Commuting - Ortlieb saddle bag + Brooks Swift = sorrow?

Can someone reassure me that I am right in saying Ortlieb saddle bags (M) like this

http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/images/products/large/9454.jpg

won't fit on a Brooks Swift saddle, using the quick-release mechanism.

Seems there is no way to attach the clip on the saddle high enough, and far enough back, for the bag to have room to slip on to. As hard as I try, I can find no way to get this to work.

they've got a strap atachment adaptor for that bag but its still a bit of a kluge so i'd advise against it.

you could also just use a couple of toe straps and snug it under the saddle like a tool roll.


you also won't break the bag if you take the mechanism off and attach some straps of your own choosing using some small parts etc.

you could make your own adapter that would grip the rails and then hold the clip.
Hardware stores are your best bet. There is one old guy there, who will have fun helping you figure this out.

I would probably make something out of wood or figure out how to strap it my self like the Carradice bags with a wooden dowel or something on the inside of the bag and leather straps.

I have the large Ortlieb saddlebag, and I can imagine there are a number of seats that bag wouldn't fit under. I had to mess around for quite a while before it fit on my saddle, and I would say my saddle is not at all unusual. The good news is that I now can carry a small watermelon or a severed head under my seat. You never know when that could come in handy :)

I don't know if you've used the bag, but twist the straps in the opposite direction from each other so they don't unwind. I don't know how Ortlieb gets the straps to look so flat in their pictures, I think it's misleading.

Do you mean the Ortlieb 'optional' straps? Could you possibly post a pic? - I can't really visualize what you are saying.



I have the large Ortlieb saddlebag, and I can imagine there are a number of seats that bag wouldn't fit under. I had to mess around for quite a while before it fit on my saddle, and I would say my saddle is not at all unusual. The good news is that I now can carry a small watermelon or a severed head under my seat. You never know when that could come in handy :)

I don't know if you've used the bag, but twist the straps in the opposite direction from each other so they don't unwind. I don't know how Ortlieb gets the straps to look so flat in their pictures, I think it's misleading.

they've got a strap atachment adaptor for that bag but its still a bit of a kluge so i'd advise against it.


I did in fact try the optional straps today. Looked OK when I set off, but soon the bag was hanging down like a pair of rapper's pants.

I ty-wrapped a Topeak quick-release under my B17. Took some fiddling but it's stayed put since I installed it early August.

Assuming the quick-release for your Ortlieb mounts to the saddle rails, you may be able to do the same thing.

Do you mean the Ortlieb 'optional' straps? Could you possibly post a pic? - I can't really visualize what you are saying.

the closure straps should be twisted in opposite directions to keep the bag from opening and dropping its contents.

I did in fact try the optional straps today. Looked OK when I set off, but soon the bag was hanging down like a pair of rapper's pants.


exactly, a clusterfuzzle of klugeness. I consistently advise against the offical strap adaptor from ortlieb for this.

try taking the bracket off the bag (simple plastic 10mm nuts inside should be) and see if you can do a quality attachment of some strapping with short wood screws mounting the strap to the plastic nuts inside.... more like a Jannd saddlebag...

If you're partial to the under-seat type of bag, Topeak has non-QR versions of their Aerowedge. I use one with a B-17 and it's not a problem. But, same deal with their QR version: It just won't fit on a Brooks.

A severed head you say? Hmm, I could see where that could come in handy. I feel a Holloween prank comming on muahahaha!




I have the large Ortlieb saddlebag, and I can imagine there are a number of seats that bag wouldn't fit under. I had to mess around for quite a while before it fit on my saddle, and I would say my saddle is not at all unusual. The good news is that I now can carry a small watermelon or a severed head under my seat. You never know when that could come in handy :)

I don't know if you've used the bag, but twist the straps in the opposite direction from each other so they don't unwind. I don't know how Ortlieb gets the straps to look so flat in their pictures, I think it's misleading.

That bag WILL fit a Brooks (b-17 and Swift in my house). It doesn't work well and severely limits your positioning.

I think some U shaped cable nuts might fix the problem. I just went back to a Regal.