Carradice Saddlebags

It has the Carradice dedicated support, which dictates the height

Ramsaye in reply to @Diamond_Supercool
Could you use some kind of p clip to attach the support struts to the bagman 1 frame?

bluebikerider in reply to @Diamond_Supercool
Wouldn't the original struts work with some rack spares slid over the new steel one before you insert into the quick release?

We need a proper multi quote function...

I'm working on this at the moment using rack spares. Will post results.

I did exactly that, after my bagman 2 broke at the same spot behind the plate the struts attach to. Has been solid for over a year now.

Didn't get a free replacement, had to buy it.

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Carradice need to get their s**t together, not only here but online there's quite few occurrence of failure.
I raised problem of max load with their classic model... The original allowance in their spec was way too high, they reduced it afterwards.
Great bags, poor supports, which, considering the price is a bit disappointing...
They re-visited their catalogue with fancy design input recently, asking with price increase. Time to invest in a bit of R&D now...

I'm moderately happy with my Super C saddlepack, but with the bikepacking market booming and the quality of stuff coming from, example, Apidura, Carradice should really up their game.
I checked an Apidura saddle pack out at a local shop, stable on the bike, whereas the Carradice swings like a pendulum.
I'm considering getting the sewing machine out and doing a couple of test straps, then may report back to Carradice.

After your post I went googling Apidura... Without having seen the product in the flesh and, and without doubting the qualities, that's a definitely different feel...
I'd miss the Carradice rustic-ness with something like that.

Aye, different, but it's the way that kind of saddlepack is going. Carradice can't rely on rustic charm forever.

I think durability and functionality have allowed Carradice to last this long, the rustic charm thing is a recent phenom.

As I have only ever purchased the one product off Carradice, I can only comment on my experience, which is one of moderate satisfaction, it will be my one and only purchase from them.

/\ agreed (to withered preacher's comment)
(But just for the bags, less for the bag supports)

I find the ones that use the QR mounts, like the SQR Tour, are very stable.

I mostly have done without supports, or DIY if I want to keep the bag off a wheel.

So what was the story with Carradice discontinuing the Bagman 2 supports? Did they keep breaking?

Was about to buy an Mk 2 Expedition to replace my slightly bouncy Mk 1 version but I guess it's not worth it now

I am really torn with my Carradice, the sqr offers no support so with any moderate weight it has way to much sideways movement. I swapped to the sqr as with the bagman I couldn't get my saddle far enough back.

Been starting to look at other options.

Have you shimmed the sqr block clamp rings with old inner tube rubber? Makes it a lot tighter.

I really don't have any trouble with saddlebags secured at the bottom onto a pannier rack. Also means I can use panniers on the bike, just switch bags. Or both. It pulls the bag downwards and away from the legs, works just as well on a saddle with no bag loops. Dunno why you all bother with those bouncy rack things. Mine actually shook itself loose and fell off cos it was 'held' by those crappy grub screws that can't take any torque, and it immediately got run over by a car. The ends of the steel wire don't even have anything flat or indented for the grubs to bite, no wonder it slipped out.

+1

I think I read somewhere they indeed stopped making the new model because they break. Although the Expedition size seems to be holding up, from what I've heard, as it has thicker tubing than the Sport.

The steel rod on my bagman has some indents at the ends for the bolts. I believe they started making them that way a couple of years ago. Could've just made the whole clamp of steel and weld it, like they did the aluminum one. Here's someones review with picture of the holes for the bolts.

Easier access than on a bikepacking tyle bag. And doesn't sway like those often do. And pretty much waterproof.

Don't understand what you're talking about.
If it's what I'm thinking about, I do it on my bike which has a panniers rack, but the qr thingy, although I doubt its longevity (just bought one) is really cool on my bike with no mudguards/no rack...
Also, there's the problem of bike / saddle to wheel distance, which make the ideal solution different for everybody

Ummm yeah of course different bikes need different solutions. I guess I think pannier racks are just better. More flexible for adding different kinds of bags/loads, a mount for a light, yada yada.

Yada Yada yes but what rack you talking about? Doesn't it look messy? When I do it there's always the risk of the saddle bag falling sideways... How do you make it work was what I was wondering and with which rack?

Messy? What looks odd to me is when I see a Carradice cantilevered (bagman et cetera) out there in space with no obvious support. It's not a box, it's made of canvas and over time it will sag and adapt to whatever you put in it.
I think a rack (any rack that fits your bike) or unsupported (if the bag is small enough) is the way to carry a Carradice.
Maybe bikepacking stuff would better suit your needs.

Narrow racks won't hold a large saddle bag, which will falls on both sides. But happy to be shown a picture showing otherwise. As I said depending on the bike I'm riding I sometime do it, but somehow reluctantly, not practical, tendency to fall to one side if loading not scientifically done...
I don't like bikepacking, no my world.
Carradice is very much my world though, I used their products for years and I'm a fan. I recently changed my Nelson for a super C for superfluous reasons.
I agree with you about unsupported Carradice, this is what I've been doing really over the years: attaching successfully and happily my saddle bag to my saddle loops, and loving having a saddle bag... But I realized that when in a rush for everyday commuting, I was towards the end using my panniers more because they get off the bike in seconds unlike leather straps, etc... So I started looking into saddle bag supports and, to my disappointment Carradice don't do these well, not enough sense there. My point is that it's a shame because, ffs, how hard can it be to come up with a decent product!
Currently, expedition qr is fine, high position doesn't bother me, and I don't understand why it should. I'm only concerned that it will break, because of bad structural design and am considering adding supporting struts if I manage to do that neatly.

I bought my carrasice seconds hand, think its called a college or something, a4 size. Previous owner must have put a thin rectangular piece of chip board at the bottom so that sagging isn't a thing for me.

Bikepacking saddlebags are awesome. Just not for commuting and unpacking stuff from imo.

@veLLo Any rack. I'll take a pic of my new Super C on the Dave Yates.

I guess if you carry boules around or something very heavy like that you might find they sag at the sides. I use my pump across the bottom of the bag to help maintain the shape. You could even add a stiffening piece of something if it bothered you.