Looking for any input on Carradice saddle bags

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Steve

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Oct 27, 2021, 10:29:59 AM10/27/21
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Looking for opinions on Carradice saddle bags, I need a bag to go between the Humber and the Gitane(road bike). Carry the usual stuff, tools, lunch, windbreaker, etc. I tend to suffer from analysis paralysis and biggest is best syndrome so I what model do you use? Thank you for help.

Stephen

Tim's Bitstream

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Oct 27, 2021, 11:03:53 AM10/27/21
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I have had a Nelson Longflap for a couple of decades.  Capacious enough for all of that and even a few 7-10 day non-camping tours (I don't like to camp, but with modern ultralight camping gear one could even do an indefinite camping tour with one (unless you need to carry weeks worth of food and water in remote areas).  Thus far I have never felt the need for a bag bigger than the Nelson, though.  The Nelson is very capacious and was the standard for CTC riders.  Maybe it is still.

If you feel you need a huge bag the Carradice Camper is seriously large, but if I was going to go that big I might look at the Super C or Bags By Bird- mainly because the flap is contoured over the opening and provides better protection from rain.  But one either needs a big frame (I ride a 63-65 cm) or with smaller bikes a rack or fender underneath it to keep it from dragging on the tire.  The Nelson comes in the standard size and also the Lowsaddle size, which my wife has and fits well on her 54-56 cm bikes.

Where to buy a Nelson in the US, though, can be a challenge.  Used to be that Rivendell and a guy in the Big Easy sold them, but the latter is out of business and the former has their own bag lines now.  I have purchased several times from St. John's Street Cycles in England with good results, but shipping from the UK has skyrocketed in the past couple of years.  Peter White Cycles in Vermont might be an option and has a web site.


On Oct 27, 2021, at 9:30 AM, Steve <emman...@gmail.com> wrote:



Looking for opinions on Carradice saddle bags, I need a bag to go between the Humber and the Gitane(road bike). Carry the usual stuff, tools, lunch, windbreaker, etc. I tend to suffer from analysis paralysis and biggest is best syndrome so I what model do you use? Thank you for help.

Stephen

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John Hardy

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Oct 27, 2021, 11:10:53 AM10/27/21
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Perennial cycle in Minneapolis website says that they have them in stock 


On Oct 27, 2021, at 10:03 AM, Tim's Bitstream <tim...@bitstream.net> wrote:



John Johnston III

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Oct 27, 2021, 11:27:49 AM10/27/21
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Perennial is where I got my Longflap.

- John


Jon Hanson

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Oct 27, 2021, 11:35:39 AM10/27/21
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There are a number of Carradice bags on ebay at the moment. Several models. 

I have a Nelson "long flap"  which, though I haven't confirmed, but I believe I could fit a queen size mattress in it with the flap extended. I have a rack and panniers if I want to pack the dresser along. 

A smaller bag is quite adequate for a coat and "Lake Pepin" accessories. I tend to fill whatever space I have available, then I need to pedal it around. If you have a tall frame you don't need a bag support, but if the bag hangs down to the spokey area, you need to keep it out of there somehow. 

Jon Hanson

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Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2021 10:10:49 AM
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Subject: Re: [Gentleman Cyclist] Looking for any input on Carradice saddle bags
 

Charles Westergard

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Oct 27, 2021, 12:15:06 PM10/27/21
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Hey all,

I have a couple of the "Barley" saddlebags in canvas green with the light brown leather leather trim and buckles.  I've had mine for 15 years or so.  They are wonderful bags and acquire the "aged canvas" smell so desired by vintage riders! :-)

My only concern/advice is the leather parts, which over time, wear out.  I'm ultra careful about doing a good Proofhide every year or so on the straps that hold the flaps down, since these would be near impossible to replace.  I attach the bags to the saddlebag loops on the saddle with heavy duty wire/zip ties rather than the provided leather straps.  The metal of the saddlebag loops cut through one on a long ride and it was quite "inelegant" to have a dangling bag...

