Road bike bags: which one do you need?

Five places to carry things on a road bike, what each one is good at, and how to choose by the length of your rides.

A road bike has five places for a bag: your jersey pocket, under the saddle, on the top tube, inside the frame and on the handlebar. For rides up to two hours, a case in your jersey pocket or a small saddle bag is enough. For longer rides, add a top tube bag for food, and a handlebar or frame bag when you need room for a jacket.

Below we go through the five places one by one, with what fits and when to choose it.

This guide is written by Maikel, founder of The Pack and a rider himself. Last updated on 11 November 2026.

The five places at a glance

Jersey pocket: a case for your phone, cards and keys
Under the saddle: tube, tyre levers and multi-tool
On the top tube: food, within reach while riding
Inside the frame: tools, a phone and an extra layer
On the handlebar: the most room, for food and a jacket

Start with what you carry on every ride, and add a bag only when your pockets are full.

Jersey pocket: a case for your valuables

Nothing on the bike, everything in one case. The Essentials Case, from €20.99, is water-resistant and has a sturdy, elastic phone pocket that takes even the largest smartphones. The padded Phone Case is made of waterproof materials and has separate compartments for your phone, cards, cash and keys.

Choose this if you ride short and want a clean bike. More on this in our guide on carrying your phone while cycling.

Under the saddle: your repair kit

A saddle bag holds the things you only need when something goes wrong, and stays on the bike. The Saddle Bag Tool Roll, from €19.99, has three compartments of 11 by 13 cm. The AWG Saddle Bag, from €27.99, is waterproof, with taped seams and a reflective zip.

Choose this if you want your pockets free. Our saddle bag guide compares the sizes.

Top tube and frame: food and tools within reach

A top tube bag sits right behind the stem, so you can eat without stopping. The Snack Bag Top Tube Bag, from €34.99, has a padded main pouch, mesh pockets and an opening for a charger cable. It attaches with the supplied straps or with two bolts.

A frame bag hangs under the top tube and carries more. The Snack Bag Frame Bag has a padded phone pouch and tapers from 5 cm at the front to 4 cm at the back, so your knees stay clear.

Choose a top tube bag for long rides, and a frame bag when you also want tools or a layer off your back. See our guides on top tube bags and frame bags.

Handlebar: the most room

A handlebar bag is the largest of the five. The Snack Bag Handlebar Bag, from €39.99, holds 2 litres and measures 21 by 11 cm: room for a phone, wallet, tubes and snacks. It comes with a shoulder strap, so you take it with you at a café stop. The waterproof AWG Handlebar Bag holds 2.5 litres.

Choose this for all-day rides. Our handlebar bag guide explains what to check on your handlebar first.

Choose by the length of your ride

Up to two hours: a case in your jersey pocket, or a small saddle bag
Half a day: add a top tube bag for food
A full day: a handlebar bag or frame bag for a jacket and more food
Rain in the forecast: bags from the AWG collection, made of waterproof materials with taped seams

Not sure what to pack? See our checklist of what to bring on a road bike ride.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best bag for a road bike?

For most riders a small saddle bag for the repair kit, plus a case in the jersey pocket for phone, cards and keys. Add a top tube or handlebar bag when your rides get longer.

Does a bag slow you down on a road bike?

A small bag under the saddle, on the top tube or in the frame sits close to the bike and is hardly noticeable. A handlebar bag is larger, so save it for rides where you need the room.

Do I need bolt mounts on my frame?

No. All our road bike bags attach with straps or clips. Our top tube bags can also be bolted on if your frame has mounts; straps and bolts are both supplied.

Which road bike bags are waterproof?

The bags in our AWG collection: waterproof materials, taped seams and waterproof closures. The Snack Bag frame and top tube bags are weather-resistant.