Leather on willow (or whatever Carradice wood is)

[RedRider]

I'm being followed by a sound as quintessentially Lancastrian as Clive Lloyd hitting a boundary at Aigburth.

Ever since I fitted my Carradice saddlebag my ride is serenaded by the creak of leather strap on wooden dowel. Anyone who's got one will probably know what I mean.

(It's not a major problem, I hardly ever think about it and I'm sure a bit masking tape would restore silence just as it did on another bag.

Nevertheless, asking a question about it gives me the opportunity to post a gratuitous picture of my new-ish bag with a cat also in shot. This is bound to generate one or two 'likes' but not as many, now I think of it, as if I'd managed to entice the cat inside the bag and grab a shot of that instead. Drat. Anyway, here goes...)

Has anyone tried applying a little linseed oil to the dowel where the leather strap loops around it or is the creaking just part of the charm?

Here's a pic of my newish bag...

 

[smokeysmoo]

Love the cat shaped bike stand

 

[wisdom]

Wouldve thought that it may help.Dont think it would cause any harm.

 

[Cycleops]

Ask Clive Lloyd.

 

[RedRider]

Love the cat shaped bike stand

It's amazing the strength in the tip of one ear.

 

[andrew_s]

It might be quieter if you tighten up the straps another hole or two. If the loops are as short as possible, there will be less movement.
Alternatively, you could try the zip tie and plastic Bagman adapter

 

[MikeG]

I............. it gives me the opportunity to post a gratuitous picture of my new-ish bag........

Please see Rule 26.

 

[RedRider]

It might be quieter if you tighten up the straps another hole or two. If the loops are as short as possible, there will be less movement.
Alternatively, you could try the zip tie and plastic Bagman adapter

I've got the adaptor/zip tie on another bag but don't like the way it digs in when you carry the bag off the bike. I think you're right about tightening the straps, they've stretched quite a bit and need another hole punching.

Please see Rule 26.

You try lining up the cranks while balancing your bike on a baked beans can with a cat twining round your ankles!

 

[young Ed]

being a leather worker by one of many hobbies i can assure that linseed oil won't damage the leather don't if it will help the squeak though as leather acts a sponge and will soak it up quite happily unless the leather is treated in which case it might work and is worth a try if you have the oil in any case
Cheers Ed

 

[djb1971]

I rub a bit of proofide on my straps. It's usually where the strap enters the leather hole in the bag not the dowelling. The leather strap creaks on the leather strip across the back of the bag. It could also be the strap that goes around the seatpost. Just proofide it and don't rub it off.

 

[Gravity Aided]

Maybe replace the leather straps with nylon ones.

 

[alans]

My Carradice is handy for being held responsible for the squeeks & creaks emanating from my knees.

Defo need to tighten up the straps around the dowel.
aamoi what inch gear are you using on what I assume is a fixed gear?

 

[jazzkat]

Have a like!

and +1 on tightening the straps

 

[snorri]

D***, I thought from the title that this was a fetish thread.

 

[Haitch]

I thought it was the sound of leather on Brian Close.