Being nosy is the reason TV shows like “Through the keyhole” became so popular. It’s why we can’t help but peek through the window of a house as we cycle past. It’s why we are so tempted to read over someone’s shoulder what message they are texting! Perhaps the last one is just me? One thing I’ve always wanted to be nosy about but haven’t been able to is what people carry around with them in their bag whilst cycling?
For me my usual setup is as follows:
I have a horrible big pump from BikeHut that I’ve been meaning to replace, tyre levers, spare inner tube, Allen key and spanner. The spanner is necessary as I don’t have quick release wheels (a pain but more effort for bike thieves so actually a good thing). Then of course my trusty iPhone, pen and pad for notes (often interviewing people for the blog) and wallet (usually empty – just in case one of you is thinking of robbing me!).
Naturally my two bike locks and keys are also usually in the bag.
Recently, I’ve been carrying around the puncture repair tools less and less because they feel so unnecessary as I’m always around central London. Though, I’m sure the day I have to pay the nearest bike shop an extortionate fee for a simple puncture repair I won’t be happy!
In the interest of my nosiness but also in case there are some good tips.. what do you carry around with you in your bag?
See also:
- Bike apps for the iPhone
- Cycling from Birmingham to London
- How to lock your bike
- Cycling to a night out.. what do you do?
Join 5,112 fellow cyclists who are subscribed to the London Cyclist newsletter
Sign up for our free newsletter to get...
- Advice on the best cycling gear
- A Friday roundup of all the latest London cycling news
- Exclusive content not available on the blog
Subscribe today, and get exclusive access forever! (It's free)
*No spam, ever!
As seen on The Guardian, BBC and The Independent.
Fairly typical I think for a commuter bag.
My typical bag consists of:
Top Peak mini pump
Inner tube wrapped in clingfilm
Old style punture repair set
Blister patch kit
Set of allan keys
15mm spanner for my front wheel as I ride a bit of a mixed bag of a bike.
Gerber multitool
Map of the local area I commute through, just in case
Socks for work
Boxers for work
Shirt for work, neatly pressed and folded in a plastic bag (to stop it creasing further put newpaper between the shirt when you fold it and don’t fold to tightly)
Laptop if I have taken work home
Goretex jacket in the winter
Thats it really, lunch if needed, but I tend to buy this at the begining of the week and leave it in the fridge at work, same with my shower gel etc, buy and leave at work.
I use 2 different bags.
My bagaboo courier bag if it is sunny and my ortleib waterproof bag if I am in the mood.
A very organised bag if I’ve ever seen one. Like the idea of wrapping inner tube in clingfilm, I’m doing the same to mine as we speak!
- Topeak Alien II cycle tool – this provides every tool under the sun, including tyre levers
- Spare 20″ tube
- RSP shock and tyre pump
And that the lot!
Forgot to add that I have a tupperware box for my wallet, 2 phones and iphone……
I carry the following:
Park Tools multi-tool, which has almost everything I need on it for running repairs
a 15cm spanner, as I too have proper bolts rather than quick release.
Specialized mini-pump (it has a small compartment for self-adhesive patches in the handle) 2 x small knogg LEDs just incase I’m late at work or play and need to ride at night.
tiny waterproof jacket, just incase it rains, it weighs next to nothing, and packs up in to a ball smaller than a fist. I got it from blacks, I would recommend.
I also carry a small Kryptonite U Lock, for locking up my bike when out and about. It saves carrying my big locks about, I therefore have 3 locks, one at the station where I leave my bike overnight, one at work, and then the smaller one that I carry about with me, complicated and expensive but worth it for having a light bag. The above weighs very little and I don’t really notice it when riding.
Change of clothes (minus shoes left at work), flexi-lock (D-lock attached to bike), multi-tool, puncture kit, spare inner tube, batteries, wallet, keys, iPhone, anti-histamines, tissues
Oh gosh what a question, I’m a right old woman when it comes to the amount of stuff I carry. I have a smart Dutch work satchel which has pannier clips cleverly concealed in the back so I can take it into the office with me (from Velorution) Problem is, cos it’s quite large, I just fill it with crap…
I have a puncture repair kit, multi-tool and adjustable spanner. A full set of lights and spare batteries in case I’m out late or working late. Bike keys and house keys. Works garage keys. Wallet, Oyster card (just in case it pours down). Packet of wet wipes and a hair brush and a small hand mirror for smartening up when if I’m going out by bike (how vain do I sound now?!) My camera, cos I see so much stuff for my blog whilst I’m out and about, likewise my dictaphone for interviewing people (Andreas I can’t recommend enough getting one instead of making notes). Business cards, usually a book or two, some fruit, pen, paper, fags, lighter, a teeny tiny shrink-wrapped plastic poncho for emergencies in case it starts pouring after I’ve left…. …glasses, mobile phone, some emergency cash (20p for the phone, anyone else still have this over-hang from their Boy Scout days?!)…. and that’s about it! *Phew* I seriously need to have a clear-out!
