Bagman for Carradice Barley *and* Nelson?

the_cyclist_of_catan

Ignoring the debate for and against saddle bags (because try as I might, I can't get my tools, waterproof, phone, keys, pump *and* jam sandwiches into my jersey pockets all at once), I want to buy a Carradice Barley* (their smallest full saddlebag). And as I might conceivably do some light touring (if not next year then at some point in the future), I'll probably get a Camper/Nelson at some point in the future.

* It's not so much allowed as bordering on the mandatory, given my new audax bike complete with mudguards.

I don't have any saddle loops, and the quick release Bagman support looks like a much better option than trying to fit some.

But which Bagman would you recommend? The Sport is apparently ideal for smaller bags like the Barley; the Expedition is favoured for the larger bags like the Nelson. What would be the best (or the "least worst") option for me out of the two?

marcusjb

I use a barley and a camper long flap on an expedition bagman. I have also got a bagman sport, so I have tried both.

The barley will fit on an expedition (you need to let the leather straps out a hole, but it is perfectly stable). However, a camper will not fit on a sport. So I leave the expedition on all the time.

I am not sure about the nelson though - might just fit on a sport, but I would just go with the expedition if you are not yet decided whether to go nelson or camper.

marcusjb

The Cyclist of Catan wrote:

* It's not so much allowed as bordering on the mandatory, given my new audax bike complete with mudguards.

I don't have any saddle loops, and the quick release Bagman support looks like a much better option than trying to fit some.
?

You don't have saddle loops????

Didn't you know it was absolutely mandatory to have a Brooks saddle on an audax bike?

the_cyclist_of_catan

no saddle loops, no Brooks; I don't have a beard or sandals, either. Letting the side down, I know.

I might be tempted by a Brooks if it was guaranteed to be more comfy than my current saddle. Though a rusty nail would be an improvement over what I have at present, I feel. I don't think my backside suits the Fizik Arione.

Hoopdriver

No guarantees on saddle comfort, we are all individuals, but Brooks have certainly worked well for me and, yes, the rugged old B-17 has saddle loops.

I have several Carradice bags and the Expedition Q/R Bagman. The quick release version is especially handy as you can easily take your sadle bag off, or out it on again, as required - very useful when touring and you want to bring your stuff in at the end of the day. I use the Barley a lot since I write and photograph for my blog and I can carry cameras, mini tripod etc in i. I don't need the Bagman for that.

When touring I use the Super-C with th Bagman and this, coupled with a bar bag can carry enough stuff for B&B touring. I've toured for over a week with just that and it's great.

keef66

My bike is becoming more audaxy withe every upgrade. I've had a B17 special for a while; blissfully comfy right out of the box, and comes with the oh so useful bag loops. So then I got a Carradice barley to hang from it on those longer weekend rides when I feel the need to carry extra stuff. I also have a Tortec Ultralite rack I'm waiting to fit. This is to provide a bit of support for the saddlebag and allow me to attach my rear light (when I clipped it to the loop on the Barley it was drooping downwards and barely visible to cars approaching from behind)

Also got some SKS Chromoplastics to replace the cheaper guards which have just come adrift from one of the mounts after 5 years

cookeeemonster

+1 on the Q/R mount. I've got it on my road bike with my Pendle and I makes things so much easier

the_cyclist_of_catan

Massive thumbsup for Carradice. Less than 48 hours since I was here dithering about what to get, order placed Thursday afternoon, Barley and QR Bagman Sport delivered this morning!

So far I've got everything that had been in my (stuffed-full) old saddle bag into the side pockets of the Barley (with some space to spare), leaving room in the main section for a waterproof, a long-sleeves jacket *and* sandwiches (so no more starving on a long ride, watching enviously as the rest of the group tuck into provisions that I had no space for in my jersey pockets).

I'm hoping that there's room on the Bagman Sport for a Nelson, as I can foresee asking for one for Christmas. But I can't justify buying one right now, as the Barley's big enough for anything I have planned until next summer.

JamesB

Barley is a lovely saddlebag goes well with Bagman sport ---qr version is great (you can make a nice sadlebag handle too from a couple small karabiners + webbing strap into leather saddle loops).

I also have a camper l`flap, used for shopping which will fit on teh bagman sport I find but it sits high. A way I`ve tried with some success to improve fit is to fit a wood block between saddle rails and lower section bagman with a longer bolt; this can drop support rail by 1 cm + which makes it nearer expedition dimensions

the_cyclist_of_catan

The Sport bracket proved to be a bit small for the Nelson bag, BTW - until I put it in my workbench and hit it with a mallet! Now it works for both saddle bags

Just ordered a B17 after going through several other saddles and finding them "unsuitable". So hopefully there's enough room on the saddle's rails for the Bagman bracket.