My name is Mike and I have a bike luggage problem... I own many of the bags already mentioned and a couple not discussed yet so here's my 2-cents:
I currently have 3 Swift Zeitgeist bags - a first generation in custom colors and a couple newer ones, and for a good, durable, fairly lightweight saddlebag they are fantastic. My only (very minor) complaint is that the newer ones take longer to get in and out of - there's the outer 2 buckles, an inner buckled cinch strap, and the cord-lock bag cinch. The older models didn't have the single inner cinch strap, which is otherwise an improvement as it pulls the bottom of the bag up some, depending on how loaded it is. I do wish they still shipped with the leather buckle straps instead of the Voile straps everyone (except Carradice and Acorn) seems to be going to these days, but I may be in the minority with that opinion. I also own a Swift Catalyst, and if you want a bag smaller than the Zeitgeist and can do without the side pockets, it's basically a smaller Zeitgeist (Swift used to make the Zeitgeist in 2 sizes). One advantage to the Catalyst - Swift's intention I think - is that the Catalyst mounts well to even fairly narrow handlebars too. Someone mentioned MUSA as a plus on Swift bags, but last year they switched production overseas to standard bags in standard colors, which I assume means the Zeitgeist is now sewn in Asia. I also own 2 Carradice bags, a Camper Longflap and Nelson Longflap. The Camper was my first touring saddlebag and has thousands of miles in year-round PNW commuting and other than fading is still in great shape. The waxed canvas is heavier than the Swift bags, but that's never been an issue for me, and the longflap is incredibly useful when overfilling the bag or strapping a sleeping pad or tent or fly rod to the bag. I own a large Fabios Chest - from when they were still made by Swift - and it's like a super-sized version of the Zeitgeist with a rolltop instead of cordlock cinch AND a longflap. If one was looking for a true load-everything-including-the-kitchen-sink bag this would be the one. FYI I run it on the front (Jones Bars) of my Bantam AdventureBike, and with a Carradice Longflap on the rear and a couple fork-mounted King Manything cages I can carry all my bikepacking gear without an inner triangle frame bag (I hate frame bags). Another bag I REALLY like is the locally made (Portland area) Jack Supply Slugger bag. https://www.jacksupplyco.com/ Similar to the Swift Zeitgeist but with a rolltop closure, extendable flap, and more exterior lash points. I've also run this as a handlebar bag, though I prefer the Little Slugger for that use. And these definitely are MUSA. Finally, the OP mentioned running a Wald basket and looking for a saddlebag as well. I use a Swift Sugarloaf in one Wald basket, and an Outershell Basket-bag https://outershell.com/shop/137-basket-bag in the other. The thing I like about the Basket-bag is that it's basically a rando bag for your basket, with a lid that opens out so you can access the interior while riding, and a clear map pocket. Also MUSA (California) and really thoughtfully designed and well-made. Final note - I'm smallish and ride smallish frames, and for ALL the saddlebags mentioned I run some kind of support rack - Erlen, Nitto, Bagman, Tailfeather http://derick-paulson.squarespace.com/tailfeather/tailfeather, And the Fabs chest on my Bantam is supported by a front rack custom made for that bike. Many of the setups can be seen on my Flickr pages https://www.flickr.com/photos/8199310@N04/albums Mike M On Friday, April 15, 2022 at 3:20:56 PM UTC-7 Chris K wrote: > Hi all - I'm new to the group and figured you all would have opinions on > "the best all-around useful saddle bag," if you could only own one. > > For context, I ride a Bridgestone CB-0 set up with a front rack and Wald > basket. This is great, but I sometimes wish for a little more capacity in > the form of a bag. Based on Rivendell's site, the Bagboy or the Happisack > seem to fit this "all-around useful" purpose and size. I mostly ride around > town but want to do some overnights this summer as well. > > Would you recommend definitely getting one over the other? I'm also > looking at the Swift Zeitgeist or Catalyst. > > Thanks! > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/b0657468-3f9d-41c3-92a2-d37b45007096n%40googlegroups.com.
