Old 09-22-14, 10:11 AM
  #22  
LeicaLad 
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Work in Asia, now based in Vienna, VA
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My comment dates from 2011, but holds true. I love these bags. And yellow are fabulous.

This is my 1971 TDF in a photo taken in 1981.



A replacement yellow handlebar bag came later. Those saddle bags were already rather beat. The green bar bag was rather new when the photo was taken.

The rubberized waterproofing coating on the insides of these tend to die. In my oldest sets, I've just scrubbed 'em clean inside. If you want, you can re-spray waterproofing inside, but I'm not doing a lot of bad weather riding. I have a purple set that is newer if I need waterproof.

Another point is that the fastening system evolved during their production life. You may like some variations more than others.

YMMV.
__________________
1959 Hilton Wrigley Connoisseur (my favorite!)
1963 Hetchins Mountain King
1971 Gitane Tour de France (original owner)
* 1971 Gitane Super Corsa (crashed)
* rebuilt as upright cruiser
1971 Gitane Super Corsa #2 (sweet replacement)
1980 Ritchey Road Touring (The Grail Bike)
1982 Tom Ritchey Everest
(replacing stolen 1981 TR Everest custom)
1982 Tom Ritchey McKinley (touring pickup truck)
1985 ALAN Record (Glued & Screwed. A gift.)
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