haha, love the planning for all eventualities! Very boy scout of you!
A Billy Connolly biography
mirror
pimms and lemonade
anti histamine
tyres are kevlar haven’t had a puncture in ages, living life on the edge
I almost forgot; my work trousers and shirt lovingly ironed, folded and placed carefully on top of all the crap floating around in the bottom of my bag.
If I am doing sports I bring another pannier bag with my trainers, running / rowing kit, towel etc – taking all that stuff on the Tube would be a right pain but I hardly even notice the weight on my bike, it’s a real pack-horse.
Getting a bike with a pannier rack was an absolute revolution for me – totally changed the way (and amount) I cycle.
I carry virtually nothing but the essentials for work – laptop, keys, and phone. This is because my dated Dell machine with the extra battery means that even the minimal load is annoyingly heavy.
I park my bike indoors at work so rarely need locks. I go slowly in hot weather to avoid needing to change clothes (and have a blast on the way home instead). I used to take all manner of puncture repair stuff and bike tools and then realised the probability of needing them was so small that it didn’t warrant lugging them around all the time, no matter how light they are. I’ve been commuting daily for about 3 years and haven’t needed them yet.
I have a Vaude Wright pannier which looks pretty good and fastens/releases easily.
@Ben Brown: I like your style. is the Pimms and Lemonade for a break on the way or emergencies only?
I second that, very good planning from Ben
strictly sunshine emergencies
Clothes
Deodorant
Purse
Phone
Keys
Camera
Campagnolo crank spanner (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Campagnolo_crank_spanner.jpg), not cos I intend to change a puncture – I have no spare tubes or tyre levers with me, just cos I like it.
I found 3 tins of tuna in my bag this morning, which I’ve forgotten to take out at home the last 2 evenings! Does that count?
Apart from this leftover shopping, I normally have
Pump & puncture repair kit & multi tool thing.
Shirt and trousers for work. Security Pass, wallet, phone, etc…
Gym kit and towels, deo and hair product.
and a waterproof bag cover for the rainy days.
In the mechanics section:
1x Pump
1x Inner tube for my bike
1x Inner tube for other cyclists in case I can lend them a hand
Puncture repair kit
Tyre Levers
Crank Bros multi tool
Small adjustable spanner
And most importantly, disposable latex gloves to keep oil & dirt off your hands
In the rest of it
Phone, keys, clothes, wallet, lock, lights
Oh Andreas, with proclivities like yours, you need to join the Flickr group http://www.flickr.com/groups/whats_in_your_bag/!
Here’s ‘one I made earlier’, though I really ought to take a new photo.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10938860@N03/3812639756/
The usual bike bits (lights, puncture repair kit, gas canister pump, a sachet of sugar to use when washing my hand – mixed with soap it really helps get the grease off quickly).
I also like to carry my Holga Lomo camera, lippy, purse, phone & sunnies on a beautiful day like today
Book on how to use dreamweaver
change of clothes
heels
lunch
pin head lock key
small pump
inner tube
tyre levers
chain tool
head torch
front and back lights
2 back lights that don’t actually attach to bike so no idea why i am carrying these around
spare batteries for lights
set of allen keys
screwdriver
handbag filled with make up, keys, phone, wallet, perfume
d lock
chain lock
fabric and sewing kit
macbook
no wonder my back hurts…. must have a clear out
Perhaps we could have a ‘whats the best system for carrying stuff on your commute’ poll..
Basket
Rucksack
Courier bag
Panniers
Pockets
Like this idea – will look into doing it in future..
in my rucksack:
deoderant
toothbrush and toothpaste
A-Z of london (10 years old, pages missing)
nike maps – never used
puncture repair kit (never used, i’ve jinxed it now)
all bike tools i own (spanner, allen keys)
full size pump which is too big for the bag really
coat – always
mad luminous yellow kecks for if it rains
then various bits and bobs depending on where going or what doing: phone, sarnies, work clobber, book, laptop, notepad, sunglasses.
