Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => The Knowledge => Topic started by: mrcharly-YHT on 25 July, 2011, 09:04:23 am
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The stitching was coming undone on the straps on my Nelson (not manufacturing defect, it was something I did), and I had a hole rubbed in the bottom.
Carradice don't do repairs anymore, but they kindly sent me some fabric when I asked about repairs.
So I bought some strong thread, a thimble, and some leather needles and set to last night.
Oh, my it is difficult getting needles through that leather! Bent smallest needle, managed with the next one. Only did one strap and it is really messy. Took me ages. I kept pushing the needle through from inside of the bag and 'missed' the line - the needle point came out in the wrong place.
Gave up trying to sew the patch on and did as Carradice suggested. They said to glue on with copydex - I used leather-repaid contact adhesive - that seemed to work really well.
I still have one strap to sort out - anyone have any suggestions on how to produce neat stitches in a line?
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I recently bought a "Speedy Stitcher" to redo some stitching on my Carradice gear. Looks like it will do the job, but I've yet to try it in anger.
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It might help to try punching the holes in the leather before sewing. Use an awl.
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the leather has holes - but how do you find them from the other side?
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My grandfather was a saddler and he always used a bradawl to make the pilot holes for the needles. He had a big clamp ( giant bulldog clip) that held the pieces of leather together, this was held tight between the legs allowing the use of and two hands. With the bradawl he was able to make a pilot hole, then feed a needle and thread (two needles ) from either side simultaniously (double stitching). It was great to see.
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I took mine into http://www.bysonleather.co.uk/ , they sewed the straps back on and fixed a hole in about 10 minutes, for six pounds.
I guess with the cost of postage it will be more expensive than DIY but they did a much better job than I could have. Perhaps if there's a saddlers nearby to you they'd be worth a call?
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My grandfather was a saddler and he always used a bradawl to make the pilot holes for the needles. He had a big clamp ( giant bulldog clip) that held the pieces of leather together, this was held tight between the legs allowing the use of and two hands. With the bradawl he was able to make a pilot hole, then feed a needle and thread (two needles ) from either side simultaniously (double stitching). It was great to see.
That's a good point, if not double stitching, pushing a unthreaded needle through from the top side (i.e. the side with the leather on) will help you locate where the hole is. Push needle through a little, so point shows on other side, push threaded needle in alongside that needle, remove first needle then pull threaded needle through.
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:facepalm:
that is so obvious - now you've suggested it.
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I was disappointed that Carradice don't do repairs any more, but they were very helpful when I called them - I've just deposited my Super Cs at a local cobbler's for repairs. £6.50.
I'd only make a mess if I tried myself, and I'd probably stab myself too.
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This may be an old subject! But do you know anybody with a sewing machine that may be able to help you!
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Interesting that this thread started with "Carradice don't do repairs anymore". They must have restarted, since they repaired my Super C rack bag last autumn. It got new velcro straps for a fiver, plus P&P both ways. Very neatly done, & as good as new - though with that patina that a decade of use brings.
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That "speedy stitcher" certainly looks useful! :thumbsup:
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What you need is a sailmakers palm and needle. This is what sailmakers use for sewing canvas. The needle has a triangular end that makes an easy hole and the thread then pulls through easily. There is a hard base fixed onto the palm that you use to push the needle through initially. You can also get left handed ones, I have one since I am left handed.
http://marinestore.co.uk/Davey_Palm_Roping_Store_Left_Hand.html (http://marinestore.co.uk/Davey_Palm_Roping_Store_Left_Hand.html)
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This is what you want. http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/velox-velox-tyre-tub-tube-spares-accs-velox-needle-thread-for-tubular-repairs/velotyrz300000000000 A stout triangular needle as recommended above, plus very tough thread. I've been using it for decades to repair leather goods. If fitting new straps, drill the holes first.
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Like Mike, I've taken mine into general professional repairers on the odd occasions where I had problems. One company patched a Nelson saddle bag with leather, very successfully. Bag and shoe repairers, or even saddlers, may be able to help.
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Carradice giving up repairs and the York
Rally Show cancelled - it's the end of the world! :o
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CARRADICE STILL DOES REPAIRS!
Or at least, did last autumn, 15 months after the post which said they'd given up. I have proof, in the form of a rather nicely repaired Super C rack bag. There was something about it on this forum at the time, with a contribution from Carradice Bag Lady.
Whether they only do a limited range of repairs not including what the OP wanted, or whether it was a short-lived policy, or whether there's some other explanation for the OP, I do not know. But it is definitely not true that Carradice no longer does repairs.
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...a rather nicely repaired Super Crack bag.
Now it's all going to pot.
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CARRADICE STILL DOES REPAIRS!
Or at least, did last autumn, 15 months after the post which said they'd given up. I have proof, in the form of a rather nicely repaired Super C rack bag. There was something about it on this forum at the time, with a contribution from Carradice Bag Lady.
