Life In The Saddle

Think of Carradice, and images of the classic Nelson Saddlebag probably come to mind—the original waxed cotton canvas bag found on audax bikes for decades. The British brand have also been quietly creating a range of bikepacking saddlebags and handlebar bags though; using their knowledge of fabrics, and timeless trustworthy design; they have created some simple but superbly made pieces of bikepacking luggage. The Carradice Bikepacking Handlebar Bag is a 3.5 litre cannister style handlebar bag, made from 1000 denier military grade Cordura® fabric. The handlebar bag is simple in design: it has one main compartment with a water-resistant zipper, and a buttoned flip-over lid to keep out the worst of the weather (this bag is not fully waterproof). There is an additional zippered pocket on the top of the lid for smaller valuables. The bag attaches to your handlebars (road or mountain bike) using strong webbing straps with foam spacers to avoid it interrupting your grip on the bars. Add...

With each additional long distance bike tour, my bikepacking kit list shortens and lightens. On returning from each trip I can usually pare back my equipment based on 'use versus weight' calculations. The Arkel Bags Signature BB Handlebar Bag could well be the minimalist lightweight handlebar bag that I have been searching for to use on future bicycle touring trips. Handlebar bags are great for stashing valuables in that you do not want to lose in the cavernous depths of your panniers. On my last few tours, such as the #CoastsandCols , #7Countries7Passes , and #RoadsFromRome , I used traditional rigid style handlebar bags or large roll-bag bikepacking handlebar bags; from brands like Arkel, Thule and Restrap. These bags were great, but they were also quite cumbersome and restricted your view of the front wheel. The reality was that on these past bikepacking trips I used to fill my handlebar bag with everything from jars of peanut butter to rolls of toilet paper (some woul...

The Restrap Rando Bag is designed to be a go-anywhere do-anything front rack pannier bag; with a semi-rigid construction to make it easy to load, and extra stable. I have used Restrap's panniers, handlebar bag, and frame bags for numerous long distance tours, and they are faultless. While I have not taken the new Restrap Rando Bag on any global adventures, yet; it has been fitted to my run-around Quella Varsity single-speed bike, and it is performing very well. The concept behind the Rando bag is that it would be ideal for a long distance randonneur (a.k.a. Audax'er) with a front rack, equally though it is superb as a daily run-around. It connects to the rack using two magnetic fasteners on the bottom front of the bag, and a tie-back strap on the rear of the bag; securely holding it in place but making it easy to remove. [N.B: you do need to use the magnetic buckle tie-back strap if you do not want to see your milk go flying down the road on the next downhill!] The Rando ...

A rack top trunk bag is the ideal solution to carrying light and small loads. Better than a rucksack as it doesn't leave you with a sweaty back; also better than a single pannier in terms of balance; it is my preferred option for a daily commute. The new Craft Cadence Tempo Trunk Bag is a good value and well-built execution of the concept. Made from PVC coated nylon, and with a roll-top closure, the bag is waterproof and durable. A rigid insert helps the main section of the bag to keep its shape, whilst two small zippered pockets on the outside are ideal for things like a phone and keys. The bag attaches to the pannier rack using two large Velcro straps on the underside. A third strap on the front of the bag can provide extra security, to stop the bag shifting back on the rack frame. The mounting system feels secure, and even with some off-road riding it has shown itself to be a stable design. Neat additions include a light clip on the back of the bag, which is useful if yo...

On my 'Coasts and Cols' tour , I used a seat-pack and frame-bag from Yorkshire-based brand Restrap (read my review of the bags here ). For my upcoming #7Countries7Passes trip, I will again be employing kit from the brand; with the Restrap Top Tube Bag and Handlebar Bag being two new additions. The Restrap Handlebar Bag My #7Countries7Passes tour contains close to 50,000 metres of elevation gain, over its 3,000 kilometre length. With that in mind, I have been scrutinising my kit list; stripping back any unnecessary weight and volume. I used an  Arkel Handlebar Bag for my last tour, but the Restrap Bar Bag system will allow for a lower overall weight. The dry bag holster design used in the Restrap Handlebar Bag is a simple but faultless concept. An 8 or 13 litre roll-top dry bag is easily strapped into the holster, and secured safely; perfect for housing a small tent or sleeping equipment. The handlebar bag holster system has been chosen by many bikepacking luggage pro...