I stopped carrying a mini pump on my regular rides when i figured out it wasn’t really working well.
I still carry it for emergency on family rides where the probability of punctures is multiplied.
Otherwise, one or two canisters of CO2 are all that I need to inflate the new innertube after a puncture.
In 18 months and 5,000 miles I have had three punctures in total, so my commute is pretty safe in that respect.
Pump? CO2 cannisters. A fraction of the time and worth the expense on the basis that you use them so rarely (pay more for tyres, to go cheap is a false economy).
A spanner, inner tube and levers.
Multi-tool.
Red light (the awesome fibre flare)
And a five pound note (for emergencies, or for a pint).
It’s usually a Brompton bag, S type or the big old kind.
MacBook
Cyclaire pump
Steel core tyre levers
Small Bacho shifter
Evans freebie multi tool (comes with a bike)
Tubes
Puncture repair kit
Phone
iPod
Bananaguard
Blackburn Flea lights
Swiss Army Knife (in pocket at all times)
Zip off legs of Craghopper Kiwis.
depends which day of the week (and not being in Canada)
Mondays are the worst,
five of: Shirts,Pants, Pairs of socks
Pedal spanner (for wheel nuts on fixie)
Spare inner tube
Park GP2 patches
Lezyne HP Mini Track pump (100 psi is easily achievable)
iPhone
Pen
Laptop (if I worked from home Friday)
Small change
Topeak Alien multi tool
Park Tyre Levers
Work Phone (horrid old O2 TYTN thing)
Business Cards
Every other day of the week is minus laptop and clothes, and indeed most days I don’t then need a bag!
Luckily don’t have to lock up either end so the real heavy weight stuff can be left at home when commuting
oh, and this is how I carry so many shirts without having to iron them at the far end…
http://www.eaglecreek.com/packing_solutions/packing_folders/Pack-It-Folder-15-41068/
that’d certainly help me
got a mini pump and water bottle hooked upto my frame, and keep some cash, puncture kit, lube, multi tool, spare batteries and tyre levers in an underseat pouch. =]
On a typical day:
pump
puncture repair kit
plasters
2 different multi tools
lights and spare batteries
tyre levers
ipod
tissues
painkillers
razor
phone
wallet
hand cream
ipod
tissues
change of work clothes and shoes
towel
I think that’s about it.
Oh dear, I think I am one of those that over stuffs my bag…the bigger the bag, the more you stuff…good excuse to go for smaller bags!
So mine is as follows:
Mini bike pump
Allen keys
Puncture repair kit
Lights (one front, two rear)
Locks
Keys
Purse
Tissues
Bottle of water
Plasters
My lunch
Chewing gum (Very important…also stops my mouth from drying out when cycling)
Phone
Note book
Pen(s)
Hand cream
Face cream
Hat (the ears get cold when it’s windy)
Gloves
Neck warmer
Jumper/cardigan
Anything else that takes my fancy.
@gayle – sugar. Genius addition.
In my panier. Puncture repair kit. Never required with my new kevlar tyres however. Multitool thingy for minor gear/brake adjustments. Shoes and clothes and toiletries for work. Boring really.
Since I don’t like to cycle with a backpack or messenger bags I carry my double pannier with me at all times, even when virtually empty. It may be a vestige of my previous self being used to the car boot.
My pump and lock are attached to the frame, in the panniers you find a small zippered case with a multi tool, tire levers, repair kit, chain break and folding repair twezers. Also a spare inner tube (more recently two, just in case) and sometimes spanners needed for my wife’s bike.
That barely uses any space on the panniers, but at times there are also, working clothes, supermarket shopping, iPhone, keys, office badge, wallet. Any other thing I’d carry in a bag if I weren’t cycling to work.
Oh, and receipts. When I, say, stop to buy food ony way home and dump everything on the panniers it seems I keep forgetting to take the receipts out, so from time to time I get all of them at once and shred them.
