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

[Time Waster]

Oh I never expected to get everything in that list it was just a wish list after someone asked. What I am looking for is a 25 to 30 litre bag of a courier bag style with pockets that are more hidden. Metro bag large is a good attempt from Brompton but too small. Although the seams on the outer corner of the rear pockets is not neat IMHO.

I also do not like the rear pockets. Now I know people find them practical and I have heard that the pockets do not cause an issue when being carried off the bike, indeed I heard that they kind of help to hold the bag in place to some degree. I simply do not like them.

It is looking like I will have to accept that I can not find one without the rear pockets. However, I am surprised that there is not something cleaner out there though.

TBH if the metro bag was about 5 litres more I would probably get one. It is that basic shape I am looking for with pockets mostly covered by the flap closure rather than the borough rolltop closure. The rear pockets is looking like something I can not avoid, but there is also no harm in asking on here if there was something. There is only so much googling for brompton bags and mostly only getting the brand's versions with a few others I can cope with before I go to the collective. I think I only found brompton, restrap, eerdermataal, vincita and carradice branded ones, apart from a few amazon specials and etsy specials made out of leather to look like satchels on the bike.

It would be nice if Arkel made brompton bags I reckon. They do nice looking panniers that are not looking like the ortleib panniers but more texturised cordura style fabrics.

 

[Origamist]

As I mentioned, after the Metro the Fairweather is the closet to your list of requirements (Cordura, no rear pockets, up to 28L):

https://tokyobike.co.uk/products/fr...SLlrnmy2vEruCbPbfR3bKilYkeOc-mhWpALJ0q-9GRhLi

Of course, if you find a suitable pannier, Ben at Kinetics makes an adaptor for the front block to take 1 or 2 panniers....

 

[brommieinkorea]

Cordura HP (polyester won't fade), charcoal, flat panel on back, flap to cover front pockets, 2" deeper than S bag but based on the C frame (28 litre), you want Scotchlite reflective on the flap? Handle on the top makes it look like a briefcase. Sure , relatively easy. But the import duties and shipping are on you.

 

[CaptainWheezy]

There's also Valeria's Bike Accessories I think some of the bags they offer are unique to them.

 

[Kell]

I think it sounds like the old Brompton S bag might fit the bill. But you'd have to wait fore the right one to crop up SH.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXl97p26JCY

THESE also look quite interesting - I like that they're recycled.


View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/PnEVsHX6cMo



I have a C-bag, and it's big. I actually don't particularly like it*, but it has its uses.

*This has nothing to do with features or size, but I've found that with any of the front carrier block bags, I don't like not being able to see the front wheel.

 

[Origamist]

I think it sounds like the old Brompton S bag might fit the bill. But you'd have to wait fore the right one to crop up SH.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXl97p26JCY

THESE also look quite interesting - I like that they're recycled.


View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/PnEVsHX6cMo



I have a C-bag, and it's big. I actually don't particularly like it*, but it has its uses.

*This has nothing to do with features or size, but I've found that with any of the front carrier block bags, I don't like not being able to see the front wheel.

The problem the OP has it that he wants a smarter/cleaner, more refined bag with a volume of 25L +, neither the Demano or S bag fit the bill. Once you go above 25L the bags tend towards utility: multiple pouches, pockets, tourer oriented etc. Smarter day/overnight bags are in the 20L range. If someone can meet the OP's requirements, I'd be interested too!

 

[Time Waster]

The problem the OP has it that he wants a smarter/cleaner, more refined bag with a volume of 25L +, neither the Demano or S bag fit the bill. Once you go above 25L the bags tend towards utility: multiple pouches, pockets, tourer oriented etc. Smarter day/overnight bags are in the 20L range. If someone can meet the OP's requirements, I'd be interested too!

I have an idea that what I want is a briefcase in nylon or cordura type fabric with an over the top closure flap. Metro bag but bigger without rear pockets or front pockets or side pockets. Any pockets to be within the flap of the bag. To see what I mean take a look at the Vincita Burch 2.0 front where there are pockets under the flap. However there are pockets at the sides and rear that I do not want in this idea of a commuter bag.

I have seen courier or messenger bags by the likes of crumpler with the kind of thing I am looking at.

Crumpler messenger bags

They looked a lot different when I first saw them a few decades ago but kind of like this.

 

[Origamist]

I have an idea that what I want is a briefcase in nylon or cordura type fabric with an over the top closure flap. Metro bag but bigger without rear pockets or front pockets or side pockets. Any pockets to be within the flap of the bag. To see what I mean take a look at the Vincita Burch 2.0 front where there are pockets under the flap. However there are pockets at the sides and rear that I do not want in this idea of a commuter bag.

I have seen courier or messenger bags by the likes of crumpler with the kind of thing I am looking at.

Crumpler messenger bags

They looked a lot different when I first saw them a few decades ago but kind of like this.

I think I have a clear idea of your requirements - however, it does not exist as a retail option AFAIK. I have looked for 10 years +. Customisation is the path I chose.

In terms of messenger bags that are ripe for customisation, I'd look at Chrome (my choice) Timbuk2, Manhattan Portage, Mission Workshop etc. Vincita's quality/durability is sound, but not the best. I can see why it ticks boxes, though.

Alternatively, consider a slighlty smaller front bag and find other alternatives for the remaining equipment: top tube bag (i.e. Vincita), saddle bag, rack bag etc

 

[brommieinkorea]

I have an idea that what I want is a briefcase in nylon or cordura type fabric with an over the top closure flap. Metro bag but bigger without rear pockets or front pockets or side pockets. Any pockets to be within the flap of the bag. To see what I mean take a look at the Vincita Burch 2.0 front where there are pockets under the flap. However there are pockets at the sides and rear that I do not want in this idea of a commuter bag.

I have seen courier or messenger bags by the likes of crumpler with the kind of thing I am looking at.

Crumpler messenger bags

They looked a lot different when I first saw them a few decades ago but kind of like this.

Well, crap , gotta plug the sewing machine back in.... Seems what you need is a bag that's got separate compartments and a squared seam so that it holds a flattish shape and looks "business smart" rather than round and sloppy like the new stuff from B. ?

 

[simongt]

The GLW and I are still regularly using the original open top fold flat Brompton bags that we bought with our Brommies ten years ago.
They are very versatile, functional and roomy. No problem to just lob things in and being fold flat easy to carry about take up very little space for storage.
Will be hunting around when they eventually fail as the newer bags, although tough and weatherproof, don't have the same easy access capacity and are rather bulkier to carry about.