Saddle Sack Medium w/ Nitto Big Back Rack

[Darin G.]

Anyone out there with experience resting the Saddle Sack Medium on a
Nitto Big Back Rack? I know it can flop on top of the loop at the
front end of the rack like in the pics on the website, but I don't
care for that look and I'd rather it sit level on the top of the rack
and snug against the loop at the front. This will go on a 56 Sam
(single top tube, thank you). If you have pics it would be helpful.

[Pondero]

I use that set-up on my 56 AHH 650b, and am quite satisfied. Yes, I'd
prefer that the bag sit flat on the top of the rack, and not on the
loop. But in camping mode, I'm still able to pack everything I need,
and with lesser loads, the bag simply molds around the loop. I find
that the appearance/mold-to-shape feature improves as the bag ages. I
don't have a good direct side view, but here's a photo...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28889177@N06/5335988157/in/set-72157622988506313/

I have a few other photos on my blog, if you are in a browsing mood...

http://chris-pondero.blogspot.com/

If no one has a better view for you, let me know and I'll get you a
side view.

[Rene Sterental]

I also didn't like how it sits so when I installed the Big Rack I
removed the medium SaddleSack and got a set of the gray Sackville
panniers instead which I'll be trying next week.

I also need to carry my 14" laptop on my commute and cannot have it go
over the raised handle on the Big Rack, as opposed to camping stuff
that could.

The final reason I'm exploring a different setup is that on my
Atlantis, when I had the SaddleSack loaded with the laptop and other
stuff, the bike shimmies as soon as I remove my hands from the bar and
sometimes, at speed on bumpy roads, even when my hands are on the bar.
The bike doesn't shimmy with the same load on one pannier. Photos will
be shared next week.

Rene

Sent from my iPhone 4

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[Pondero]

Maybe my best side view photo...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28889177@N06/5965175849/in/photostream

[Rene Sterental]

Is that a smaller 650B frame? On my 61 Atlantis, the rack sits much
farther back and there is no way to position the bag properly without
having to pull it back quite a bit so it sits tilted.

Rene

Sent from my iPhone 4

On Jul 22, 2011, at 5:48 PM, Pondero <cj.sp...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Maybe my best side view photo...
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/28889177@N06/5965175849/in/photostream
>

[Mike]

It doesn't work well on my Hilsen (63cm) with the Big Nitto Rack but
it works great with the Nitto Top Rack. I think it depends on the
bike, size and saddle height.

Here's mine with the Top Rack:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/41335973@N00/4982443897/in/set-72157613195465589

I guess the pictue isn't so great but the two work well together, not
perfect, but well. With 2 zip ties the bag is secure and with minimal
sway. It is a little annoying without the rack.

--mike

[Pondero]

Rene, my 650b AHH is a 56, significantly smaller than your Atlantis.
The bag does rest on the front loop of the rack, but sort of molds
around it. I guess with my smaller frame it doesn't really look too
bad. It is attached at the saddle, and with small bungie cords at the
back and rides reasonably stable. It's not ideal, but don't perceive
any lost functionality.

[Darin G.]

Mike, helpful photo. Is that a medium or a large saddle sack?

After looking at my setup again its clear Big Rack does ride quite a
way to the rear to keep the panniers out of the way. Don't see how
the bag will fit on there without flopping over the loop at the
front. So, I'll probably get the bag and see how it works and then
get a Top Rack if I can't live with the asymmetry of the bag flopped
over the front of the rack a la Pondero's setup. The bag is simply
too cool not to have and the bike will see far more use with the
saddle bag than panniers.

[Joe Bernard]

I've tried it on a couple different racks. The bag simply isn't designed to ride like that. In my opinion, if you're loading it so much that it's causing handling problems, you need a bigger bag suited for a rack. I carry tools, layers, food, etc., in mine unsupported, and it works great. It's on my "no rack, no fenders" Bstone CB-Zip, and I like the minimalist "only what you need" look.

 

Joe Bernard

Fairfield, CA.

[Brett Lindenbach]

what you need is a nitto q/r saddlebag grip for your medium saddle sack.  i have this and it anchors the bag further back at the top, so that it sits plenty far back on my nitto r14 top rack.  i also like the q/r, as i use this for commuting and like to bring my bag inside when i shop.  for what its worth, i ride a 59 cm blériot.

[Joe Bernard]

Hmm, that's a good idea. I had it mounted to a q/r without a rack, and
it drooped down in the rear in relation to its seatpost strap because
it moved the bag back and down so much. I can see where a rack would
have solved that. Of course, I solved it by ditching the q/r, but
there ya go..

Joe Bernard
Fairfield, CA.



On Jul 23, 5:02 pm, Brett Lindenbach <brett.lindenb...@gmail.com>
wrote:

[Rene Sterental]

I tried the QR already and it didn't work for me.

Rene

Sent from my iPhone 4

[Rick]

"what you need is a nitto q/r saddlebag grip for your medium saddle
sack. i
have this and it anchors the bag further back at the top, so that it
sits
plenty far back on my nitto r14 top rack. i also like the q/r, as i
use
this for commuting and like to bring my bag inside when i shop. for
what
its worth, i ride a 59 cm blériot."

I've used a similar set-up for a good while, mostly with a 57 Blériot,
except I had it sitting on a Mark's rack on the rear. The quick
release put the bag in the right spot to slip the leather slit over
the raised portion of the rack. It worked well for me.

Rick.

[Mike]

Hey Darin, I was gone for a few days. The bag is a medium. It does
work fine without a support. If you stand up to pedal it sways back
and forth a bit. It might be worth getting the large if you're gonna
use it with a rack.

--mike

[Rene Sterental]

Yes, I think you can wing it on smaller frames like you have.

I rode with the Sackville panniers today for the first time since I
got them. The laptop fits but leaves a largish opening on the top
flap. I have it covered with a neoprene sleeve and it didn't appear to
get dusty from the ride on the gravel trail. Everything else is
covered with a thin layer of dust during the summer months, although I
have to say that the fenders help a lot with the dust as well.

Sent from my iPad

[Kelly Sleeper]

JuSt a note .. My wife just rode 500 miles on her 61cm Atlantis with medium rear tweed bag loaded to the gills.
No shimmy even on high speed decents.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tksleeper/6050516750/in/set-72157627330044903

Kelly

[René Sterental]

Kelly, great post on your latest tour.

Just to note, can you tell me what tires and what headset she's running on her pretty red Atlantis? Next week I'm going to test the 40mm Duremes on the Atlantis to see what differences I can find compared to the 50mm Supremes. In a couple of weeks, when I get a chance, I'll take it to RBW to have Jay replace the Chris King headset for a needle bearing NOS Stronglight I was able to find online.

From my single ride with the SlickerSack/Platrack loaded combo on Monday, it seems that the front load significantly reduces the shimmy tendencies. Will need to do some more testing...

René

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