Gravel / Gravé / Gnarmac / Groad / ATB

HAHAHA

@jontea @spotter thanks for the info, interesting that we can mash up bikes to meet our needs.

Why did you change fork?

This one is full carbon and 15mm thru axel. The old one was a boat anchor

Slender mans bike?

Huh?

Distance between contact points etc..

I thought you’d just noticed that I’d ninja edited the light and dark picture

What is the reason you have chosen this saddle bag instead of a holster with a drybag?

It doesn't sway side to side at all, weighs basically the same, can be used completely empty if you need to pick up shopping etc, you can open it to get stuff out without having to unpack your entire bag.
I had a saddle bag before the carradice and it was shite though it was a cheap one

Easy access appeals to me.
How is weather proofness?

Can’t say I’ve ridden it in much rain. It’s only heavy cotton. Suppose you could wax it or alternatively, attach loops to a big enough similar shape bag and use the Carradice bagman rack as support

You wanna borrow mine? @Hulsroy

Critical stuff go into a drybag?

Any Arkose alternatives for Western Europe? Tempted to get one to commute on but having not ridden on, it's hard to pull the trigger.

Thanks. I'd like to inspect it one day at least.
I won't be back in London till mid September tho.

Yeah I guess.
My current Restrap holster and Ortlieb drybag works well for now. But there is something about those Carradice bags

I have the Carradry SQR bag, which is waterproof and can take about the same amount of stuff. It doesn't look as nice, but works really well imo.

Get one of these - nothing can touch it for the money (£800 at the mo). I've had one for the last 18 months - the most versatile bike I've ever had. https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/boardman-cx-team-bike-50-53-55-5-57-5cm-frames

Swift industries make bags too if your feeling plush

I shall buy swift one day.
I want the rando back sooo much

It's cotton duck. It's already treated with parrafin wax. Also the outer layer is designed to swell when rain hits, closing the small gaps in the cotton.
https://www.carradice.co.uk/blog/cotton-duck-the-original-performance-fabric/76
They're pretty waterproof in my experience. The smaller Super C Audax is a good size too if you don't need to carry too much.

Heres some news: I hate my arkose