10 Best Cycling Bags in the Philippines 2021

A lot of thought needs to go into choosing the right cycling bag for you. The type of riding you will do and the number of things that you deem essential will affect what bag and how many of them you will be purchasing. Below are the considerations we think you should take in order to pair you up with the right cycling bag for your needs.

In cycling, the amount of weight has a huge impact on your stamina. The premise is that the more weight you have on you as you cycle, the more energy you will expend in order to move them. Even if your fitness is doing great, everyone gets affected by this and it is a determinant of how far a person can ride and keep pedaling.

Cycling bags right now are built with lighter materials. If you are planning on taking them with you on a long ride, you will be thanking yourself later for going for a lighter bag. But as with cycling, any component that is lighter costs a lot more money, so take that into account when buying one.

As mentioned earlier, weight matters when you are cycling but there may be times that carrying a lot is deemed necessary. For those scenarios, bigger cycling bags would prove handy. They vary in capacity and depend on the number of things that you will be carrying. You may need to check if the bag is able to accommodate it.

For rides that are for training, bringing a small seat pack is enough for your repair kit and some spare cash. If you are planning on going on a long trip, a selection of larger cycling bags is necessary to bring your clothes or tent if you are planning to stay overnight in the wilderness.

Cycling bags now are packed with a ton of features for certain scenarios. Whether it be water-resistance, reflectorized, or the ability to store more of your stuff, different cycling bags exist for those needs. Let’s look at some of the features that you might need to consider when shopping for your new cycling bag.

Here in the Philippines, we only have two types of weather: sunny and rainy. This is why waterproofed or water-resistant cycling bags are important when you are cycling. In the event that you are caught unaware in a rain, having a bag where you can safely store your valuables and electronics is a lifesaver. 

Having different compartments in your cycling bag makes it easier to organize your essentials. You'll be able to determine where a certain item is placed and prevent them from rubbing against each other. Compartments also help with the storage of wet items, avoiding water getting on some important items such as your phone or extra clothing.

One of the common fears of bringing items during cycling is the possibility of them falling out while riding. In order to avoid that, cycling bag companies have incorporated different attachment options in their products. Straps and adjustable nylon cords are present which the user can manipulate in a myriad of ways.

Nylon straps can be considered as extra storage. You can store your rain jacket or other pieces of clothing on them to keep the latter secure. In some cases, they can also secure extra bottles to keep you hydrated during a ride. 

Strap options for the bag also provide stability, making the ride much more smooth. It also gives you options on how to attach your cycling bag to your bike frame. Some examples include velcro straps, buckle clasps, and more.

In the event that you need to cycle at night, having reflectors help you become visible to incoming traffic. Some cycling bags have reflectorized panels that signal cars and other vehicles of your presence, thereby helping you avoid any vehicle-related accidents.

A bicycle has different parts and naturally, different ways of attaching bags in it. Depending on the area of the bike, a specific bag is made in order to fit perfectly in that area. The location in the bicycle also dictates the storage capacity, attachment options, pros, and cons of the bag. Let's discuss the different kinds of cycling bags currently being made right now.

The most popular cycling bag is the seat pack or saddlebag. A variety of sizes with different features are available and it's considered a key piece of equipment for stowing your bike repair essentials in case of emergencies or even for bike packing. 

It is usually attached below the seat and strapped onto a seat post for added stability during riding. Depending on the type of riding that you will do, you will need to choose between 300mL - 20L of storage. 

Some packs are waterproof and some aren’t, so it is important to check on that prior to purchasing, especially if you plan on storing gadgets and a change of clothes on your seat pack. Check also if the attachment is enough for the bag to stay stable once you are riding.

A handlebar pack is another popular way of stowing items during a cycling ride. It is usually attached to the front of the handlebar, in front of the bike. Handlebar packs are a good place to store items such as a tent or a new change of clothes.

There are two types of handlebar packs. One has the harness directly attached to the bag and is often very easy to attach. Another type of handlebar pack is the two-piece harness. 

It secures your item by first latching it on the harness system,  then once secured, you can now attach the other harness to the handlebar. Just take note that the amount of storage is limited by your handlebars.

