Touring - Carradice Bags

Anyone familiar with Carradice.They make some really cool looking bags for bicycles.There made in England.Some of there bags have an old school look to them.I ordered the Barley seat bag or saddlebag as they call it.Just wondering if anyone else has used there products and if you like them.....Kevin

I've been using a Carradice Barley to carry commuting gear for the past 5 years. I also own a Pendle, which is their next largest bag, but the Barley will hold everything I need for commuting 99% of the time. I have also used rack-top bags and panniers, but prefer the Carradice bags for commuting. Due to their position right behind the saddle, they have little effect on bike handling and balance -- unlike other options. I did find that the Carradice Bagman rack is necessary, however, to keep the bag from swaying and hitting the backs of my legs when pedaling.

No love for Carradice bags here....that is why I have 4 and more on the way. :D

I currently have: Nelson Long Flap, Barley, Cadet, and Kendall Pannier.

Aaron :)

http://inlinethumb36.webshots.com/43747/2697217040066886751S500x500Q85.jpg

I use Carradice panniers, front and rear, both for touring and shopping. Love 'em.

Thick canvas.. long wearing.. your grandchildren can inherit and use them.

yeah great bags i have camper and rack bag superc excellent.

I used a Carradice Nelson Longflap (and Bagman QR support) for my credit card tour from San Francisco to Los Angeles. A bit price, but it worked great!

I have been using the Carradice Super C Rear Panniers for a few years. My previous set of nylon panniers from another maker had issues with the connection of the panniers to the rack, but the Carradice have a sturdy connection system. Also, the Carradice panniers are made from thick canvas. This came in handy when I accidentally hit a sharp bolt protruding into the road. Nylon panniers would have been permanently trashed, but I was able to sew the Carradice panniers with sail thread and they still work great. I highly recommend these.

Carradice bags are such that you will be able to put them in your will so future generations might enjoy them... I have an ancient Pendle and my wife has their shopper and Super C bags and they have all been bulletproof.

My Super Cs are over 15 years old. I have repaired the wear and tear using a Carradice repair kit and I have replaced the mounting hooks. I think they are the oldest item that I have in everyday use.

Another fan here. I have a Pendle and a Nelson longflap. Both a bit beaten up but looking as if they'll last for ever.

the Super C panniers are also very lightweight for the volume. I use a set front and rear, and have a couple saddlebags also...

Just as side note... if you want to see how well a Carradice bag can hold up, wander over to C&V (Classic and Vintage) and read this thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/829938-Vintage-Carradice-Saddlebags-Mid-1940s-to-around-1985). There are pictures of 60+ year old Carradice bags in there.

Aaron :)

I have a Super C saddlebag that I like quite a bit, and a Camper that I don't like so well. The difference comes down to the buckles: the Super C has easy to use plastic buckles, while the Camper has traditional leather straps and buckles. I find those very slow and cumbersome to use. The metal D rings on the Camper also feel very thin and cheap--I actually prefer the plastic buckles on the Super C.

Just as side note... if you want to see how well a Carradice bag can hold up, wander over to C&V (Classic and Vintage) and read this thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/829938-Vintage-Carradice-Saddlebags-Mid-1940s-to-around-1985). There are pictures of 60+ year old Carradice bags in there.

Aaron :)

57 year old bike with a Carradice Pendle of unknown age although the reflective material makes it a more recent model that has seen a lot of miles... the bag gets moved between a number of green Raleighs here but belongs on the Lenton... until I find one that is a closer match in age. :)

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/2012reg1.JPG

I had the Nelson Long Flap and loved it, but it's not suitable for mountain bike touring or off-road riding - the stability is only enough for staying on-road. So I sold it off and at some point I plan to pick up a bikepacking-style saddlebag from one of the makers on bikepacking.net forums.

I use my Barley on my roadbike. More than enough for the shorter brevets (haven't tried the longer ones yet). Bagman and bungie netting will effectively double/triple max carrying capacity, making it a very good commuter option as well.

I have a Camper Longflap and a Low-Saddle Longflap. I like them a lot. The only thing with them is that you need a decent amount of drop from the saddle to the rear tyre. I'm short and so had to get a Low-Saddle to fit on most of my bikes. I like them. Strong, waterproof and usefully sized. I used the Camper on a week-long tour where we stayed at motels/pubs/hotels. It held all I needed. I use the Low-Saddle on one of my commuters.

You also need to have saddle bag loops on your saddle. Brooks have them as standard, but if you have a modern style saddle you will also need to get the clamp on saddlebag loops. The Bagman support rack is useful for holding the bag of the back of your legs or up from the tyre. The Bagman is rated at 10kg which is a decent load.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0IF0Nma_488/TWN1jwJVhKI/AAAAAAAAEvw/R8-cpehyGSg/s800/SAM_0408.JPG
c1915 bike with Carradice Camper Longflap at the Dansey Pass Hotel.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wB6w28d4UjM/T8x1w-A6eDI/AAAAAAAAGxk/VVB3n94mJsw/s800/12%25208%253A45%253A27%2520PM.jpg
My Schwinn with Low-Saddle Longflap and Bagman Sport rack.

Wow I can't wait to get my Barley.It'll be here Tuesday.I plan to use this bag on my next tour.

