Saddle Bag: traditional vs adventure

[Minh]

GIven that I'm posting this on RBW, maybe I can guess which way the audience will skew, but I'm hoping for that kind of input.  

I'm building a second bike and thinking about carrying things on the saddle.  Do folks have thoughts on traditional riv/carradice style saddle bags vs the adventure style (revelate, tailfin) bags that are skinny and stick up high from the saddle?  

I've done (short) tours with other riders using the skinny ones and feedback seems ok, even if the accessibility is pretty bad if you need something out of it in the middle of the ride.  any other downsides i'm not thinking of?  

PS.  I don't mean to say that you cannot have an adventure with a riv saddlebag, but I was trying to figure out a way to describe the two types!

[Brian Turner]

When I first got into "bikepacking", Revelate Designs was still fairly new, and I bought a few pieces of theirs. I used their Viscacha seat bag for about a year. I quickly realized that I did not like the "stuffed sausage casing" style of packing those type of bags, and I reverted to the more traditional, transverse style saddlebags and handlebar bags. Aside from looking better (IMO), they are more versatile and you can organize them easier for quicker access to the things you need while riding or at camp. For the types of rides I do, traditional is the way to go, but I can understand how for those who ride more technical trails, or where weight and minimalism is absolutely essential - a more modern, adventure style bag might be preferred.

Brian

Lex KY

[Garth]

I also used a Viscacha bag but tired of the thigh rub and I really don't care for having extra weight anywhere near the saddle. Certainly not the front either. A rear rack and modest size top bag holds things securely and is low enough I don't feel it riding hard out of the saddle. I have a large sized canvas rack top bag Riv used to sell on one bike, with a Nitto top rack(the one Riv used to sell that can be used F or R). A mini Lone Peak top bag on the other bike, with a Marks rack. This is for normal day riding. If I needed more space I'd get some sort of panniers, anything that keeps the load stable, no swaying of moving around ! I use my under the DT bottle mount to store some tools rather than have them take up rack bag space and possibly shift around. I like the bike to retain the feel of one solid unit. 

[Steven Sweedler]

I have 3 Rivendell Little Joe saddlebags in use on different bikes, weigh just under a pound and rack or other hardware is needed, very quick in and out with just a drawcord. With a couple of leather straps you can increase the capacity, hard to beat.

Steven Sweedler
Plymouth, New Hampshire

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