Ready-to-buy large saddle bags

What are the options (all prices) for large saddle bags? Budget is tight, but no point buying into a false economy.

Needs to fit to a road bike (no racks or eyelets), with about 15cm of seat tube

I want something that will not swing about, and will be secured to the seat tube and saddle only, without a noticeable rub against the thighs when cycling (so, narrow end, preferably).

Probably the bag will be used for clothing, to accompany a backpack and maybe a very small additional bag elsewhere (bike tools and snacks).

Very important, must be an off-the-shelf option, no lead time, trip will take place in a few weeks so must be available to order and test/use immediately.

Alpkit?
Ortlieb?

alpkit
carradice
revelate designs
apidura
wildcat

Bridge Street

I had an AlpKit one which in a tired state on a long Audax I think I must have failed to do up properly, leaving a strap loose and ended up snapping my seatpost as a result. I bought a Revelate one as a replacement for the destroyed bag. It seems to be better designed than the Alpkit one I have to say.

I'm very tempted to use a Alpkit wedge shaped dry-sack (airlok tapered?) with extra straps, to save weight and money. It will only be used for clothing.

The Bridge Street bags look great, but I'm keen to avoid the width of my bike increasing, so preferring to keep everything inline best I can.

Okay reading about, that's pretty much a terrible idea and I should buy the proper thing, that secures well.

...How did it snap a seatpost!?

Carradice SQR Tour is working a treat for me and has done for the past couple of years, including being part of the luggage for a 3 week euro tour and using it every day for my commute.

Carradice Audax

Has anyone info on this quite low cost option? KTM?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Road-Bike-Mtb-touring-seat-saddle-bag-18ltr-ktm-Coast-To-Coat-Long-Distance-Trip-/271892824830?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368

EDIT: "KTM Saddle Bag Tour XL" http://www.mkvsport.eu/mkvsport/KTM-Saddle-Bag-Tour-XL-18L-d1023.htm?tab=description

Did anyone ever take a punt on this?

Actually yea, on a couple other threads we chatted about it. @santino and I both bought one and happily used it for our London-Paris stint.

It's fair quality but you need to add extra straps. We both added straps to hold it tight against the bike and avoid swinging about.

We bought the bag direct from MKV and it arrived very fast.

Which one did you buy?

Old thread, but wondering if anybody tried this on carbon saddle rails? My carbon railed saddle is simply most comfortable on long distance.

The bag in packed state will be a fraction of my 85kg weight, but I am worried about the rails not being designed for the lateral pull. Does anybody have any experience with this?

FYI Alpkit seem to be releasing a bigger and better one soon: https://www.alpkit.com/products/big-papa

The KTM bag was fine on the Spesh body geometry saddle with carbon rails

For anyone wondering about the relative merits between a Carradice Barley and a Nelson, I posted a review and comparison on YACF: https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=22961.msg412292#msg412292

for the record, the Nelson is on my daily commuter and after 6 years looks completely unchanged. My Barley is made of older stock cotton duck and has really faded. I sort of prefer it, but it does need reproofing.

Thanks that's reassuring. An idea what kind of load in terms of kg?

In the meanwhile I've got a wanted post for a Cambium C15 to be safe ;)

Mmm couldn't say, the times I tried it was 60-70% filled. Contents were overshoes hydration tabs thin wool (suit) trousers a couple tshirts toothbrush soap etc, so mostly not heavy things. The top was folded over a few rolls and I have had extra straps on it to hold it tight against the seatpost and the frame. So your mileage may vary, but the load was not all on the saddle rails whenever I tried it.

In the end I was riding an ISM Adamo for greater comfort, so metal rails when loaded up heavier.

Much appreciated pdlouche.

Since this is an old post, I have discovered that there are a lot more manufacturers now than about a year ago. Altura and Topeak are joining the fray which will no doubt lower the price a bit which is good news (see http://road.cc/content/tech-news/205640-whyte-canyon-wilier-cube-jlaverack-vaaru-pinarello-ribble-one-viner-planet near the bottom) and also found this useful: http://www.cyclingabout.com/complete-list-of-bikepacking-bag-manufacturers/. Just FYI.

Cheers for the info, am currently trying to figure out how to get more luggage onto the Brompton without getting a rack.