CliftonGK1

Just curious about other people's preference and why.

Currently I've got a 950ci rack trunk and I was wondering if there's any big benefit in switching to a saddlebag like the Nelson LF (approx. same volume).

unterhausen

I don't see any advantage of a saddlebag other than you don't need a rack. Either way, you need to be stopped to get anything out.

bobbycorno

That, and a saddle bag puts the weight a good bit further forward, which can have a significant (positive) impact on handling. Oh, and a support of some kind (Bagman, etc) also helps handling, as it stabilizes the saddlebag.

SP
Bend, OR
(a Carradice / Bagman fan)

CliftonGK1

It's forward, but it's also up higher and that is what concerns me. I've been debating a Carradice/Bagman combo and the main concern I have is with moving the weight up high vs. down on a rack how I have it now. (Not worried about sway/stability, because I've seen others with the setup and I know it doesn't move around.)

Hydrated

I found that going to a Carradice Nelson/SQR support made a HUGE diference in my bike's handling. But I think it was a combination of things that made the difference:

1. I ride an '84 Trek 520... long noodly frame.
2. The rack I used was an original Blackburn rack. Not the stoutest of racks.
3. The Carradice puts the weight more forward and centers it on the seatpost.

With the old rack/bag combo my bike was downright scary to ride at speed on descents. The weight on the back made that frame wobble like Jello in July. The Carradice setup makes the bike handle like it's on rails... well... compared to what it used to be like.

CliftonGK1

I've got a Cross Check with a new B'burn Expedition rack, so it's a shorter frame than the 520 and the rack is very solid. I haven't noticed any issues with my Nashbar rack trunk when I have it fully loaded, even on the 2.25 mile descent on my commute which routinely puts my speed over 40mph.
I think for now I'll stick with the trunk bag. The only real detriment I'm seeing with it so far is the excess weight of having a rack on the bike, but since my brevet bike is also my commuter, it's gonna have to do.

Andrey

I have one bike with a rack and bag and the other with Acorn saddle bag. I could easily fit more stuff in a saddle mounted bag(although both bags look the same in size and volume is the same I believe), Acorn is more flexible and it has outside straps that you could secure even more stuff on the outside.

Handling on both bikes is the same, although if you have a "race" bike geometry saddle bag will provide more secure handling than a rack mounted bag. Also saddle mounted bag is easier to overload and the bag still looks fine, trunk mounted bag looks bloated when overstuffed.

Only problem with saddle mounted bag is that you must have a specific saddle with eyelets to secure the bag.

I actually stopped using a trunk mounted bag bike, but when I do use it again, I think I will use a saddle bag on it (rack will be coming off permanently). I replaced leather straps with hooks that secure to the saddle, so it take a second to remove/reinstall the bag.

Some people also have problem with the angle of the saddle bag, so it rubs on thighs when one is pedaling. If you can install a Bagman or use a system like Acorn uses it solves those problems too.

https://acornbags.com/lgbag.html

CliftonGK1

I have one bike with a rack and bag and the other with Acorn saddle bag. I could easily fit more stuff in a saddle mounted bag(although both bags look the same in size and volume is the same I believe), Acorn is more flexible and it has outside straps that you could secure even more stuff on the outside.

I was initially considering this as a big deal, then rethought since my rack bag has a bungee web on the top; so if I need to stash a wet jacket or something I can lash it to the top of the trunk. Overstuffing is a different issue, though. The trunk has an expandable wedge section and can handle some mild overstuffing, but I wouldn't feel comfortable "cramming" it with too much stuff that it strains to zip shut.

Only problem with saddle mounted bag is that you must have a specific saddle with eyelets to secure the bag.

B-17 Imperial, so that's not an issue for me.

Some people also have problem with the angle of the saddle bag, so it rubs on thighs when one is pedaling. If you can install a Bagman or use a system like Acorn uses it solves those problems too.

I would definitely use a support if I went with a saddlebag. As a Clydesdale I've got some issues that thinner riders needn't worry about, and one of them is whether or not a saddlebag is going to get in the way of my legs. Even for how narrow it is at the leading edge, my Topeak Aerowedge is cutting it close for width.

robertAJB

I recently bought a Topeak DXP Trunk Bag with fold-out panniers. Also got the Topeak rack which means the trunk bag slides in and clicks into place. Its just brilliant. Really really good piece of design I think.

https://www.topeak.com/products/Bags/MTXTrunkBagDXP

Bacciagalupe

I use a trunk bag when I need the capacity. E.g. if it's looking sunny and it's easy to get snacks and drinks along the way, a saddle bag is usually sufficient. If I want to bring a jacket or extra food/beverages etc, I'll use a trunk bag.