Let’s see -
Max ‘gooj’ multi tool
Phone
Inner tubes x 2 (better safe than sorry)
tyre levers x 2
Puncture repair kit
Kryptonite D lock & cable (struggled & failed to attach to bike)
change of clothes
various paperwork, sometimes laptop
Work ID & memory stick
Glasses case (glasses on face)
Front and rear lights when not in use
Garmin 705 when not in use
Suncream
Wallet
Keys
Pump
All in an Osprey sports rucksack. Weighs a ton – makes a nonsense of lightweight bike.
OK, for work I carry suit, boots, washgear, towel and a pouch with ties, collar stiffeners and cufflinks each Monday, then carry it home on a Friday. They’re all in a rucksac.
On the daily commute I ride a Brompton so use the front mounted bag. I have a fairly lengthy ride to the station in the morning and to do it in a reasonable time I accept that I generally need a shower when I get to the office or client. It has:
Pouch with notebook, pens, cables, phone, business cards etc.
Eagle creek shirt folder with shirt
Eagle creek pouch with fresh underwear
Laptop, power cable.
Granola bars, water bottle, flask mug with coffee, tub of coffee, spork
Hand cream
Book for the train
IPod
Work phone
Personal phone, with runkeeper installed.
Gloves, skullcap, fleece jumper, rain-jacket.
Assorted ID cards, train ticket.
I don’t bother with tools as if I have a problem in London I can get it fixed, if I have a problem on the way home from the station I can call my partner and get picked up.
When I’m mountain biking I wear a camelbak with 3 litre bladder. In there I have:
Spare inner tube
Brake Bros multi-tool
Tyre levers
Gel and grain bars
D-lock
iPhone
Fleece top
Flask
Wallet
When commuting I use two panniers filled with
Inner tube, puncture repair kit, cable lock, tyre levers, multi-tool, spanner, laptop, files, change of clothes, towel, spare t-shirt and/or base layer, shower gel, deodorant, rain gear, shoes (if i haven’t left a spare pair in work)
D-Lock and pump are fixed onto the frame.
When going for pleasure spin at the weekend it’s just the bare essentials piled into a saddle pouch
_rolled up waterproof jacket
_map of London
_spare inner tube
_tyre levers
_crappy decathlon multitool
_pocket size pump
_tyre levers
_set of poundland spanners
_two dlocks
_usb cable + charger for my spycam
_wallet (oystercard + visa)
_bicycle lights
and sometimes
_spare clothing
As well as all the repair stuff I have always over recent years carried a small digital camera. The i-phone does the trick now. Travelling as we do around central London we quite often get to see newsworthy incidents. I am however still waiting for my front page scoop. People reporting is on the increase and all the news agencies are waiting for that key picture. What better way than a bike to get to the news quickly and indeed away from it even quicker if needed!
Always useful as well to record number plates etc. if witness to an accident.
Has anyone yet dared to carry their precious ipad in the panniers yet? Has a suitable case been made that anyone has seen? Still waiting for mine to be delivered!
Not got one but someone suggested how cool it would be to attach that to your frame. You’d have a huge Google Maps!
If it’s sunny I throw my handbag in my basket, sometimes clipping the strap round the bike handle in case of opportunistic thievery. If it’s raining or I need the space in my basket then I use a lovely (cheap) pannier satchel from Bobbins.
Either way it holds:
phone
oyster
keys
biros
little notebook
small make up/medication bag
shades
tiny foldaway rain jacket (pearl izumi, moderately flattering, very waterproof, nice shade of blue)
usually a banana!
I try to stick to that because I’m terrible for overfilling bags, making them heavy and ruining the straps. I used to carry around a spare tube, tyre levers, multitool etc but I’ve recently dropped it and started ‘riding dirty’. If I get a puncture I’ll just go to a shop or get in a cab…
Okay this is what lives in my pannier to and from work:
keys
pack of piriton(I usually need one upon arrival if it has been sunny/warm)
lip balm(essential for winter, not so much now)
work laptop
puncture repair kit + spare inner tube(not wrapped in cling film, run out of cling film)
multi-tool + bike spanner
small pack of wet wipes
disposable gloves + old rag
pump
cable lock with padlock
phone(if it is raining otherwise it lives on the handle bars)
debit card and/or emergency cash
travel towel for me
towel for laptop(to wrap it up for protection, will invest in a laptop sleeve one day)
change of clothes(t-shirt, trousers, socks, underwear)
toiletries(hair product, face moisturiser, deodorant)
rain jacket(if weather is looking dodgy)