Moving from Pannier to Saddle Bag?

[primalgeek]

At the mo I've using a pannier rack + bag which I'm increasingly thinking is not very flexible. If I ever want to take the mudguards off then it's off with the rack, take the mudguards off and then put it back on. Also when I'm not commuting and only need something small to hold rain jacket + spare tube etc... then I'm still using the 16L pannier bag (feels a bit silly using a small saddle bag, whilst having a pannier rack still attached).

[Obviously from the above you will be able to tell I'm very lazy and want the ultimate hassle free life :-) ]

As it's my birthday coming up, I was thinking of getting a Carradice Nelson (possibly longflap) saddle bag to use for my commute plus a smaller carradice when I'm just out on a jaunt. Am I just being daft and should I just put up with always having a pannier?

Other questions I have:

- [Searched the carradice site, but can't find the answer] Does the Nelson saddlebag or any other in their range have a hand strap? I'll need to take the saddlebag with me when I use it to commute (90% of my cycling time is commuting)

- I've got a Brooks saddle, so could easily attach it via the 'eyelets'. However is it worthwhile getting a QuickRelease bagman support, so that it is easier to take off the bike and to stop the saddlebag from swaying about?

- Are there any other manufacturers of saddlebags that I should investigate?

 

[Mike!]

How often do you take the mudguards off as got to be the obvious question?

 

[jay clock]

By law you can only use a saddlebag in conjunction with beards and sandals

 

[cisamcgu]

By law you can only use a saddlebag in conjunction with beards and sandals

Please note that the coalition Government is considering amending the above law to include compulsory wearing of dark socks with the sandals - it may be a good idea to request appropriate foot covering for your birthday !

 

[John the Monkey]

As it's my birthday coming up, I was thinking of getting a Carradice Nelson (possibly longflap) saddle bag to use for my commute plus a smaller carradice when I'm just out on a jaunt. Am I just being daft and should I just put up with always having a pannier?

I found a single pannier made my bike feel odd. Lots of people get along just fine, but I didn't like it - a saddlebag is better.

- [Searched the carradice site, but can't find the answer] Does the Nelson saddlebag or any other in their range have a hand strap? I'll need to take the saddlebag with me when I use it to commute (90% of my cycling time is commuting)

No - but it would be straightforward to rig one, or you could use Carradice's SQR system, which incorporates a frame & handle for the bags.

It's not something I've ever felt the need for, but if I did, I'd loop some webbing around the dowel inside.

- I've got a Brooks saddle, so could easily attach it via the 'eyelets'. However is it worthwhile getting a QuickRelease bagman support, so that it is easier to take off the bike and to stop the saddlebag from swaying about?

Depends on you rlevel of tolerance for faff. Why not try without first? If you don't like it, spend the extra money. My lowsaddle longflap works fine with saddle loops & straps.

- Are there any other manufacturers of saddlebags that I should investigate?

I think Ortlieb make one (not sure how it attaches). Some other manufactures do Carradice-a-likes, but they're generally more expensive for UK riders as they aren't made here. (Berthoud, Rivendell &c).

Peter White has lots of useful Carradice info here;
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/carradice.asp

 

[primalgeek]

How often do you take the mudguards off as got to be the obvious question?

Ah... the voice of reason! . Admittedly, the number of times I'll want to take the mudguards on / off is small. However the number of times I don't need the pannier, if I had a small saddlebag, is a lot more (once or twice a week).

Please note that the coalition Government is considering amending the above law to include compulsory wearing of dark socks with the sandals - it may be a good idea to request appropriate foot covering for your birthday !

That's a pity I was hoping I'd get away with a nice cosy pair of argyle patterned socks

 

[Gareth]

On my general purpose hybrid I use front & rear panniers all of which are 17 litres capacity, and a clip-on/clip off 5 litre bar bag. The pannier bags only come out when needed to suit the load to be transported; mainly vegetable shopping, and a laptop now and again, etc. and the bar bag lives more or less permanently on the bars. I did try a saddle bag for sometime before choosing the bar bag, but didn't really get on with it. The bar bag meets 95% of my daily needs and usually contains a set of water proofs, my lights when not needed, a pun****** repair kit and a couple of spanners, leaving me around 2.5-3 litres of spare volume to pick up odd & sods from the shops.

As a utility cyclist I really like the ease with which the bar bag can be removed and installed, and with a clip on shoulder strap it is conveniently carried around the city containing all of what I consider to be essential cycling paraphernalia; something that I couldn't achieve with the saddle bag. The bar bag doesn't affect the handling of the bike, and I don't notice it's there until I load it with over 10kg (normally 12-15 cans of dog food). My bag has 1 litre bottle pockets on either side, and these often contain my waterproofs which live in their own "sausage" style drawstring bags leaving the main bag empty and ready to transport the 2 x 2 litre glass jugs of Weston's cider I enjoy, or the 5 litre plastic jugs of cider or vinegar I often buy.

There is a myriad of bags for bicycles out there to suit various mounting positions on the frame, all I can really suggest is go to an LBS that stocks a wide range of different types, and spend time looking for what suits you

 

[Piemaster]

The answer is obvious to me. Pannier/rack/mudguards or none with saddlebag?
And the faff of swapping over.


What you actually need is another bike

 

[andrew_s]

- [Searched the carradice site, but can't find the answer] Does the Nelson saddlebag or any other in their range have a hand strap? I'll need to take the saddlebag with me when I use it to commute (90% of my cycling time is commuting)

No.
I arranged my own handle for use with a Bagman QR

- I've got a Brooks saddle, so could easily attach it via the 'eyelets'. However is it worthwhile getting a QuickRelease bagman support, so that it is easier to take off the bike and to stop the saddlebag from swaying about?

The saddle eyelets are slow release - too slow for commuting use. The Bagman QR is very quick on & off. If you have the rack fitted, you can just get the QR clamp from a Bagman without the support and let the saddlebag rest on the rack. If you do have a bagman support and a rack both fitted, you will need at least 1cm clearance between the two, otherwise the support will bang against the rack on bumpy sections in a noisy manner.

- Are there any other manufacturers of saddlebags that I should investigate?

Not unless you pay a lot (Gilles Berthoud) or import from America (see also Velo Orange, Rivendell, and Peter White).

You might also consider rack packs (various makes, but there's nothing as big as a Nelson).

 

[primalgeek]

Thanks all for the info!

I am now awaiting delivery of a Nelson longflap + SQR system (for my commute) and a Barley (for my pootling about).

The answer is obvious to me. Pannier/rack/mudguards or none with saddlebag?
And the faff of swapping over.


What you actually need is another bike

I would'nt have been allowed to go for the Barley as well, if I hadn't told SWMBO that I was being recommended getting another bike and the Barley was by far the cheapest option