Carradice saddlebag sizes

[fatboy]

I had a similar problem when I modified a non-Brooks saddle to accept the uplift. I 'solved' this problem by lashing a small piece of timber to the saddle rails to act as a spacer. I reckon a better solution would be to bolt something round the saddle rails instead, eg using wire rope clasps.

cheers

How did you mount the uplift on a non Brooks saddle? My audax bike has a Madison Flux saddle which lacks anything to attach an uplift to. If I could modify this saddle I could use the uplift on my Pendle bag (it needs to swap between tourer and Audax bike) and use the SQR on the Super C for the Brompton.

I did use the Super C on tour with the Karimor uplift and I found it had a bit too much sway (in agreement) with your findings.

[Vantage]

I don't see why you need the uplift if you have a rack. It is extra weight also. What else do you use the rack for anyway? I always thought the bag should hang from the saddle without extra support as the dowel is sufficient and maybe something to distance the saddle from the back of the thighs. Jobst Brandt has a Longflap like this with a piece of wood holding the saddlebag back. Don't know how quick release this is. I always struggle with the leather straps and have resorted to the heavy but efficient SQR.

I'm a shorty. The saddle sits quite low to the mudguard and without a support of some kind for the saddlebag, it fouls the mudguard. The rack is on permanently for two reasons.

1: I often use the panniers when staying at my fiancées home for clothes and when we go shopping on the bikes.
2: I often have to lift the back of the bike and swing it around in tight spaces and the rack makes for a sturdy handle. She's no lightweight.

Using the rack to carry the Pendle works most of the time, but when using the panniers at the same time (I can't be bothered undoing and redoing the Pendles straps all the time) brings up another issue. Despite the racks lower rail, the pannier clips positions are such that the top of the pannier protrudes above the racks top rails and again this fouls the Pendle so much that they can't be mounted or removed without serious amounts of faffing about.
The new uplift will also be handy in that the bag can be quickly removed when slinging the bikes into the back of the car

[Brucey]

from

http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=78114

my bracket isn't pretty if you look at it from underneath but it has been functional thus far.

WIth the straps all snug there is no sway unless you ride out of the saddle and start throwing the bike about. If anyone finds that the bag sways (when you are riding in the saddle) then it presumably either means that the bag isn't really strapped down enough or the bike isn't really going in a straight line; quite a lot of riders sway as they pedal which I have always worried might be inefficient in some way.

cheers

[fatboy]

from

http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=78114

my bracket isn't pretty if you look at it from underneath but it has been functional thus far.

WIth the straps all snug there is no sway unless you ride out of the saddle and start throwing the bike about. If anyone finds that the bag sways (when you are riding in the saddle) then it presumably either means that the bag isn't really strapped down enough or the bike isn't really going in a straight line; quite a lot of riders sway as they pedal which I have always worried might be inefficient in some way.

cheers

Sadly a bit advanced for me! I am pondering buying a frame for a brooks saddle, hacking off the rails and screwing with csk Allen screws (as per Colin's Brooks "riveting" method) through the upper.

[Vantage]

I had a similar problem when I modified a non-Brooks saddle to accept the uplift. I 'solved' this problem by lashing a small piece of timber to the saddle rails to act as a spacer. I reckon a better solution would be to bolt something round the saddle rails instead, eg using wire rope clasps.

cheers

How did you mount the uplift on a non Brooks saddle? My audax bike has a Madison Flux saddle which lacks anything to attach an uplift to. If I could modify this saddle I could use the uplift on my Pendle bag (it needs to swap between tourer and Audax bike) and use the SQR on the Super C for the Brompton.

I did use the Super C on tour with the Karimor uplift and I found it had a bit too much sway (in agreement) with your findings.

No idea how strong these are but might be another option to consider...

http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php ... b0s73p2978

[Brucey]

like this?



not really strong enough for an uplift of this sort; the load on the bag loops is far more than normal.

BTW if bolt-on bag loops bear the weight of a saddlebag even via straps, they often work loose and/or move.

cheers

[bigjim]

I've always felt that the SQR (good though it is for its weight bearing capacity, especially with the larger saddlebags) does tend to hold the bag at too much of an angle

That was the first time I've toured with the Super C and SQR. I did not find the angle as problem as I delved into the bag now and then. It all seemed very sturdy and it was a boon when I stopped for the night or loaded up in the morning. A couple of seconds and it was off.

