Well, perhaps not quite Nirvana, but at least a spot on the penultimate antechamber to the gate of the Earthly Paradise. It is indeed very nice, nicer than I expected.
It has what for my uses (and I emphasize that qualification) are still pecadillos that would still have to be sifted through the uppermost levels of the purgatorial mountain: I would make the outside pockets pouch pockets instead of slit pockets to reduce incursion into the main compartment; the length of adjustment of the otherwise very convenient snap buckles is finicky -- I think I'd prefer a standard buckle and strap of some sort; I'd change the removable pocket on the flap to an attached pouch (I remember years ago opining on a list that the Nelson Longflap then first offered by Rivendell would benefit from the addition of a small-item pocket on the flap); I'd add rings to the top of the flap to match those at the bottom (meant for a support strap) so that you could lash bulky things to the flap. I fully realize that, for others' standards and preferences, the design may already be fully sanctified and happily harp playing in Elysium. Now that we've exhausted *that* metaphor, I will add that there is still much work to be done to improve saddlebag supports. Perhaps the ideal would be to combine braze-ons with bag design so that you could have a minimalist rack -- something like the Mark's but perhaps even more minimal -- whose sole purpose would be to support the bottom against two points on the seatstays. I agree that the new Bagman seems to combine much of the worst of both rack and saddlebag worlds. But a near second best might be to adapt the Nitto Grip for use with saddles other than the Brooks (and to reduce the price: my own crude first attempt indicates that such a device could be made rather cheaply. I spent a total of less than $12 and that was at hardware store retail prices (I include $5 for a Nashbar front allen key release). For saddlebag and bike combinations that require under-bag support, I don't see that it would be hard to devise a rail-mounted grip that incorporated an original-Bagman-like bottom support. The original Bagman device had, IMO, an unecessarily complex and insufficiently sturdy rail clamp. I should think that you'd have ample gap between saddle and tire to easily accomodate a Pendle without support? On Wed, Oct 24, 2012 at 7:46 PM, Jim Cloud <cloud...@aol.com> wrote: > Hi Patrick, > > Sounds like you've found saddlebag Nirvana! Obviously, Grant has a > lot of experience designing, and selling, saddlebags. His description > of the current model saddlebags reflects a good deal of pride: > http://www.rivbike.com/Accessories-s/115.htm > > I'm still considering more actively using my Carradice Pendle > saddlebag, which generally has languished in the top of a closet. > It's a special model that was made for the now discontinued Heron > Randonneur bike. It's made in the traditional black canvas but has > natural color leather straps rather than the white ones commonly > available. Todd Kuzma, the owner of the Heron bike operation, wanted > the saddlebag to match the Berthoud handlebar bags that equipped his > Randonneur bike. > > I'd still like to find a suitable carrier that supports the bag (on a > large 65cm frame), without sagging. The most suitable model seems to > be the Carradice Bagman Q/R Sport model, which has unfortunately been > replaced with a "New Improved!" model (MK2). The latest model is only > available in black finish (ugh...) and has some struts that attach to > the seatstays, not my "cup of tea". > > Jim Cloud -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
