[RBW] Re: Medium Saddle Sack and Top Rack
I also use the SaddleSack Medium with the R-14 Top Rack and Saddlebag Grip. Even when I forget to slide the leather over the rack loop it is rock steady sitting on the rack. Here is what happens when Grant contracts with a high-end women's purse manufacturer to make bike bags: I am riding on TOSRV with about 3,000 other people and through the course of the day I get lots of compliments on my bike, somewhat to the irritation of my ride mates on their grey bikes. Along comes paceline of women passing me and they slow so that the leader can say Pretty bike. I love how you accessorized it!Now my riding group will not let that remark die. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
[RBW] Re: Medium Saddle Sack and Top Rack
I have this set-up, and it works very well, with one addition: the Nitto quick release Saddlebag Grip. Before I had the grip, I attached it directly to the saddle and zip-tied the bottom of the bag to the rack and it was solid as could be. When I got the grip, I ditched the zip ties, but any swaying I have is minimal. The combo of medium saddle sack/Top Rack/Grip makes this set-up incredibly functional for me. The bag holds my laptop, change of clothes, tools, wallet, etc. The grip acts as a handle for the bag off the bike. Part of my commute is on a train. When I get on the train, it takes me two seconds to take the bag off so I can take my laptop to my seat (free train Wi- Fi!), then it takes me three seconds to put the bag back on when I get off the train, and then when I get to work and put my bike in a storage room, it again takes no time at all to take my bag to my office. It's such a good combo that a co-worker of mine ordered the same set-up, and I'm often asked about where I got it, in particular the grip. My only two negatives on the whole kit is the edges of the metal label on my bag were razor sharp (so sharp it took me a while to figure out where the cuts on my hands were coming from) but I fixed that with a diamond stone, and the straps that attach the bag to the seat (or the grip in my case) aren't quite strong enough to support the 15-20 pounds of stuff I cram in the bag so the leather has stretched. I'll replace the straps with nylon webbing eventually. Burton On May 20, 12:19 pm, Darin G. dbg...@mac.com wrote: Anyone using a medium Saddle Sack with a Top Rack? I'd like to fine tune my commuting setup and I like that bag but I'd want it sitting on a rack. From the looks of the photos it has the leather tab to slide over the upright on the top rack but I wonder if the seat tabs are long enough to reach the seat with it mounted that way. The images on the photos seem to show it just flopped on top of the rack and not really fitted to it. The large obviously works well with the rack but is over kill for my commute. D.G. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group athttp://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
[RBW] Re: Medium Saddle Sack and Top Rack
I use my medium for commuting with a Bagman Expedition support with quick release. You can see it here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/20986...@n04/4474806697/in/photostream/ After I took that photo, I realized that the Bagman bolt was loose, which is why the bag looks low. I have since added loctite to hold it in and no sagging has occurred. jim m wc ca On May 20, 9:19 am, Darin G. dbg...@mac.com wrote: Anyone using a medium Saddle Sack with a Top Rack? I'd like to fine tune my commuting setup and I like that bag but I'd want it sitting on a rack. From the looks of the photos it has the leather tab to slide over the upright on the top rack but I wonder if the seat tabs are long enough to reach the seat with it mounted that way. The images on the photos seem to show it just flopped on top of the rack and not really fitted to it. The large obviously works well with the rack but is over kill for my commute. D.G. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group athttp://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
[RBW] Re: Medium Saddle Sack and Top Rack
So, looking at the photos it looks like the leather tab on the bag slides over the lip at the front of the rack and you secure it to the tabs on the back of the saddle, but not around the seat post, much the way the large bag is displayed on Riv's website. Is it stable without the zip ties? I really don't want to have to zip it to the rack as wouldn't always ride with the big bag. Looks perfect for my commuting setup--as opposed to the trunk bag I have which is too small and the panniers I have which are usually too big. On May 20, 2:32 pm, Rene Sterental orthie...@gmail.com wrote: Darin, I've been using mine with the Nitto R-14 rack to support it. It really didn't need the extra support, but it was rubbing on the top of the steel fender and marring it so I put the rack. Since the rack's top guide is a bit further back, it pulls the bag back a bit and the leather strap that is meant to tie it to the seat tube is no longer needed (it doesn't reach anyway). I added a couple of zip ties to the bottom of the bag so it wouldn't slide on top of the rack. If you detail my pictures carefully (http://www.flickr.com/photos/orthie251/4456179970/in/set-721576229584...and a couple more before that one) you'll see that since the bag is pulled back by the rack, it's end is slightly lifted. This is just an aesthetic issue as the bottom of the bag is fully supported as soon as you load it. Loosening the saddle straps doesn't really address this as it just means the top comes down a bit more. Depending on the distance between your saddle loops and your rack, you'll need to adjust these straps to keep the top of the bag at its proper height. I carry my laptop, rain gear, clothes, etc. Now that the weather is really nice in the SF Bay Area, I don't really need that much space either, but it's nice for the laptop, some lunch and extra space for a book, fruit, etc. I'll state again that I started using it without the rack and if it wasn't for the rubbing of the leather on the fender, I would have kept using it without the rack. I discovered that I like the feeling of the larger saddlebags on the rear of my legs... :-) René On Thu, May 20, 2010 at 9:19 AM, Darin G. dbg...@mac.com wrote: Anyone using a medium Saddle Sack with a Top Rack? I'd like to fine tune my commuting setup and I like that bag but I'd want it sitting on a rack. From the looks of the photos it has the leather tab to slide over the upright on the top rack but I wonder if the seat tabs are long enough to reach the seat with it mounted that way. The images on the photos seem to show it just flopped on top of the rack and not really fitted to it. The large obviously works well with the rack but is over kill for my commute. D.G. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.comrbw-owners-bunch%2Bunsubscrib e...@googlegroups.com . For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group athttp://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