[tyreon]

I liked the pic of Brucey's saddle uplift. Given his saddle is set as he would like it to ride, he has no trouble in getting in 'getting his leg over'?

[Brucey]

I liked the pic of Brucey's saddle uplift. Given his saddle is set as he would like it to ride, he has no trouble in getting in 'getting his leg over'?

Good point; a lot of the time it is actually easier to do a scissor kick over the crossbar when mounting bikes where the saddlebag is on an uplift of this sort. I now do this without even thinking about it (otherwise I would have mentioned it before.... ) .

The Karrimor QD support was originally designed in two styles; a low style (no support underneath, bag top level with the saddle) and an uplift style (as per mine and the one that Carradice still make). The uplift style was originally meant for smaller framesets (it holds the bag clear of the rear mudguard even on small rather frames with large wheels in) but on medium sized frames like mine it holds the bag high enough that you can have a rear light on the seat stays (just above the rear brake) and it is still visible.

On the plus side I think that on any sized bike the weight is positioned at a similar height to that of the rider and (provided it is good and snug) when you are riding in the saddle the handling isn't really badly affected (although perhaps I'm just used to it!). The other thing is that the bag is better positioned from an aero point of view on the uplift. OK, with a Nelson (or larger) the pockets stick out a bit sideways but with the bag less than half-full it is roughly triangular in cross-section and the airflow over the rider's back is perhaps less likely to separate. This is almost certainly better than having the bag lower down and it may even be of net benefit vs no bag.

I have often thought that if I were to make my own bag for day rides, it could be mounted in the same way, but actually be more like a tail fairing in shape.

cheers

[rmurphy195]

I wish mine sat that straight.
It's at a stupid angle atm. Do we know if there's a bracket of some sort to push the bottom rail further out away from the saddle rails?
Could something be fashioned from an inch of sticky back plastic and a used loo roll Blue Peter style?

You could try "thickening" either the saddle riail or the bit of the rack that touches it with layers of e.g. insulating tape,or bits of inner tube. Would cut down on any rattling as well!

[Vantage]

I wish mine sat that straight.
It's at a stupid angle atm. Do we know if there's a bracket of some sort to push the bottom rail further out away from the saddle rails?
Could something be fashioned from an inch of sticky back plastic and a used loo roll Blue Peter style?

You could try "thickening" either the saddle riail or the bit of the rack that touches it with layers of e.g. insulating tape,or bits of inner tube. Would cut down on any rattling as well!

Thats not a half bad idea actually using the innertube to beef it up. Might give that a go later in the week when I get 5 mins

[pete75]

One of the best designs of uplift was the Kwiklift made by a Mr Lord from Lancashire and sold by him at the York Rally. Two types one with an aluminium bar and saddle bag support and the other with a wooden dowel to hold the bag if you didn't require under bag support. I've one of each and they're well made and worked well when I tried them. Don't tend to use them as the bikes I use Carradice on have saddle with bag loops which work well enough for me.

[rmurphy195]

Just to say thanks for all the advice, Nelson Longflap (plus "Classic Carrier") arrived a few days ago and is now on bike. Quick service from Spa cycles as usual. Pump fits inside just nicely. Bag looks bigger than I expected, not sure what to fill it with

BUT - it's years since I had one of these (been using panniers), and its years since I had to get my leg over one(so to speak). At 65 I'm not as bendy as I was at 15, so an old skill to be re-visited, 'cos I nearly fell over getting onto the bike with the bag on it

(Comment from a jogger on the canal the other day, when I was getting off the bike to negotiate a narrow footbridge, was "You know you're getting old when it's easier to ride a bike than to get on and off it"!) . Thinks - this quote will do to replace my censored bit of signature

[PH]

May I wish you and your Carradice a long and happy life together, don't forget the photos when you have it fitted.

[andrew_s]

One of the best designs of uplift was the Kwiklift made by a Mr Lord from Lancashire and sold by him at the York Rally. Two types one with an aluminium bar and saddle bag support and the other with a wooden dowel to hold the bag if you didn't require under bag support.

The support type:



The bolts in the end of the aluminium bar tend to rattle a bit in the cradle, but no complaints otherwise.