Panniers or saddle bag?

[Profpointy]

http://dawescycles.com/product/canvas-saddle-bag/ lists it as 190mm width and gives no volume. Comparing it to other bags in the range which give sizes as 15l and 20l, I'd say that 5 litres would be optimistic.


Carradice Super C SQR?

But my solution is ye olde stylee cheap haversack with two long QR compression straps through the saddle loops/rails which get tightened to pull the bag up snug. 20 litres. I'll let you know how it goes after the first multiday tour

that sqr thing looks just the the job - however some of Carradice's own pictures seem to indicate it's purely fixed to seat post (via their bracket) and cantilevered out behind. Is this right or does it also hang from the saddle as well , which would seem more sensible?

 

[jefmcg]

that sqr thing looks just the the job - however some of Carradice's own pictures seem to indicate it's purely fixed to seat post (via their bracket) and cantilevered out behind. Is this right or does it also hang from the saddle as well , which would seem more sensible?

Purely fixed to the seat post. You can get SQR bags,

and you can get a metal frame the clicks into the SQR fitting that you then buckle any of the the standard saddlebags to.

I've got a SQR slim bag (big enough for my 13" macbook) and a barley attached to the frame.

HOWEVER, a lightweight rack and pannier might actually weigh less. I love my Carradice, so happy to stick with it.

 

[jefmcg]

I thought it was about 18 inch wide and 8 inch deep?

Also fastened with a "magnetic press stud" which seems like a terrible idea. seems a good chance of finding it empty if you have something heavy in it and travel over a rough road.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

There is only one bag for the job.




Carradice Camper 'Longflap'

I use a Barley which suits me fine.

 

[Accy cyclist]

Thanks for the replies so far. Plenty of choice to go at!

 

[contadino]

I have a Carradice Barley. I think it's pretty poor. Rock solid build quality and remarkably water resistant, but attaching it to the bike is a nightmare. The sqr isn't strong enough, the saddle loops leave the bag rubbing on the tyre, and with the straps it's a ballache to get into.

I'm trying to fettle a mini rack to support it from below.

Overall they look nice on a bike and they do have their good points, but for nearly 10 times the price of panniers they're not worth the hassle.

 

[steveindenmark]

I like panniers. They are always on the bike.

 

[jefmcg]

I have a Carradice Barley. I think it's pretty poor. Rock solid build quality and remarkably water resistant, but attaching it to the bike is a nightmare. The sqr isn't strong enough, the saddle loops leave the bag rubbing on the tyre, and with the straps it's a ballache to get into.

I'm trying to fettle a mini rack to support it from below.

Overall they look nice on a bike and they do have their good points, but for nearly 10 times the price of panniers they're not worth the hassle.

Are you talking about the bagman or the SQR. I'm pretty sure it's the bagman, cause I have the SQR + Barley and it has none of those problems.

(full disclosure, I did have a critical failure of the SQR mounts a while back. Small inconvenience, and set me back £3. But it could be annoying on a tour)

 

[martint235]

I have a Carradice Barley. I think it's pretty poor. Rock solid build quality and remarkably water resistant, but attaching it to the bike is a nightmare. The sqr isn't strong enough, the saddle loops leave the bag rubbing on the tyre, and with the straps it's a ballache to get into.

I'm trying to fettle a mini rack to support it from below.

Overall they look nice on a bike and they do have their good points, but for nearly 10 times the price of panniers they're not worth the hassle.

Carradice themselves do very good racks. Although the bag is designed so it can be used without one and the bag would have no chance of touching my tyre, I wouldn't have thought of using mine without the rack.

 

[contadino]

Are you talking about the bagman or the SQR. I'm pretty sure it's the bagman, cause I have the SQR + Barley and it has none of those problems.

When I bought mine I sent an email to some friends pointing them to Carradice. Two of them then bought (different) Carradice bags and Sqr mounts. The band around the seat post broke on one on the first tour, and the other later last summer. I felt like a right fit.

Then on tour in September the band on my cousins Sqr broke too.

So as far as I know, they're shonky.

 

[contadino]

Carradice themselves do very good racks. Although the bag is designed so it can be used without one and the bag would have no chance of touching my tyre, I wouldn't have thought of using mine without the rack.

I have the 'classic rack'. Again, there's no support from below. It's all on the saddle and seat post. Which is daft.

 

[martint235]

I have the 'classic rack'. Again, there's no support from below. It's all on the saddle and seat post. Which is daft.

They've changed it now so it's triangular. There are struts that on a smaller bike will go down to the rack eyelets although I have mine attached to a collar on the seatpost. I'm not sure how being attached to the saddle next to the top of the seatpost is daft though.

 

[dellzeqq]

I have this, having had poor experience of the SQR, and being a little nervous of the wear inflicted on a carbon seat post.

https://www.apidura.com/product/saddle-pack-regular/

Very handy, quite waterproof (although a plastic bag within does no harm) and doesn't bash the legs in the manner of a traditional saddle bag But...difficult to fit a light to (which is critical) and way overpriced.

 

[mjr]

difficult to fit a light to (which is critical)

More of a choice than critical, surely? I feel the drive-side seat stay is the optimum place for a rear light (you can check it's still working more easily) although few of my bikes have that placement for various reasons.

 

[Scottish Scrutineer]

Ive got an Altura Arran seat post bag. 5L capacity, seems secure, easy to remove from the bike at lunch. Has a couple of small side pockets for keys, phone, snacks, and a top elastic to hold damp waterproofs