Carradice Saddlebags

the inner tube solution, if done correctly holds an extra water bottle (1.5l evian) for light (but 1.5kg heavier) touring on a hot weekend.

Made an example pic of innertube handle in water carrying mode:

Nice. I also use it as a d-lock holster. Lock bike, has handle.

Shall I patent it and become as rich as someone who isn't very rich at all?

Based on my estimate of predicted income for you, it depends if there're costs* involved in patenting or not.

• anything above £1 will wipe out profit in years 1 to 5.
  

27 x Sue
12 x Priscilla
10 x Debby
7 x Christine
7 x Janet
7 x Andrea
4 x Susan
4x Emma
2 x Kelly
2 x Margareta
1 x Debi
1 x Gill
1 x Vicky

Thanks rhb, great advice. Are you a patent lawyer? Do I owe you some money now?

I can pretend to be if you like, but I charge extra for role-play.

Dj - what bag has Emma made for you?

It's a brommmmmmmmpton m bag.

28 x Sue
12 x Priscilla
10 x Debby
7 x Christine
7 x Janet
7 x Andrea
4 x Susan
4x Emma
2 x Kelly
2 x Margareta
1 x Debi
1 x Gill
1 x Vicky

Another Sue creation. Just purchased a Super C Saddle Bag with the Bagman 2 QR for LEJOG. The girlfriend has the Camper Longflap. First thoughts when comparing the 2 is that you don't really notice the 1 litre difference.

I have a nelson longflap with the bagman QR and just bought a Romin pro. If I attempt to use these together are the carbon rails likely to shatter into a million pieces killing everyone in the vicinity?

Stitched a new handle. Fuck knows why there isnt one there already. All you need is 200mm length bit of nylon done...

Haha knew there was something missing. Will do this for sure (or maybe find someone with better sewing skillz)

I've just had a cursory glance through this thread and no-one seems to have mentioned this, so it seems not as common a problem as I would imagine, but: I have a Brooks B15 (Swallow) and a Pendle; sometimes I load it up fairly heavily (locks, water etc.), but not usually, and obviously there's a limit to how heavy it could get, but, the straps attaching the saddlebag to the saddle are just getting torn to fuck; the straps are hanging from the corners of the attachment points on the saddle rather than the centre, and the uneven pressure is just ripping the straps to bits. Basically what seems to be the problem is the holes on the saddlebag where the straps go through are further apart than the ones on the saddle -- but they are supposed to be designed for each other and so you would expect them to be the same. Have I just got an odd saddle? Is this something that's a problem with the B15 but not other Brookses? Am I doing something else wrong? It's just this is a problem that I've never heard anyone else comment on with owning a Carradice -- I get the impression that people just attach them once and then 40 years later they're still going strong, but I've had to swap one strap already and another one is on its way out (and I don't have another spare to swap it for!)

I have no idea how long they're supposed to last but have at least 1 of the little leather buckle strap things that I never intend to use... If you're still locking up in the same bike cage I'll pop it on your handlebars next time I remember

Ahhh that would be amazing :) Much appreciated!

No problem, if I find the others lying around I'll add them as/when, although I might have given them away previously

Janet made both my Super C saddle bag and my Super C front panniers. Thank you Janet <3.

28 x Sue
12 x Priscilla
10 x Debby
9 x Janet
7 x Christine
7 x Andrea
4 x Susan
4x Emma
2 x Kelly
2 x Margareta
1 x Debi
1 x Gill
1 x Vicky

I've just had a cursory glance through this thread and no-one seems to have mentioned this, so it seems not as common a problem as I would imagine, but: I have a Brooks B15 (Swallow) and a Pendle; sometimes I load it up fairly heavily (locks, water etc.), but not usually, and obviously there's a limit to how heavy it could get, but, the straps attaching the saddlebag to the saddle are just getting torn to fuck; the straps are hanging from the corners of the attachment points on the saddle rather than the centre, and the uneven pressure is just ripping the straps to bits. Basically what seems to be the problem is the holes on the saddlebag where the straps go through are further apart than the ones on the saddle -- but they are supposed to be designed for each other and so you would expect them to be the same. Have I just got an odd saddle? Is this something that's a problem with the B15 but not other Brookses? Am I doing something else wrong? It's just this is a problem that I've never heard anyone else comment on with owning a Carradice -- I get the impression that people just attach them once and then 40 years later they're still going strong, but I've had to swap one strap already and another one is on its way out (and I don't have another spare to swap it for!)

It may be possible to remove the current hangers and replace them with these. More than worth it, maybe.

Has anyone fitted a Super C saddlebag with SQR on a small frame? My bike is size 50 and I´m not sure if it will rub on the tyre...

I think the problem is threefold.

1. bag loops on Brooks saddles are not as smoothly filed as they used to be, causing more wear on the leather straps. I'm sure I remember there being extra inserts on some as well that would have more smooth edges?
   
2. Carradice leather straps do seem a little more prone to cracking up, but this is just conjecture on my part - in the past I gave them less of a workout anyway because...
   
3. Also in days of yore folk would just strap a bag on and leave it there for years. Nowadays due to security concerns we expect to be able to attach and remove it daily, which adds to the stress on the straps. I can recommend the boat cleat trick
   if you're attaching and removing on a regular basis. The bag ends up hanging a little lower, but it's worth this mild annoyance to save on the faff of attaching/detaching twice a day on my commute.
   
   

Incidentally my Nelson longflap was manufactured by Debby, so I've added that onto the list.

28 x Sue
12 x Priscilla
11 x Debby
9 x Janet
7 x Christine
7 x Andrea
4 x Susan
4x Emma
2 x Kelly
2 x Margareta
1 x Debi
1 x Gill
1 x Vicky

If you attach/detach a carradice regularly then consider an SQR mounting:-

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u249/freddered/BarleySQRFitting.jpg

Or the classic rack.

If you attach/detach a carradice regularly then consider an SQR mounting:-

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u249/freddered/BarleySQRFitting.jpg

But boat cleats are about ten times cheaper and far less cumbersome ;)

But boat cleats rattle and your underseat plastic bags get in the way. A classic rack is far easier and when used with small bags like the Barley it adds a carrying handle.

I'd grab a classic rack if I could find one (I assume you mean the old karrimor ones with the little lugs for the bag loops?)

I have a classic/vintage/whatever seatstay-mounted rack to keep the bag off the wheels/mudguard, but of course this is no good for hanging the bag in the first place. Does stop the bag from wobbling though.