Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Saddle bag for brevet-style bike

Does anyone have recommendations for a saddle bag that will be used on a brevet-style build that I just completed?
I recently bought a Salsa Casseroll frame at a steep discount from Jenson. I outfitted it with traditional brevet-inspired parts; bar-end 9-speed shifters, med-cage rear derauiller, brooks saddle with thomson seatpost, SKS fenders, 25c tires, compact double crank.

The bike is all done except for the saddle bag. I was considering getting the Carridice Barley or the Super C. Acorn also makes a nice looking bag that is similar to the Barley that I'm considering. Anyway, I really don't have any experience at all with large-style saddle bags and would appreciate your advice.

Thanks!

ya can't go wrong with a carridice.

well, the super c has three times the volume of the barley, so maybe that's the difference between needing a front bag or not?
Is this bag an accessory for a 'brevet style build' or for riding brevets? What are you going to want to carry, and so you want to get off the bike to get at it? I like the idea of the ostrich front bag (http://www.velo-orange.com/oshabag.html)for most goto stuff and a saddlebag for necessary items that needn't be as accessible (tools, spares, etc).
But I might be aesthetically driven on a front bag. I would mention that if you go for a bag in front it should mount low so you have the option of handlebar mounting your lights. The ortlieb doesn't allow this, for example.

I was considering getting the Carridice Barley or the Super C.

For randonneuring, the Super C is way too big. If you are doing touring, and you expect to carry a lot of things, it may be OK. But otherwise, I would say that it is overkill for brevets.

In general, I would recommend not getting a bag that is bigger than you really need, otherwise you will end up filling it up with too much stuff that you don't need on a brevet. I talk from experience. I have a Nelson longflap, and I would not be so much of a ratpack on my rides if I used something smaller.

I have seen the Barley on other bikes, and it looks like the perfect size for a short brevet, or for longer rides where there is a drop bag provided. If you really need to carry more than the Barley will fit, I would recommend a small handlebar bag, perhaps something similar to the Velo Orange Baguette bag (http://www.velo-orange.com/baesaorhabag.html).

anone use the carradice sqr tour, slim or trax? any reviews?

I have a barely and really enjoy it, both aesthetically and functionally. It's big enough for shorter brevets and with a handlebar bag I think it wouldn't be a problem for longer rides.

I like how the ostrich bag looks, but 110 for the bag, then another 55 for the mount and still another 80 for a front rack is just way out of my budget.

i have a barley and a nelson longflap. unless yer going looong or expect wildly changing weather the barley will be fine. i also have a handlebar bag from the acorn guys and it is top notch! from time to time Ron(the acorn guy) posts on the socal forum. his big bag looks like it would be comparable to the barley.

when youve gota few rides on the casserol let us know how you like it please! thats one of three bikes on the short list for my next ride!

I like how the ostrich bag looks, but 110 for the bag, then another 55 for the mount and still another 80 for a front rack is just way out of my budget....

We're already talking about $150 saddlebags here, and yes, money can be an issue. I'm just saying that if the guy saves 2 grand on a frame, over, say, a bilenky signature series, maybe he can spend a bit more on luggage. ;-)

I use a jandd mountain wedge III. I don't have enough clearance to expand (I'm riding a 54tt) it but I've been use it for my jacket, wool tights, silk liner, emergency bivy sack, hat, spare socks and shorts (and a bunch of other little things). I strap my bivy to my top tube.

Perhaps a silly question for carradice owners, the bags seem very bulky, do you notice any extra drag when using one?

matthew_deaner, what do you need to take (what kind of rides are you doing)? Are we talking day long brevets or several day randonnees?

matthew_deaner, what do you need to take (what kind of rides are you doing)? Are we talking day long brevets or several day randonnees?

I've never done a randonee, and I don't think I'm going to be able to any time soon. My financial situation is OK, but not great... the travel time and expense of a randonee is out of the budget for next year at least. But I am a serious long-distance rider. I love double centuries and ultra-marathon cycling events.

I don't need to carry a whole lot... enough food to last me about 300-miles, some raingear if it's cold, and a repair kit. No overnight trips.

