Which large saddlebag? Veering towards carradice, but unsure which

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bishbashbogoff

New Member
I want a 15L or more for kitchen sink storage.

Mountain bike, though mainly riding on roads.

Don't want to pay a ton and some for one of the 'gold standard' ortleibs.

After having searched for weeks I had honed it down to the topeak backloader 15L. I got as far as checkout but funnily enough it would not complete on the site I was using so I started looking around again at other options in the meantime and ran across some fair priced Carradices. I had skipped past them on my previous perusals as I saw them to be in the same premium range as the O but I stumbled across some sub 100 ones and even a couple cheaper than the topeak! either clearance or on a deal.

I did give a quick dalliance for the Longstrap 24L one as it is on offer for 90 on ebay due to a defect but I am off that now as it seems overkill and greedy and I think it would probably be OTT and might have trouble getting it on the saddle.

In some aspects I like the wider 'lunchbox' styles they Carradice seem to generally do for saddle bags, for their simplicity, while in other aspects I like the streamlinedness of the conical ones which are more standard for bikepacking and seem most popular.

I did also find a Carradice Colorado for 69 so that is pretty much the same as the topeak which was coming in at 62 I think and having looked through the companies' wares you get the feeling they are made with love rather than the conveyor belt mass produced type of vibe with topeak. The latter is fine if it means you get a bag for a fair price but since the CC is coming in at a similar price and capacity then I think I would choose that as preference.

The other Carradice I have in my sights though is the Carradry SQR. Now this one is of the 'blob on the back' style. Looking at the pictures it certainly does not look sleek or sexy, just a large mass welded to the seat. It looks like a hiking bag has just been glued at an angle.

Looks like this one is reaching end of life though and can pick this up for around 55, cheaper than both the above and sporting the biggest capacity at 18L max.

Reviews seem good, but yea won't win any prices for style. It is a question of form or function then I think but if anyone has experience with both/any of the above, I think I will take one of the carradices now really, over the topeak, then please chime in. Either seem a good bet. I think I might be swaying toward the function side of things again as those side pockets look neat and 18L and the simplicity of a big box on the back, rather than a long thin cylinder, is kind of floating my boat.
 

geocycle

Legendary Member
I recently bought a Carradice Cambrian. It is excellent and has a long flap design with a roll top inner so can be used 9 L to 16 L. I quite like this as for day rides I need a small bag but 16L did my for a week credit card touring. There are at least 3 versions of the bag at large so look carefully at the design not just the name.

Day rides with top folded down.

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/your-ride-today.173254/post-7480963

Packed for short tour with flap extended.

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/your-ride-today.173254/post-7449318
 
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bishbashbogoff

New Member
I recently bought a Carradice Cambrian. It is excellent and has a long flap design with a roll top inner so can be used 9 L to 16 L. I quite like this as for day rides I need a small bag but 16L did my for a week credit card touring. There are at least 3 versions of the bag at large so look carefully at the design not just the name.

Day rides with top folded down.

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/your-ride-today.173254/post-7480963

Packed for short tour with flap extended.

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/your-ride-today.173254/post-7449318

Oh indeed, the brand itself seems exemplary going by people's experiences. Well there is the odd curmudgeon here and there but that goes for any company. :smile:
 

oxoman

Senior Member
I can vouch for the carradice sqr slim, I've been using one for around 6yrs with no issues at all. 100% waterproof if closed properly. Doesn't wave around and is easily detached from the bike. Have used it on a couple of bikepacking trips before buying ortleib panniers. 16ltrs the none slim one has side pockets as well.
 

wiggydiggy

Legendary Member
I'll always recommend a Carradice bag, I have 2 rack bags (Barley and Lowsaddle Longflap) and 2 sets of panniers though its the rack bags you want.

The Barley is 9L so probably too small, but surprisingly spacious (it will take my 15" laptop for instance). The Lowsaddle Longflap is 15L but its large top flap means you can pack quite a lot more in there than that.

Lowsaddle Longflap on my MTB, with Bagman Support Rack
10576981-10154474369115604-1916057896188980180-n.jpg

LL on my Hybrid, with Support Struts
IMG-20250715-102654337.jpg

Have you thought how to attach it? The bags attach to certain seats with the right fittings, Brooks saddles have them, I prefer the Bagman Support Rack and I've added the 'Support Struts' now also. Because I also use panniers I don't carry as much in there as I used to, but I have packed enough in them both for overnight trips.

This is the LL with a tent, sleeping bag and clothes in it (rucksack has food and other stuff in it). Not quite the full load in there then but quite a lot!
P1030807.jpg
 
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bishbashbogoff

New Member
I can vouch for the carradice sqr slim, I've been using one for around 6yrs with no issues at all. 100% waterproof if closed properly. Doesn't wave around and is easily detached from the bike. Have used it on a couple of bikepacking trips before buying ortleib panniers. 16ltrs the none slim one has side pockets as well.

