddle bag TBH. Medium toppeak does me. Now I use a Cycliq dash cam under my Garmin so couldn’t use a bar bag if I wanted to
i have both saddle bag and handle bar bag, i just switch them whenever i need either of them, bar bags really got bigger capacity.
I use a combination of a tool case that fits a bottle cage and a top tube bag. The tool case gets my ABUS Bordo lock, tyre repair kit, CO2 pump and pencil-style torque bar. The top tube bag has my keys, masks and snacks. I can't use a handlebar bag as it would interfere with my headlight hanging from the handlebar mount.
Do you take the bag off bike and along with you while enjoying a cup of coffee ? I mean when the bike might be parked outside
I’ve recently bought a saddle bag mainly because of space to be able to fit what I take on a bike ride. Accessibility is easier.
I use a thin bag on top of my top tube. I can’t use a saddle bag because it’s faff to use a Garmin radar device with one and most bar bags are too big. In my bag I can carry a mini pump, a small lock, my phone, tubeless repair kit and a multi-tool
I did som aero testing with a small wind speed sensor, and with a large (11L) ortlieb saddle bag, I saw ~10W savings when the bag was equipped vs no bag.
Which rainjackets from castelli are the two wearing? Keep up the good work
Great entertainment and comedy. These two are great personalities to display the lighter side of GCN. Always love these funny [albeit mostly superfluous] tests.
As a roadie turned relax roadie wearing loose shirts with no pockets, I use my medium size frame bag. Super easy to get to stuff on the go without the aero penalty. Do whatever you want guys.
I prefer bar bag, because I can bring my mirrorless camera with compact prime lens for my coffee ride. For other purposes, I use saddle bag, or frame bag if I need to bring more items.
At hidupz it's not just a bag; it's an art piece. Each design is crafted with unique inspiration and craftsmanship.
I prefer using rack top bag, handlebar bag changes steering dynamics and a frame bag can swing about, both affect handling.
GCN - please do a video on how to make yourself at least-visible as possible on the roads.
A small frame bag is best, best of both worlds, big volume like the bar bag, aero like the saddle bag and close to the frames center of gravity. 😅 I. Can’t wait to hear the hate come my way…