Up to this point I had two bikes to choose from for long-distance rides, a Trek 5200 set up for racing (low handlebars), and a Surly Long Haul Trucker with full racks. I normally took the Trek 5200. It's fast but it rides rough compared to a good steel frame, and my back gets sore on long rides. I'm hoping the Salsa will fill the nitch between my fast road bike and my touring bike.

I've had the Salsa built up for a week, and I haven't even had a chance to ride it. The weather has been really wet here, and there is salt and sand all over the roads. I just can't bear to subject the Salsa to that yet... but I'll post a ride report once I get a chance to take it on some long rides.

...

We're already talking about $150 saddlebags here, and yes, money can be an issue. I'm just saying that if the guy saves 2 grand on a frame, over, say, a bilenky signature series, maybe he can spend a bit more on luggage. ;-)

Yes, price really is no object for the bags. I want something that I won't ever feel that I need to upgrade from. I've gone the cheap route on bike stuff before, and it always seems to cost me more in the long run because I end up getting the better stuff anyway...

Thanks, everyone, for the advice. Looks like most are recommending the Carridice Barley. The size looks about right, and I like the looks of it. Does anyone have any experience with the Acorn bag that is basically a Barley knock off? It looks a lot like the Barley, is made in the USA, and is a lot cheaper. I just wish it had loops to attach to the D-rings on the back of my Brooks B-17.

...

We're already talking about $150 saddlebags here, and yes, money can be an issue. I'm just saying that if the guy saves 2 grand on a frame, over, say, a bilenky signature series, maybe he can spend a bit more on luggage. ;-)

I got my barely for around $80, a big difference from $250+

Unfortunately my Bilenky was not made for me, I got it used for an amazing price from a friend. Either way, that's a reason to have less money to spend on a handlebar bag! :)

Then there's the Berthoud handlebar bags peter white sells, good god!

Thanks, everyone, for the advice. Looks like most are recommending the Carridice Barley. The size looks about right, and I like the looks of it. Does anyone have any experience with the Acorn bag that is basically a Barley knock off? It looks a lot like the Barley, is made in the USA, and is a lot cheaper. I just wish it had loops to attach to the D-rings on the back of my Brooks B-17.

you can attach the acorns to yer B17! it really is a barley knock off that way. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300173745467

you can see in the listing that it hooks up the same way. i have his handlebar bag and it is made quite nicely. its been through some rain out here and has held up as well as i would expect from my carradices(i often use it as a saddlebag too). Ron's a good guy as well!!!! in the end i dont think you can go wrong with either product. and as far as extra drag goes(did you ask about that???). i cant really say ive ever noticed anything. the under sadddle location keep it right behing yer thighs so i cant imagine its really an issue......


oh...and try and get a bagman rack(if you can find them), they make life way easier!!

The first bag I got for brevets was a Carradice Barley. One cold, rainy 300K was enough to make me decide it wasn't quite what I wanted. The problem was the tiny little buckles. Late in the ride, when I was physically and mentally exhausted, I spent what seemed like an eternity trying to unbuckle and then rebuckle the thing. I decided to get an Ostrich Saddlebag (http://www.velo-orange.com/ossabag.html). It has roughly the same capacity as the Barley, but uses hooks and straps instead of buckles.

Thanks, everyone, for the advice. Looks like most are recommending the Carridice Barley. The size looks about right, and I like the looks of it. Does anyone have any experience with the Acorn bag that is basically a Barley knock off? It looks a lot like the Barley, is made in the USA, and is a lot cheaper. I just wish it had loops to attach to the D-rings on the back of my Brooks B-17.

I have both the Acorn and the Barley. Love them both. The waxed cotton duck on the Carradice seems a bit more "stiff" than the fabric on the Acorn, otherwise they are pretty much identical. I like that the Acorn has a zippered flap so it's easy to store flat things in there (like maps, que sheets, documents, ect). I also really dig that the Acorn is made in the USA, by a member of these forums and his wife.

Thanks to everyone for the advice.

I really wanted to like the Acorn - but the small model (which is much like a Barley) doesn't hook to the D-rings on my Brooks, so I decided against it. The Ostrich front handlebar bag looks too big for my purposes, as does the large acorn saddlebag (the black one, which DOES hook to D-rings).