Otherwise, love them.  Oh, and the Barley has always been big enough for my type of local riding.

Charles

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adventurepdx

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Oct 27, 2021, 2:44:09 PM10/27/21
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Hello all--

I've gone through quite a number of Carradice saddlebags (and a couple knock-offs) over the past dozen years or so. My two cents:
  • Get the largest bag that will suit your needs and fit your bike. Just need some space for your rain jacket and a couple other things for the ride? A Barley will do you. Commuting? Grocery shopping? Planning on using it for a tour? The Nelson, Nelson Longflap, and Camper Longflap will be your bag.
  • And that Longflap does matter. You can get more stuff into the bag than without. I'd always err on the longflap versh of a bag if it has it.
  • I have never had issues with rain getting into my longflap bags, and I ride year-round in often-damp Portland, Oregon. YMMV.
  • Yes, the straps can wear out, though I find that the stitching loosens first. I've gotten my bags repaired by Mountain Soles here in Portland. A good outdoor repair company should be able to handle repairs. If leather wears out, you can always go a bit more modern with webbing and QR buckles.
  • eBay can be a good source of bags, though you'll find more posted on the UK eBay than here. Be wary of how worn out the bag is.
  • Another good US based source of Carradice is Clever Cycles here in PDX: https://www.clevercycles.com/search/carradice/
Best,
Shawn

Jack Rayburn

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Oct 27, 2021, 2:52:40 PM10/27/21
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A Carradice Junior meets my needs for basic tools, tube and rain gear. But, Carradice saddle bags are not easily moved from one bike to another with a Brooks saddle without the Carradice SQR system as shown on the Carradice website.

Jack

On Wednesday, October 27, 2021, 09:30:02 AM CDT, Steve <emman...@gmail.com> wrote:


Looking for opinions on Carradice saddle bags, I need a bag to go between the Humber and the Gitane(road bike). Carry the usual stuff, tools, lunch, windbreaker, etc. I tend to suffer from analysis paralysis and biggest is best syndrome so I what model do you use? Thank you for help.

Stephen

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Shawn Granton

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Oct 27, 2021, 2:55:22 PM10/27/21
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Another thing I forgot to mention: It's okay to own more than one Carradice saddlebag (or knock-off). It'll probably happen anyway.
I currently own a Camper Longflap and a small saddlebag made by Treetop Goods in Chicago. They are vastly different in size, and suit different needs.
A small saddlebag can also be strapped to the handlebars, so consider that.
-Shawn

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Jon Hanson

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Oct 27, 2021, 3:36:50 PM10/27/21
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Some day, I'd like to build one of these for bag mounting convenience.  (see attached screenshot photo). I think cold rolled steel in a vice with the right hammer, and a drill and file might do it. I have a die set to thread a rod for a long skewer. It's on my list for a project when I retire. (That's getting to be a long list!). 
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Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2021 1:55:09 PM

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Subject: Re: [Gentleman Cyclist] Looking for any input on Carradice saddle bags
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TimH

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Oct 28, 2021, 9:12:51 AM10/28/21
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I’m in agreement with Tim for the most part. Except that I use the Camper a lot. It’s nice to have that space and not fret about fitting things in. 
Regardless I use caradice bag supports with the bags and I do recommend the extra support they provide. 
Tim

Mark Brigham

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Oct 28, 2021, 12:05:34 PM10/28/21
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I bought the Carradice Bagman Support - Sport, and I don’t think this is made to fit the older double-rail style saddles.  If it is, it’s a puzzle to me. I found it impossible to get on while the saddle was mounted. I took the saddle off the mounting bracket, and got the Support on, but the hardware appears to be made for larger gauge rails; furthermore, I didn’t have enough room to put the saddle-mount bracket back in the saddle, though I didn’t get out the jaws of life and force it too much. It’s like a bar room puzzle.  

