I would really like to get a larger saddle bag, like a Carradice or Acorn bag. The problem is that I have short legs, I ride a 48/49 cm frame. This means that the saddle is not very high off of the rear wheel. Has anyone been able to use a Carradice or an Acorn bag on such a small frame? Could I use one of those Bagman supports to keep the bag from hitting the wheel?

I have a similar situation--there's not much room on small frames for stuff. What I do is mount a rear rack on the bike. It supports the bag very well, keeps it from getting caught in wheel/fenders, and if you sometime need to carry something bigger or awkwardly shaped the rack can come in handy. Besides, if you're carrying enough stuff to want a large saddlebag it's not like the extra 2 lbs of an aluminum rack is going to slow you down.

Yeah, I know. Two of my bikes have racks. I was hoping that it would not be needed for some of my other bikes.

Typically, my commuter has a rack and I always carry my two panniers, even though I usually don't need them. But, at times, I would like to ride with one of my "faster" bikes that I don't want a rack on, but might need to carry more than the smaller seat bags I have now.

Not sure what size you are looking for, but for cold weather LD riding, I switch over to a Carradice Barley with the SQR system. It keeps the bag upright and elevated more above the rear wheel. It might provide the clearance you need, not sure how much you have to work with.





I plan to show pictures of the before and after installation on my website this winter when riding season winds down and I have more time on my hands.

The SQR might work for me, but I would rather use a Bagman support if possible. You wouldn't happen to know how far below the saddle rails is the lowest part of the bag?

I've got a Carradice Barley with the Bagman rack. I got the Barley first without the rack, but it was unusable because the bag swayed a lot and hit the backs of my legs when I pedaled. The rack solved those problems. I've attached a photo, but the angle of the shot doesn't really show how much clearance there is with the rear tire. The bottom of my Barley is about 4-5" above the rear tire and about 8-9" below the saddle rails using the Bagman rack. My bike is a 57 cm De Bernardi with steep angles (74) and short chain stays.

I'm not sure if the bag would fit with a frame as small as yours using the Bagman rack, but perhaps these measurements would help determine that. A better option might be to use the Barley/Acorn bag with a rear rack that attaches to the frame -- such as the Mark's rack sold by Rivendell. If your frame has eyelets and brazeons for a rear rack, I would definitely go that route. Another issue is whether you bike has fenders or you intend to add them, because you'll need another 1" of clearance then.

I do not have the system installed for the winter yet, so I don't have an exact measurements. But I can tell you that it about 3 1/2 inches from the top of the bottom seat rail to to the bottom of the lower silver band. So I would estimate between 7 inches to the lowest part of the bag.

Thanks ebrady, the SQR seems like it would work with a Barley bag on my bike.

Tarheel, thanks for the description. It seems like a barley wouldn't work with a Bagman support. Unless you think I might be able to bend the Bagman to raise the bag a couple of inches.

I have a Nelson Longflap and SQR on the way. My bike is a 52cm, I can post photos when it's here if you'd like.

I hope it fits OK.

I think you can bend the Bagman rack because it's made of tubular stainless steel, but probably not enough to gain 2 inches. Check this section (bags and racks) at the Rivendell site. Their Mark's Rack or the Silver Hupe might solve your problem.

https://www.rivbike.com/products/list...racks?page=all

Also look at the Viva bag support at Velo-Orange.com

https://www.velo-orange.com/bapaandba.html