somervillebikes
Use of a wooden dowel to increase a saddlebag's setback
This 1" long piece of wooden dowel keeps the saddlebag set back, so the bottom doesn't rotate forward and interfere with my legs. The dowel is curve-beveled to mate perfectly with the seat post. The other end is fastened to the saddlebag with a screw, screwed in from inside the bag.
I would have used a longer dowel, but the leather strap isn't long enough to buckle with a longer dowel. I may replace the strap and dowel with longer ones for even more setback. Carradice saddlebags typically work best with lots of setback, by using a support such as a rack or a Bagman-type wire support. Without any setback, I feel that some saddlebags (especially Carradice) flop forward way too much.
Another view:
Use of a wooden dowel to increase a saddlebag's setback
This 1" long piece of wooden dowel keeps the saddlebag set back, so the bottom doesn't rotate forward and interfere with my legs. The dowel is curve-beveled to mate perfectly with the seat post. The other end is fastened to the saddlebag with a screw, screwed in from inside the bag.
I would have used a longer dowel, but the leather strap isn't long enough to buckle with a longer dowel. I may replace the strap and dowel with longer ones for even more setback. Carradice saddlebags typically work best with lots of setback, by using a support such as a rack or a Bagman-type wire support. Without any setback, I feel that some saddlebags (especially Carradice) flop forward way too much.
Another view: