CityCyclingEdinburgh was launched on the 27th of October 2009 as "an experiment".
IT’S TRUE!
CCE is 15years old!
Well done to ALL posters
It soon became useful and entertaining. There are regular posters, people who add useful info occasionally and plenty more who drop by to watch. That's fine. If you want to add news/comments it's easy to register and become a member.
RULES No personal insults. No swearing.
As I'm packing up for a short trip away for a few days (to a secret destination), my thoughts have turned to luggage and what's available.
I like rack top bags as they stay central and they fit any type of bike with a rack. My current Altura is about ten years old and due for replacement as well worn.
Any suggestions? I probably won't see till I get back mind you!
I noticed that Anth had a large saddlebag... is this a trend - or is a seat post bag better?
No expert but my Ortlieb "front roller classic" panniers are serving admirably. (As rear panniers).
They're not the cheapest, but they're robust, 100% waterproof, have an excellent and convenient attachment system (should fit 99.9% of racks) and have a good reputation for durability, I'm happy enough with them I'm considering another pair (maybe back ones, maybe the same) for when I go touring so I can have a front set and a rear set :-)
I can understand the arguments for a rack top bag, but I often have stupid amounts of weight in one side pannier and it's only noticeable when bouncing over kerbs or similar. I like the rack clear for bungeeing on the unexpected bits of luggage that wont fit in bags.
Failing that i have a fairly rugged 20l Aplkit bag i bungied to the top of my rack when i was away in August. I can vouch for its waterproof qualities since i don't think i've been so wet in life but my sleeping bag was (mercifully) bone dry. Cheap too i bought a small one to carry my clean clothes to work in the morning.
This one: http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16469&category_id=295
I love my little Carradice Super C front/universal panniers. After this evening's drenching they were still perfectly dry inside. The Super C rackbag is 13 litres - twice that of the expanded Vaude Silkroad (known to others as a Revolution-branded model).
For big panniers, I'm very happy with my Arkel RT-40s. But my cotton duck instincts play on my mind, and I still wonder whether a pair of Super C saddlebags, modified and slung sideways on the recumbent would've worked even better.
i have a fairly rugged 20l Aplkit bag
I've never used these cycling but they've always performed great when hillwalking.
A saddlebag that sticks out over the back wheel, parrallel to the wheel is a phenomenon I have clocked recently 10-15L capacity. Guy using one inan audax. Possibly more aerodynamic and less fuss than haveing bits stuffed in various pockes and keepingeverything dry?
Brooks do a whopper for their saddles, but this s clearly not aerodynamic, perpendicular tot he bike, chunky leather, little capacity, though possibly still shading it over panniers
I have Ortlieb back rollers, the later versions' internal pocket is a good thing and the most recent (possibly only in their cordura fabric) have a placstic runner on both sides at the bottom, thus the fabric does not come into contact with the ground when removing the bag. Very expensive (with price going up with popularity rate rather than down) but built to last.
I too am a fan of the Ortlieb front rollers and am also considering getting back rollers but I have been managing with the fronties and they are horrifyingly expensive. Brilliantly tough and waterproof though. The small inner pocket on mine is mesh which is a bit annoying as my keys get tangled in them but apart from that I am very happy with them. Plus they have a shoulder strap which means I don't have to haul them around by the handle when off the bike.
Look around on t'internet for Back Rollers and you can generally find a pair for c. £80, which is what some places charge for a single.
I think I got 2 for £84 from Rock & Rescue. Yes on the pricey side but I love them, they inspire confidence in the waterproof department and they seem indestructible. They have an inner pocket that has both mesh and solid areas.
On a couple or more minimalist tours earlier this year, I managed with an Ortlieb Bar Bag and a Trunk Bag. The latter clips onto a little adapter which is fitted to a rack. Very easy to remove, nice carry strap and a couple of zipped pockets on the sides for snacks etc.
Look around on t'internet for Back Rollers and you can generally find a pair for c. £80, which is what some places charge for a single.
Back Rollers normally come in pairs.
Very happy with EBC racktop bag that Arellcat recommended to me 2 years ago!
Also running a tidy pair of EBC waterproof red Topspan panniers with RK clips; very good with lid poches, rollover seals, and much cheaper than Ortliebs, except the material doesn't feel as sexy! They've fitted all my steeds so far without any trouble!
Was so laden with Luggage at college one day, laptop, wad of folders, lunch etc that the rear stays disconnected from the frame QR when 'bouncing' over the Stevenson Sleeping Policeman!, rack pivotted down onto rear wheel and velo braked extremely sharply due to induced load on top of rear wheel; no harm done luckily! Checked all QRs etc and found some sabotage from a previous 'hire out' to AN Other!
Like the look/functionality of Druidh's Ortlieb rack bag.
Ive had the same set of Deuter panniers* since '99 and they are still fairly waterproof, well, apart from where ive worn holes in them. Ive looked at replacements but they are more expensive than Ortlieb! Am also very tempted but cotton ducks. Not sure about my rack either, I dont like it feeling less solid than the rest of the bike.
* Red, add it to your spotting database...
any reason why not? and any 'burgh dealers?
"Heavy duty black cotton duck delivers superb performance year in, year out in the toughest of conditions ."
I'm not too sure about the duck. It will require feeding and may become feisty at breeding time.
gotta admit they are defo waterproof tho
Not if you put washing up liquid in the water....!
(No I'm not that cruel, it was apparently a very very old advert that my Dad told me used to be on TV)
LOL!
Yes they are waterproof and who knows? Perhaps a rackload of irritable waterfowl might be just the thing to encourage drivers to give you more space?
The altura bag in this pic
DSC_1000.jpg by spytfyre, on Flickr
Is extremely water tight
We (TBC) have tried to deal with Carradice in the past, but they are, quite frankly, a nightmare. Shame.
My luggage got good use. Rack top bag even more battered now! Has been on every tour.
Was in Begium / Netherlands - quite interesting to compare their bike use and attitude to our own. Rough crossing to Newcastle last night so will write up something when I get some rest. Lights by the Bike Chain... Cherry Bomb kept the mopeds on the fietspads at bay!
How did you find it with the mirror reversed? I was thinking about this just the other day (mandatory for the French Ride)
Was fine. Blackburn plug in one is easy to swap and less fragile than some.
You must log in to post.
Cycling in Edinburgh Flickr group
Video embedded using Easy Video Embed plugin
posts