For my ' Coasts and Cols ' Tour next month, I'm opting for a luggage combination of front panniers, a handlebar bag, and a bikepacking seat pack; it should provide a good balanced set-up for the mountains. I spent a long time searching for the best front panniers to do the job, and finally settled on the new Arkel ORCA 25 pannier set. A quick read of my previous reviews of Arkel Bike Bags , will tell you that this is kit of the highest quality. Designed in Canada, and proven the world over; it is a superb bike luggage collection - I use the Arkel Tailrider Trunk Bag and Randonneur Rear Rack on a daily basis, for my commute. The new ORCA 25 panniers are the brand's new fully waterproof roll-top panniers. They could be used on a front or rear rack, but their small size makes them ideal for use as front panniers in particular. Fully waterproof panniers The ORCA 25 panniers are a fully waterproof design, with a roll-top closure and welded waterproof seams. This...

Thule bags have fast become a favourite of mine. I use the  Thule Commuter Pack 'n Pedal Rucksack on a daily basis, to carry kit to and from work. I use the Thule Paramount Rucksack , as my 'go-everywhere' travel bag. Then, I use a Thule Pack 'n Pedal Trunk Bag , for shopping runs and errands. The range of bags from the Swedish brand, is outstandingly good quality; and they are designed with intricate details, which make them a pleasure to use, and keep using. The Thule Pack 'n Pedal Shield Panniers are a more recent addition to the line-up from the brand; adding some colour to their range of panniers, in a simple but very effective design. The Shield Panniers will work with most pannier racks, but for this test review I've been trialling them with their intended partner - the Thule Pack 'n Pedal Tour Rack. Thule Pack 'n Pedal Shield Panniers - Small The Thule Pack 'n Pedal Shield Panniers provide a great waterproof solution to kit ...

This is one of the first posts in a series of reviews of Bikepacking kit, which I'll be posting on the blog over the coming months, as I prepare my kit choices for the ' Coasts and Cols Tour '. I decided starting with one of the smallest and simplest, yet very useful pieces of kit, seemed logical. The Overboard Waterproof Dry-bags and Pouches, were an obvious choice… Roll-top waterproof bags are a great way to keep things sealed, separated and safe when you're travelling. They certainly aren't a new item of kit for Bikepackers, but they are super useful. The collection of mini dry pouches from UK brand Overboard Bags, as well as their multi-sized multipack of larger bags, are ideal. The Overboard kit is well made, and fantastic value; providing a stripped-back, minimalist approach. These dry bags are no exception. The multiple colours and sizes make them ideal as grab-bags for valuables, tools and small essentials; to stop contamination between different kit,...

In my recent post on ' Getting Cross… ' I outlined my aim to get a cyclocross bike, and start mixing things up off-road on my daily commute. Things are progressing on the bike front (although they're taking a while); in the meantime, I've been thinking about the finer details of converting to a 'cross commute, one of which is luggage… To date, I've experimented extensively with my commuting carry solutions. However, I keep reverting back to the ease and comfort of using a single pannier for my daily ride. A pannier saves you from sweaty back syndrome, and it puts the strain of the weight on your legs, rather than your torso (and your legs). The thing is, pannier racks weigh quite a bit, and they also look a bit clunky. Whilst that weight doesn't make much difference to my steel touring bike, it would be a significant "marginal loss" to add to a new lightweight cyclocross rig. As a result, I've been searching for a solution, and I reckon I...