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Looking for something of similar size to a Apidura 9L bar bag and 14L saddle pack, except with zips or whatever rather than rolled closures? I've spent years fighting with a Ortleib bar bag and just think rolled closures are rubbish. I may yet just get the Apidura ones if that's best though, but from fiddling with one the closure is similarly annoying.
Something that holds its shape would be nice as well.
Also I've got a 9L Apidura saddle pack that I'm about to return as it's tiny. So I was wondering if 9L refers to the volume with the bag completely open, and is therefore meaningless in real world use?
I got a small bar bag from a Ukrainian maker Fablebag on instagram. It’s very very neat and I’m looking at other bags now for longer rides.
What about a Carradice bag in whatever size suits you best? Much easier to pack and access than any rolltop bag, and will last forever!
I really like my Restrap bags, but they are roll closure dry bags in a holster, and that is not what you asked.
There is however a YouTube review on some Caradice bags from @Rocketdog of this here parish. They do look rather tidy.
I have an Ortlieb 11 litre seat pack that has been used once and is now surplus to my requirements as have gone over to Tailfin.
it’s in as new condition and an open to sensible offers. iain dot clow at gmail dot com
its this one :
https://uk.ortlieb.com/products/seat-pack
Cheers for the link! Currently testing the new restrap roll top bar bag and holster
https://youtube.com/shorts/2DMhGg27S0k?si=Hoe73VetIgPdHujN
+ 1 on the Carradice seat bags.
They also do bar bags with flip tops, which get used a lot on tours I've done. Depends on how aero you want to be 🙂
I've just finished four days in the Cairngorms, using a Carradice Camper Longflap and a Carradice Baja barbag.
Toestraps attached Crocs attached to the outside for river crossings.
Bag was purchased 30 years ago and I've replaced one of the straps in that time.
Roll tops have never let me down on a bike bag but I've had a couple of failed zips over the years. If you want reliability and ease of access then the Carradice style is good, if you don't have a saddle with loops you can get bolt-on loops for saddle rails. Carradice seat bags also attach to the bars pretty easily and they make a support for it now (similar to the old Nitto bag support wire).
There's a few companies making Carradice longflap style bags out of Xpac now if you want something lighter or more options for size/colour etc.
I prefer rolltops over zips. Less hassle as they don't get jammed and the roll top allows you to adjust the volume of the bag to ensure the contents are kept in place and don't bounce around inside the bag.
The problem with the Apidura bar bag is the faff of trying to fill and close it when it is attached the bars as it is awkward to access, especially if fitted to curly bars. Of course you can fill it when it is off the bike but then you have to fiddle around trying to do up the straps on the bars while trying to keep the filled bag in place. A stuff sack/roll top bag that fits in a harness eleviates some of the faffage but can still be fiddly.
I have a 10l Restrap Bar Pack which, although a roll top, is much more convenient as it is top-loading and easy to access. Not cheap but really well made and does what it is intended to do.
Surely roll tops are only a faff if you're over filling them? In which case a zip closure will be just as bad.
I've toyed with the idea before of making a DIY seatpack with a sleeping-bag-bag style closure. A drawstring with a cap over it and cinch straps to pull it tight. Doesn't really solve any problems though other than it could in theory be a little lighter as the cinch straps could be thin cord not 20mm webbing.
I'm also Caradice curious 😂
Tailfin ....... I like the concept, but somehow they've taken the timeless simplicity of a pannier rack and made it really ugly! Hopefully someone takes the idea and runs with it because on the road at least 2x ~4l drybag 'mini-panniers' on some beefed up mudguard stays would actually be really useful.
And just to confuse things, Carradice also do the Colorado roll top which is a "modern" bikepacking shape. Also has a small stainless hoop that bolts to the seat rails so doesn't sway around like most others. Cordura not cotton duck so also has a waterproof liner (loose fit / removable on the early ones, built-in on the latest model).
Thanks for the replies! I'm struggling to find myself attracted to Carradice, even though on paper that's the sort of thing I'm after. Feel like I need a vintage Dawes Super Galaxy touring bike to go with them.
At present I've ordered the Apidura ones. I'm expecting to keep the 14L saddle pack as the 9L mostly just needed to be bigger. Will inspect the bar bag and see what I think of it. That 10L Restrap dove1 posted might be more ideal.
Some of the issues with my Ortlieb now are just because the straps don't stay tight. It's fairly new but the straps to hold down the roll top slip, causing it to unroll. The velcro straps around the bars are made of such a stiff material they undo themselves trying to straighten back out, and don't grip the bars anyway.
The velcro straps around the bars are made of such a stiff material they undo themselves trying to straighten back out, and don't grip the bars anyway.
A hairdryer might sort that - use some tape to hold them in place and warm them up then let them cool like that?
If anyone is interested in a Tailfin Bar Bag System drop us a message.
It's brand new never used and comes with all of the different mount accessories.
Looks really well made and solid, I just have no use for it.
https://www.tailfin.cc/product/bar-systems/bar-bags/bar-bag-system/?v=7885444af42e
I know what you mean about Carradice stuff being old fashioned, but I use their Odyssey Saddlebag on their Bagman front rack and it’s a rock solid, easy on and off, massive handlebar bag system that will swallow absolutely loads of stuff in a very flexible way. Cordura so none of your wax cotton nonsense. It’s carried all my camera equipment, electronics and whatever food I stuff in it for thousands of miles no problem. Highly recommended.