Bicycle Saddle Bags

Bicycle bags come in many different styles, materials, and serve many different functions.

Many saddlebags resemble the bags that were often seen hanging from either side of horse saddles in the old west. Those bags were attached directly to the horse’s saddle. Modern bicycle saddlebags generally hang over a set of front or rear metal racks that are mounted on a bike, and use some type of strap or hook to prevent them from becoming unbalanced and slipping of the rack.

Other saddlebags, known as panniers, are designed to attach to the side of the bicycle rack, generally one on each side – although a single side mount is also common. These bags often utilize quick-release mounting hardware to allow for quick and easy attachment. They are generally more stable than true saddlebags, and have a greater carrying capacity.

Both saddlebags and panniers have a flaw – once mounted, there is a large “empty” area on the top of the rack. This space could be used for additional gear, but since not all gear is compact in nature, it is often difficult to safely mount the gear on top of the rack.  To extend the carrying capacity of saddlebags and panniers, a third style of bag – called a “trunk” bag – can be mounted on top of the rack.

While saddlebags, panniers, and trunks are intended to carry larger items like food, clothes, and camping gear; tools and smaller items can be carried in smaller bags mounted elsewhere on the bicycle. Seat bags fit in the open space under the seat, handlebar bags attach to the front of the handlebars, and “top bar” bags hang from the bar located between the seat and the handlebars.

All of these bags can be made from a wide variety of materials. Cheaper bags are often made from nylon. Better bags are generally made from leather or a cordura type material. Occasionally you will run across a bag made from plastic, lightweight metal, and even wood. If the bag is not already waterproof, many come equipped  come with a detachable cover made from a waterproof material.

A completely decked out touring bicycle can be quite a sight. One of these bikes can have as many as 9 different bags attached – two large panniers and a trunk in the back, two smaller panniers and a trunk over the front wheel, a seat bag, handlebar bag, and a top bar bag. Great care must be taken to ensure proper balance and to minimize wind resistance when a bicycle is fully loaded like this.