I ended up getting a Carradice Barley from SJS cycles in England. The price was $80.50 with shipping. I feel like I really lucked out, not only because of the low price but it seems like these bags are almost unavailable in the U.S. Peter White, WallBike, and aebike are all sold out.

Again, thanks for the advice.

I'm surprised so many people prefer saddle bags. A rack with a rack-trunk bag seems like the way to go to me, but whatever.

Where can you buy an acorn bag at? I was going to get an Barley but I'm having a hard time finding one.

I'm surprised so many people prefer saddle bags. A rack with a rack-trunk bag seems like the way to go to me, but whatever.

I think many of us have bikes without eyelets for installing racks.

Where can you buy an acorn bag at? I was going to get an Barley but I'm having a hard time finding one.

E-bay is the only place that I know of. I just checked, and it looks like there aren't any listed right now. My guess is the seller needs to post them again... they're almost always available on e-bay.

Here is a link to the Barley at SJS cycles. This is $80.50 USD with shipping.
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Carridice-of-Nelson-Carradice-Barley-Cotton-Duck-Saddlebag--Green-with-Honey-Straps--7ltr-capacity-10482.htm

I'm surprised so many people prefer saddle bags. A rack with a rack-trunk bag seems like the way to go to me, but whatever.

I don't like the way racks/tail bags make my light-framed bikes feel when climbing out of the saddle... I feel more flex. Kind of like a fish swimming, if you can visualize that...

I'm surprised so many people prefer saddle bags. A rack with a rack-trunk bag seems like the way to go to me, but whatever. I used to do all of my brevets with an Axiom Laurentian rack bag, but found that the bag was too small for longer brevets. I had to use a drop bag on my 600 to carry additional supplies, and I figured that it was going to be insufficient for PBP if I was also planning on doing the entire affair self-supported and would've wanted to bring a sleeping bag along for the ride.

For a while, in July, while sussing out options, I tried to finagle some method for bungee-ing the sleeping bag stuff sack to my saddle, but after a couple of training rides with it, I gave in and dropped by Harris Cyclery to field test one of their Carradice bags. Installed it on-site, did 80 miles, came back and said that I'd keep it. Have not regretted it since.

Now, the rack bag is pretty much gathering dust, and the Carradice stays on my bike except for occasions when I need to do some really heavy lifting and put the panniers on. The bike feels more balanced when I'm standing up to climb, and crosswinds don't generate as much drag for me.

Plus now, if I wanted to, I can use my rack for holding additional stuff, like spare water bottles, bouquets of flowers or a chicken carcass.

anone use the carradice sqr tour, slim or trax? any reviews?

My wife and I have the SQR Tour and Slim. Fairly weather resistant and durable. You need to make sure that there is enough seatpost exposed for the SQR mount. Realize that you need to place the SQR mount high enough to clear the rear tire.

The Tour has small pockets on the outside. A nice feature if you are doing some light touring or need quick access to stuff. The Slim has one big storage compartment. This is an advantage if you need to carry more stuff or if you have a large item. The Slim is "shorter" than the Tour such that you have more tire clearance. The quick release SQR mount works well after a bit of practice. I have never had any difficulty managing the various clips during inclement weather or darkness.

The SQR bags are great on the Bike Fridays. They work well on our full size bikes as well (Jamis Nova).

For most long rides, the Tour/Slim is probably overkill. From memory, I recall that they are bigger than the Barley but smaller than the Nelson Longflap. But I really enjoy the bag during commuting and winter rides when I carry more supplies.

I'm very pleased with my Barley too, although I have to use the small Bagman Support with it.

I'm very pleased with my Barley too, although I have to use the small Bagman Support with it.

Do you need to use the support to prevent thigh rub? I was worried about that. Maybe I should have ordered the support too...

Do you need to use the support to prevent thigh rub? I was worried about that. Maybe I should have ordered the support too...Actually, it's not for thigh rub. Since my frame is not very tall, without the support the bag can rub the rear wheel if loaded down. Otherwise, you can get by without the support.

I'm not necessarily recommending it but I used a Carradice wedge type bag upto and including PBP. It would have been a big mistake this year with all the rain but in 2003 I got by OK. The Barley certainly looks the part.

Where can you buy an acorn bag at? I was going to get an Barley but I'm having a hard time finding one.

