Carradice Bagman support quick release

[in4time]

https://carradice.co.uk/products/bagman ... g-supports

Any using one of these ( maybe with a Camper Longflap) and if so what are your impressions?
TIA

[Norman H]

If you're contemplating using with a Camper Longflap I would opt for the expedition model. It has additional support struts that fix between the rack and conventional pannier braze-on mounts or a special seatpost collar.

I'm very happy with the couple of Expedition Bagman racks that I have. I use them with various bags, including a Nelson Long Flap. I also use the Bagman quick release clamps on bikes with conventional pannier racks. The weight of the bag is supported by the pannier rack and they make the transfer of saddle bags between bikes very easy.

[PH]

Yes, ever since they came out, I had non QR Bagmans before that. I haven't used with any bag bigger than a LF Nelson,
The bag still bounces a bit if loaded, the little levers at the bottom used to fall out and needed Loctite (They may have improved this). If the bag is rammed full, it can be a bit fiddley lining it up, easier if you can attach it half full and then add stuff. Other than that, they work fine, I also find it a good spot to add a secondary light.
If you haven't already got the bag and there's the option, I'd recommend one of the newer designs with clips rather than straps. I know, too modern for some, but if you use it in a way that involves opening several times per ride, you will appreciate it.

[PH]

If you're contemplating using with a Camper Longflap I would opt for the expedition model. It has additional support struts that fix between the rack and conventional pannier braze-on mounts or a special seatpost collar.

You can add those to either model, though neither Sport or Expedition versions come with them as standard, though I think they did at one time. The difference between those is the drop and that should match the bag, The struts can of course be added at a later date, so I'd be inclined to try without first.
https://carradice.co.uk/collections/bag ... ort-struts

[Norman H]

... the little levers at the bottom used to fall out and needed Loctite (They may have improved this).

Yes, Early models had a problem with the quick release mechanisms. The two black plastic coated operating levers were a screw fit into the spring loaded rods that secure the bag in place and they could loosen and become lost. On later models the threaded operating levers are replaced by roll pins.

I had this problem occur on an early rack that I had, and Carradice supplied the parts to convert to the later model FOC.

[in4time]

Brilliant Thanks for the advices, much appreciated. Ideally I’d like to sit my Camper Longflap on my rack and use the quick release option. I’ve seated the CLF on the rack previously and the ‘drop’ from the saddle loops is fine ( the CLF being secured to the seat post via a strap)
I’ll get the tape measure out to see if the protrusion of the quick release is a consideration.
If that’s not viable I’ll buy the support frame as well.
Thanks again.

[freiston]

I use the QR bracket with a Camper Longflap but without the bag support - my bag rests on the top of my pannier rack. Be aware that the bracket will lower the mounting point for the bag a couple of inches or so below where saddlebag loops would be.

[JohnR]

I've used a Bagman with a Carradice Audax saddlebag without any problems. Something to be aware of the need to have at least about 15mm of saddle rails exposed behind the seatpost clamp for fixing the Bagman to. You may need a seatpost with a different setback.

[PH]

Be aware that the bracket will lower the mounting point for the bag a couple of inches or so below where saddlebag loops would be.

Is that really an issue? The difference is less than an inch, on my Brooks Cambium anyway, and the plastic attachment on the saddlebag part of the QR doesn't have the drop you get with a strap. I went from the original Sport Bagman* to the QR, with three of the smaller bags, and didn't notice any significant difference.

* I notice the current version has a different profile, raised at the back of the platform to cup the bag, mine are just flat platforms, I don't know what difference it makes.

[freiston]

Be aware that the bracket will lower the mounting point for the bag a couple of inches or so below where saddlebag loops would be.

Is that really an issue? The difference is less than an inch, on my Brooks Cambium anyway, and the plastic attachment on the saddlebag part of the QR doesn't have the drop you get with a strap. I went from the original Sport Bagman* to the QR, with three of the smaller bags, and didn't notice any significant difference.

* I notice the current version has a different profile, raised at the back of the platform to cup the bag, mine are just flat platforms, I don't know what difference it makes.

