Carradice Camper Longflap bags.

[Brandane]

Re the Carradice Camper longflap saddlebag:

I am tempted to get one of these as a lighter and more practical alternative to rack and panniers; primarily for shorter tours. I have a Brooks B17 saddle with the loops required for attaching the bag.

I have read good things about them in other threads on this touring forum, but I can find no information on the Carradice website with regards to one major factor which us west of Scotland tourers must consider: is it waterproof, or at least water resistant? I see it is made from "cotton duck" material, but I have no knowledge of whether or not that is a waterproof material.

I have e-mailed Carradice to enquire, but was wondering if anyone on here has any first hand experience?

Edit... The Carradura also looks like it might fit the bill. It is lighter, cheaper, and only 1 litre less capacity. Has anyone used one of them and can supply similar answers to above questions?

 

[frank9755]

Re the Carradice Camper longflap saddlebag:

I am tempted to get one of these as a lighter and more practical alternative to rack and panniers; primarily for shorter tours. I have a Brooks B17 saddle with the loops required for attaching the bag.

I have read good things about them in other threads on this touring forum, but I can find no information on the Carradice website with regards to one major factor which us west of Scotland tourers must consider: is it waterproof, or at least water resistant? I see it is made from "cotton duck" material, but I have no knowledge of whether or not that is a waterproof material.

I have e-mailed Carradice to enquire, but was wondering if anyone on here has any first hand experience?

Edit... The Carradura also looks like it might fit the bill. It is lighter, cheaper, and only 1 litre less capacity. Has anyone used one of them and can supply similar answers to above questions?

I've got a Carradice Nelson which is also made of Cotton Duck. I use it every day for commuting and also for longer rides. It has been in some heavy rain and the contents have never got wet.

 

[samid]

Carradice cotton duck is thick cotton canvas impregnated with special wax (you can renew that waxing as get wears off with years). It is reasonably waterproof and gets more waterproof when it gets wet due to cotton threads getting thicker when they absorb water (or at least that's the theory). In practice, I have Carradice cotton duck panniers (front and back) and also a camper longflap. All were used for some rainy UK tours and I did not have problems - BUT, I must say that I kept water sensitive items such as the sleeping bag, clothing and camera in their own dry bags (which cotton duck bags/panniers are definitely not).

 

[GrumpyGregry]

3 carradice cotton duck bags; nothing inside has ever got wet iirc

 

[looe]

Re the Carradice Camper longflap saddlebag:

I am tempted to get one of these as a lighter and more practical alternative to rack and panniers; primarily for shorter tours. I have a Brooks B17 saddle with the loops required for attaching the bag.

I have read good things about them in other threads on this touring forum, but I can find no information on the Carradice website with regards to one major factor which us west of Scotland tourers must consider: is it waterproof, or at least water resistant? I see it is made from "cotton duck" material, but I have no knowledge of whether or not that is a waterproof material.

I have e-mailed Carradice to enquire, but was wondering if anyone on here has any first hand experience?

Edit... The Carradura also looks like it might fit the bill. It is lighter, cheaper, and only 1 litre less capacity. Has anyone used one of them and can supply similar answers to above questions?

The problem is that they are sold out everywhere. I tried to buy one for 2 months now but no luck

 

[Brandane]

The problem is that they are sold out everywhere. I tried to buy one for 2 months now but no luck

They are available on Carradices' own website.....

http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?page_id=product&under=type&product_id=35

There's one less available now, though !

Thanks for all replies, I have been convinced; and now looking forward to getting some lightweight touring in this summer .

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Seems to be an ongoing thing that everyone's out of stock of Carradice - I phoned them up in the end and they had the one I wanted in the office. Paid RRP but at least I got what I wanted. Christine made it!

 

[Isla Valassi]

The Super C is worth a look. I got mine here and for a good price

 

[asterix]

Mine was. It got used in Manchester for 3 years. It got done in by some battery acid eventually and I now have a Super C. The Super C is very good, waterproof and carries loads but I miss the character of the Longflap!

 

[Brandane]

Oh well, after the following exchange of e-mails it looks like I won't be getting a Carradice saddlebag after all .

The problem is self explanatory:-


Dear ******
Thank you for your order which is ready to send. The air mail postage is 12.52 British pounds making the invoice total 77.52 pounds. Please advise if this is acceptable and whether you wish to continue with the order or not.
Kind regards
******


My reply:-


Dear *****
I do not understand why there is an air mail postage charge of £12.52 when I live on the British mainland!! It clearly stated on your website at the point of finalising the order that this item would be delivered free of charge to mainland Britain, except the Scottish Highlands and Islands. As I live in Ayrshire which is only 25 miles from Glasgow, I assume I am not classed as Highlands and Islands.

If this charge still stands, then it takes the cost outwith the price I am willing to pay for a saddlebag, and would therefore be obliged if you would cancel the order and refund the money to my credit card account.

Regards,

*****

 

[andrew_s]

Did you try Spa Cycles? £56, free delivery, and superficially in stock.

 

[Brandane]

Did you try Spa Cycles? £56, free delivery, and superficially in stock.

Thanks for that link. As you say, "superficially" in stock! Will see what Carradices' reply to my e-mail is with regards to the postage charge. I am tempted to cut off my nose to spite my face now, and as a matter of principle not buy their product from anywhere. But being the strong willed type of person that I am , I will probably get it from Spa cycles !

 

[Brandane]

Another update! The matter has been resolved and my summer touring is back ON .

Here is the latest e-mail from Carradice (and Thank you to them for resolving it quickly ).....

Sorry Alastair - my fault entirely the postage is free and will be in the 1st class post today. I sent the message to you instead of to a customer in the USA. Please accept my apologies. Kind regards

 

[looe]

Did you try Spa Cycles? £56, free delivery, and superficially in stock.

Thanks for that, just bought one

 

[theloafer]

have carradice barbag-nelsonlongflap-panniers(which are20years old ) never had a prob with water getting in