What type of Bicycle saddle bags do I need?

The best bicycle saddle bags for your trip

So you’re ready to take a bike ride or tour but you don’t know what type of bicycle saddle bags you’ll need for your trip.  In order to answer this question there are several things you need to know.  How far you’re traveling, how long your trip is, and how much weight you’ll carry.
For short rides that are no longer than around 25 to 70 miles then you probably only need a good behind the seat saddle bag, handlebar bag, or under the top tube type bag.  A good behind the seat bag sits directly under your bike seat and is actually attached to the seat itself.  Depending on the size of the bag you can typically fit your bike tools, a tube or two, and a foldable tire.  The same goes for a

behind the seat bicycle saddle bag

handlebar bag.  It will hold about the same amount as a large behind the seat bag and rests right on your handlebars.  Finally a under the top tube bag is typically the smallest and most aerodynamic type of bag.  It attaches right under the top tube of the bike.  Some of these bags actually double as shoulder carry straps if you need to carry the bike over rough terrain.
For longer touring or rides that last multiple days you’ll need to carry much more gear and weight.  Attempting to stuff a handlebar bag full of heavy gear is a formula for a disastrous crash.  What you need are bicycle saddle bags that distribute the weight evenly and are low to the ground.  That’s where

bike panniers

panniers or bicycle saddle bags that hang off of front and rear racks over the front and rear wheels.  These bags will allow you to carry much more weight safely.   So finding the best bicycle saddle bags is about deciding on how much weight you need to carry and for how long.