I've always thought these were a gimmick however when the weather eventually turns Id like to use one on my commute. Its pannier and rack at the minute but I like to think Id be able to pare down my EDC.
I just want a saddle bag 10 maybe 15 litre.
What do you use and why do you like it>
I have bike packing aaddle bags and a carradice saddle bag (the one that looks like a bike packing saddle bag.)
The carradice is better for commuting. You can put things in flat and you can get atuff in and out easily and you can take everything out without taking it off the bike. Its slughtly rigid so stuff doesn't get squashed.
Its also indestructible.
I've got some bikepacking kit but for the commute I use an SQR Carradice, completely waterproof (I've used mine in some proper downpours) and holds shape if you need to get a clean and ironed shirt and trousers to work every day, enough space for any other things you need to take.
I use the Super C SQR tour and I'll be honest they aren't the prettiest looking thing in the world but they are behind you so you don't have to look at it but I've had mine at least 4 years now, gets used almost every day for commuting and still continues to work flawlessly.
If you already have a rack, why not just strap a 10-15L dry bag to the top? Bike packing seat packs only work on the premise that you cram everything in and roll it up tight - they don't work for things that don't like being squished.
@postierich I like them but my anal disposition dictates sleepless nights re the anchorage around the stays with that strapping.
The Carradice don't have that wedge shape I'm after.
Drybag on the rack is not going to work. I want to take it off and have just the bag.
A bar bag is more stable than a seat bag. Load the seat bag badly or put too much weight in it and it'll sway from side to side.
Need to know what you’re going to need from this.
A bag you can easily detach and use independent of the bike?
A bag that will provide some protection for fragile or squishable contents?
Something that will take loads of varying volumes?
Something waterproof?
Lightweight?
The Carradice don’t have that wedge shape I’m after.
Then you are looking at the wrong one...
i use one of these for commuting, on and offroad. very rigid, takes loads of stuff, and rolls up small when emptier.
I have a full set of Revelate bikepacking kit but don't use any of that on the bike. I use a rack pack as I have a rack, but if I didn't I'd use my Carradice SQR Slim. Fits a laptop, shirt, lunch etc all perfectly
I leave the mount on my brompton for when my front bag doesn't carry enough
Nice one YGH that Altura looks like it will do nicely.
The kit needn't cost the earth. We have a mixture of Planet X/Podsacs (Planet X) & Lomo gear. Fully waterproof setup for me and my wife of 2 handlebar bags, 2 seat packs and a frame bag cost less than £110. We didn't want to spend a lot as we are still getting into bikepacking (credit card touring) and use it infrequently. I suppose if we get more serious over time we can invest in 'better' kit as and when required.
+1 for Carradice SQR. Big enough to get a week's (credit card based) touring kit inside so unless you are a welder and taking all your kit to and from work it will be good enough for commuting.
Ive just got a planetx/podsacs saddle bag, have to say i'm not convinced. Okay if im just taking a spare shirt and a few bits to work. Add my lunch into the mix and the whole thing is swinging like a pendulum!
What is the wedge shape that you're after?
And another vote for SQR. I've got a tour slim, don't know if they do that one any more. It's a wedge shape, but I don't know if it's the wedge shape that you're after.
Ive just got a planetx/podsacs saddle bag, have to say i’m not convinced. Okay if im just taking a spare shirt and a few bits to work. Add my lunch into the mix and the whole thing is swinging like a pendulum!
Mmmnn. This is not the first time I've encountered this kind of opinion. Not to be pedantic about it but are you using only the supplied fixings? Its seems an ancillary strap or two are required to secure these roosters.
Have checked out the SQR slim by Carradice. I like its fixing mechanism, volume and ease of use.
I'm sold on its practicality/ergonomics but its not the best looking. Also because £80 v £40 for Altura.
#sighs
Yeah, only the supplied fixings. I will look into getting some additional straps
Seatpack, handlebar bag and frame bag at Planet X for £49.99 at the moment https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/ZXPIBUN/pack-it-bundle
SQR mounting and the Carradice bags are great. Not the prettiest things in the world but so functional. Easy to fit and remove, don't wobble around, hold their shape. I don't think they can be beaten for commuting.
The shoulder strap on the my Carradice SQR Slim is a bit rubbish, the attachment points aren't in the right place. And the bolts for the SQR metal frame attachment points aren't covered in the bag. It's also one bit open compartment inside, no organisation. It's remarkable basic, but it's also very good
Interestingly Ive just got some of the woho stuff off planet-x.
A bit more expensive than the podsac stuff and a brand you’ve never heard but the material specs and fittings used looked good on paper and tbh now I’m holding them they look very well made (like apidura back country stuff) but not a rip off of them.
I’d say this is proper bikepacking gear so if it’s not packed up full enough you’d have issues but if your after serious lightweight kit but don’t want to splash the cash def worth a lookey.
