randplaty

I just bought the large saddle bag from Acorn and its the perfect size for my commuting needs. Unfortunately, with it's leather straps it takes a long time to put it on the saddle or remove it. I don't want to have to take it off and put it back on every day because its quite difficult. My saddle has bag loops, but they're really small and it took 10 minutes to put the bag on in the first place. I removed the entire seatpost so I could get the leverage needed to force the leather straps through the bag slits.

If I don't want to remove and put the bag on everyday, is there any other way to prevent theft? Has anybody else had this problem? Do you think I need a separate lock just for my saddlebag?

therhodeo

Remove the whole seat, seatpost, and bag together?

larue

If you are really worried about it then just use a thin cable and run it through the saddlebag and the lock you already have for your bike. Or take the whole seatpost with you as the previous poster mentioned.

randplaty

Removing the saddle everyday couldn't be good for that hex screw could it? Yeah a cable that can connect to my ulock could work.

coldfeet

You could try what I do with my Brooks, that is, cover it with a plastic shopping bag. It looks like its a leaky old saddle and I'm trying to keep it dry. ( Which it does as well of course )

Not stunningly secure, but sometimes not looking theft worthy is a good option.

bhop

I remove mine when I lock it up. (although I have the small roll bag, maybe it's easier?) At first I had the same issue where it took forever, however, with practice, you get used to it and it gets faster and easier. I don't see how you could secure it or its contents without taking it off.. how's a cable gonna connect to it?

nick burns

Yup, cover your nutsack.

AndrewP

Put loops through the seat slots then run a QR skewer through the loops in the bag and the loops on the seat.

KitN

+1

Visual deterrents work wonders! No one messes with the "beater" bike with the black plastic bag over it. They wouldn't expect to find a $150 leather saddle underneath that plastic bag, LOL! Or realize that the bike rides like butter.

That's your first line of defense: Visual deterrent. Put a plastic bag over your saddle and another around your Acorn saddlebag.

Next up is actually securing the seat, saddlebag and bike. I use a Kryptonite Kryptoflex 4' "armored" cable for the seat and saddlebag. I loop the cable through the underside of the seat then through any holes in the top of the saddlebag. Then lock it with my Kryptonite Evolution Mini u-lock which also secures the actual bike to the bike rack. (Then I put the shopping bags onto of the saddle and saddlebag.)

Your most secure option is to take the whole entire seatpost with saddlebag attached inside with you. You can use a permanent marker to mark the height of your seat. No, unscrewing the seatpost bolt will not hurt the bolt unless you go crazy over tightening it and possibly strip the bolt.

Otherwise you're stuck either leaving your Acorn bag to the wolves or having to take the bag on and off each time you go in somewhere. Your choice.

KitN

ROFLMAO! I was going to say that but took the "high road".

Bag it up, boys!

TBatty

I think Acorn offers a quick release kit for their seat bags, that may be another option for you.

CliftonGK1

Get a Bagman QR support. That way you just take the whole thing with you when you're off the bike.

mlts22 

Would a Pacsafe wire mesh locking bag help? It can be easily cut, but it forces a thief to have to pull out tools and actively do mischief as opposed to just grabbing.

bhop

Hey, that's a good idea. I might try it out and see how it works.

KitN

Wow, I didn't know they even made those. Nice find!

Yah, that seems like a nice way to go if you can secure the bag well to the bike or a bike rack then lock up the rest of your bike but note that it does not secure the bag's contents since people can easily put their hands in and take stuff out like a wallet, tools, etc.

Only other downside is that it costs almost a much as the Acorn bag...

randplaty

Thanks everybody. I tried just removing the saddle and taking it in with me and its not as difficult as I thought it would be. I'll try this for awhile and if it doesn't work out for me I'll try one of the other tips you guys suggested. Thanks again!

elbows

I agree with bhop -- removing the saddlebag is not so bad once you get used to it. Also, over time the leather straps will break in and it will get easier. My saddle has annoying, small bag loops too, and I can still get my bag on or off in 10 seconds or so. With nice bag loops it's even faster.

Kojak

The biggest bummer about having nice stuff is worrying about those who would take, or ruin my nice stuff.

sjauch

Interesting, do you have a photo of this?

Disposable

https://www.flickr.com/photos/8130268...7602628947864/

I found this on the Wallingford site. The double clip was easy enough to find at the hardware store, and I have found that it works real well and gives me a carry handle to boot.

Rick Smith

https://www.rivbike.com/products/list...product=20-109

zeppinger

I have a large Sackville Saddle bag that is just too big to carry with me when I am off the bike. It pretty easy to take on and off but there is no good way to carry it in your hands. I have a thin cable lock that goes through slots on the bottom of the bag and lock it to the rear rack. I never unlock the cable so that bag just stays on the bike all the time. I even leave my bump and some basic tools in the bag when I leave it locked up. I would just rather buy a new pump once a year rather than carry it around with me all the time. The Sackville cost me $200 which is expensive but most people dont know what its worth so I am not too worried.

Caspar_s

Or you can try this: The Epicurean Cyclist: Boat cleat quick release

tarwheel 

I used the Bagman quick-release with my Acorn bag during a light-touring trip last Spring. It worked great, and it costs about half as much as the Rivendell model -- $86, good grief, you could buy a new bag for that much.

CliftonGK1

My Carradice Pendle & Bagman support were barely that much together.