Carradice Bags
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
Carradice Bags
Anyone familiar with Carradice.They make some really cool looking bags for bicycles.There made in England.Some of there bags have an old school look to them.I ordered the Barley seat bag or saddlebag as they call it.Just wondering if anyone else has used there products and if you like them.....Kevin
#2
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,896
Likes: 7
From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia
I've been using a Carradice Barley to carry commuting gear for the past 5 years. I also own a Pendle, which is their next largest bag, but the Barley will hold everything I need for commuting 99% of the time. I have also used rack-top bags and panniers, but prefer the Carradice bags for commuting. Due to their position right behind the saddle, they have little effect on bike handling and balance -- unlike other options. I did find that the Carradice Bagman rack is necessary, however, to keep the bag from swaying and hitting the backs of my legs when pedaling.
#3
Membership Not Required
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,853
Likes: 18
From: On the road-USA
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
No love for Carradice bags here....that is why I have 4 and more on the way. 
I currently have: Nelson Long Flap, Barley, Cadet, and Kendall Pannier.
Aaron

I currently have: Nelson Long Flap, Barley, Cadet, and Kendall Pannier.
Aaron

__________________
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,428
Likes: 2
Bikes: Cervelo RS, Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Pro, Schwinn Typhoon, Nashbar touring, custom steel MTB
I used a Carradice Nelson Longflap (and Bagman QR support) for my credit card tour from San Francisco to Los Angeles. A bit price, but it worked great!
#8
Commuting & Touring Guy
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
Bikes: Trek 520, Surly LHT, and an XtraCycle
I have been using the Carradice Super C Rear Panniers for a few years. My previous set of nylon panniers from another maker had issues with the connection of the panniers to the rack, but the Carradice have a sturdy connection system. Also, the Carradice panniers are made from thick canvas. This came in handy when I accidentally hit a sharp bolt protruding into the road. Nylon panniers would have been permanently trashed, but I was able to sew the Carradice panniers with sail thread and they still work great. I highly recommend these.
#9
Carradice bags are such that you will be able to put them in your will so future generations might enjoy them... I have an ancient Pendle and my wife has their shopper and Super C bags and they have all been bulletproof.
#13
Membership Not Required
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,853
Likes: 18
From: On the road-USA
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
Just as side note... if you want to see how well a Carradice bag can hold up, wander over to C&V (Classic and Vintage) and read this thread. There are pictures of 60+ year old Carradice bags in there.
Aaron
Aaron
__________________
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#14
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 654
Likes: 192
From: Dublin, OH
Bikes: Serial bike flipper
I have a Super C saddlebag that I like quite a bit, and a Camper that I don't like so well. The difference comes down to the buckles: the Super C has easy to use plastic buckles, while the Camper has traditional leather straps and buckles. I find those very slow and cumbersome to use. The metal D rings on the Camper also feel very thin and cheap--I actually prefer the plastic buckles on the Super C.
#15
Just as side note... if you want to see how well a Carradice bag can hold up, wander over to C&V (Classic and Vintage) and read this thread. There are pictures of 60+ year old Carradice bags in there.
Aaron
Aaron


#16
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 595
Likes: 0
From: West Philly, PA
I had the Nelson Long Flap and loved it, but it's not suitable for mountain bike touring or off-road riding - the stability is only enough for staying on-road. So I sold it off and at some point I plan to pick up a bikepacking-style saddlebag from one of the makers on bikepacking.net forums.
#17
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
From: Corvallis, OR
I use my Barley on my roadbike. More than enough for the shorter brevets (haven't tried the longer ones yet). Bagman and bungie netting will effectively double/triple max carrying capacity, making it a very good commuter option as well.
#18
shaken, not stirred.


Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,514
Likes: 1,448
From: The Shaky Isles.
Bikes: I've lost count.
I have a Camper Longflap and a Low-Saddle Longflap. I like them a lot. The only thing with them is that you need a decent amount of drop from the saddle to the rear tyre. I'm short and so had to get a Low-Saddle to fit on most of my bikes. I like them. Strong, waterproof and usefully sized. I used the Camper on a week-long tour where we stayed at motels/pubs/hotels. It held all I needed. I use the Low-Saddle on one of my commuters.
You also need to have saddle bag loops on your saddle. Brooks have them as standard, but if you have a modern style saddle you will also need to get the clamp on saddlebag loops. The Bagman support rack is useful for holding the bag of the back of your legs or up from the tyre. The Bagman is rated at 10kg which is a decent load.
You also need to have saddle bag loops on your saddle. Brooks have them as standard, but if you have a modern style saddle you will also need to get the clamp on saddlebag loops. The Bagman support rack is useful for holding the bag of the back of your legs or up from the tyre. The Bagman is rated at 10kg which is a decent load.
__________________
Get a bicycle. You will not regret it if you live. ~Mark Twain, "Taming the Bicycle"
vBulletin: snafu
#19
shaken, not stirred.


Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,514
Likes: 1,448
From: The Shaky Isles.
Bikes: I've lost count.
c1915 bike with Carradice Camper Longflap at the Dansey Pass Hotel.

My Schwinn with Low-Saddle Longflap and Bagman Sport rack.
__________________
Get a bicycle. You will not regret it if you live. ~Mark Twain, "Taming the Bicycle"
vBulletin: snafu
#22
I've been using a Nelson Longflap for about a decade now, then in the past year, I picked up 2 Pendles ... one in green to go with my titanium long distance bicycle, and one in black.
The black Pendle was supposed to accompany me on our 8-month tour, but at the last minute I decided it might be too small, so I returned to my trusty Nelson Longflap.
Rowan has the Barley ... it's a bit smaller than the Pendle.
They're all good for different purposes.
The black Pendle was supposed to accompany me on our 8-month tour, but at the last minute I decided it might be too small, so I returned to my trusty Nelson Longflap.
Rowan has the Barley ... it's a bit smaller than the Pendle.
They're all good for different purposes.
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
#23
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 16,767
Likes: 85
I also have a Nelson Longflap, although its main use has been on our tandem for centuries and the like.
Just before we left for overseas, I did invest in three bagman supports. Until now, we have used Topeak MTB racks as supports, but that was a bit messy, and the bags tended to droop on either side of the rack, so the Bagmans should help solve all that.
When scouting around for new panniers for our trip, I did look at the Carradice versions, but I read one or two too many bad reviews, mainly on the quality control, but also the lack of a decent closure on the rear pocket.
Just before we left for overseas, I did invest in three bagman supports. Until now, we have used Topeak MTB racks as supports, but that was a bit messy, and the bags tended to droop on either side of the rack, so the Bagmans should help solve all that.
When scouting around for new panniers for our trip, I did look at the Carradice versions, but I read one or two too many bad reviews, mainly on the quality control, but also the lack of a decent closure on the rear pocket.






