Cycling UK Forum

After trolling though all info and sites I can find I have decided to get some Carradice Super C's (54 litre) over the Ortliebs Bikepacker Plus which was my other choice. I think they will suit my style of travel and such which is rough and ready.Camping wild etc.
By all accounts by what I have read they are bomb proof, near enough water tight and last for years. Plus they breathe and I like the extra rear pocket.
I already have a pair of Altura Orkney 34 litres which will now go on the front lowriders as they are not too big. I like them too. Very well made and they whip off and become nice day sacks too.
So anyone want to try put me off the Super C's for the rear?

My daughter uses the panniers & I've been a Camper Longflap user for decades - you won't go wrong.

Carradice rules..or should that be.rocks/
John........Totally Carradice!

They are everything you say they are, only negative thing IMO is that cotton duck look shabby after twenty years of regular commuting use Some state they are to heavy though, a factor less important to me when it comes to chosing luggage though.

Paul_Smith
www.bikeplus.co.uk

LowPlainsDrifter wrote:After trolling though all info and sites I can find I have decided to get some Carradice Super C's (54 litre) over the Ortliebs Bikepacker Plus which was my other choice. I think they will suit my style of travel and such which is rough and ready.Camping wild etc.
By all accounts by what I have read they are bomb proof, near enough water tight and last for years. Plus they breathe and I like the extra rear pocket.
I already have a pair of Altura Orkney 34 litres which will now go on the front lowriders as they are not too big. I like them too. Very well made and they whip off and become nice day sacks too.
So anyone want to try put me off the Super C's for the rear?

The alleged weight of the bags is irrelevant compared to tent, sleeping bag, carrymat, stove.................
They're long lasting, reliable & near as dammit waterproof, that'll do for me.

Strictly speaking they do not list Super C Pannier s as waterproof, because the stitchinng is not seamed, in practice however the material expands when wet closing the seams, I recall touring in the Picos De Europa one summer, as I wanted to cyckle through their Siesta time (all shops were still closed back then) I decided to carry four litres of water in 2x 2ltr plastic bottles, one of which split emptying the entire 2lts into the pannier, which held the water impresively just like a bucket.

I am not saying they are better than Ortlieb who indeed list theirs as waterproof, both companies make a superb product, they are just different that's all, I doubt we will see many who have anything negative to say about either and rightly so. In all cases whatever the bag I would carry delicate items like a camera in a waterproof bag inside, moisture is in the air after all plus the bags can sweat a bit, especially when riding through summer showers when a quick downpoor can be followed by bright sunshine.

Paul_Smith
www.bikeplus.co.uk

PW wrote:The alleged weight of the bags is irrelevant compared to tent, sleeping bag, carrymat, stove.................
They're long lasting, reliable & near as dammit waterproof, that'll do for me.

Agreed

Just make sure that you dry out your superCs properly after riding in the rain. Nice crop of mushrooms on mine when I got them out the shed a few weeks back

However, nothing that a dunking in milton wouldn't fix.

Although I had the Karrimor Karahari front & rear, which were excellent on tour and done the job. The trouble was there would'nt waterproof. I had too, had a choice between the Carradice and Ortlieb. It was hard to choose, but decide on the Ortlieb's Back & Front Roller Classic, also got Bike-Packer Classic later on. These are super, easy to take off and on, plenty of room, easy to wipe clean, choice of colours and best of all 100% waterproof. For any extra gear if cycle-camping, I use the Ortlieb dry bag which I lash on the top rack. For the Barbag I use the Carradice Super C 7 litre which is excellent.

LowPlainsDrifter -

After 47 years of Carradice use, including two sets of panniers, 6 saddlebags and one rack-top bag, I'd say you've made the right decision.

My rack-top bag is light summer use only, but my saddlebags, all of which have been cotton duck, the most recent being a giant Super 'C' have all had heavy use and three of them are still in regular use, one of them daily use. Of the other three, one is a bit small and stored away, but the other two lived long and hard lives - one was a camper-longflap and toured and toured and toured - B&Bing and a bit of hostelling and camping for well over 20 years. It took 20 years, but I just wore it out. My first panniers were of the heavy nylon cloth (I don't know if Carradice still do it), and had twenty years of life with the above saddlebag, and then another ten years of family shopping twice a week whilst our two daughters grew up.