I've never noticed a handling difference between the two.

balto charlie

Hey all: don't your legs rub on the saddle bags. At least a little.

bmike

i've used:

ortlieb medium or large seatpack (large pictured)

perfect for summer centuries and travelling light

carradice tour (quick release, large seatpack)

was too big, and the mounting block, while handy, was pretty heavy. if i commuted i'd use this bag as it goes on and off quickly. great bag though...

rack top bag
used one for a 600k and hated it. flopped around, i carried too much gear. it flopped around and made the rear end feel odd when climbing.

pannier
used for a 400k. worked well enough. a bit odd in a strong crosswind.

front bag



loved this bag... recently sold it to go back to the saddle bag. my bike handled just fine - but i found i was always carrying too much gear, and i needed the rack on. if i had a dedicated touring or commuter this bag would work great. i used this for a 200k and a fleche. like it - easy to get to my stuff.

and currently a carradice saddlebag

my fav thus far, although i am eyeing a epic designs bag - more like a traditional saddlebag but expandable. love the barley size - perfect for shoulder season centuries, runs to the store on the way home from a ride, etc. i currently have the 'super c' design version as i tired of dealing with the leather straps on the standard version. i've ridden a solo 300k and solo double with this type of bag, and numerous weekend long rides and winter 'practice' rides.

i like the traditional carradice saddlebag the best, (and i've been paring down my extra bike gear). i have the barley and the camper longflap. the camper is huge and gets used for errands and camping. the barley is nearly too big for most brevets and long summer rides - but when the weather turns it is perfect. if needed i can add a bento style box up front. the medium and large ortlieb get used for most summer riding - perfect for centuries and more depending on weather - and are waterproof.

if you rig the bag with a bagman or other support - no, you don't hit the bag with the back of your legs. i'll often run the bag without support and it is fine - something you barely notice. and you can lash a wet jacket or vest to the outside.

CliftonGK1

Excellent comparison and pix; thanks!
I'm still up in the air about swapping out the rack trunk for a Carradice w/ Bagman support. The benefit would be a drop in weight by getting rid of the rear rack, and maybe some bike handling improvements (although I'm not currently suffering from any issues. or am I and just don't realize it because I'm used to it?)
I can't see any drawbacks. The size is roughly the same capacity. Similar ability to lash items to the outside of the pack, similar number of pockets for organization.

Hrm. I may give it a try after all; it's a coin toss at this point. If I don't like it, I can't imagine I'll have trouble unloading a barely used setup.

Hydrated

DUDE!! You can't sell a bike bag!

I haven't been able to force myself to sell a bag... so consequently my wife regularly asks what I'm going to do with them all. And she reminds me that, pound for pound, they cost more than her Coach and Dooney & Burke handbags!

They hates my bagses they do... my precioussssssss...

bmike

Thanks.
Here is the Camper Longflap on my fixed cross check. HUGE! And there is room for way more in there as I haven't expanded the 'long flap' yet, nor filled the pockets.



And, I have a traditional Barley for sale. White leather straps, black bag. Used for about a year, off and on. In good shape. PM me if you are interested. Willing to let it go cheap as I continue to pare down my kit(s).

Hydrated

Now you're just trying to get me killed. My spousal unit will cut me if I buy another bag...

unterhausen

I see why people would be concerned about packing too much. However, the stuff I carry on a brevet is not all that heavy even though it would probably fill a trunk bag or saddle bag. With my large Ortlieb saddlebag, I've been accused of having enough room to pack a full Thanksgiving dinner. I haven't been able to rearrange the Ortlieb so it doesn't poke my thigh. It hasn't presented a problem, but it would be nice to get rid of that.

good thing you didn't convince bmike before he sold me his Acorn handlebar bag. It's a beautiful bag, too bad it's so hard to get one. Now I've got to build the bike that is intended to match it.

Hydrated

It's good to know that I'm not the only one who builds the bike to compliment the bags...

thebulls

First year of rando, I used a rack-trunk: Blackburn rack and Arkel Tailrider. The Tailrider is low and wide so the load is very stable. But ... I didn't like having the extra weight of the rack, plus I felt that it was less aero. So ...

Second year of rando, I used a Carradice Low-Saddle Longflap on a Bagman. Bike handling is vastly improved, particularly when climbing. Moving all that weight from well-behind the center of gravity to right underneath your center of gravity makes a huge difference in how easy it is to "sway" back and forth while climbing. But ...

