Hi all-knowledgeable commuters,
Do I need to order a rack as well, now that I've finally come around to get me a decent saddle bag?

Nicest looking saddle bad out there

Thank you!

I just bought a Carradice Camper Longflap. Before bying it, I talked to them via e-mail about this very issue. In short:

- no, you don't necessarily NEED a rack, provided your saddle has loops (e.g. Brooks)
- if you use just the loops, the bag will swing around. Also, removing / attaching the bag takes a bit of time, so if you do it frequently, it may get old pretty soon.
- Carradice offer two racks for their bags, the Bagman and the SQR. With Bagman, you apparently have the metal frame attached to the bike all the time. With SQR, the metal frame is attached to the bag, so all that's left behind is the mounting block in seat post.

With this information, I ended up with the SQR rack. It works very well in daily commuting, although it doesn't completely eliminate swaying. Both racks will lift the load up a bit compared to saddle loop mounting. BTW, make sure you have anough clearance between saddle and rear tyre so that the bag doesn't hit the tyre.

--J

Kiitos, Juha. Just the info I was looking for. So, is the Bagman (or the SQR) compatible with a non-Brooks saddle as well? Say, a WTB?

The Bagman attaches to standard seat rails. The SQR attaches to seatpost. Peter White website has some good notes and pictures about using carradice saddlebags, including a method of attaching them that minimizes swaying. Here is the link

Other interesting methods of support are Rivendell Silver Hoop and Viva Saddle bag support

I just installed the SQR on my bike to support a small Barley bag and I'm quite pleased with it. For a nelson sized bag, I think you'll be happier in the long run if you add some kind of support for it.

Agree with above. I have the Carradice Pendle bag (the next smaller bag they make) without any sort of bag support and even it sags a bit in the middle; I wouldn't recommend running a larger bag without support.

I have used a Nelson (not the longflap) for years without any kind of rack. It does sway a bit, and can sag down onto the fender, but it doesn't bother me.

If you don't have fenders, definitely get a rack -- the bag will sag more or less depending on the size and shape of your load, and can bounce a bit as you ride, so it's hard to be absolutely sure that it will clear the tire even if you have a fair bit of space there.

The Bagman comes in 2 varieties: There's the regular one which attaches to the saddle rails and uses your saddle loops for bag attachment, and there's a Bagman QR version which has integrated loops and allows you to take the bag and rack off as a single unit. It's different than the SQR system, which use a bag-integrated attachment system.

If you get the Bagman to go with a Nelson or Neslon-LF, go with the Expedition model (in solid or QR attachment.) The Expedition has a longer drop to the support platform so a loaded bag won't ride high and hit you in the butt. Just watch the clearance to your tire: Small frames won't work with the Expedition rack, so be sure to measure before buying.

Wiggle.co.uk is the best priced place to order Carradice gear.