Carradice Saddlebags

Which speedy stitcher did you buy? I've only ever bought the "Made in the USA" one. Guess it is worth the extra...

Do speedy stitchers come with a needle thin enough for patches on carradixes? Or stick with the hand needle..?

was thinking exactly the same thing...

I do all of mine with the speedy stitcher. Depends what you mean by "thin enough" I suppose.

Before stitching I can recommend reproofing the area, using waxed thread, and a bit of spray water repellent (like scotchguard) on the patch itself.

Works well but colour matching the thread helps to hide cack-handedness.

1 Attachment

Just a random one off eBay for a tenner. The needle isn’t very sharp, the bobbin is a nightmare. Buy cheap buy twice. D’oh.

Having used it now, these new buckles are an absolute game changer. Work exactly as I’d hoped. So much quicker and easier than the old leather ones.

1 Attachment

inspirational. Where'd you source the buckles from?

https://www.contactleft.co.uk/diy-tactical-buckles-fabrics/fidlock.html
But they available on Amazon and eBay too it seems. Expensive but very satisfying. They re attach with magnets in each part. £8 a buckle is silly money, but they’re pretty good!

1 Attachment

• IMG_3266.MOV

I refuse to give up on mounting a bagman to my handlebars.
The plan so far. Use a handlebar extension kit, mount it so the extension bar sits on top of the stem. Drill the extension bar and mount 2x m6 bolts through it, then add 7mm x 0.5mm thick brass sleeves to replicate saddle rails. Then clamp bagman on. There’ll need to be jiggery pokery with washers and nuts I imagine, but seems workable and none of the parts are too expensive. Hopefully all in for about £20.

Primary concerns are it rotating downwards/the mount slipping, but hopefully some straps (like the jack rack uses) should hold it all together. And I’ll probably need some consideration to stop it being too noisy from metal on metal contact. Probably some heli tape on contact points.

Any suggestions?

3 Attachments

Surely easier and safer to add a klicknfix plate onto the back of the carradice (as someone mentioned somewhere) and use the normal handlebar adapter, and maybe something like a bumper bar to stop it sagging?

I’ve got a klickfix on the way via someone on here, but I want some under bag support to stop it sagging.
I’ve ordered all the bits, and it was only £25 all in. And should be easy enough to make up some others.

Was wondering about bending some steel rod around the bars and over the stem, to come out above and then clamp the bagman to as if they were saddle rails.

A much less neat version of the stem like Hulsroy here https://www.instagram.com/p/CvzR4JFsjYh/?img_index=4

Do you need the QR feature of the bagman? Otherwise you could unscrew the whole mounting plate and just attach the steel rails straight to your handlebar extension.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225486116322 saw this thing on ebay lately. A bit like a jack the rack but without the niceties.

I’m not familiar enough with bending rods to envision it going anything but badly. Seems more straightforward though I must admit.

I quite like bolting shit together though.

Yeah, the QR is the best bit, especially with a shoulder strap on the bag.

Seems pointless with the original available from UK sellers for £90. Seems a bit rudimentary otherwise.

The Carradice Bagman QR bodge bar mount is born. Or the CBGQRBBM for short.

Needs some fettling, maybe a strap to help hold it down, and some foam between the bagman and stem.

4 Attachments

That’s bloody marvellous. Right in the Carradice / CTC / Audax ethos.
Was there a reason to do it though? Other than to prove you could?

I love how it works on the saddle - supports the bag, QR is very handy when paired with a shoulder strap for the bag. But when I ride my muddy fox with my son on the back, I can’t mount panniers on the rear with the kids seat on (and panniers are a faff to carry off the bike), I can’t wear a bag as it’s right in his face, so having a bag that fits on and off easily is a massive plus.
And it seemed like surely there was a way to do it that shouldn’t cost too much because I already had the bagman. And even then front rack or bar rack options wouldn’t have the QR anyway.
Probably about £25 in bits. Even less if I made another!

Looks brilliant! Certainly cheaper than the currently available Rando racks!

The mount is surprisingly simple tbh.

1 Attachment

That's good that. How is the extension bar for weight bearing? Solid enough?

It’s a very flimsy tube, but would easily be replaced. I reckon vibration will enlarge the holes as the first problem, but for load bearing, I think it’s fine as I want it sat on the stem - strapped down, and a foam pad. The bigger issue is the fixings rotating on the bars, and the extension bar rotating. Just need to see how it all fits up on the other stem and bars.