The frame of your bicycle forms a triangle area where things can be stored. A bicycle frame pack is designed to keep the center of gravity low while maximizing the space in your bicycle frame. It is commonly strapped into the top tube, seat tube, and down tube of your bike.

Since each bike differs in dimensions, it is important to find a frame pack that fits your bike properly. This will not only secure your bike perfectly, but it will also reduce the amount of energy you will be expending as you pedal.

If your bike shape is common, it is easy to look for bags online that can fit your frame easily. However, if your frame is on a larger side, it is best to try it out first or check for reviews prior to purchasing. There are also different storage capacities available for frame packs. 

Some take the whole triangle while some only occupy a part of it. Determine how many items you typically bring in order to choose the right size and volume of storage you need for your frame pack. Just take note that the larger the frame pack, the more difficult to put bottle cages on your frame. 

If you have a bike rack or are planning to purchase one, getting a pannier is best to maximize the added carrying capacity. Panniers and bike racks are used for carrying everyday essentials and camping gear for bike commutes, city touring, and long-distance biking. 

Panniers are mounted at the side of a bike rack, near the rear wheel. They are also roomy and offer ample protection to the elements. They also disengage quickly from your bike rack and can double as a messenger bag or a backpack depending on their built.

They are attached by using hooks, clips, or bungee cords. Most who get panniers get them in pairs to even out the weight distribution in a bicycle. Just make sure to organize your items and give ample room for your legs to pedal when installing them.

For bike racks, they are secured much more firmly to the back as they carry a lot of weight. They are also usually padded, as they are used to carry fragile items such as cameras and lenses. They are also highly reflectorized as they are what vehicle drivers usually while driving alongside bicycles on the road.

Top tube bags, as the name suggests, attach to the topmost tube of your bicycle, before the handlebar. They are great for items that you want easy access to while pedaling. 

They are also recommended for small items that you want to keep within eyesight, such as your phone or keys. Some top tube bags also have a smartphone compartment where you can see the screen and use the touchscreen, but remember to limit its use while biking.

Stem bags are small pouches installed in the stem right before the handlebar. They attach through a couple of hook-and-loop strips and can be easily taken out if you alight from your bike. These are great for stowing gels and protein bars whenever you are training or in a commute as they provide easy access while riding.

Bags are there to serve one purpose: carry what you deem is essential. Based on different factors, a specific bag will fit your custom needs. It takes time and effort to decide which bag would catch your eye but to make things easier, we did the selection for you. Below are the 10 best cycling bags we think you will fancy.

**Prices may vary depending on the website and their campaign period**

Careful planning and strategizing are needed to pack your bike packs efficiently. Weight distribution is important in order to minimize pedal effort and maximize the distance traveled.  Let's take a look at these suggestions from REI on how to pack your stuff correctly. 

• Put lightweight, bulky items in your seat pack and handlebar pack. Avoid overloading your seat pack and handlebar pack since this might cause your bike to topple over. Instead, you can pack some essentials like clothes, sleeping bags, or tents inside these bags.
• Put heavy items in your frame pack. Doing so will keep your bike's center of gravity low, which will help you handle your bike better. Some things that you can place inside this bag include a stove, fuel, bike tubes, and extra food.
• Keep frequently used items within reach. Store your important items like snacks, water, maps, and cell phone in stem bags, top tube bags, or cages so that you can have easy access to the former.

If you are new to cycling, the rush and excitement of the sport are something to behold. In order to fully reap the adrenaline, it is best to arm yourself with the right gear to keep you protected and engaged with your bicycle. Below are some of the cycling gears that you might need in order to maximize your cycling journey! 

There are a lot of ways you can carry your things if you are planning to go biking. Depending on your needs, cycling bag manufacturers have already thought of solutions and are offering new and innovative ways of storing gear. 

Having a clear picture of what you want to achieve when you are cycling will help you find the best cycling bag for all your storage woes. A good cycling bag helps you go longer, faster, and happier. Have a safe ride!

Author: Richard Martin

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