Whether they only do a limited range of repairs not including what the OP wanted, or whether it was a short-lived policy, or whether there's some other explanation for the OP, I do not know. But it is definitely not true that Carradice no longer does repairs.
I think they changed their minds and started doing the repairs again.
This is the email I received:
Unfortunately we don't have a repair service any more. You might be able to have the straps stitched back in place at a shoe repair shop as they sometimes have the equipment for repairing leather. If you let me have your postal address I can send you some patching fabric and instructions. You will need some Copydex adhesive as well.
Kind regards
Margaret
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There once was a "Carradice Bag Lady" as a member here, but her last post was early December 2012, so she may no longer be active on this forum, but if she still reads the messages she should be able to confirm the current situation.
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From the profile of Carradice Bag Lady -
Date Registered:
December 07, 2009, 06:04:48 PM
Local Time:
May 29, 2013, 08:47:25 PM
Last Active:
April 23, 2013, 06:22:23 AM
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The leather seatpost holder on my Barley (i.e. the one the strap threads through) gave up the ghost. Stitching came undone (and I cocked up the repair, discovering that super glue isn't super at all when it comes to leather/fabric interfaces). I've bought a new one, but am minded to bodge a repair on the old one out of nostalgia.
I am pondering using a D-Ring type arrangement rather than a leather holder, through which the leather strap will feed. The ring "holder" punched/riveted into place through the bag fabric. Has anyone tried a similar bodge, with any comments on feasibility (or suppliers).
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There once was a "Carradice Bag Lady" as a member here, but her last post was early December 2012, so she may no longer be active on this forum, but if she still reads the messages she should be able to confirm the current situation.
Hi still here ( occasionally )
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I've been (clumsily - unlike my late great-uncle, who was a sailmaker, I suck at needlework) darning holes in an old Lowdown bag this afternoon. Darning will never give a watertight repair but it does give the bag its structural integrity back before I glue a patch on the inside. With a big hole, there are only really two options before using the repair kit: either darn it first, or sew a reinforcing patch on the outside. Otherwise you still have a hole to show the messy side of the glued-on repair patch, and it'll fall apart anyway.
The repair kit on its own would work for a clean tear or cut where no material has been lost, but the no.1 failure mode for Carradice bags is abrasion, usually against walls.
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I bet Carradice would do a repair on it if you sent it back to them, even though it's old.
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WARNING: CONTAINS IMAGES OF DISREPUTABLE SADDLEBAG
Some crude darning to repair the holes structurally.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51122892177_33f9c1cf0d_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kTybKt)20210418_170457 (https://flic.kr/p/2kTybKt) by rogerzilla (https://www.flickr.com/photos/41286375@N07/), on Flickr
Sits correctly on a Bagman Sport.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51122892432_6750d8971c_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kTybPS)20210418_170254 (https://flic.kr/p/2kTybPS) by rogerzilla (https://www.flickr.com/photos/41286375@N07/), on Flickr
Huge "wells" on either side - these aren't the pockets.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51123206654_abdb2984ea_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kTzNeu)20210418_170243 (https://flic.kr/p/2kTzNeu) by rogerzilla (https://www.flickr.com/photos/41286375@N07/), on Flickr
Gawky storm flaps.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51123206344_e18f2cdafb_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kTzN99)20210418_170327 (https://flic.kr/p/2kTzN99) by rogerzilla (https://www.flickr.com/photos/41286375@N07/), on Flickr
Makes any bike look like an ancient CTC steed.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51123206349_dfd5bd7a1b_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kTzN9e)20210418_170425 (https://flic.kr/p/2kTzN9e) by rogerzilla (https://www.flickr.com/photos/41286375@N07/), on Flickr
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Awesome! When are you getting the spd sandals and beard?
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An old thread I know..
I've just returned from visit to Carradice Nelson factory where they've carried out superb quality repairs to my 2yr old saddlebag that was eaten by a rodent in my garage - half packet of chocolate hob-nobs left in, my fault. whopping hole gnawed in underside of Super C bag where rodent entered/egressed. Despite initially fuming at the damage, consider myself dead lucky to have spotted the hole before throwing car-keys & wallet in & then riding off on a 200km Audax. would've been even more fuming at loss of both. :sick:
Carradice factory still do repairs. Superb quality (Thanks Sue) & really fair prices.
As a result , I'll continue to buy & use Carradice for the foreseeable future.
Carradice superb IMHO.
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I asked a local shoe repair guy if he would stich some carradice straps back up. He was completely uninterested and somewhat dismissive. Lost one customer.
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I asked a local shoe repair guy if he would stich some carradice straps back up. He was completely uninterested and somewhat dismissive. Lost one customer.
My local dry cleaner/ alteration shop is exactly the opposite and, in addition to carrying out alterations to my clothes, will repair/modify the likes of rucksacks, bath mats and leather gardening gloves. Top man!
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Yes, I had the pockets on a traditional Carradice longflap saddlebag patched with leather once by my local shoe and bag repair shop. No problem.