Third year of rando, I wondered "Do I really need the Bagman, it's just extra weight, after all, and now I've got a saddle with bag loops." So I tried it without the Bagman and it works just great and I've never used the Bagman again (well ... now that I'm riding the tandem with my wife, her saddle is so low that the Carradice was just sitting on the fender and pushed it against the tire and melted a hole in the fender, so the Bagman is on the tandem).

Without the Bagman, the Carradice occasionally touches the back of my thighs, but it's actually a very comfortable feeling. On climbs, if I start sliding backwards on the saddle, I'll notice that I'm bumping the saddlebag, which reminds me to move forward again and helps me avoid tendon injuries.

Because of PBP, I had to get rid of the aerobars and the little ditty bag I had hanging from them, so I bought a Lone Peak Altra H-100 handlebar bag, which has approximately the lowest mass per volume of any bag that I researched and holds a very substantial amount. For summer rides, either the handlebar bag or the Carradice are just fine, though I much prefer the handlebar bag if I'm choosing. Everything you need is right there, available while you're riding, or at least without having to get off the bike. For winter rides or a multi-day ride where you need clothes for all weather conditions, then both bags are potentially needed.

Nick

CliftonGK1

First, thanks everyone for the excellent comparisons and personal experience stories. This is precisely the kind of information I was hoping for.
Second, it seems that the "ayes" have it and I'm going to give a saddlebag a try.
Third; now it's a matter of picking a size, and I've got more questions...

With a mid-sized Carradice like the Nelson LF, do the straps hold the bag reasonable well compacted if it's not stuffed full?
The Nelson is about the size of the rack trunk I'm using, and I don't want to lose any of the carrying capacity I've got currently by moving to a different bag. At the same time, I don't necessarily want so much space that things are rolling around like a marble in a concert hall if the bag isn't full. (Which is sort of an issue with the rack trunk, since it's a formed shape and not collapsable.)
I'm not currently doing any brevets longer than 400k, so I'm questioning the necessity of a bag as big as the Nelson since I already have my handlebar bag. The saddlebag will really get used to carry cold/wet weather gear on 300/400k rides, so I'm looking at an extra hat, gloves, long jersey/baselayer, tights/rainpants and shoe covers. I keep food, sunscreen and repair gear, etc. in my front bag, and don't plan to get rid of it regardless of if I switch to a saddlebag or not.
Is it a better idea (assuming I'm using a support, no matter what size bag) to get a mid-size like the Nelson and have the space in case I need it, or start with a smaller bag like the Barley or Pendle and get a larger bag in the future if I decide I need the space?

Hydrated

I started off with a Nelson because I was thinking along the lines of "You can't put more stuff in a little bag, but you can put less stuff in a big bag"... but damn does that Nelson hold a lot of stuff!

So I have a Barley on the way (I bought bmike's bag that was mentioned above) and the Nelson will get used for commuting.

BTW... I'm glad that thebulls mentioned that he doesn't mind the way that the bag hits his thighs... I agree. I find an odd comfort in the way that I can pedal with sort of a long stretching stroke and the bag will tap the backs of my thighs. Sort of a soothing familiar sensation while out on the road.

I know... I'm strange.

bmike

I think the Barley is just the right size for 400-600k events, especially if you add a h-bar bag. It is perfect in the shoulder seasons where extra clothes are needed... or if you are traveling remote and need to haul calories and liquid.

I'd overpack that Nelson... and could probably use it for a 3 day tour in decent weather.

CliftonGK1

Pendle and Bagman support on their way! Probably won't be here for this weekend, but I don't need it on a 200k. For the 300k in 3 weeks I'll certainly have it and will be testing it out in preparation for the 400 at the end of August.

Thanks again everyone for the photos, comparisons and advice.

AsanaCycles

www.CarouselDesignWorks.com

CliftonGK1

Carradice Pendle (new) vs. Nashbar Elite trunk (current)





There's not a tremendous difference in size between the two. There's more external pockets on the Nashbar: Main compartment, 2 side pockets, 1 rear pocket, and lid pocket. Main compartment space is smaller on the Nashbar than on the Pendle.
I loaded up my cold weather gear in the Pendle; Fleece pullover, fleece beanie, long gloves, tights, overshoes, arm warmers, and still had room for more. Side pockets were already full with repair gear on one side and hygiene/personal stuff on the other.

Not that I'll need all that crap on a 90+ degree 200k, but I'll have it in there just to get used to the feel of it over a long ride. Then I'll be used to it for the upcoming 400k, where I likely will need to haul a bunch of that stuff with me.