Loaded Brompton
T-Bag/C-Bag combo. This was a 20 mile test ride with a total baggage weight of 27 pounds, including tent, miscellaneous gear and two full water bottles. The T-bag is mounted up front on the carrier block and has a 31 L capacity. Normally I use the C-bag up front. Here it's attached to a Brooks B-17 using two leather straps from a Carradice saddle bag. I got the idea here:
sevenleagueboots.wordpress.com/2009/10/14/brompton-by-air...
Originally I had considered using the old Carradice Nelson Longflap saddlebag which hasn't seen any real action since PBP 2007. The Nelson LF has only 18 L capacity. The C-bag has 25 L capacity. Ankle clearance is a potential problem with a seat mounted C-bag but here the problem is mitigated by using the Brompton cover/bag as a spacer between the seat-post and the C-bag. It worked surprisingly well on the 20 mile test ride. Also shown in the photo is an elastic cord guy-line which is attached between the C-bag and the rear fender. There's barely any tension on the line but it's enough to dampen swaying of the rear bag. The elastic cord came from a box of See's Candies (assorted chocolate truffles).
The bike handled well on the test ride despite the 27 pound load. For an actual tour the load might increase to 30 pounds, with 20 pounds up front 10 pounds in back. I like the idea that this setup doesn't alter the quick fold functionality of the bike. I also like the option of using only the C-bag up front when exploring from a base camp on day rides.
Loaded Brompton
T-Bag/C-Bag combo. This was a 20 mile test ride with a total baggage weight of 27 pounds, including tent, miscellaneous gear and two full water bottles. The T-bag is mounted up front on the carrier block and has a 31 L capacity. Normally I use the C-bag up front. Here it's attached to a Brooks B-17 using two leather straps from a Carradice saddle bag. I got the idea here:
sevenleagueboots.wordpress.com/2009/10/14/brompton-by-air...
Originally I had considered using the old Carradice Nelson Longflap saddlebag which hasn't seen any real action since PBP 2007. The Nelson LF has only 18 L capacity. The C-bag has 25 L capacity. Ankle clearance is a potential problem with a seat mounted C-bag but here the problem is mitigated by using the Brompton cover/bag as a spacer between the seat-post and the C-bag. It worked surprisingly well on the 20 mile test ride. Also shown in the photo is an elastic cord guy-line which is attached between the C-bag and the rear fender. There's barely any tension on the line but it's enough to dampen swaying of the rear bag. The elastic cord came from a box of See's Candies (assorted chocolate truffles).
The bike handled well on the test ride despite the 27 pound load. For an actual tour the load might increase to 30 pounds, with 20 pounds up front 10 pounds in back. I like the idea that this setup doesn't alter the quick fold functionality of the bike. I also like the option of using only the C-bag up front when exploring from a base camp on day rides.