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Cycling Plus Tests SQR, Nelson LF, and Super C Frontbag

Hilary Stone takes a look at daybags in the September, 2001 issue of the British magazine; "Cycling Plus." He tests the Carradice Super C Frontbag, The Carradice SQR Tour, The Carradice Nelson Longflap along with handlebar bags from Ortlieb, Ozzo, and Vaude, seatpost bags from Vaude and Klickfix and trunkbags from Altura and Ortlieb. The "test kit" included the standard stuff; jacket, camera, tools, energy bars, maps, etc. Evaluation criteria were "organization," "ease of removal/fitting," "waterproofing," "capacity," "stability," "reflectors and light mounting," and "seatpost quick release fittings." There were 11 bags tested with 5 of these receiveing "recommended buy" ratings and 2 more getting a "best buy" tag. All three of the Carradice bags got one or the other. The complete text of the Carradice tests will be followed here by the test summary.

Carradice Super C Frontbag:

This one is made from 100% waterproof and very hard wearing cotton duck. It uses one of the standard KlickFix fittings and weighs 880g. All of our standard test kit fitted inside except for the compact camera. There is an internal key/change pocket and two other pockets that helps to organise the contents; less useful are the small mesh external pockets. The large map case in normal use is folded in half - it can't be left open as you cycle but is easier to use folded than the Ortlieb showing about a fold's worth of an OS map sideways.
Verdict: 9(of 10) - Excellent barbag with very few drawbacks.
CYCLING PLUS RECOMMENDED BUY

Carradice SQR Tour:

This large seat post mounted bag easily swallowed our test kit and various items - in our case the compact camera and tools - could handily be kept in the two small external pockets; a small velcro fastened inner pociet took keys and change. It was 100% waterproof. The seatpost quick release fitting was extremely easy and quick to use and there was no bag sway but it needed a clear 60mm or so of seatpost for fitting. On small frames there was not enough space to fit the bag over the mudguard. With medium and larger sized frames there was no problem. It weighs 1130g.
Verdict: 9 - Very roomy seatpost mount bag for all but shorter riders.
CYCLING PLUS BEST BUY

Carradice Nelson Long Flap Saddlebag

This is by far the most capacious of the bags on test, swalowing the test kit with masses of room to spare. The two external pockets are extremely usefully sized taking tools, puncture kit and spare tube. With the SQR system it is extremely quick to detatch from the bike but does need 60mm free of space on the seatpin, though will fit over the mudguard on all but the very smallest frames. With the SQR system it weighs 1060g, 660g without -but it then needs a saddle with bag loops or another type of saddlebag support. It was 100% waterproof in the shower test.
Verdict: 9 - Not sexy but a very versatile luggage system for the day tourist.
CYCLING PLUS RECOMMENDED BUY

The Summary

It's too fine a call between the Carradice Super C and the Ortlieb bar bags - personal preferences will play the final part in your decision. But don't forget the Vaude which was spacious and we are sure woudl normally be dry with its welded seams.

If a rack top bag is your preferred option the two to consider really are the Ortlieb and the Altura. The Altura is excellent value for the money but the Ortlieb has an excellent quick release fitting. you could perhaps also consider Carradice's Prima tob bag which has been a C+ Best Buy in the past but was not included here because of shortage of space.

Finally to seatpost mounted bags: the competition was very fierce and it's really horsed for courses - the smaller rider will have to go for the slightly less capacious Vaude which is excellent. Carradice's SQR Tour offers a lot more room for most other riders and their Nelson saddlebag can be a great option if you want more room still. But you have to think carefully about how you are going to mount it, though if you have the room for the SQR fitting the problem is solved.

"Kit Test: Day Touring Packs" Cycling Plus, September 2001, 63

 

Men's Journal likes the B.17

mag cover For September '99, Men's Journal attempts to define "The Great Life" by showing us "85 Perfect Things". They say; "There is a direct connection between great design and the quality of a man's life". One of their "perfect things" is the beautiful Brooks B.17. The short bit of copy about the perfection of the B.17 was written by Rivendell honcho Grant Peterson - an avid Brooks enthusiast who has done a lot to fuel the revival of interest in this classic equipment.

Scanning through this gallery of greatness left me with a vague feeling of inadequacy - my stuff just doesn't measure up to their stuff. I can be thankful, though, that there is a B.17 out there on the tandem and that every time we go for a ride I am living the "quality" life!

(By the way - cover person Harrison Ford has three airplanes and a helicopter and he is fulfilled.)

"Design 2000." Men's Journal. September, 1999, 123.

Bike Bureau and Super C panniers are praised by Cycling Plus

 mag cover Back to Cycling Plus for a June '99 "Kit Test" of Panniers. They do a comprehensive tests of 8 panniers and 2 briefcase panniers. Besides the two Carradice models that are the focus of this summary the British consumer publication looks at 2 bags from Ortlieb and one each from Karrimor, Freedom, Agu, Jandd, Radical Design, and Vaude.