My commuter with Carradice Nelson saddlebag and Bagman support.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7104/7331513670_868685b439_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/justridingalong/7331513670/)

I've been using a Nelson Longflap for about a decade now, then in the past year, I picked up 2 Pendles ... one in green to go with my titanium long distance bicycle, and one in black.

The black Pendle was supposed to accompany me on our 8-month tour, but at the last minute I decided it might be too small, so I returned to my trusty Nelson Longflap.

Rowan has the Barley ... it's a bit smaller than the Pendle.

They're all good for different purposes.

I also have a Nelson Longflap, although its main use has been on our tandem for centuries and the like.

Just before we left for overseas, I did invest in three bagman supports. Until now, we have used Topeak MTB racks as supports, but that was a bit messy, and the bags tended to droop on either side of the rack, so the Bagmans should help solve all that.

When scouting around for new panniers for our trip, I did look at the Carradice versions, but I read one or two too many bad reviews, mainly on the quality control, but also the lack of a decent closure on the rear pocket.

Where did u get your bagman supports at.

and what clearence do you need on the rails for the support to fit.
i only have 1.5 inch or 30mm of rail showing so will it fit.
BTW wiggle.co.uk have them at a good price postage free .

Yeah, the clearance issue is moot with the bagmans on Brooks saddles. I can't tell you what the clearances were on the three saddles they were fitted to, although the one on the tandem does have a Thudbuster seatpost which does limit cleaerance, and I had no issues there.

And yes, Wiggle is where I sourced mine.

and what clearence do you need on the rails for the support to fit.
i only have 1.5 inch or 30mm of rail showing so will it fit.
BTW wiggle.co.uk have them at a good price postage free .

The clamp on my Bagman QR looks to be about 15mm long. FYI, I got my Carradice and Bagman from Peter White Cycles.

thanks for that then i should have plenty of space on the rails.
just ordered one from wiggle went for expedition, the QR was to expensive 55euro.:rolleyes:

the Bagman QR clamp part can be bought, additionally, and retrofitted..
IDK why Wiggle refuses to stock both versions. Exp without , but the other with..

the Bagman QR clamp part can be bought, additionally, and retrofitted..
IDK why Wiggle refuses to stock both versions. Exp without , but the other with..

i was brouseing trough carradice site and they have a new support looks good too.
ah i'll give this one a try out see if it does the job,
i'm thinking of heading to Donegal sometime during the week if the weather picks up bloody lashing here all week.

rain let up on the 4th here.. drying trend? one can only hope..

yeah but now you got loads of sunshine:thumb:

thanks for that then i should have plenty of space on the rails.
just ordered one from wiggle went for expedition, the QR was to expensive 55euro.:rolleyes:

The QR version is a very nice luxury! Great to be able to pop the bag off the rack in 2 seconds and carry it with you when you stop. With a little care, the attachment loops won't pull into the bag and you'll be able to reinstall it just as fast. I bought the QR because it was the only thing in stock when I ordered, but now that I have it I'm very happy that it's the version I ended up with...

if this works out i'll buy the QR at a later date carradice have a new version of it better supported by the looks of it.

i have a set of super-c rear paniers, i just can't fault them

What do you use to waterproof your Carradice bags? I've used a spray wax, but the nozzle keeps clogging up. I'd like to find something that I could just rub in.

What do you use to waterproof your Carradice bags? I've used a spray way, but the nozzle keeps clogging up. I'd like to find something that I could just rub in.

They are pretty much waterproof already. The fibres in the cotton swell as they get wet and prevent water penetration. Sounds crazy, but seems to work.

What do you use to waterproof your Carradice bags? I've used a spray way, but the nozzle keeps clogging up. I'd like to find something that I could just rub in.

I use Re-proofing wax. I have a tin that came from Carradice (http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?page_id=accessories), but they are apparently out of it at the moment. Martexin makes one too (http://store.archivalclothing.com/products/martexin-original-re-proofing-wax), I have never used it on a Carradice bag but I know people that do use it on capes and hats.

Aaron :)

They are pretty much waterproof already. The fibres in the cotton swell as they get wet and prevent water penetration. Sounds crazy, but seems to work.

Yes, but Carradice does recommend they be treated every once in a while.

I use Re-proofing wax. I have a tin that came from Carradice (http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?page_id=accessories), but they are apparently out of it at the moment. Martexin makes one too (http://store.archivalclothing.com/products/martexin-original-re-proofing-wax), I have never used it on a Carradice bag but I know people that do use it on capes and hats.

Aaron :)

That looks like a quality product, but I doubt it's available in my neck of the woods. I'll probably have to settle for the stuff they use on Barbour waxed jackets, which is most likely paraffin based and will smell to high heaven while I'm applying it.

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Tibet 2011

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Tibet 2011
excellent pic that looks like a rough place to ride a bike.

I got my Barley last night and it is as cool as I thought it would be.Cant wait to use it.

I went a slightly different route and got the Zimbale 18 liter bag. Very similar to the Carradice's, I have to admit I was originally swayed by disliking the white leather trim on the black Carradice's. My Zimbale is holding up excellently and made quite well.

I do also have a Carradice Cape Roll, although I use it rarely, I love it for what it is, a great bit of kit. Likewise the SQR bag support, it makes removing my bag everyday a breeze! Totally worth the $.

http://road.cc/content/news/59716-interview-round-world-record-holder-mike-hall-talks-round-world-record-kit
have you folks seen this.