My current panniers are Super 'C's, and I've had them for about twelve years.

In my humble opinion Lad, you've done the right thing.

JohnW

Thankyou for all taking the time for your replies.
I am sure I will be pleased with them when I get some in a couple of weeks now (just sold some m/bike bitsI've had in my shed for years to pay for them!) They seem to be one of those few things in life what people get attached to. Old fashioned Quality stuff. Plus not to gaudy and so not too desirable to attract the thieving scum. I tend to look after my good things if they are well made and built to last.
I am sure with all the sages advice I cant be wrong.
I was thinking of the Ortliebs but my heart won out. I like old stuff. Well except females. My eyes stuck when I was about 20.
Thanks again.
(from the Lad!- - at heart )

I have used both Super C (died when snagged on a bollard) and Ortlieb Roller Classic panniers.
The Super Cs aren't completely waterproof. You will need to use plastic bags inside, and it would be best not to pack sensitive stuff right at the bottom of the pannier.
Ortliebs are completely waterproof. It is not necessary to use internal bags except as dividers. On the other hand, anything that is put in damp will remain damp, and it will transfer some dampness to everything else in the pannier.

I always believed Carradice super C were best as mine have done so exceptionally well. This appeared to be confirmed when a friend brought ortleib bike packers and the plastic rail to which the hooks attach bowed out dissapointingly fast, making them difficult to ft and remove.

However, another friend just got super C rear panniers which have had to be returned because:
-There is a different fitting system to the old one that is not as good
-The build quality in no way reflected the price any more. Stitching was pulling apart after a 10 day tour, even with him using them carefully, and they didn't appear to be waterproof.

Consequently, I don't really know what to recomend. Both companies seem capable of dissapointing and delighting. Altura dryline ones look better than my frend's super Cs were and are cheaper, though may not last as well as my Super Cs have (though almost certainly better than his.)

Sorry to cause confusion.

Andy

Tallis the Tortoise wrote:I always believed Carradice super C were best as mine have done so exceptionally well. This appeared to be confirmed when a friend brought ortleib bike packers and the plastic rail to which the hooks attach bowed out dissapointingly fast, making them difficult to ft and remove.

However, another friend just got super C rear panniers which have had to be returned because:
-There is a different fitting system to the old one that is not as good
-The build quality in no way reflected the price any more. Stitching was pulling apart after a 10 day tour, even with him using them carefully, and they didn't appear to be waterproof.

Consequently, I don't really know what to recomend. Both companies seem capable of dissapointing and delighting. Altura dryline ones look better than my frend's super Cs were and are cheaper, though may not last as well as my Super Cs have (though almost certainly better than his.)

Sorry to cause confusion.

Andy

Now I am confused! I suppose I will check out the bags first in a shop before I buy. Anyone else know if Carradice have compromised the quality of their bags these days? One of the main reasons I was going to get the Super C's was their reputation and toughness reviews.
I agree the Alturas are very nice bags. I already have the Altura Orkney 34 litres with dryline construction. cheers. Mart.

I'm a big fan of Carridice myself. Would it only be because they don't look so stupidily eye catching and posh as the Ortliebs do. And I don't trust the plastic membrane on the Ortliebs, surely this has to suffer from the sun and i've seen aging bags cracking... I opted for a set of Super C with no hesitation after a client popped by in our shop with 2 rear Super C panniers, at the time I was still trying to make my mind up and seeing his I though it could be helpfull having his feedbacks seeing how he must have had the panniers for a year or so. Much to my surprise he explained he had been using this one set for the past 20 years!!!! And he would change! They are excellent throughout time and don't deteriorate with the years.

HOWEVER, I used my brand new set on a rather serious tour in 2003 and you have to appreciate this Super C cotton is not as magical and Carridice would claim. In the downpour it didn't take very long for the watter to infiltrate where the Ortliebs would have been irreprochable. But I'm sure you've all used the good old trash bag trick before! Only once fatten up with watter the bags get heavier and when you're already struggling with maximum weight it can get tensed!

Right, I hope this can help. For information I'm selling mines along with a Super Galaxy (haven't toured on this one though) this week on eBay. Would they not go with the bike as a lot I'll be looking at selling them separately later on:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... :IT&ih=002