First the Bike Bureau; They give it a 10 (of 10) and rate it a "Best Buy." They say;

The school satchel-like 24L Cotton Duck Bureau is a fully waterproof organiser. An array of internal dividers and pockets allows safe stowage of items such as a laptop, mobile phone, glasses, pens etc. Among the many well thought out features is the outside covering flap/pouch which isolates wet clothing. This pulls back and wraps over the pannier back revealing a leather carrying handle. A scotchlite reflective strip along its side is effective at night and low key in daylight. (note; this strip is not on current models.)
An angled bar for the mounting hooks takes good care of heel clearance despite its rectangular shape, which ideal for A4 or even A3 files if upright. The main section uses snap buckles, but the chrome leather straps provide plenty of additional adjustment should you need it. Weight for the single pannier is 1440g.
Next, the Super C: It rates an 8 (of 10). They say;
Carradice's Super C's are popular and long-establishe 48L British panniers made from Cotton Duck. They have Carradice's lifetime guarantee. The deeply tapered profile provides good clearance for short chainstays or big feet but can make packing awkward. Except for the pockets we found them impervious to water. Attachment is simple: a neat plastic cleat slips behind a carrier leg. The fully adjustable hooks have just been upgraded, and fit securely on all pannier rack rails.
Also new for '99, the carrying handle has been moved to the centre of the more closely cut and lined lid to make carrying easier. The handles are attached to extendable straps, forming shoulder slings; good when your hands are full, but awkward otherwise. They weigh a reasonable 1620g.

"Kit Test: Panniers: Rear Panniers." Cycling Plus. June 1999, 79-81.

Tandem & Family Cycling Comments on the Brooks Pros

mag. cover In their Fall 1998 issue, the nice folks at Tandem and Family Cycling looked at 18 saddles from 11 manufacturers. In the introduction to the article they caution that good bicycle fit is crucial to saddle comfort. Then they show pictures of the saddles that are accompanied by a paragraph of descriptive text and a little data concerning price, weight, and sources. Brooks models reviewed were the Team Pro and the Team Pro 'S'. While they said something nice about all the saddles tested, they didn't express any personal preference for the Brooks saddles. Here's what they did say:
TRIED and TRUE
This is the classic saddle for the traditionalist. Heavier than most, but breaks in quicker than you might think for an absolute custom fit. many serious riders won't use anything else. Leather saddles require a bit of maintenance compared with others, but any fan will tell you that it's well worth it. The Professional is a narrow racing style, and the Pro S is a shorter version for women.

"Back in the Saddle Again." Tandem and Family Cycling. Fall 1998, 27-30.

B17N & B130 Tested in British Mag

mag. coverCycling Plus, a popular British all-round cycling magazine, tested a group of saddles in their May '97 issue. Included the B 17 'N' and the B 130. The other saddles in the comparison were the Selle Royal Gents Ergo Gel Titanium, the Terry Bella Gella, the Selle San Marco Rolls, the Selle Italia Flite Kevlar, the Avocet 02 Air 50M, the Avocet 20W, and the Selle Royal BZP322.


Regarding the B17N (for Narrow), they said:

If you can stand the three month breaking-in period, the B17 rivals the Selle Royal Gents Ergo Gel Titanium for comfort. The narrow version of the B17 exudes craftsmanship, and it's made from leather which, though it at first feels too hard to sit on, becomes supple over time. Using a screw beneath the nose, the B17 can be re-tensioned to reduce the sag that comes with time and use. It's vital to use oils such as neatsfoot or Brooks' own Proofide to keep the leather soft and protect it in light showers and the saddle should be covered for long spells in wet weather. The leather oil will restore its good looks, unlike platic saddles which look very second hand after a spill. Stupendous value.
The mighty B 130 inspired these comments:
Intended for big, heavy bolt-upright roadsters from the post-war era, this bells and whistles Brooks saddle has a total of six coil springs. The leather took about four months of continuous riding to properly break in, after which time we were rewarded with wonderful levels of comfort. However, it's that initial breaking-in period that will put some people off. There's really no substitute on a rod-brake roadstter, though. If your'e at all concerned with light weight, this saddle most certainly is not for you; it weighs-in at a staggering 1582g.
In the concluding "Cycling Plus Verdict" they lead off:
In comfort and durability terms, the Brooks B17 stand out head and shoulders above the others, though you'll have to put up with the soreness for a few months untill it's broken in.. . .They (female testers) found the Brooks springy but the nose far too hard. however, the gents thought the B 130 looked good on a roadster and was tops for comfort on this type of bike, despite the comments that the top was too slippery.
And then they go on to say something nice about most of the other saddles tested. We might argue with their break-in complaints but we won't even try to deny that the B 130 is a BIG saddle.

"Group Test: Saddles." Cycling Plus. May 1997, 68-70.


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