New Banana Sack

[Berkeleyan]

My Khaki Banana Sack came last week, and it has a new (yes?) feature since the Grid-Grey one I have from couple years ago. There's a lightweight interior flap, attached at the lip of the compartment, that you can swing out like a dog's panting tongue, stow all yer stuff inside, and then put the flap over it all before closing the lid. Seems it will hold everything extra-secure inside, and I like it.

The Khaki fabric is thicker than in the past, and is not a "grid" style. Really nice.

What I don't understand is why the leather straps aren't shipped ready to fit perfectly to a Brooks Saddle and Nitto seatpost. I had to add a hole to the seatpost leather to get a snug fit, and go through many contortions to get the bag snug up to the saddle loops. Or maybe I'm the only one who doesn't like a bag flopping about under the saddle?

- Andrew, Berkeley

[Joe Bernard]

I just got a new khaki Banana and am also impressed with the new flap feature and thicker canvas. 

As relates to mounting..yeah, they're kinda like that. I don't know if Grant intended this but I've found that the slight loosy-ness at the bag loops makes it easier to pop the bag off to go into a store. All Riv saddlebags I've ever dealt with where the buckles have to be outside the bag are a right bugger to dislodge if the straps are really tight and the buckles digging into the saddle. 

As for the seatpost strap, I've never liked them and have gone to hook-and-loop replacements. It's much easier to snug it up tight while avoiding the dreaded (for me cuz I'm a paint snob) rubbing off of paint at the seatlug point. But yours is already modified and tightened so I think you're good to go there. 

Here's a pic of a large Saddlesack with that strap. The verdict from me: Tight at the post, sways a bit at the loops, all good. 

Joe Bernard