Carradice Saddlebags

The SQR is dreadful with a saddle bag, especially if you carry very much weight. The QR bagman is much better but still not perfect because the strap that would go around the seatpost doesn't work on the frame of the rack, so the bag can move, especially if you ever get out of the saddle. But with a light weight and a full bag (ie a change of clothes and stuff) it is pretty good.

Can you expand on this? I have an SQR but I'm not going to get offended by your opinion that you think it's terrible! Just intrigued why as I've not tried anything else and always found it easy to use and solid as fuck. Not pretty for sure, but seems to do the job well.

Can you expand on this? I have an SQR but I'm not going to get offended by your opinion that you think it's terrible! Just intrigued why as I've not tried anything else and always found it easy to use and solid as fuck. Not pretty for sure, but seems to do the job well.

When I had it mine used to swing quite badly (Barley) and the wooden dowel actually snapped due to the load of 2 D-locks in there. The bagman supports under the bag which prevents this.

That was just my experience though.

Never noticed the swinging particularly, did you have it tied to the SQR frame with the lower strap too (which would usually go around the seatpost)?

I did, yeah. I put it down to the fact that pretty much the only thing in their is two D-locks though. If it was full of clothes, say, I don't think it would have swung so much.

I washed mine nearly cold in the washing machine after a bottle of ginger beer exploded in there making it smelly and sticky. Used a tiny bit of washing powder(non-bio, in case it matters) and put it in a pillowcase.
It came out stink free but maybe half a shade lighter(although that was likely just filth, not dye). Then used half a tin of barbour wax on it to reproof. That seemed to do the job just fine.

Thanks BTW :)

This is what I've used for our unsupported Pyrenees/Alps trips over the last few years. Seriously can't fault its functionality, doesn't move at all (like I hear the classic ones do?) and stayed pretty waterproof, even when over-packed. Obviously doesn't look as nice as the classic options but works seriously well. I would also agree that their customer service is second-to-none; I've dealt with them a few times..

Its the Carradry Glentress.

No don't put it in the washing machine. It's best not to wash at all if possible but if the dirt won't brush off, you should wash in warm water with soap - NOT DETERGENT.

You will then need to reproof with Barbour's or Granger's re-proofing wax (or we sell it online). To re-proof, ensure that the bag is completely dry. Warm the tin to soften the wax and apply to the bag using a clean dry cloth (put extra on the seams) . Finally, blow with a hot air gun or hair dryer and the wax will melt into the fabric.

So there ya go!

looking to kit out my Toei with some nice bags... preferrably saddle and handlebar only.

A Carradice Camper Longflap seems to be the best choice if I don't want to fit a rear rack and would like to do a little light touring from B&B to B&B for a week or more.

But... why don't they have a matching style handlebar bag? Those are all ugly!

Being a Toei, is that bike designed for a front load?

Gilles Berthoud?

Yes, it should be well able to carry a handlebar bag, supported by the Nitto rack, why do you think it might not be?

I'd like matching bags, and Gilles Berthoud's saddle bags are not as nice as the Carradices... Ostrich is also an option, but basically the same problem.

I have an Ostrich handlebar bag, very very nice but wasn't able to get matching rear saddlebag.

Other option is from Rivendell, and Swift Industries make full custom bag if you're happy to spend a bit, they even come in whatever colour you want to match with the bike;

http://www.builtbyswift.com/

Yes, it should be well able to carry a handlebar bag, supported by the Nitto rack, why do you think it might not be?

I assumed that it designed for such load, was just making sure.

interestingly enough, it appear a front handlebar bag is more aerodynamic than a rear saddlebag.

swift bags look nice too, thanks for the link!

I can imagine a saddle bag causes more drag and increases the frontal surface because it's wider than one's bum, whereas a handlebar bag doesn't add much in both those equations

...but I think mdcc_tester will have to give the verdict on that (but he's probably not to be found in this thread ;-))

Someone did such experiment;

Perhaps more surprising to many, front bags were more aerodynamic than rear ones. A handlebar bag was more aerodynamic than a Carradice saddlebag that extended just slightly beyond the hips of the rider (see photo at the top of this post). Front panniers (on low-rider racks) were more aerodynamic than rear panniers.

http://janheine.wordpress.com/2012/05/02/aerodynamics-of-real-world-bicycles/

so... a couple of weeks before my planned bike trip Carradice decides to discontinue the bagman support, apparently only have these ugly, black monstrosities now:

anyone have a hint as to availability of the old bagman (silver, without added stays) supports?

Wow. A quick search yielded nothing but it looks like you can unscrew those stays at least.

The support struts do slide free if you don't want them, leaving that bracket underneath.

Does look it, and I think it actually a useful feature.

The bagman was a huge advantage in keeping the bag stable, I reckon that adaption even more so when under heavy load.

Ride with no support. I enjoy the feeling of the bag tapping out messages of joy on the back of my thighs.

A camper longflap fully packed with no support, hmmm...

I'd love a silver bagman though, black will be very mismatched on my classic styled Toei as well as my GF's Vittorio.

googles sandpaper

Unless you're a rather tall 'un, a light cheap rear rack can do the job.

The other option is this;

They were popular but not sure where to buy it from.

Unless you're a rather tall 'un, a light cheap rear rack can do the job.

1.84m, not extremely tall. Thanks for your suggestions but but no rear rack will be fitted to either bike. I really like the idea of the saddle bag and just want what seemed the perfect setup until a couple of weeks ago. Now in contact with Carradice, maybe they have some old stock still. Fingers crossed.

Some bike shop may still stock them, Condor and BikeFix come to mind, worth giving them a bell to ask if they have such mount in stock.