Has anyone any experience with a saddle bag like the Brooks Millbrook? Here is my problem: I ride on an Ideale 303 saddle that is, after about 20 years, giving up on life. It is sagging in the middle and has started leaning over to one side, it has reached its maximum fore-and-aft adjustment and the joint to the front springs seems to be going awol. So I bought a Brooks B135 which might be overkill in the spring department, but then again, maybe not. We'll see.

I have used a ToPeak Wedge Saddle bag for a number of years. It is small enough to fit between the springs on the Ideale and contains a tool kit, padlock and cable and a few other small items. There is not much room in it for anything else but that's fine.

The Brooks' springs are very much closer together and the ToPeak does not fit. The Brooks saddle however has built-in loops on the back and Brooks makes a range of saddle bags that can be strapped to the loops. This is a slightly more ancient approach that the ToPeak, but I am a slightly more ancient rider and I have no problem with a Faux leather case that, if it is from Brooks, would be well built and work well.

However, the size is an issue. Brooks sells the Millbrook saddle bag, https://harriscyclery.net/itemdetails.cfm?ID=1794, which is larger than the ToPeak, but would seem to be fine. It is not too big I think. There is also the Glenbrook, https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/bags/brooks-bags.html, but I think that is too big.

Although the Millbrook would seem the right size, I am not sure it is the right price - it is not cheap. I ride enough however that I would be willing to plonk down the cash for this bag if it does the job. But I wonder if there are other makes that fit the Brooks loops and are maybe better. The Zimbale 2 Liter for example, is certainly cheaper and seems to be the right size, they also have leather bags which seem nice and are slightly larger than the Brooks Challenge, which seems too small. But do the Zimbale straps fit the Brooks saddle loops? I need room for the locking cable, tools and padlock which I am not sure would fit in the challenge, and I confess - I do like leather.

Anyone any advice?

Thanks - Lawrence

Don't really know the bags you list, but if you can live with your leather just being in the bag straps, I'd look at Carradice bags. The Barley is probably about the same size as the smaller Brooks bag, and can be bought from Wiggle in the UK for pretty cheap.

There are a number of bags that approximate the expensive Brooks (and Carradice) products. Since you are in Maryland, my first suggestion would be a short trip to Annapolis (https://www.velo-orange.com/) or a look at their page on bags (https://www.velo-orange.com/bapaandba.html). They have a pretty good selection that seems to cover a reasonable price range.

I like my acorn rollbag. www.acornbags.com

I quite like my Minnehaha Small Saddlebag.