Which seatpost bag

sem69

I want to stop carrying my stuff (change of clothes, lock, tools etc) in a back pack, but I'd rather not have to attach a rack to my road bike.
The Carradice range of saddlebags and seat post mounted bags seem to be popular, but rather expensive, especially including the SQR system.
I've narrowed my choice down to these
http://www.carradice.co.uk/sqr-saddlepa ... trax.shtml (Carradice SQR Trax, £58 )
http://www.carradice.co.uk/saddlebags/n ... ebag.shtml (Carradice Nelson saddlebag, £45 + £25 for SQR)
http://actionoutdoors.co.uk/shop/vaude- ... anguage=en (Vaude Offroad Bag 10 + 2, £50)

Does anyone have any recommendations out of these? Especially the Vaude as I haven't heard anything about these. Or are there any others I should consider?
I'm a bit concerned about them swaying around... would I be better off with a rack?
Any advice much appreciated!

BentMikey

I have the SQR and a longflap camper as I need to carry a lot of stuff to and from work. Love it! Can't help you on your choice though, sorry.

star_rover

I don't know how carradice get away with charging £25 for the SQR bracket, it's just cheap metal and plastic, nothing fancy. It does the job though, and is good if you want to take the bag off regularly.
I've noticed that if you carry something heavy in them, like a lock, they swing about a bit more than if it's just clothes, etc, in there.

Adamskii

Why do you want to stop carrying your stuff in a back-pack?

I use this, see link.

www.outdoorgear.co.uk/eshop.asp?wci=pro ... AY+RUCKSAC

It has a 20 litre capacity, is very light in weight and folds down to nothing. It actually folds into itself! I keep a change of clothes, lunch and tools in mine and it's great.

t4tomo

"Why do you want to stop carrying your stuff in a back-pack? "

Rucksacks make your back sweaty. I use a courier style back now, and its much better

Wooliferkins

This is quite a nice idea. Once the adapter is fitted to your seatpost the rucksack just clicks on and off. Away from the bike you just have a rucksack.

Adamskii

I used panniers for about a year, they weigh to much slow you down. The pack I use (see above) is light weight, comfortable and doesn't cause me to sweat any more than I normally would. I also find having any extra weight attached to me rather than the bike makes for better bike handling through traffic.

tardington

I have seen the big grey Altura seat-bags for sale recently, for 20 quid down from thirty. Seems you'd get a fair amount into one?

alexB

I use a smaller Carradice bag than Mike. The Carradice Barley is about right for commuting, not so large that you are tempted to cram it with crap and not so small that you can't get what you need into it. It will take a change fo clothes folded or rolled neatly, but not a pair of shoes as well.
If you want a bit more capacity, get the Carradice Pendle (11 litres compared to the Barley's 8). Be aware that if that looks a buit small compared to ruc sac capacities, think how often you actually would want to ride with a rucsac completely full...

I do use a rucsac from time to time and it really makes a difference using the saddle bag. for one thing you clothing works properly, it vents and wicks better. You can use your back pockets if you use cycling jerseys. Your helmet doesn't hit the bag (not all my rucsacs foul my crash helmet, but some do.

Less weight on back, shoulders, arse and you can get out of the saddle easier. I much prefer to use the saddlebag.

The SQR system is expensive, but it is also totally brilliant and having a spare block on anopther bike means swapping from one bike to the other takes seconds.

BentMikey

Hey Alex, been a while!