Erlen Saddle Bag Support

[Pondero]

I just ordered mine.

For years, I've used a variety of Carradice saddle bags with great success. Some complain about the back of thigh bumping the bag if the bag isn't somehow supported off the seatpost. My thighs do touch, but it doesn't bother me. So why did I make this investment? The main reason is to support the bag off my rear brake cable and brake. I haven't found this to be especially problematic, but the action does tend to wear the bag some.  Another reason is that the bag hangs sort of sideways when it isn't pushed away from the seat post some distance. The side pockets, for example, almost open towards the "back" instead of what I assume is the intended "top". Even that is not a major problem, and I've adapted. Until Rob's design came along, I just wasn't convinced that other supports would be worth the investment. The Erlen support, however, looks simple and reliable. I think it will work well without side affects. I am looking forward to trying it on my Quickbeam.

Anyone else planning to give it a try?

Chris Johnson

Sanger, Texas

[Jason L. Ferrier]

I am on the list to get one.

I haven't noticed my Swift Zeitgeist touching my legs, but my nice and shiny Nitto seatpost is getting marred by the strap :(

Also, I will be able to strap a sleeping pad underneath for overnight camping trips once I have the rack.

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[John Hawrylak]

Chris

Did you try a Nitto Cable Guard to prevent the bag from rubbing on the rear brake cable?  I have one on my 88 Voyaguer and the bag rests on the sides of the Guard and is held off the cable.  works good enough to stop thinking a getting a small rear rack

John Hawrylak

Woodstown NJ

[Pondero]

John, no, I haven't tried it. I considered it a few times, and am confident it works pretty well. But, for some reason, I was never sufficiently motivated to acquire one.

Chris Johnson
Sanger, Texas

[Thomas Bielavitz]

I'd like to, but I haven't gotten around to buying  a bag yet either. I've been going back and forth between buying one now and setting it aside v. hoping there's a round 2 at some point in the future.

[Pondero]

Thomas, if it helps, I have a semi-extra Carradice Barley that I could make available at a good price. I was planning to keep this newer one as a back-up to my older one with more beausage. But, like I say, if it helps...

Chris Johnson

Sanger, Texas 

[Thomas Bielavitz]

Definitely appreciate the offer, but I've my eye on a Swift that'll sorta match my docena. 

[John Hawrylak]

Chris

My saddlebag is a 1970's Schwinn 00-015, very similar in dimensions to a Longflap.  The Nitto Cable Guard works well keeping it off the brake cable.

John Hawrylak

Woodstown NJ

[Pondero]

I just received word today that mine has been shipped. Has anyone here received one yet? Any first impressions and photos?

Chris Johnson
Sanger, Texas

[Pondero]

My bag support has arrived, and has been "installed".  It seems quite sturdy, and shaped well for my intended use.  

https://www.instagram.com/p/BO2mML2AuGz/

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to break free of my office lately.  When I have a chance to take it outside, I'll snap a couple of photos.  Me and the locals are cooking up a coffee outside gathering in town next week.  So I'll give it a perfect test for my coffee gear hauling needs.

Chris Johnson

Sanger, Texas

[Austin ^]

I picked my Erlen up at Swift industries last night, very nice construction and finish from our favorite local metal fab shop. I've been toting an empty ultra swift wizard bag around on it today, just to get a feel for the fit. My campsite comes in under the 10 lb "mountain biking" limit and fits in the bag fine, and I'll be doing a ~80 km loop with that gear in the morning just to see how things feel. All in all a really nice, solid little support and a nice way to round out my carrying capacity.  

[Pondero]

I was finally able to get out with the proper combination of weather, camera, load, and time so as to take some some photos.

https://instagram.com/p/BPpiXHWguHP/

It is a nice looking, and solid rack. It is mostly buried under my Carradice Low Saddle Longflap bag in these photos, but the orientation of the bag with the end pocket more vertical (or less horizontal) is better for me. Most of the time it will be carrying coffee gear, and is more than adequate for that. It'll probably stay on the Quickbeam, and be "borrowed" occasionally on my upcoming Bantam AdventureBike. But wouldn't surprise me if I bought another one for the Bantam.

Chris Johnson
Sanger, Texas

[John Hawrylak]

Chris

Nice pictures.  The support keeps the bag very close to the seatpost, almost as close to just using the bag without anything.  It looks very natural, not stand offish like a Bagman.

I will have to consider this.

John Hawrylak

Woodstown NJ

[John Bokman]

I'm curious how the Rambler carries a rear load. I have used transverse saddlebags for many years, and like them (Carradice and "Baggins" by Rivendell), but have not tried to use a rear load on Rambler. I have not been using mine as a camping bike, so have had no need, since the Docena carries everything I need.

 How does the low-trail equation play into rear loading the Rambler? How much weight can successfully go back there without affecting the handling?

On Thursday, November 17, 2016 at 11:38:36 AM UTC-8, Pondero wrote:

[Jason L. Ferrier]

When I first built up my 57cm (650b) rambler, I only had a small acorn handlebar bag on a Mark's rack. I had a stainless Tubus fly rear rack with the small ortliebs.

Since the Rambler is designed around a front load, Rob took advantage to make the bike ride VERY well. To to this, the rear of the bike flexes slightly at the bottom bracket like a trampoline or a spring. Because of this, loading up the rear results in the rear end wagging around a bit.

I have found that the ideal load is front handlebar bag on rack, front panniers. If you need more room, rear saddle bag with lighter things.  If you need to turn the Rambler into a full on (lightweight) touring bike temporarily, then add a rear rack and lightly loaded rear panniers.

Jason

Oakland, CA

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