Who makes bags for use on a Brompton front block? What brands?

[Time Waster]

I am looking into alternatives to Brompton and Carradice for front block bags. So far I can only think of Brompton, Carradice, Vincita and Restrap. I think there are a few Dutch or German brands out there, or perhaps just dutch. I think I found a Ukrainian recently and a Polish brand years back when I was looking at custom rigid bike frame bags. I can not remember them now.

I am looking for something better for my needs which I will get when I see it. I just have not seen it yet hence the request for other makers.

Just seen Eerdermetaal bags online and jeez, £300+. Pass!!!

 

[Time Waster]

I must admit that they might be worth it but out of my price range I reckon.

 

[a.twiddler]

Radical also made Brompton bags at one time. You can also get the mounting bracket separately if you have a favourite bag, and adapt it to fit with one of those. Or just keep an eye out on that auction site. They're often much cheaper used, and sometimes haven't been used much.

 

[Time Waster]

Thanks.

Unfortunately Radical only sells bags to put the Brommie in not to carry on it. I checked.

 

[Origamist]

Thanks.

Unfortunately Radical only sells bags to put the Brommie in not to carry on it. I checked.

Behold: https://www.eerdermetaal.nl/brompto...aterproof-Roll-top-bag-color-Blue/p/305730084

You need deep pockets though.

Lots of companies make bags for the Brompton front block. I like UPSO (sister company of Carradice).

 

[Time Waster]

I saw them. Agree, too much for a bag.

 

[404 Not Found Anywhere]

Have a look on Etsy, there’s some small scale producers selling there. Or just buy a carrier frame and adapt a bag to your use. You can get different size and shape frames on Etsy too.

 

[Time Waster]

Not really got a bag to modify so prefer to get one ready made.

I will look on Etsy but I suspect that source will be thee Tweed / Barbour / leather satchel type of bag. It was last time I looked. Apart from Restrap who I think I saw on there that is.

 

[Gunk]

Barbour made a very nice game bag, they do pop up secondhand

 

[a.twiddler]

Thanks.

Unfortunately Radical only sells bags to put the Brommie in not to carry on it. I checked.

Still used front bags about. Here's mine.

A bag with a main compartment, pocket each side, 2 large pockets facing the rider, various pockets facing forward under the flap, a shoulder strap, carry handle and an elasticated rain cover all for about £50 from ebay, hardly used. There are bargains about, but it's a matter of right place, right time. Depends what you want in a bag, too.

 

[Kell]

The big question, really, is what is that the manufacturers you mentioned aren't offering?

Is it style, features, size, price?

A £300 bag could well be worth the money if it's exactly what you want and it's the last bag you ever need to buy. Whereas a series of £75 bags that are never quite right would be a waste.

Anyway, here are some no-one's mentioned.

Hill & Ellis:

https://www.hillandellis.com/collec...fx8v9OPj0PmT__qVWIDJvcBrFK-fKNoA31TNYpeuSjGHn

Vincita:

https://vincita.cc/collections/brompton-bags

 

[Time Waster]

The big question, really, is what is that the manufacturers you mentioned aren't offering?

That is not something I have fully worked out. I only know that I can say I don't like this feature or like that one when I look at what I find online. I guess if I was to write down what I know I like and don't like it would be something like the following: -

1. I need about 25 to 30 litres, I need it to carry laptop, cables, headphones, notebooks, paperwork, filofax, waterproofs, lock, hat, gloves, food, insulated cups of coffee and flask (water or thermos type), other stationery such as pens and phone.
2. I prefer plain looking bags as I think loads of pockets on the outside looks less than businesslike for my work commuting use.
3. I kind of like courier bag shapes with all pockets hidden under the lid but still accessible easily. I need to have the means to reach lights and train tickets for example easily
4. I like plain and sober colours in a nylon or cordura type of fabric (no tweed or barbour for me). I do not like fake leather straps (like the ones on carradice with plastic buckles underneath).
5. I kind of like the metro bag from Brompton but do not quite think it is deep enough and I think I need it a little bigger than they make it to overcome the shape that I think is not there for me.
6. I do not like the rearwards facing bottle pockets on many Brommie bags like borough and vincita birch 2.0. i would prefer that back face against the body to be plain, flat and without a plastic frame plate (like Restrap city loader front block bag which is nice enough but not plain enough neither).

There used to be courier bags around that had a decent lid that covered the opening to make it waterproof and over the front to hide pockets. These are less common now I think but something like the crumpler range in plain colours with a front block attachements. IT sounds close to the Brompton Metro but more borough in shape and size.

I am not sure I have explained this well but I admit I do like some of the stuff out there just not for this need. I like the look of the eerdermetaal bags just not for work commute. I like Vincita Birch 2.0 but there is something there that stopped me taking the plunge when they were on Amazon at £70 recently. I know I am asking for too much and things that are out there with compromise in some other ways.

 

[Time Waster]

The Vincita website reviews say the Birch 2.0 is a little small and that the 25litres is a bit smaller than it says. I wass considering this but as I am used to 30 litres I think a small 25 litres is perhaps not a size I can be comfortable with. Take off the rear pockets and increase the main space perhaps it would suit me.

The hill and ellis models includes a kind of ortlieb pannier shape bag that is both a rucksack and a tote bag with straps to suit. You also need the Brompton Borough tote bag style frame on top of it. The volume is 17 litres too so too small for me. I am not sure I want the narrow and tall form factor. I think I prefer the wide and short form factor of the courier / messenger bag shape.

Hill and Ellis also do leather satchels. Perhaps if they did larger versions of that kind of shape in a flexible nylon fabric that is deeper too. That would kind of be the courier bag shape I want.

Perhaps the borough or metro large are the closest afterall. Just if they only skipped the rear pockets and put then in a slightly larger main compartment with bottle holders inside. Just an idea.

 

[EckyH]

Your catalogue of your wanted-and-not-wanted feature list reminds me of the search for the "Eckycam" - a camera which does have all the features I want and nothing of the annoying things. It wasn't possible to get one.

Until I decided to weight my requirements: What are the "must have" features, what are the "nice to have" features?
Are there some ways to overcome some of the adversities?
In this case: Is it possible for you to reduce the space requirements of items - eg. in-ear headphones instead of over-ear headphones?

What are the reasons for your aversion against the external bottle pockets of the Brompton Metro Bag?
In my experience their functionality is really good (storage for a small lunch box and the rain cover in one pocket, water bottle in the other one - with reserves to put additional stuff in there) and even loaded the bag is easy to carry on the shoulder strap.

E.

PS: Eventually I purchased a second hand Pentax KP because it was closest to my list of "need", "want", "don't want" and "never ever".

 

[Origamist]

Given the large size you require, I'm unconvinced there is a bag that meets your list of requirements.

However, here are a few larger Brompton bags that have been sold over the years and not mentioned upthread:

Lumbag
Brompton T-bag - 3 versions that I recall (discontinued)
Brompton C Bag (discontinued)
Fairweather Brompton (expandable)
Demano Mirimar (24L)

If I were you, and compromise is not an option, I'd discuss your requirements with various Etsy sellers and get something bespoke.