[RBW] Re: Medium Saddle Sack and Top Rack
Nice photos, btw. D.G. On May 20, 2:32 pm, Rene Sterental orthie...@gmail.com wrote: Darin, I've been using mine with the Nitto R-14 rack to support it. It really didn't need the extra support, but it was rubbing on the top of the steel fender and marring it so I put the rack. Since the rack's top guide is a bit further back, it pulls the bag back a bit and the leather strap that is meant to tie it to the seat tube is no longer needed (it doesn't reach anyway). I added a couple of zip ties to the bottom of the bag so it wouldn't slide on top of the rack. If you detail my pictures carefully (http://www.flickr.com/photos/orthie251/4456179970/in/set-721576229584...and a couple more before that one) you'll see that since the bag is pulled back by the rack, it's end is slightly lifted. This is just an aesthetic issue as the bottom of the bag is fully supported as soon as you load it. Loosening the saddle straps doesn't really address this as it just means the top comes down a bit more. Depending on the distance between your saddle loops and your rack, you'll need to adjust these straps to keep the top of the bag at its proper height. I carry my laptop, rain gear, clothes, etc. Now that the weather is really nice in the SF Bay Area, I don't really need that much space either, but it's nice for the laptop, some lunch and extra space for a book, fruit, etc. I'll state again that I started using it without the rack and if it wasn't for the rubbing of the leather on the fender, I would have kept using it without the rack. I discovered that I like the feeling of the larger saddlebags on the rear of my legs... :-) René On Thu, May 20, 2010 at 9:19 AM, Darin G. dbg...@mac.com wrote: Anyone using a medium Saddle Sack with a Top Rack? I'd like to fine tune my commuting setup and I like that bag but I'd want it sitting on a rack. From the looks of the photos it has the leather tab to slide over the upright on the top rack but I wonder if the seat tabs are long enough to reach the seat with it mounted that way. The images on the photos seem to show it just flopped on top of the rack and not really fitted to it. The large obviously works well with the rack but is over kill for my commute. D.G. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.comrbw-owners-bunch%2Bunsubscrib e...@googlegroups.com . For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group athttp://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
Re: [RBW] Re: Medium Saddle Sack and Top Rack
Thanks! I put the zip ties more for paranoid security than for stability. I didn't tighten them too much either. I'm pretty sure that it will work perfectly fine without them, and I think the setup's wonderfulness will certainly be enhanced by adding the saddlebag grip and no zip ties as described by Burton. I know I'll be ordering one, as I also don't think I'll keep the bag attachmed permanently. My current caveat is figuring out how the saddlebags will fit with the Nitto Big Rear Rack that doesn't have the section that goes into the leather holder of the bag. Perhaps the saddlegrip + zip ties will be required... I'm on the verge of replacing my Bombadil frame with an Atlantis frame, but will keep the exact same setup for commuting in the winter, and probably stick to either the basket and medium bag or the medium saddlebag for the summer when I don't have to carry any jackets/gloves/etc. If I could have one wish, it would be to be able to get the medium and large shopsacks with a couple of zippered internal pockets. I find the zippered external sleeve on the saddlebag indispensable for train tickets, wallet, company ID, etc. I'd be more than willing to pay a bit extra for that, although I understand Grant's reasons to keep them so simple. No matter what, the combination you see in my pictures is amazingly useful and utilitarian. René -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
[RBW] Re: Medium Saddle Sack and Top Rack
I agree that your setup is the very definition of utilitarian. Your posts and pictures were helpful. I have a small trunksack now and like how it slides onto the front rack slick as a whistle. It also seem indestructible, and reminds me of Filson duck-hunting coats, the kind you inherit from your grandfather after he wore it for thirty years. The convenience of dropping it onto the rack makes me want something similar for the rear and the large trunksack is just a wee small for my needs, especially early and late season rides when I need extra clothes, but the medium saddlesack seems to be right on the nose. So will try it and if necessary consider the Bagman. I have a nitto big rack on now. I think you could still use the saddle sack with the seat post strap and let the bag just lounge onto the back of the rack. That seems how the pictures show it on the Riv sight anyway. I'm thinking of the top rack because the big rack is BIG, no, its HUGE, and overkill for my commuting and recreational riding situation (can't wait to tour with it, however). Fortunately, once set up it takes three minutes to take it off and put it back on. D.G. On May 20, 5:58 pm, Rene Sterental orthie...@gmail.com wrote: Thanks! I put the zip ties more for paranoid security than for stability. I didn't tighten them too much either. I'm pretty sure that it will work perfectly fine without them, and I think the setup's wonderfulness will certainly be enhanced by adding the saddlebag grip and no zip ties as described by Burton. I know I'll be ordering one, as I also don't think I'll keep the bag attachmed permanently. My current caveat is figuring out how the saddlebags will fit with the Nitto Big Rear Rack that doesn't have the section that goes into the leather holder of the bag. Perhaps the saddlegrip + zip ties will be required... I'm on the verge of replacing my Bombadil frame with an Atlantis frame, but will keep the exact same setup for commuting in the winter, and probably stick to either the basket and medium bag or the medium saddlebag for the summer when I don't have to carry any jackets/gloves/etc. If I could have one wish, it would be to be able to get the medium and large shopsacks with a couple of zippered internal pockets. I find the zippered external sleeve on the saddlebag indispensable for train tickets, wallet, company ID, etc. I'd be more than willing to pay a bit extra for that, although I understand Grant's reasons to keep them so simple. No matter what, the combination you see in my pictures is amazingly useful and utilitarian. René -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group athttp://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
