madscot13

what sort of bag is that and how is it mounted? It looks like it could swallow a whole lot of gear.

bmike

Carradice SQR Tour.





It will be going to eBay next week - I upgraded to something a bit bigger for overnights with gear.
Its a great bag for cold centuries, doubles, brevets, and around town. Comes on and off the bike easy with the SQR block. I had an extra block on my other bike so I could swap it easily.

madscot13

looks pretty neat. are you going to get a rack or just stick with the seat bag?

TruckerMike

You touched on a thought I had recently about these large seatbags. From my perspective, the capacity need is either a) multi day b) overnighter or c) single day. If you're 'c', then I don't see the need for the seat bag in your picture, as one could be prepared with std seatbag+jersey pockets. For b) the Nelson Longflap or a single pannier seem the way to go with ultralight/compact camping gear. Sounds like you're honing your strategy for an overnighter - check dave's pic over on surly blog for more inspiration.

MTBMaven

Could you post a link?

madscot13

this has become a bit of a tangent but I agree. those bags look good for those who are going on long distance rides and want to be prepared but not for those who are doing any camping.

twiggy_D

My Tom Bromwich Mixte...
Two front lights, one rear light, one side/rear light, most visible while being overtaken.





I have a basket clip on the front which I use when doing short shopping trips into the city.

bmike

I think the bag is perfect for mixed weather brevet's (esp in the NE), solo winter centuries (esp here in VT), and with a handlebar bag could be used for light / credit card touring. Some brevet riders try to carry all their gear - others use drop bags. I've always like being self sufficient and only used the drop bags for items at the sleep stops on the longer rides. The bag has also been great for commuting to local meetings and such - I usually tuck my notebook / materials (flat) in the bottom and then sneak in my birks for walking around without my bike shoes. I've drifted to carrying things on the bike, rather than jersey pockets - I'll keep a bit of food and empty wrappers in my pockets - but I'd rather not have the bulk of jackets, arm warmers, etc. stuffed in there any longer than I need.

I picked up the Camper for a self supported 300k (actually its turning into a bit longer than a double century) through the ADKs and to follow up with some overnights where I'll be carrying cooking gear and a hammock. One could probably tour indefinitely out of the camper with the addition of an h-bar bag or a small front rack.

The bag is now on eBay.

stewartp

I have a carradice bag like the carradura. I say "like" because I've had it over 6 years and I can't be sure of the name anymore. With 2 mounting blocks it's easy peasy to switch bikes. I also modified a little bag to take the carradice support, and it's great for shorter brevets.
The carradura served me well for PBP though the metal frame popped its welds and had to be held together with zip ties until the end.
Once home I re-welded it, but with higher lugs so the bag now sits higher behind the saddle, more clearance above the rear wheel.

drewcifer

this bike is really cute.

HDavidH

What rear bag is that bmike? I like it.

David.

bmike

Carradice SQR Tour

MTBMaven

bmike, what cranks are those?

merlinextraligh

All of them except the TT bike and the fixed gear.

umd

My wife can actually claim her TT bike, because she did 112 in the Arizona Ironman last year.

bmike

TA Carmina, 94 BCD so I can run a double with the smallest ring a 30 and the largest a 52. Currently like the 32-46 combo I have on - but have run it as a 34-50 and a 32-48.

They have a removable spider - so I can keep the cranks and change it to a triple, or change it to a 110 spider. Really nice crank.

MTBMaven

Awesome! Thanks. That goes on my wish list for sure. Seems like a great way to have gearing for all kinds of riding (standard double, compact double, triple). Just choose your weapon (read: gearing) for the conditions.

eddie40

My Trek 7500 Hybrid (2006 model). Riding in my first century on 8/23/08 at the H.O.T. 100 in Tennessee. Can't wait.

Lamplight

And a hot 100 it will be! (I'm in middle TN)

MTBMaven

The long wait is over. After five months waiting (due to a vacation I took that delayed things). The frame is Columbus steel and designed to be an all day bike, century/double century, brevet, light touring. I had rack mounts added to the frame and fork and third bottle mount. The fork mounts are designed for Tubus Duo. Maiden voyage is tomorrow after work.

Enjoy the photos, sorry the quality kinda sucks.




I found this bottle of beer with a perfect top for my new build. The colors match almost perfectly. The beer is actually killer double Belgian Ale too!

cheg

What front derailer do you use with that 52-30 double? Any problems?

bmike

I've never run 52-30. Don't think it would be possible.

Smallest ring the cranks will take is a 30, largest a 52.
I think I can do a 16t difference with the Campy compact front der. I run.

Six jours

I run a 46-30 with a TA crank and went through every derailleur in my collection trying to get something to work. None of the modern stuff did the trick, including Campy Record and Shimano Ultegra. Mountain bike derailleurs were even worse. I finally tried a thirty year old Campy Super Record number out of desperation, and it's been flawless.

bmike

i had luck with a campy chorus (standard), and smoother shifting with the compact version.
the lbs that built it actually set up a marginal chainline. when i pulled the bb i sorted that out and had much better f der. shifting.

cheg

Yeah, that's why I was wondering. I run an 30 year old Suntour Cyclone Mk II RD with my TA Pro 5 Triple 50-47-29. I have not found any modern derailleurs can handle the half-step set up or the 21 tooth range.