Has anyone tried the new Carradice "Classic Saddlebag Rack"?

[loz]

Has anyone tried this? Was thinking of getting it for my new barley, it appeals to me as nothing is left attached to the bike. Would be interested to hear opinions

http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?page_id=product&under=range&product_id=136

[Canardly]

Yes got one, highly recommend, solid as a rock and hugely pleased with it. I still have the original Karrimor high lifts (both models)  and they have  thought about this when redesigning. Adapts to Barley through Nelson long flap etc by straps at different height. Bag is also horizontal (ish) as is your bag light. Tangs are longer than the old ones but more secure and hence a tad faffy to get into saddle hoops. Beauty is you take your bag with you.

[Kim]

Doesn't the frame bash you in the arse?

[loz]

thanks Canardly, really useful review

[Canardly]

Doesn't the frame bash you in the arse?

No not at all.

[hellymedic]

Maybe girly bottoms are different; I think that set-up would bash my buttocks!

[LittleWheelsandBig]

Both HK and I can't use either type of Karrimor saddlebag mount that the Carradice mount is based on. I've always blamed my mother for my (male) child-bearing hips. Perhaps I should blame her for my bum as well.

[Canardly]

Glueteus Maximus issue p'raps? You would have to be pretty far back on seat tho but. My arse is not what is was when I was a Yoof.  Personally I don't like bag hanging loose as it becomes a pain when climbing, which is hard enough already for me.

[LittleWheelsandBig]

My power comes from the bum
<waits for the punchline>

No way I can use those saddlebag mounts on my B17 Standard saddles.

[Canardly]

Dare we ask the Carradice ladies (yes they do subscribe) to comment on the question of derrieres? Is it time we had a Nelson Long bum?

[L CC]

That arrangement would certainly not work for my super powerful posterior chain. Glutes & maybe hams as well.

[Kim]

No glutes to speak of here (it's all in my quads, innit), but plenty of flab and enough spine curvature that loads attached to a rear rack that come within an inch or two of the saddle are an issue.  I'm happy to live with it for utility trips, but wouldn't want to ride all day like that.

Plus, if you're going to attach 300g of scaffolding to your bike, you might as well fit a pannier rack.   

[Canardly]

Aesthetics dear Kim Aesthetics. Ahem.

[Charlotte]

Ew - as a lady wot has a bum, that looks like it would bug the hell out of me.  I shall stick to my SQR mount - which is pretty much perfect.

[Canardly]

So would seem to be a male/female thing. Perhaps we should take note of these when they crop up? Any references to 'does my bum look big in this' will however, be vehemently denied by me due to cowardice.

[LittleWheelsandBig]

I am male!

[Canardly]

Bugger.

[Bledlow]

I like to be able to stick me bum out a bit when tucked. And I reckon it'd get in the way when getting on & off the bike.

[Canardly]

Do you think I should stop digging?

[Cudzoziemiec]

I can't see what advantages it offers over a Bagman - except it's £16 less and claims to be 72g lighter. Unlike the Bagman though, it requires saddle loops and seems to hold the bag in a less convenient position (I'm thinking about the effect on handling from holding the weight so high up, rather than bum bashing).

[toestrap]

My take is on this thread.

https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=77925.msg1598815#msg1598815

The saddle loop issue can be managed with one of these:

http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?page_id=product&under=range&product_id=86

but may not fit all saddles and adds complexity - which goes against the simplicity of the rack itself.

Summary for me: it is a brill bit of kit on both a B17 and Spa Nidd)

Edit: The pictures at the top show a downward sloping saddle so it makes the vertical part of the rack look more upright. Some like their saddle that way, each to their own.

[Cudzoziemiec]

I have one of those saddle clamps. ^ It's rock solid but weighty.

[citoyen]

I was looking at these racks only a few days ago as I really need to upgrade my Bagman "Sport" to an "Expedition" to accommodate my Super C.

The advantage of one of these for me would be that it doesn't clamp to the saddle rails, so I could set the saddle a bit further forward. Although that might leave me with the arse-bumping problem...

Anyway, does anyone know if one of these can take a Super C? I presume it does if it can take a Nelson, but would like to be sure. Also, I note the current design for the Bagman Expedition has extra support struts that attach to the seat stays. Does the Classic offer adequate support for a fully loaded larger saddlebag?

[Phil W]

Yeah carradice aren't the choice if you want to go light. 420g just for bagman support.

[Kim]

Aesthetics dear Kim Aesthetics. Ahem.

Yeah, I still don't get the aesthetic appeal of saddlebags, especially once they get big enough that you have to resort to botchy looking cantilevered exoskeletons to stop them rubbing the wheel.  A good quality bike-appropriate pannier rack firmly supporting a rack bag (or indeed panniers) looks much more elegant, and you can still have as much leathery old vintage Carradice as you like if you're that way inclined.

I appreciate I'm in the minority on this one, though.  *runs away from the mob*