Super C vs Camper longflap saddlebags

[TheBrick]

Hello,

Looking for some advice. I choose this forum as I would think long distance riders are the ones whom are most likely to use large saddle bags, and this is what I shall be using it for. Back pack is fine for short rides but finding it a little uncombable after a few hours, not terrible but planning to step up the distances and do some full on all weekender's.

So anything between the two?

Long flap looks more old school, I am not sure whether this is a good or bad thing in my eyes, other that that I can't see much difference.

Also while I am here, bagman or SQR? Or maybe even a rack, but that seems excessive, if I ever need more room I will get a handle bar bag.

Long flap

http://www.carradice.co.uk/saddlebags/camper-longflap-saddlebag.shtml

Super C

http://www.carradice.co.uk/saddlebags/super-c-saddlebag.shtml

[KnoxBreezer]

Both are excellent big saddle bags. I prefer the leather straps and buckles of the Long Flap over the nylon and plastic clips on the Super C. The Long Flap also makes it easier to stuff rolled up clothes, jackets, thin sleeping pads, ect under the flap, but you can just as easily attach this stuff to the outside of either of these bags with bungies or straps. I have a Barley Bag, and love it. You might also look at the Nelson if you think these two might be too big, it's a great size and will hold plenty.

As for supports, I use a bagman, but with the larger bags like the Super C and Long Flap, you might consider having it rest on a rack, even just a simple mini-rack.

[supcom]

I have a Camper Longflap and have used it many times both with and without the SQR mount. I haven't use a bagman rack, but it should help with reducing the swaying of the bag when it's loaded up. If a little swaying doesn't bother you (I don't have a problem with it) then the SQR mount is very convenient for getting the bag on and off the bike.

The bagman may also help if your saddle isn't very high above the rear wheel and you don't have a rack or fender. The Camper is a very large bag and can rub against the tire.

[TheBrick]

supcom
" I have a Camper Longflap and have used it many times both with and without the SQR mount. I haven't use a bagman rack, but it should help with reducing the swaying of the bag when it's loaded up. If a little swaying doesn't bother you (I don't have a problem with it) then the SQR mount is very convenient for getting the bag on and off the bike.

The bagman may also help if your saddle isn't very high above the rear wheel and you don't have a rack or fender. The Camper is a very large bag and can rub against the tire."

Thats the type of info I was looking for thanks. I like the idea of a quick release bag but being as this will only be used for out of town on long trips a secure attachment is more important.


KnoxBreezer
" Both are excellent big saddle bags. I prefer the leather straps and buckles of the Long Flap over the nylon and plastic clips on the Super C. The Long Flap also makes it easier to stuff rolled up clothes, jackets, thin sleeping pads, ect under the flap, but you can just as easily attach this stuff to the outside of either of these bags with bungies or straps. I have a Barley Bag, and love it. You might also look at the Nelson if you think these two might be too big, it's a great size and will hold plenty.

As for supports, I use a bagman, but with the larger bags like the Super C and Long Flap, you might consider having it rest on a rack, even just a simple mini-rack."

Is your preference for the long flap due to durability or aesthetics or just a kind of what you're familiar with?

You say bag man too or a small mini rack. Like I said I am not too keen on a rack however Google does not help me out much with a mini rack could you throw in a few suggestions please so I know exactly what you are talking about.

Thanks

T

[supcom]

TheBrick,

Check out Rivendell (rivbike.com) for small rear racks.

[Scootcore]

for nice smallish to large bags do a search on ebay for acorn bags. there made by a BF member out here in sunny socal and are quite nice...i think his biggest is a bit morethan a barley. and to add to the post..i havea barley anda nelson longflap, both are awesome in different ways. i use a bagman sport for both of them and it works fine. barley is great for day to day stuff and supported long rides, nelson is good for commuting(getting lots of clothes to work...) and longer unsupported to overnight trips...plenty of space.

[Hocam]

I have a barely and don't use a bagman rack. It's small enough that I don't seem to need one, even when weighted down with about a dozen and a half apples from a previous bike trip.

As for the SQR, it takes me under 2 minutes to take the barely on and off the bike. It's just 3 buckles on leather straps so I don't really see the need for the SQR.

[TheBrick]

Scootcore I can't find the acorn bags on .com or .co.uk I expect the postage + tax to the uk would make them uncompetitive with the long flap e.t.c

Hocam I think I will go with the bag man. I can see the poin of the sqr if I was riding around town. Having to spen da min or so undoing clips every time I stopped with get on my nerves. I just use a ruck sac for that reason and the effect any extra weight has on a bike.

