Comments on: Carradice Expedition Bagman Review

By: Stuart

Stuart — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 20:52:34 +0000

Thanks for the reply and extra info! I ordered a Bagman Expedition & Nelson Longflap from Wiggle, as you suggested. Already got the Bagman (to the Pacific Northwest — *really* quick shipping from the UK!) but the Nelson is backordered. Their prices on Carradice stuff are, um, VERY nice.

Thanks again!

By: cstandley

cstandley — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:43:19 +0000

Yes that’s definitely true as it doesn’t need need any rack braze ons. The Bagman is speced to carry up to 10Kg so it’s perfect for lightweight touring. Put one on a Specialized Roubaix and away you go. You don’t even need a Brooks saddle if you buy the quick release version. FYI all Carradice stuff is a real bargain if you buy from Wiggle even with shipping to the USA

By: Sean

Sean — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:53:06 +0000

A bag setup like that seems it would also allow a non-touring bike (assuming a brooks saddle with bag loops) to serve as one for light use.

What a nice way to bring along a change of clothes and personal items on a bike without a rack.

By: cstandley

cstandley — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:42:45 +0000

Thanks for the praise, I’m glad you like the site!

The small rack that I used on my Quickbeam is Mark’s Nitto rack from Rivendell.
http://www.rivbike.com/products/list/bags_and_racks?a=1&page=3#product=20-108

It’s very versatile as it will mount front or back, it works with side pull or cantilever brakes and comes with lots of hardware for mounting to braze ons and P-clamps to clamp it to the stays. If you’re looking for a general purpose rack you can’t do much better. It is a bit pricey at $97, but it’s well made and looks great. It’s good for carrying those boxy front bags, a basket and saddlebags.

The Bagman is an entirely different animal as it’s only good for one thing and that’s supporting a saddlebag. If you have a Nelson and that’s all you want to support and don’t need versatility the Bagman is the simplest and most elegant solution. I haven’t tested it on tour yet, but I’m going to try it as it saves me about a pound and it just looks cool. The bike looks very clean without the support struts of the Nitto rack. For credit card touring I’d definitely go with the Nelson Longflap and Bagman combo.

By: Stuart

Stuart — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 05:57:23 +0000

First of all, I love your site. The writing is great, and I love your approach to bicycle touring.

Quick question about the Bagman: I’m about to get a Nelson Longflap and am wondering how the Bagman compares to something like the little rack on your Quickbeam in the England 2009 photos (by the way, what is that rack?). Would you recommend one vastly over the other? You go over the pluses & minuses in your writeup here, I guess I’m wondering if YOU would lean more toward using the one or the other now that you’ve tried both.

Thanks, & please keep up with your blog, it’s wonderful!