Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - one last RANDO bag question main flap (with decaluer)

hello again everyone,

thanks for the help down below ,

One last question many of you who ride with large front bags advise the use of the Decaluer to secure the bag , this makes sence But Ive noticed that the decaluers are right in the way of the bags main flap, any isse with closing the front flap ??

Looks like one would have to put the elastic through the Decaluer support then reach up and grab the elastic pull down through support then secure it?? (might be a pain with gloves)

also it doesnt look like the front flap will close all the way if using a decaluer??

Im sure many of you are using the combination, any issues???

I can see where the ostrich front facing flap has an advantage when it comes to the Decaluer\

your thoughts please.

BTW Velo oranges Rando bags should be in next week they look ok if not a tad busy with all the contrasing colors, black fabric ,light leather and white thread, from the photos on the blog the leather starps are not very uniform. not sure of size yet but ill bet its the size of the acorn or close too it.

many thanks

"John"

you'll be needing to thread the elastic through your brake and shift cables anyway, and its alot easier than it seems. flap the bag closed, grab the elastic, and hook it down.

last i checked the vo decaleurs were out for the foreseeable future.


where are you seeing pics of the VO bag?
i went acorn as i didn't want to be adjusting buckles all the time... and VO never responded about when they might have them...

"John",

Do you have photos you can post or a link to where we can look at the new VO bag?

Hi Bmike and mtbmaven thanks for the reply.

1) the photos are on the VO 2008 blog under "Handlebar bags" I talked to Chris again yesterday and the bags are on a plane and were to be going through customs.

2) as much as the Blog photo looks retro and all I see a few details that I dont like, perhaps the finished for sale product will be nicer than the proto type.

my issues 1) like bmike , dont think ill like fiddling the leather straps on the small pockets while riding

2) the small pockets look a bit too small for large wallet and pugy style cell phone

3) the color is very busy, black with leather (looks nice) but if the bag has the white stiching like in the blog photo well "Too Busy" at least for me

4) the last thing is the leather straps/accents (on the blog photo) the leather straps are not done evenly /straight (sewn on crooked)

but again thats the prototype photo the finished product bight be a different story

I wont make a final jugement untill chris has it up on the website.

all in all a nice bag

"John"

I am using a Berthoud bag and a VO decaleur. I have used the Ostrich bag as well. The issues you mention are valid, but really not of any concern. You do have to thread the elastic through the decaleur. This becomes second nature and is not especially difficult. The decaleur does also come into contact with the flap when closed. This does not prevent the flap from being closed all the way, as the edge of the flap simply curls up slightly. The front opening flap of the Ostrich bag does cure these "problems", but I find it annoying to open while riding, as the wind catches it and flaps it up onto the bars. Some folks, in fact, do not fasten the elastic loop on the Berthoud bag as they find the wind is adequate to hold it closed.

Also, in my experience leather straps look great but are a real PITA in use.

I don't have any of the problems you are worrying about.

Drop the flap down and leather tab w/ elastic goes through U bracket of decaleur. The elastic flips under the tab easily, w/ bit of practice, even wearing gloves. I like the buckle pocket version and can't say they bother me either. Maybe 30 years using a Carradice helps. They take a moment longer than Fastex.

The decaleur doesn't interfere w/ the flap at all. The Berthoud is the right design. You get access to the bag easily from the rider position -- behind the bag. You don't necessarily have to secure the top either, unless it's overflowing. Wind pressure keeps the flap down. The way i have my gear cables set up, they hold the corners as well.

http://www.veloweb.ca/jpegs/fixitpix/rakattak/decal-2.jpg

Installing VO racks/decaleur. (http://www.veloweb.ca/garagepages/vo_rackinstall.html)