[spokenword]

Brick -- I have a Super C, and have liked using it as both a brevet bag and as a lightweight commuter bag (for the days when I'm not transporting a laptop or running grocery errands) I also prefer the snap enclosures over the leather straps and buckles on the Camper Longflap, more because I find them to be more user friendly. It's also nice to be able to use my own straps and clips for the outer bag loops, rather than go with what's stitched into the Nelson.

I use a bagman quick release to secure the bag to my Specialized Alias saddle and have the whole affair supported by the rear rack that was built into my bike. Occasionally, I think the rack is overkill, but it has been nice to have the rack as an extra platform. For PBP, I rode with the Super C holding clothes, tools and food, a sleeping bag and/or rain jacket lashed to the outer bag loops and a third water bottle bungeed to the rear rack. Map case on the handlebars had brevet card, wallet, phone and additional food.

[Scootcore]

Scootcore I can't find the acorn bags on .com or .co.uk I expect the postage + tax to the uk would make them uncompetitive with the long flap e.t.c

Hocam I think I will go with the bag man. I can see the poin of the sqr if I was riding around town. Having to spen da min or so undoing clips every time I stopped with get on my nerves. I just use a ruck sac for that reason and the effect any extra weight has on a bike.

sorry man, i just checked and he doesnt have any posted, dang! as for getting the bag on and off even quicker you can get "chap snaps" from a leather/saddle supply store, they make a great quick release!! and yer probably right about the shipping blowing things up...just thought is try and pimp a local boy!

[TheBrick]

sorry man, i just checked and he doesnt have any posted, dang! as for getting the bag on and off even quicker you can get "chap snaps" from a leather/saddle supply store, they make a great quick release!! and yer probably right about the shipping blowing things up...just thought is try and pimp a local boy!

Thats cool, I know what you mean about promoting local talent, I like to plug a mate of mine who makes caps here in London even on primary U.S based forums like this one.:) My new hat (not modeled by me)

http://www.smeear.co.uk/
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2415/1925114180_fd8a6d8e49.jpg



Brick -- I have a Super C, and have liked using it as both a brevet bag and as a lightweight commuter bag (for the days when I'm not transporting a laptop or running grocery errands) I also prefer the snap enclosures over the leather straps and buckles on the Camper Longflap, more because I find them to be more user friendly. It's also nice to be able to use my own straps and clips for the outer bag loops, rather than go with what's stitched into the Nelson.

I use a bagman quick release to secure the bag to my Specialized Alias saddle and have the whole affair supported by the rear rack that was built into my bike. Occasionally, I think the rack is overkill, but it has been nice to have the rack as an extra platform. For PBP, I rode with the Super C holding clothes, tools and food, a sleeping bag and/or rain jacket lashed to the outer bag loops and a third water bottle bungeed to the rear rack. Map case on the handlebars had brevet card, wallet, phone and additional food.

Ahh the quick release bagman? How do you find that? I read somewhere that it comes loose. Have you had any experience with that?

[spokenword]

Ahh the quick release bagman? How do you find that? I read somewhere that it comes loose. Have you had any experience with that? My local shop (Harris Cyclery (http://www.harriscyclery.net))had it. It was actually the only rack that they had in house as they were all out of the SQR's, but it worked out well enough. I never had an issue with the unit coming loose, but it is a little tricky to put on. Basically, quick release but not necessarily quick attach.

[The Smokester]

The re-designed Bagman racks have just been released. I just got one shipped to the US from SJS Cycles in the UK.

[TheBrick]

Last thing, does anyone know which is more water proof? The corrdorra (or how ever it is spelt) of t super C or the cuck cotton of the long flap?

[spokenword]

Last thing, does anyone know which is more water proof? The corrdorra (or how ever it is spelt) of t super C or the cuck cotton of the long flap?

I can't comment on the long flap, but the Super C held up just fine throughout all four days of rain on PBP. fwiw, I believe that both the Super C and the Camper are made of Cotton Duck material and that only the Carradura rack bag and Prima handlebar bag are made from Cordura 1000. I might be working on outdated information, and perhaps the later generations of Super C's are also being made from Cordura. Regardless, my messenger bag (http://www.pacdesigns.com/ultimate.htm) is also made from Cordura 1000 and that has been utterly indestructible through six years of commuting. I've carried laptops in that bag through blizzards and thunderstorms and never had a problem with soaking.