I just measured the distance from the bottom of the loops on my Spa Nidd to the pins on the bracket - 1½" - not quite two inches but "or so". I've never used my saddlebags without the QR bracket so I don't know about how low it hangs compared to the bracket - I went on the basis that a strap could be as "tight" as the adapter. I've got a QR bracket on a Selle Italia Epoca and a Passport Navigator but I didn't get them out to measure - iirc, the Navigator is shorter but the Epoca is a similar distance - I've found this photo of the Epoca with a fold-away saddle cover attached to the saddlebag loops and the saddlebag (not a Carradice) attached to the QR bracket below:

[JohnR]

Something I didn't appreciate until I recently tried a Selle SLR saddle is the difference in the rail geometry between different saddles. Leather saddles tend to have the biggest height differences between the rails and saddle tops with near 90 degree corners at the bag whereas the synthetic saddles have smaller height differences and shallower angles on the rails (which are also set further forwards). This difference significant affects how baggage fits onto the saddle as illustrated by these two photos. First is a Carradice Maxi Saddlepack on a Brooks C17 and second is the same saddlepack on the Selle SLR paddle. Don't compare the clearances to mudguard in those two photos as the top photo has 650b wheels and the bottom has 700c.

When I fit the bigger Carradice Super C saddlepack on a leather saddle it tends to bounce on the rear mudguard. A trial fit of that saddlepack on the SLR saddle using the Spa Cycles saddlebag loops https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m5b0s73p297 ... s-%28pr%29 confirmed that the bag was set a bit higher. It's still at the testing stage but I'm hoping that my backside agrees that the SLR is fine for longer rides as this will sort out a baggage annoyance.

[PH]

I just measured the distance from the bottom of the loops on my Spa Nidd to the pins on the bracket

Thanks for the photo, not only does it demonstrate the difference between saddles, but also what ought to have been obvious to me - The entirely different way the saddlebag hangs from a QR without Bagman, I can see how that might make a difference to someone, particularly if clearance was minimal. The Bagman supports the bag, rather than have it hanging from the saddle, which is why it made no difference to me, as long as it's the appropriate Bagman for the saddlebag, straps to the hoops or the QR fitting is going to be the same.
I was going to take a photo, but the one on the Carradice page shows it well enough

[freiston]

Thanks PH - that is an eye opener for me too. I was about to commend you on your photograph then I saw that you got it from the Carradice website

JohnR - that's a good illustration in the differences in saddles - thanks.

[Grldtnr]

I have done most of my club riding and nearly all of my touring expeditions with a Carradice bag lift, not the same thing as which the OP is asking about, but basically it is a mild steel rod powder coated with plastic.
It relies on an interference fit and gravity to locate in the saddle bag loops of a Brooks saddle, or the appropriate bag loops on whatever saddle you have, 2 shaped bent pieces of metal clip into the saddle loops ,then a strap go's around the support to make it secure,
It works after a fashion, but a couple of words of wisdom, do not carry to much weight in the bag, I think the Carradice bag is rated to carry a 10 kg weight, there is a lot of weight resting in the bag loops which can wear and elongate the slots, it also puts additional weight on the saddle rails, regretfully my saddle rails had failed at least twice, I put that down to my hefty size, and routinely probably overloading the bag, this was compounded by the fact it was a large frame (25"), so it got no support from the rear rack, that was asking a lot of the design to cope with, retrospectively looking at it.
As far as I see the same problem might affect the 'Bagman', a better solution might be to use the Carradice SQR bracket ,which attaches to the seatpin , which currently I use now with my 'Grovel' bike, i intend to use this for offroading and Wild camping carrying the basics in the bag with a 'bivvy' strapped to the bag loops.
I will only use this with the basics in the bag for an overnight, I don't particularly want to put a rear pannier on the Gravel bike, travelling light is the aim.
I'd say the SQR is a better solution.

[geomannie]

I also use the QR bracket but without the bag support, mainly for a Carradice Barley bag, but also on occasion for an un-named larger and ancient Carradice bag that I acquired with a 1950's tandem.

I find the QR bracket so useful that I now have them on all my bikes. My tools, waterproof, lock, snacks etc live in the Barley & I simply clip it onto whatever bike I select. Makes life very easy.