Rule #31 was conceived out of necessity, aesthetics and plain good taste. Seeing an oversized saddle bag hanging limply by velcro under a Flite, Arione or Regal just isn’t right. Frame pumps, while they undoubtedly do the finest job of inflating a tube, add nothing but bulk and clutter to the lines of a frame (and aren’t compatible with the majority of curvy, plastic frames prominent today). While a folded tubular held under the seat with a Christophe toe-strap may have been de riguer and kinda cool back in the day, running tubs nowadays is not only uncommon, but an exercise in futility should one ride on any road less smooth and glass-free than a baby’s bum. So you see, Rule #31 was a no-brainer.
But even this most important of Rules has its drawbacks; stuffing the three pockets of your jersey can leave you looking like the Hunchback of Notre Dame, albeit with the hunch on the lower back, and more akin to a series of tumours across the hips and lower spine. Not a pretty sight. My usual pocket-stuffing routine would entail a tube and tyre levers bundled together with a rubber band, stuffed in the middle pocket, with a mini pump accompanying it. The phone would go in the right hip pocket, along with a camera (if there were to be some photo ops along the route, or blatant bike porn shots) and gels and bars in the left. Any extraneous clothing shed en route (arm warmers, cap, gloves) would then be forced in wherever they would fit. If a jacket was required, then all hell would break loose.
But recently I happened by chance upon an item that has made my life, and my riding experience all the easier and clutter-free. Lezyne products were having a season launch of their new, cool gear, and everyone attending received a free gift; in my case, I was handed the Caddy Sack, a simple PVC pouch. Inside was a metal patch kit with glueless patches, and a pair of mini tyre levers. I took it with a degree of dismissal, thinking it would just end up in the pile of superfluous bike crap scattered around my house. But I decided I’d see how much I could load it up, and was surprised to find that it holds a veritable shitload of gear. There’s room aplenty for a tube, levers, patch kit, multi tool, card wallet and phone. But if I want to, I can easily ft in another tube, a bar or two and a couple of gels. And it fits with ease into the middle pocket of all my jerseys, especially the sweet V jersey which is always the go-to garment of choice. This leaves the two outside pockets with more room than ever for whatever the ride requires from the aforementioned list-of-crap-one-may-carry.
Sitting alongside the 31 Sack is always the best mini pump I’ve ever used, the Lezyne Pressure Drive M (for medium). Why is it the best? Just look at it! It’s sexy, yeah, but for such a small unit it packs plenty of air into each stroke, and I can get a geniune 100PSI into my tubes during any roadside repair. But the best feature is the flexible screw-in hose, which eliminates the chance of breaking off the screw-on end of Presta valves, as has happened to the best of us when vigourously hacking away with a fixed-head pump. C’mon, admit it, you’ve done it. No more chance of that with this little beauty. Quite simply, it rules (31 especially).
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Do you guys also carry co2 as well as the Lezyne pump?
Marko posted a picture the other day of his fancy calf-tattoo upgrade, and I noticed his was mounted right to the side of his bidon cage on the downtube.
Seems like a pretty good spot for it, and by far the heaviest items in my jersey-pocket gear bag are my two co2 canisters and chuck. Getting rid of them in exchange for the Lezyne is an option, and I don't get flats often enough (knock on wood!!!!) that I'm really worried about needing the speed of co2 all the time...
@mcsqueak
I don't. The only time I have considered it is on the rare cold and rainy day here but the lezyne pump doesn't take much longer than co2 and helps keep you warm anyway. That is my rationalization, at least.
@mcsqueak
I'm with you on this. I'll be purchasing a Road Drive M (black) and mounting to my seat tube within the next week or so. That, combined with the tire levers velcroed under my saddle, leaves my pocket contents to:
- money clip (Ti, of course!) with $ & cards
- single key (either house or car)
- phone
- tube
Minimalist, for sure - but I hate crap in my pockets if I don't have to.
@mcsqueak
I've never used the co2 canisters. Never have seen the need. Just a small hand pump in the back pocket for the last 5 years. Used to have a slica frame pump back in the 80's/early 90's. Maybe I should try the canisters b/c I truly have no idea what I am missing, although I have never had a problem with my mini handpump either.
Mmm love the look of Lezyne stuff all that brushed aluminium...but I am afraid I deliberately break this V rule by sticking with my very tidy little willy!
My Caddy Sack has developed two small holes at the corner seams, near the zipper. My seems (silver version) have always been pretty tough, even sticking in my back a bit. Material is very stiff and they are pointy.
Anyway, now water will be able to get into the Sack. Mine was purchased in June 2011.
Has this happened to anyone? Already sent a note to Lezyne to see if they can help me or if I need to send back to the dealer.
I'm wonder if the black one is a better/different material? Black seems harder to find.
@Ron
I'm sorry this happened to you, but I find it hilarious that you posted this minutes after I ordered one of these things, weeks since the previous post in the thread.
Salice Rule #31 bidon cage tool holder ... http://twitpic.com/bn3wfr. I haz one.
Just looked at the Lezyne site for one of these, but it seems to have been redesigned and I don't like the new model as much! :(
Thanks for the tip - it's rather brilliant in its simplicity, and fit's in the right pocket counterbalancing gels and other misc crap in the right. There's even room for a road rash kit.