Albion 

Dear Classic & Vintage Forum members, could I ask for your recommendation? I have come to the stage where I have finally admitted that I need an under-seat bike bag. Wifey has a perfectly acceptable "Transit" bag . . . but we have reached capacity. And it's black. So is everything else I can see on Amazon. It irks me to introduce another color on my lovely 1980 Fuji with its brown seat and grip tapes. Yes, I know I should get out more (actually, that's what I am trying to do . . .)

Any thoughts would be most appreciated.


Brown and blue . . .

rccardr 

Google 'brown bike saddle bag'.
You will be surprised at how many there are out there.
Swift makes some nice ones, as does EVOC.

smd4

Yes, there seem to be a lot of nice leather ones that would compliment the era of the bike.

Very nice bike, by the way.

nlerner

https://acorn-bag.myshopify.com/

polymorphself 

RuthWorks, Swift Industries and Acorn are my favorite with brown options available. For that bike I'd go with the Acorn Large Saddlebag.

tricky 

Bit of a darker brown, but I found this on Etsy https://www.etsy.com/listing/8423776...r_gallery-2-12

tyrion

https://velo-orange.com/collections/...33683662635145

jrg1244

Another quick recommendation - I’ve been shocked by the quality of a “Tourbon” bag that I bought off EBay. I paid maybe $25 for it and it’s a very nice bag, excellent size for me. The company offers other configurations too, but I can only speak for the quality of the seat bag. They have a few colors. The black one with brown leather below is the one I have. Matches my Brooks B17 quite nicely.

bulgie 

+1
Very happy with my Acorn. I got them to make mine custom, 2" wider main compartment, because the worn-out '70s Baycliff bag it replaced was that wide, and I liked being able to carry wine bottles back from the store. It's very over-stuffable when needed — you can lash stuff down that's way too big to fit fully within the envelope shown in polymorphself's pic. I've put a full grocery bag in there a time or three. It can definitely handle the weight.

Material, design and stitching quality are deluxe. I expect it to outlast the bike it's on, only gaining in beausage. They didn't charge me much for the custom size, but that was a few years ago, dunno if they still do that. FYI the leather tag on the back isn't just for the logo, it holds a typical blinkie tail light just right.

I got the boxy handlebar bag in the same material too. Despite being a bit matchy-matchy compared to my usual dog's-breakfast look, it really "ties the room together" (gratuitous Big Lebowski reference)

I also admire Swift bags, but I was disappointed to hear they have moved bag production to Indonesia. https://bikepacking.com/news/swift-i...sia-production
Indonesians deserve jobs too of course but I prefer MUSA for several reasons, which may not matter to you. I don't judge.

Mark B

jamesdak 

Maybe check out this sellers bags on Ebay. I've got one on my 3 speed Guv'nor and it seems nice for the price he charges.

https://www.ebay.com/str/londoncraft...at=35067966010

Charles Wahl

I have a couple of the Acorn under-saddle bags, in a nice brown (Ranger Tan, waxed) color. It's a model they don't list anymore, the "medium large saddlebag" that is between the medium and large sizes -- looking and constructed very much like the medium bag, just larger (no external flapped pockets on the sides, instead internal zippered pockets like the medium). It routinely carries (in winter) a nylon raincoat, a cotton pullover layer, a water bottle, a few tools, tire repair items and clip-on lights. Though they don't list it, they made a second one for me as a special-order, but that was 5 years ago -- how much has changed! Still, if you'd like a slightly intermediate-sized one, it's worth an ask to them. As others have said, they're very well-constructed.
Unfortunately, I don't seem to have a photo of a bike with it installed, but I could take one tomorrow if interested.

C9H13N 

You’ll have to be more specific about what sort of bag you want.

I have a brown tool roll made by EH Works, a one woman outfit here in Seattle.

https://eh-works.com/collections/bik...ant=1117357109

Obviously this is a lot different than a traditional saddle bag like an Acorn or similar.

Albion 

Thanks to all who replied - I really appreciate this. I had no idea there were so many artisans out there producing beautiful bags. As a stop-gap, I have ordered the Tourbon in brown with smart "vegan" leather straps and will ask Acorn if they will ever re-stock their handsome under-seat bag. Failing that, the Velo Orange looks good if they ever have a sale. Bags like the Brooks Isle of Wight remind me of my days riding dusty, unmade paths in English countryside.

cooperryder

That's a beautiful Fuji!