Am new to cycling and looking for an unobtrusive saddlebag to fit on a lightweight road bike. Would like to be able to carry mini pump, puncture repair kit (incl tyre levers) and maybe a bike spanner. Don't want to add unnecessary weight to the bike. Any suggestions? Also, can anyone advise me on whether it's worth installing a water bottle carrier on the bike?

an unobtrusive saddlebag ?? They dont really exist. However most bike shops should stock a fair selection.The choice is yours. Check for ease of fitting and removal etc. I find a velcro fixing to be adequate. Waterbottle cages are def' a good idea, hydration is essential on almost any ride longer than a pop down the local off-license for fags etc. Buy a cage that will hold a can of Tennants Extra, Ive always found this to be good advice.

buy a camelback hydration and spares all in one place.

I wouldnt advise anybody to fill a camelbak with beer though. The bladders are hard enough to keep clean when only water is used.

Thanks for your advice, guys. Not sure I'm gonna be hitting the Tennents when when I'm on the bike, unless I can find a very long straw. Now there's a challenge. Long, lightweight, durable straw that can perform in all road conditions...

ask at your local Health and Beauty place for some old collonic irrigation tubing.

will it clean up as well as a camelbak?

Hi Simon,I ride road quite a bit aswell as MTB.I've got a small Specialized saddle bag,in it I've got a couple of levers,tube,Park self adhesive patch kit.I fit 2 bottles to the frame,when you run out just get some water from a garage,as for the pump its a Blackburn air stick attached to the frame but have just bought a Microflate and gas cartridges.Tried it out the other day and it put a good 100psi+ in the tyre,its no fun pumping a road tyre up to 100psi especially when its raining!I also wear tops with rear pockets(lots),good for carrying phone etc

Thanks, Podge - useful advice. I'm worried about putting too much on the frame (aerodynamic profile and all that), so think I will restrict myself to one bottle. Where do you carry your pump? Had a look in Condor today and saw a medium sized saddlebag with straps beneath for a minipump. I also saw a wraparound waistbag which looked as though it could carry all my kit, but think this might be uncomfortable. As you can tell, I'm worried about weight and want to keep the bike as light and aerodynamic as I can. How much use do you get out of a single gas cartridge?

I often see rodies that dont appear to be carrying anything

Yet I am weighed down with a HAWG full of stuff (except for the bit I really need)

Yet I know that if I remove something I will definately need it on the next trip

Soon I will only be riding trails with 4x4 access for my backup buddies service truck

I put the pump on the bottle mount,it came with a small clamp but I now stuff it in the rear of my Airblock jacket.As for gas,a 16g cartridge inflated the rear wheel to 100psi,which is what I put in them,there was a bit of c02 left in but nowhere near enough for another tyre,but there is a larger 25g and 40g cartridge available.Still take the pump though,you never know.Forget the aerodynamics if you're just doing endurance rides,worry about it in time trials.