As noted before, usually on ebay, but here is the Acorn Bag direct link (http://www.acornbags.com/). The BF member's name is ronzorini, try sending him a PM here too. You used to be able to select "custom" fabrics, within reason and willingness to wait.

Thanks I went ahead and ordered a Barley from SJScycles.

I like the Carridice Barley, for the most part. The backs of my thighs do slightly bump the bag, but that became a non-issue for me pretty quickly. YMMV.

I do agree with the fellow that complained about the buckles. They're slow, and they can be annoying. They do look pretty classy, though. I'd like a faster system, but I'm not aware of any that maintain the same "tradition factor". Depends on yer priorites...

i was trying to compare the acorn large saddlebag and the carradice barley. what are the actual dimensions of the acorn bag. he says 12 x 6 x6 inches or 43 x 20 x20 cm. if one converts 20 cm to inches you get almost 8" so my question is the acorn bigger than a barley and what are the actual dimensions

i was trying to compare the acorn large saddlebag and the carradice barley. what are the actual dimensions of the acorn bag. he says 12 x 6 x6 inches or 43 x 20 x20 cm. if one converts 20 cm to inches you get almost 8" so my question is the acorn bigger than a barley and what are the actual dimensions

They are pretty much the same size. Just took a ruler to both the Barley and the large Acorn saddlebag. His measurements include the pockets on each side. The main compartment on both is 30cm wide, by about 15cm tall. It's a great size very functional and useful for my daily commuting needs, and did me very well on my only 200k brevet.

...I do agree with the fellow that complained about the buckles. They're slow, and they can be annoying. They do look pretty classy, though. I'd like a faster system, but I'm not aware of any that maintain the same "tradition factor". Depends on yer priorites...

I never fully do up the buckles on my Barley. I just tighten the strap down to the shortest hole possible and don't bother to tuck the free end of the strap into the buck. Never comes undone and much faster than fussing with it when you got cold fingers and long-fingered gloves. Can undo the buckle with one upward tug.

They are pretty much the same size. Just took a ruler to both the Barley and the large Acorn saddlebag. His measurements include the pockets on each side. The main compartment on both is 30cm wide, by about 15cm tall. It's a great size very functional and useful for my daily commuting needs, and did me very well on my only 200k brevet.

great info. thank you. so which do you prefer. they cost about the same if you order the barley from sjs or somwhere in england

Do you need to use the support to prevent thigh rub? I was worried about that. Maybe I should have ordered the support too...

I too use a Barley. In addition to thigh rub, which bothers me but I could live with it, the bag hangs at a steep angle without support. With newer Carradice bags there's not as much concern about stuff falling out of the main compartment, given they now have a drawstring and extra fabric to hold things in; but the side pockets are perhaps an issue if you carry any loose small objects.

I've use a couple of options: a small Nitto rack which works well, but is overkill (only use that for camping loads with a large saddle bag); a simple standoff made from about 4" of PVC pipe with a toe strap going through it, and around the seatpost (works well, but there's a fair amount of sway when climbing out of the saddle); and finally the Viva saddlebag support, available from Velo Orange: http://www.velo-orange.com/visabagsu.html (http://www.velo-orange.com/visabagsu.html)

While I haven't tried the Bagman, I like the Viva alot--very secure, cheap, minimalist, easy to remove.

And Matthew--I live between E'ville and Stinesville, and lived in Owen county for many years. Shoot me a p.m. if you ever want to get together for a ride, or to check out Barley support options while awaiting the arrival of yours.

Jack

great info. thank you. so which do you prefer. they cost about the same if you order the barley from sjs or somwhere in england

They are so close it is hard to say. I would prefer the Acorn, being American made... by a fellow BF member. It also has a neat zippered pocket in the flap, which is good for carrying maps, letters, keys, ect.

I also have the Small Handlebar Acorn Bag... it is also very useful and sees a lot of time on my bike, especially when I just want to head out for a metric.

My wife bought me the Barley as a gift, I bought her the Acorn as a gift. I've ridden through a bit of rain with my Barley, and the waxed duck cloth seemed to keep things relatively dry. We've yet to test the Acorn in the rain (she doesn't really dig wet rides), but I would imagine it would fair equally as well.

Tough call, but I say support your fellow BF member who is producing a quality product as a small business here in the good ole USA.