Saddlebags and smaller bikes

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johnb

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Jun 7, 2012, 1:26:55 PM6/7/12
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I am challenged by short legs. I have a 52cm Atlantis with 26" wheels with a medium saddlesack and SKS fenders. Because the bike frame is small and the saddle sack is medium, the bag rubs back and forth throughout the ride against the fender. When I put a rear rack on, it silences the bag but also cuts 30% of its capacity out since it gets a bit smushed... For the moment, I am tolerating the back and forth but there are days it bugs the — well lets just say it gets on my nerves.

So my question, are there good canvas saddlebags that hold tools, tube, sunscreen and assorted sundries that will fit in my frame?

johnb

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Jun 7, 2012, 1:28:45 PM6/7/12
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sorry I have a small saddle sack and it still rubs.

Scot Brooks

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Jun 7, 2012, 1:40:06 PM6/7/12
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What about incorporating the Nitto Saddlebag Grip to move it back a bit? Might get some more breathing room with your SS Medium.

Peter Morgano

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Jun 7, 2012, 1:39:36 PM6/7/12
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Barack and f15 rack out of the question?  My short friend uses that combo well.  Not sure if you prefer front or rear loaded but let's not get into a trail argument here again, Haha.

On Jun 7, 2012 1:26 PM, "johnb" <jbus...@gmail.com> wrote:
I am challenged by short legs. I have a 52cm Atlantis with 26" wheels with a medium saddlesack and SKS fenders. Because the bike frame is small and the saddle sack is medium, the bag rubs back and forth throughout the ride against the fender. When I put a rear rack on, it silences the bag but also cuts 30% of its capacity out since it gets a bit smushed... For the moment, I am tolerating the back and forth but there are days it bugs the — well lets just say it gets on my nerves.

So my question, are there good canvas saddlebags that hold tools, tube, sunscreen and assorted sundries that will fit in my frame?

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Manuel Acosta

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Jun 7, 2012, 2:36:55 PM6/7/12
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I suffer from the same issue. I love rear bags for extra stuff but the bag always rubs a hole in the rear. I'm usually partial to rear racks, but never find myself using the rear rack to it's full potential. I have a  Nitto m12 rack that I'm going experiment with by throwing on the rear. I'll let you know how this works.

Liesl

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Jun 7, 2012, 3:11:06 PM6/7/12
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Yep, got the short legs and little frame, too.  My go-to is a Carradice Barley.  I switch it back and forth between a 50cm Saluki and a 51cm ProtoBleriot.  The Saluki has a Nitto Mark's Rack that is really adjustable so it can snuggle up against the seat post under the seat AND ride low above the fender.  Barley fits like a charm.  On the Proto, there's no rear rack and the Barley snuggles up against the seat post under the seat even more so that it's forward of the highest spot on the fender.  I carry a host of important things and detritus in my saddle bag and with a keven's bag or little loafer up front, I can carry most things I need except a computer (trypical for the Barley:  tube, pump, a few tools, seat cover, irish straps, maps, rain gear, room for something warm to take off or put on, a snack, etc).  It also has lashing loops on it.  It's been a consistent great set-up for non-hauling rides. 

-liesl

Duplomacette

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Jun 7, 2012, 2:30:37 PM6/7/12
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I'm having the same problem with my medium on my 54 cross check.
Pretty annoying. Nobody likes spending MORE money just to make the
thing they just spent money on work.

Lynne Fitz

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Jun 7, 2012, 8:03:12 PM6/7/12
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Itty bitty bike and a Carradice Barley. I use the Carradice Bagman.
But I'm crabby at it now, the rack part won't stay in the clamp.

Lynne F

Bertin753

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Jun 7, 2012, 8:19:35 PM6/7/12
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I had this problem. I removed the platform and filed slots into the ends for the set screws, then used loctite on the screws.

Patrick Moore
iPhone
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Allingham II, Thomas J

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Jun 7, 2012, 8:24:31 PM6/7/12
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See earlier in this thread ( or maybe even an earlier thread). I had the same problem, and Loctite didn't solve it. But someone (don't remember who) said you just need to grind a little slot in the Bagman tubing, and it holds perfectly.

Sent from my iPhone
mg_info.txt

Bertin753

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Jun 7, 2012, 9:03:34 PM6/7/12
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Patrick Moore
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On Jun 7, 2012, at 6:24 PM, "Allingham II, Thomas J" <Thomas.A...@skadden.com> wrote:

> See earlier in this thread ( or maybe even an earlier thread). I had the same problem, and Loctite didn't solve it. But someone (don't remember who) said you just need to grind a little slot in the Bagman tubing, and it holds perfectly.

That was I -- see below.
> <mg_info.txt>

dougP

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Jun 7, 2012, 9:26:22 PM6/7/12
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johnb

If the swaying is the most objectionable problem, look into
stabilizing the bag with some shock cord to an attachment point lower
and to the rear. A D-ring on the bag and a small hook at one of the
drop-out eyelets (they're made for panniers) provide the attachments.
Cord tied to the D-ring with a hook at the end, similar to a bungee
hook, and voila, stability restored. May need some fiddling with the
length of the cord to get the optimal amount of tension. Cheap
experiment to try before changing bags or going the rack route.

dougP

Mark Chandler

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Jun 7, 2012, 8:09:44 PM6/7/12
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> Date: Thu, 7 Jun 2012 17:03:12 -0700
> Subject: [RBW] Re: Saddlebags and smaller bikes
> From: fitz...@comcast.net
> To: rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com

>
> Itty bitty bike and a Carradice Barley. I use the Carradice Bagman.
> But I'm crabby at it now, the rack part won't stay in the clamp.

Remove the tiny set screws, and remove the rack/support from the clamp.  Check the rack/support to make sure there are no bad gouges, cracks, etc, where the set screws make contact.  Replace the set screws with regular allen-style bolts (example: bottle cage/rack boss bolts).  When you're sure that the rack/support is fully seated in the clamp, remove the bolts, and apply some blue/242 Loctite to the bolts' threads, and snug them down good.  Let the Loctite cure for 12-24 hours (with no load on the rack/support), and you should be good.

Lynne Fitz

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Jun 8, 2012, 10:09:50 PM6/8/12
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right now I can't get the set screw out... I've done myself in good
here.

On Jun 7, 5:09 pm, Mark Chandler <gravelb...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> > Date: Thu, 7 Jun 2012 17:03:12 -0700
> > Subject: [RBW] Re: Saddlebags and smaller bikes
> > From: fitzb...@comcast.net

Lynne Fitz

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Jun 10, 2012, 9:36:32 PM6/10/12
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The set screws are Torx 6. I learned that today. My dad drilled them
out and retapped the holes. Nothing moves on that rack now. Doesn't
look as pretty, but I really don't care. I think that is called
beausage.

Ginz

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Jun 11, 2012, 9:54:54 AM6/11/12
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I'm on 48cm-ish frames.  I ran the Barley for a while and gave up on it.  Too much droop and too inconvenient.  The Super C version might have made me a little happier.  I've switched to an Ostrich handbar bag with decaleur and mini-front rank.  More convenient and it works well. 
 
 

Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery

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Jun 11, 2012, 12:13:02 PM6/11/12
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Maybe try using the rack/support, but don't attach the little strap that goes on the seatpost? (I'm not too familiar with the bag in question, but I assume it has a seatpost connection). The rack and the two saddle loop connections should provide s stable fit, but allowing the bag angle to match up to the rack will improve capacity.
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