Am I doing something wrong, or is the Bagman Support just not compatible with double-rail saddles.  

Carradice also makes a Classic Saddlebag Rack, which is perhaps the better choice for double-rail saddles with metal saddlebag loops.  

Mark 

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Mark Stonich

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Oct 28, 2021, 3:10:59 PM10/28/21
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Jon,
Salsa makes a QR skewer for 170mm OLN fat bikes. Overall length would be close to 8”.  Also, tandem skewers are fairly long, Santana hubs are 160mm OLN.  If that’s too long, it is easier to add threads to an existing skewer to shorten it than threading a piece of rod and turning it into a skewer.

The bits that attach to the saddle rails would be hard to replicate. They look like something that is likely commercially available. But not knowing what they are called, I wouldn’t know where to start looking. The tiny “U” bolts used in wire nuts might be an alternative.  

If I were to build something like this, I’d incorporate it into a bag support and attach the whole thing to the seatpost.


Mark Stonich
Bikesmith Design and Fabrication LLC
5349 Elliot Ave
Minneapolis MN USA
Ph. +1 (612) 710-9593

Jon Hanson

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Oct 28, 2021, 3:18:21 PM10/28/21
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Mark:

That's good to know about the skewers, thanks!

To attach to the rails, I'm thinking that if it is made from 1/8" x 3/4" cold rolled steel, a second plate of the same material to sandwich the rails would work either threaded or through bolted. (I'dhave to take a good look at a B72 with the coily bits). It would be an inelegant piece compared to the Nitto, but painted flat black on a Raleigh Sports wouldn't be all that wrong.
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Subject: Re: [Gentleman Cyclist] Looking for any input on Carradice saddle bags
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Russell Sheetz

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Oct 29, 2021, 9:36:52 PM10/29/21
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I found this on the bike forums page:
DIY saddle bag quick release
I wanted an easy way to move my saddle bag from bike to bike. I also wanted a quick way to remove the bag when my bike is locked up in public. I saw Nitto made a QR system but it is very expensive.

I assumed someone out there has already tackled this so I did a quick google search. I found a nice how-to post on another site and copied the idea. I spent a total of $2.50 cents at Sears. The man with the idea goes by "DrRoebuck" and here is the link to his post: https://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=95020

I could not find hardware similar to what he had so mine turned out slightly different. After riding with it for a while I added electrical tape to my bag loops and now I cannot hear any clanging from the hooks, even on bumpy roads. Also, I had to buy thinner hooks because one of my saddles has narrow bag loops.

Here is mine:
It consists of two hooks and two washers.


Inside the bag, poke the hooks through and attach the leather bag straps. The washer keeps the hooks from pulling out too far.


Outside view:


Attached to my bike:


As you can see, there is one buckle left. That one is very easy to unhook but you could use a toe clip or velcro to make it even quicker. Has anyone else made their own DIY bag quick release? I would be interested in seeing what others have come up with.

mkeller234 is offline  

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Sent: Thursday, October 28, 2021 2:18 PM

Jon Hanson

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Nov 23, 2021, 6:00:17 PM11/23/21
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After many years of pondering, I believe I have achieved making a saddle bag quick release based on the Nitto design. 

Thank you Mark Stonich for the tip regarfing a long skewer for a fat bike. This is a simple design, and it lacks the stops for the straps that the Nitto has, though I don't know that it matters. 

Next, i need to go out in the cold garage and try it on the B72 saddle that is on my Raleigh Sports!  

Jon Hanson
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Sent: Friday, October 29, 2021 8:36:47 PM
20211123_165237.jpg
20211123_165308.jpg

Scott Loveless

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Dec 7, 2021, 9:27:39 AM12/7/21
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I ran a setup just like this for a few years.  No problems.  Easy and cheap; just like me!    http://www.cyclofiend.com/working/2009/wbph001-andreball0909.html

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