Having let the options percolate in my mind I think I am settled the carradry now.

I'll always recommend a Carradice bag, I have 2 rack bags (Barley and Lowsaddle Longflap) and 2 sets of panniers though its the rack bags you want.

I had read yesterday a comment about Carradice something to the effect of being the "poor man's Ortleib" which appears an unfair appraisal as from what I have seen so far they have a range of products from more accessible price wise up to the higher end O contenders.

The Barley is 9L so probably too small, but surprisingly spacious (it will take my 15" laptop for instance). The Lowsaddle Longflap is 15L but its large top flap means you can pack quite a lot more in there than that.

Well I am not looking at the whole range as many go into over £100 and this one for £50 or so does everything I want from what I can see with generous capacity at 18L. So only considering the ones I mentioned, having had a decent look through their whole range yesterday.

Have you thought how to attach it? The bags attach to certain seats with the right fittings, Brooks saddles have them, I prefer the Bagman Support Rack and I've added the 'Support Struts' now also. Because I also use panniers I don't carry as much in there as I used to, but I have packed enough in them both for overnight trips.

Well the SQR it has the clamp that comes with it doesn't it? I have not thought about it particularly but I plan to just go with what the instructions advise! Not intending to buy an extra support if that's what you mean.
Carradice 'Longflap' every time...................last for decades

While I pretty much decided on the Carradry it is just good to get general votes for the brand itself as 'par for the course'.
 
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bishbashbogoff

New Member
By the way, I noticed there are 4 D-rings on the top side of the carradry SQR bag. As this doesn't have those elastic cords to put items underneath that are popular on the elongated style saddlebags I wondered how the rings could be used. I saw it noted you could use cargo netting or similar to attach to the D-rings for a similar effect of stashing larger items like clothing on the exterior for some extra storage.

I know I have seen these types of rings on various hiking bags and the like I have owned over the years but one of the things I never utilized. Can anyone give me examples of putting these rings to good use? Pics always handy to get a better idea.
 

raleighnut

Legendary Member
By the way, I noticed there are 4 D-rings on the top side of the carradry SQR bag. As this doesn't have those elastic cords to put items underneath that are popular on the elongated style saddlebags I wondered how the rings could be used. I saw it noted you could use cargo netting or similar to attach to the D-rings for a similar effect of stashing larger items like clothing on the exterior for some extra storage.

I know I have seen these types of rings on various hiking bags and the like I have owned over the years but one of the things I never utilized. Can anyone give me examples of putting these rings to good use? Pics always handy to get a better idea.

Tent or Sleeping bag on my Carradice 'Camper Longflap' secured with bungee cords
 

wiggydiggy

Legendary Member
Well the SQR it has the clamp that comes with it doesn't it? I have not thought about it particularly but I plan to just go with what the instructions advise! Not intending to buy an extra support if that's what you mean.

Yeah the SQR is it's own system, nothing to do with the Bagman Support/Struts I use.

I think an SQR based system will be fine for your needs :okay:
 

wakemalcolm

Legendary Member
Location
Ratho
I've bikepacked with the SQR for the last 2 years. I love the capacity and the waterproofing but I have concerns about how robust the seat post bands are. Think the threads on one of mine have stripped. It's still keeping position thanks to the other band and some bungees but they're replaceable parts (approx GBP5 per pair)
 
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wiggydiggy

Legendary Member
I've bikepacked with the SQR for the last 2 years. I love the capacity and the waterproofing but I have concerns about how robust the seat post rings are. Think the threads on one of mine have stripped. It's still keeping position thanks to the other ring and some bungees but they're replaceable parts.

My Bagman Support broke (actually on the trip in the first pic I posted, the screw that holds it together sheered). Carradice sent me 2 replacements, no charge, try asking them if they have spares?
 

Ian H

Ancient randonneur
By the way, I noticed there are 4 D-rings on the top side of the carradry SQR bag. As this doesn't have those elastic cords to put items underneath that are popular on the elongated style saddlebags I wondered how the rings could be used. I saw it noted you could use cargo netting or similar to attach to the D-rings for a similar effect of stashing larger items like clothing on the exterior for some extra storage.

I know I have seen these types of rings on various hiking bags and the like I have owned over the years but one of the things I never utilized. Can anyone give me examples of putting these rings to good use? Pics always handy to get a better idea.

That's what your old toe-straps are for.
 

Ian H

Ancient randonneur
I can't even remember the name of this model. It's a proper Tardis. In these photos it's holding tools, a lock, toothbrush & washing stuff, off-bike shoes, off-bike clothing, sunscreen, etc.
PXL_20250812_121006962.jpg


PXL_20250812_121023026.jpg
 
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