Opinion on front load setup

[David Madina]

Hello-

Currently running an acorn bag (sans Decaleur) setup on my elephant nfe... with swift industries having a 20% off sale on their sugarloaf bags, I’m tempted to make the switch. Anyone have any opinions on what’s the better setup? Currently using the bike as a commuter and, with new bike excitement, my weekend mixed road rides. Thanks.

[rcnute]

Messenger bag and bungee cord or net do it for me in terms of bag in a basket. That Sugarloaf looks real nice though.

Ryan

[William Lindsay]

Thanks for the heads up.  I've been wanting a SugarLoaf for a while.  That 20% discount made me pull the trigger. 

[Philip Kim]

it depends on how much you're bringing. 

i had a basket set up for awhile with the riv sackville. i was bringing my office clothes, etc commuting. however, i found it was a bit too much space. when going around bars, i just needed to bring a u lock and it would clunk around in the basket. this was generally the case if i didn't pack enough in general - the contents would just rattle inside.

also parking the bike rack was a bit of a hassle if there were already a lot of bikes locked up, as the basket is in the way.

now i have a rando bag set up, since i keep my office clothes at work. so i just bring my lunch, some toiletries and a small towel.

if i go to a bar, i just bring a bungee cable, and bungee the u-lock right on top the rando rack.

i have a rando bag from ruthworks that is just the right size - compact, but big enough to be able to haul some groceries if need be.

I would highly recommend a decaleur set up if you stay rando. it makes the bag much more secure. it eliminates the need to use the bottom straps (which I feel take the most time). just need make sure the back slips into the tombstone while you put the decaleur in. i would also recommend shoulder straps, makes carrying your bag around much easier.

[Jeremy Tavan]

I absolutely love the Sugarloaf bag from Swift, and own two of them. With the sale on I'm considering a third, but there are so many nice basket bags out there that I may opt for variety instead. The Swift bag is expensive, but has lots of useful pockets for a commuter type setup. It's a lot more construction labor than a simple roll-top bag with a clip or two. I fit two small laptops in mine, plus assorted electronics, chargers, and a compact change of clothes in it. It's a tight squeeze, but works. When strapped on to the basket it's rock solid. 

/Jeremy

On Monday, December 11, 2017 at 9:09:21 PM UTC-8, David Madina wrote:

[Alex Wetmore]

Thanks for mentioning the sale, I've been wanting one of these for my fiance's bike.

The Sugarloaf looks like one of the better non-decaleur setups in terms of quick and easy removal.  I do wish that they had at least one picture online showing how well it wears with the shoulder strap.

alex

---

From: 65...@googlegroups.com <65...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of David Madina <dmad...@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, December 11, 2017 3:56:38 PM
To: 650b
Subject: [650B] Opinion on front load setup

 

Hello-

Currently running an acorn bag (sans Decaleur) setup on my elephant nfe... with swift industries having a 20% off sale on their sugarloaf bags, I’m tempted to make the switch. Anyone have any opinions on what’s the better setup? Currently using the bike as a commuter and, with new bike excitement, my weekend mixed road rides. Thanks.

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[William Harrison]

I agree.  This is something I care about more than anything else with a bag.  If I can't comfortably carry a bag then I can't see it as very useful.  I don't understand why more rack/basket bags aren't made with truly functional shoulder straps or, even better, backpack straps.  Seems obvious to me, and it's being done with panniers all over the place.