Top tube bag

General cycling advice ( NOT technical ! )
roberts8
Posts: 547
Joined: 20 May 2011, 9:14pm
Location: Surrey

Top tube bag

Post by roberts8 »

During Ride London I saw a great variety of top tube bags that looked useful. I want one that is for a phone but I will probably use it to put route details in. Any thoughts please as I cannot find one in particular I liked that began with an i as in iPhone.
whoof
Posts: 2519
Joined: 29 Apr 2014, 2:13pm

Re: Top tube bag

Post by whoof »

There are 'triathlon' ones designed to take a few gels that are very slim but you wouldn't be able to fit a (modern) phone in. As they get wider you can certainly get more stuff in but there can come a point where you start to hit it with your knees when out of the saddle.

Unless you ride with your knees sticking out I would see if you can try one before you buy.

Lidl where doing a phone holder recently (5th July) for £3.99 but that fitted to the stem and not the top-tube there might still be some in your local store.
Aldi have a top-tube one for £6.99, I would definitely hit this with my knees you might be different.
https://www.aldi.co.uk/bikemate-top-tub ... 2213760101
Decathlon have a few different ones.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/C-848002-bike-phone-holders
FasterFerret
Posts: 202
Joined: 27 Jul 2015, 3:19pm

Re: Top tube bag

Post by FasterFerret »

whoof wrote:
Unless you ride with your knees sticking out I would see if you can try one before you buy.



+1

and for this very reason, I have a phone mount on my stem (QuadLock - expensive, not waterproof but very robust and still going strong after 4 years of use) and a separate top tube bag, which, if I am going to be spending much time out of the saddle, I cinch in with an additional velcro strap. I find this keeps it out of the way of my knees.
User avatar
TrevA
Posts: 3551
Joined: 1 Jun 2007, 9:12pm
Location: Nottingham

Re: Top tube bag

Post by TrevA »

Do you need to be able to see your phone whilst riding? That will cut down the options.

I use a Topeak Fuel Tank, to store phone, battery for charging the Garmin and energy bars. I do find it gets in the way a bit when climbing out of the saddle so wouldn't want anything wider.

I also use a Quadlock mount on the handlebars if I do need to see my phone.
Sherwood CC and Notts CTC.
A cart horse trapped in the body of a man.
http://www.jogler2009.blogspot.com
Cyril Haearn
Posts: 15215
Joined: 30 Nov 2013, 11:26am

Re: Top tube bag

Post by Cyril Haearn »

I use the three big pockets on the back of my traditional cycling jersey
Entertainer, juvenile, curmudgeon, PoB, 30120
Cycling-of course, but it is far better on a Gillott
We love safety cameras, we hate bullies
User avatar
mjr
Posts: 20308
Joined: 20 Jun 2011, 7:06pm
Location: Norfolk or Somerset, mostly
Contact:

Re: Top tube bag

Post by mjr »

Cyril Haearn wrote:I use the three big pockets on the back of my traditional cycling jersey

Bad idea to put something in a fairly flammable fabric which can catch fire if damaged in a fall IMO. It'll probably never happen but why risk it when bike mounts are cheap?
MJR, mostly pedalling 3-speed roadsters. KL+West Norfolk BUG incl social easy rides http://www.klwnbug.co.uk
All the above is CC-By-SA and no other implied copyright license to Cycle magazine.
eileithyia
Posts: 8399
Joined: 31 Jan 2007, 6:46pm
Location: Horwich Which is Lancs :-)

Re: Top tube bag

Post by eileithyia »

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Furado-Waterpr ... r+bicycles
Plenty of choice at Amazon, if I dare mention such a company.... :evil:
I stand and rejoice everytime I see a woman ride by on a wheel the picture of free, untrammeled womanhood. HG Wells
boris
Posts: 437
Joined: 5 Nov 2010, 1:58pm

Re: Top tube bag

Post by boris »

https://www.lightinthebox.com/en/p/rosw ... rm=1.3.5.2

https://www.lightinthebox.com/en/p/roswheel-cycling-bags-panniers-basket-bicycle-accessories-sacoche-velo-bolsa-quadro-bicicleta-put-mobile-map_p5020855.html?prm=1.3.5.2

I use these often . They are cheap, easy to put on and off whichever bike you pick today. I have top tube bags but they are always noticeable and can give you the knees-out look. If you want to look at your phone all the time you can fashion a wire support round the stem and bars , although I don't bother.
Airsporter1st
Posts: 784
Joined: 8 Oct 2016, 3:14pm

Re: Top tube bag

Post by Airsporter1st »

As I understand the OP (maybe wrongly), he's seen one beginning with the letter "i" and now can't find it.

