A bike is there for transport, but most only think of it in terms of ourselves.
Bringing along other items, whether they be for trips, school or even work is generally not on your radar when you start out biking.
As I’ve progressed through my commute, my shift has gone from backpacks to seeing how much stuff racks will let me carry to becoming light.
You see, those racks allowed me to carry at least six bags, but all that extra weight made it tougher to ride and really wore down my brakes.
Adding my Roadrunner Burrito Supreme was such a positive experience because it carried all repair tools and a clothing item or two without effecting my ride at all.
Great to have space to carry extra layers climbing up Mt. Wilson.
My next step was to get a rear seat bag and since I’ve had a lot of luck with Timbuk2, I was more than eager to give their Sonoma Seat Pack a try.
The bag itself is simple to install through your saddle rails and seatpost so much so that switching the bag between bikes doesn’t seem like an inconvenience.
If I’ve already filled up my bag though, I’ll flip my bike to make it easier to latch in.
The surprising part is that you can fit a lot of goods inside.
I was able to pack jeans, a couple of shirts, a towel and undergarments all inside for that inevitable shower after morning rides.
What impresses me most about the bag is how little I notice it while riding.
Weight wise, I don’t really feel a difference as a couple of pounds of clothes hardly affects my ride.
The funny part is when looking behind you while in motion, the bag does swing side to side far more than you would imagine, but the movement is natural and is really unnoticeable.
My biggest problem comes with a loaded bag as there’s been times that no matter how tight the straps are I’d get a little rubbing.
My jelly light is a good hack to keep the seatpost strap from sliding up.
The problem comes from the seatpost strap being a little loose.
Part of it comes from having to adjust the saddle straps depending on how stuffed your bag is.
I’ve found attaching one of my burnt out jelly lights above it works as a counterbalance.
An added benefit has been on rainy rides that the bag also acts as a rear fender depending how full it is.
I’m pretty eager for the summer to come because between my Timbuk2 and burrito bag, I could ride out to Santa Barbara, spend the night and ride back with clean clothes all the while.
A rear seat bag may not be suited for every ride, but you’ll be thankful to have it along when you need it.