Carradice Super C Saddlebag - Black - 23 Litre

I recommend this product

A great traditional large saddlebag.
Needs loops on the back of the saddle but if your saddle doesn't already have these you can buy Cyclo bag loops that bolt onto the saddle rails. The bag will probably touch the backs of your legs as you pedal but this doesn't bother me. If your bike has a small frame you may need a bag support to stop the bag resting on the mudguard.
The capacity is huge and the clips fastening the top and side flaps are more convenient than traditional straps and buckles. The side pockets are large enough for all the tools and inner tubes you are likely to want to carry on tour. The bag is very well made (thanks Sue) and it looks like it will outlast me.
SJSC price is very competitive and their service very efficient.

I recommend this product

This is my second Carradice bag. I first purchased the long flap/Nelson bag as this is the most popular when looking online. However when the Nelson arrived I was disappointed because (although the bag looks really nice and vintage with leather buckles etc) it is not practical for everyday use because the leather buckles take a long time to open/close! So I opted for the Super C which utilizes side release quick buckles. The bag is definitely easier to open and close however it could use a handle on the top to make carrying easier.

I recommend this product

Well made British product with a plenty of room for needed items when travelling. Great for a short tour or a pleasant day out. The advantage with cotton duck being it can expand slightly to push in slightly more small items when filled. Plus the large outer pockets give an extra amount of room.

I recommend this product

Carradice cotton duck, almost indistructabe. Always valued quality workmanship and material.

I recommend this product

I bought mine long ago around 1991, and occasionally use it on my tourer. Recently I started commuting from London Waterloo station on the Brompton, and tried it on the front short carrier frame. The Carradice three strap fixings work really well, and the bag neatly sits on the bottom support of the frame. Steering and balance are fine. So even at the SJS bag price plus frame, the combination is still cheaper than many of the Brompton bespoke options. Looks better too.

I recommend this product

I had to work through Ortlieb pannier & Tubus rack ownership etc & buy one of these as an experiment in order to get here mentally. I thought these lacked structure & rigidity but thats their strength & probably the reason Ortlieb dont make them. The slight floppiness & looseness makes them stuffable, expandable & reducible & destresses the mountings & absorbs some road shock. Movement is not noticeable when riding. These are a simple solution from simpler times & still relevant today because the cap type lid & Super C catches address the functional & ergonomic drawbacks of the original & the cotton duck feels nice. I made a cardboard cross section template of the bag to check clearance over the rear wheel & the real thing actually took up less room when fitted.
I hang mine from Brooks saddle loops & strap it to the seatpost in the traditional manner which is quick, light & simple. Fitted like this there are many advantages over a pannier & almost no drawbacks. Yes, it touches the back of my leg on the down stroke & I was concerned about this prior to buying but in reality its not an issue as it just touches & doesnt rub or slide to irritate. The advantage over a pannier: no rack (weight, rust, expense, seized or loose fasteners & metal fatigue: all gone!). It sits higher up so stays cleaner, easier access & no heel clearance issues. Sits further forward (ahead of rear spindle) so no frame whipping when honking up hills. Yes it looks like it would raise the bike centre of gravity but it doesnt feel like that in practice. I am convinced it has less aero drag than one big pannier. Weight! 900g to carry 23ltr with no additional hardware. This is NOT heavy in my book, one 20ltr pannier is a little bit heavier before you factor in the rack. Or look at it like this, its only 50% heavier than a Barley saddle bag whilst heaving almost three times the volume. This bag hits the sweet spot on cost, weight, volume, durability & ease of use trade off.

I recommend this product

Its a quality, hand made British piece of bike luggage. Looks the business and certainly lives up to its looks. Small enough to use for commuting. Big enough for longer adventures. Side posckets are a great size. Made to last for years and years. Only possible negative is weight and that it sags/moves around if you don't use a bag support. If you invest in the bagman support it will prevent the movement/sagging. If you accept the weight you won't be disappointed.