If that is the case, here is one I found:

Ibera Bicycle Top Tube Phone Bag for Screen Size - Silver, 5-6-Inch https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00V8SCA1U/ ... BBbFSQ2HXB
roberts8
Posts: 547
Joined: 20 May 2011, 9:14pm
Location: Surrey

Re: Top tube bag

Post by roberts8 »

Thanks, looks like the one so I will look into it. I will use the panel to read written route details but may one day graduate to using a phone. It is a worry that these product seem to encourage the use of headphones when cycling as I think it is crazy to block off the sounds around you when cycling, Darwin at his best.
Salty Seadog
Posts: 16
Joined: 1 Apr 2018, 10:00am

Re: Top tube bag

Post by Salty Seadog »

mjr wrote:
Cyril Haearn wrote:I use the three big pockets on the back of my traditional cycling jersey

Bad idea to put something in a fairly flammable fabric which can catch fire if damaged in a fall IMO. It'll probably never happen but why risk it when bike mounts are cheap?


To be fair that is always happening.
gregoryoftours
Posts: 2234
Joined: 22 May 2011, 7:14pm

Re: Top tube bag

Post by gregoryoftours »

If you just want to hold your phone not use it while riding I'd recommend the lezyne energy caddy XL. It's about as wide as a top tube, is large enough to hold a phablet and fairly rigid so doesn't flop about. Apidura make really nice ones but insanely expensive.
User avatar
mjr
Posts: 20308
Joined: 20 Jun 2011, 7:06pm
Location: Norfolk or Somerset, mostly
Contact:

Re: Top tube bag

Post by mjr »

roberts8 wrote:Thanks, looks like the one so I will look into it. I will use the panel to read written route details but may one day graduate to using a phone. It is a worry that these product seem to encourage the use of headphones when cycling as I think it is crazy to block off the sounds around you when cycling, Darwin at his best.

Sometimes it is useful to listen to navigation voice prompts in noisy cities. I think it is crazy in busy places to occupy your eyes with looking at route details or navigation screens instead of watching the road and other road users around you. We'll see who Darwin takes first!
MJR, mostly pedalling 3-speed roadsters. KL+West Norfolk BUG incl social easy rides http://www.klwnbug.co.uk
All the above is CC-By-SA and no other implied copyright license to Cycle magazine.
User avatar
RickH
Posts: 5834
Joined: 5 Mar 2012, 6:39pm
Location: Horwich, Lancs.

Re: Top tube bag

Post by RickH »

mjr wrote:
Cyril Haearn wrote:I use the three big pockets on the back of my traditional cycling jersey

Bad idea to put something in a fairly flammable fabric which can catch fire if damaged in a fall IMO. It'll probably never happen but why risk it when bike mounts are cheap?

Of course no-one in their right minds carries their phone round in a pocket in case they fall over damage it & it bursts into flames while they are doing so! :twisted:
Former member of the Cult of the Polystyrene Head Carbuncle.
Airsporter1st
Posts: 784
Joined: 8 Oct 2016, 3:14pm

Re: Top tube bag

Post by Airsporter1st »

RickH wrote:
mjr wrote:
Cyril Haearn wrote:I use the three big pockets on the back of my traditional cycling jersey

Bad idea to put something in a fairly flammable fabric which can catch fire if damaged in a fall IMO. It'll probably never happen but why risk it when bike mounts are cheap?

Of course no-one in their right minds carries their phone round in a pocket in case they fall over damage it & it bursts into flames while they are doing so! :twisted:


And there's me worried sick about death by disc brakes, when all the time the real risk has been of incineration by mobile phone. Not sure I'll sleep tonight. Anyone want to buy a bike?
Post Reply