mkeller234

I wanted an easy way to move my saddle bag from bike to bike. I also wanted a quick way to remove the bag when my bike is locked up in public. I saw Nitto made a QR system but it is very expensive.

I assumed someone out there has already tackled this so I did a quick google search. I found a nice how-to post on another site and copied the idea. I spent a total of $2.50 cents at Sears. The man with the idea goes by "DrRoebuck" and here is the link to his post: https://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=95020

I could not find hardware similar to what he had so mine turned out slightly different. After riding with it for a while I added electrical tape to my bag loops and now I cannot hear any clanging from the hooks, even on bumpy roads. Also, I had to buy thinner hooks because one of my saddles has narrow bag loops.

Here is mine:
It consists of two hooks and two washers.


Inside the bag, poke the hooks through and attach the leather bag straps. The washer keeps the hooks from pulling out too far.


Outside view:


Attached to my bike:


As you can see, there is one buckle left. That one is very easy to unhook but you could use a toe clip or velcro to make it even quicker. Has anyone else made their own DIY bag quick release? I would be interested in seeing what others have come up with.

big chainring 

Very nice. Two thumbs up!

dscheidt

Very nifty.

The MAX

like

thorstein

Here's my solution, it has worked well for 50+ miles and counting. I used two eye-bolts with neoprene washers between flat washers, secured with a lock washer. I didn't get a picture, but it sits right on the rear rack. I also should have had a picture of the toe clip strap that goes around the saddle rails and down to the rack which the seat-tube strap on the Carradice Lowsaddle Longflap attaches to.

63rickert

Simplest solution is to use a Carradice Classic rack instead of the rather fragile Carradice Bagman.

https://www.carradice.co.uk/products...saddlebag-rack

They've only been selling this about a decade now. An absolute copy of the long gone Karrimor Uplift. Which was a fair copy of the Tonard saddlebag support. So around in one form or another over eighty years. I've been using it fifty years. Gives much better support to the bag than does the Bagman or most homemade. Less sway than any other traditional bag mount I've seen. Undo one strap and lift bag and rack off the bike. Rack become a carry handle. Easy to set up for different levels of saddlebag elevation. Totally durable, does not break. I've been using just the one rack for fifty years. Solves the problem permanently and you don't have to keep fiddling about.

Kuromori

Too literal

mkeller234

That is pretty slick! Thanks for posting.

thumpism 

Unfortunately, you're doomed to the time-dishonored method of unscrewing the skewer's end to release. What you really need is fork ends attached to the bag's loops so they can be properly attached with the skewer.

Johno59

Place the wishbone loop over a bolt securing the spline and secure the rig with an old winged axle nut.


Attached two front headset hangers to spine and clipped in a shoulder strap. The whole rig is attached with a single wing nut.


Split a broom handle, bolted it across the leather hangover that straddles the horse's back, attached an old wish-bone strut from a seat to the front carrier.

thorstein

Thanks, I needed a quick solution & I thought having a QR skewer would be kind of neat (even if it has to be unscrewed). Much more manageable than opening the bag and un-doing the leather straps each time. The skewer also works pretty good as a handle.

jonwvara 

Interesting. I had considered buying the Classic Rack recently as a support for my Camper Longflap. I liked the design. In the end, I went with the Bagman Expedition, mostly because Carradice rates it for for 10 kg, as compared to (as I recall) 7 kg for the Classic. I doubt that I'll ever carry anything near 10 kg in the saddlebag, but that number did suggest to me that the Bagman was perhaps more robust of the two, and I'm big on robustness. I've been happy with it so far, but I do like the looks of the old Karrimor design. I would guess that its weak link is the metal "tongues" that are inserted in the saddle loops. But given that you've used it successfully for 50 years, maybe that's a non-issue.

63rickert

Have carried over 10kg many times. Also have a Bagman sitting in deep storage. Can't even remember why that was purchased any longer but that device is simply flimsy compared to the Karrimor/Classic. The tongues do look like a weak link, in practice totally reliable.

The problem with carrying something as big as the Camper bag is the shelf at bottom is not low enough. Either saw it off (Karrimor and Tonard sold racks with no shelf) or get busy and weld on a lower shelf. Only other limitation is you simply must have a saddle with bag loops. Little bolt-on loops won't do it.

thorstein

I finally got around to making a proper quick release bracket. This is kind of a proof of concept & I haven't filed it down & painted it yet, but it works great! The skewer grips the bracket well.



I also need to get something for the skewer to go through. My first thought was wooden rod, but I've been mulling over using an actual axel somehow.

mountaindave 

Nice update! Could we see how it attaches to the saddle, please - a shot from below?

I wonder which would be lighter, a 9mm axle or a hollow dowel? I would lean toward a dowel just because it would have more surface area contact with the mount, would be easier to wrap leather straps around, and would be more aesthetically pleasing on the bag. But it would be hard to drill a dowel out. Drill press, or better yet a lathe?

oneclick 

You don't need something for the skewer to go through, you need something to keep the arms being squeezed inward.

Add a bit joining the tips of the arms; make a nice one and you'll have a handle for the bike right behind the seat.

thorstein

Not the cleanest work & some filing still needs to be done.

Four 1/4” half-clips & m5 bolts hold the bracket on.


I'm leaning toward the dowel as well for the same reasons. Drilling the hole is the problem since I don't have a press or lathe.

That's a good thought. The steel is stiff enough that I can lift the bike up by the skewer, not that I'd trust it as a handle.

mountaindave 

Excellent option as well. A short piece of dowel could be used where the leather straps attach to the QR - easier to drill out than a 100mm+ section, but wouldn't strictly be necessary.

T.W.O.

That's a clever modification. I like it! One question though. It looks like you are using those adapters made to put bag loops on a Brooks Professional saddle. Is there any reason why you couldn't attach your clips directly to the saddle rails and forego the adapters?

mkeller234

Yes, I have the adapters on there in the photo, still do actually. Considering your question, I probably don't actually need them on there. I remember being really particular about the position of the bag. Maybe I thought this would hold the bag higher up, close to the saddle?