Echo Trail Seatbag

[uforgot]

I ordered the Echo Trail Seatbag (http://www.frostriver.com/bike_bags/echo_trail.html) From Frost river. The bag was different from the picture. While I loved the artist's sketch, the bag I received did not have the rivet and leather detail at the top and the bindings were dark brown and did not match the leather as the pic indicates. The bag was a dark olive as opposed to the pretty carmel pictured. Call me crazy, but on a teacher's salary, when I spend this much on a bike bag, I'm going to be particular on looks too. I emailed Frost River, but no response. I'd say it was my problem, but I keep looking at that picture and that's NOT what they sent! I'm thinking maybe the whole Rivendell/Frost River thing caused them to slightly alter the bag, but shouldn't the picture of the product reflect that? Maybe I'm too picky????

I called Rivendell and the tan Nigel Smythe seat pouches are currently out of stock. (that green and blue tweed just doesn't do it for me). I've scoured the internet for an alternate. I really like the looks of the Baggins Banana, but no one is even selling them on ebay. I may just have to wait 4-6 weeks to get what I want. Patience, Patience...

Anyone else have any ideas on an alternate? Thanks.

[makbike]

How about these?

http://www.carradice.co.uk/sqr-saddlepacks/index.html

I spied one of these on a club ride and loved it. My old Cannondale seat bag I purchased in 1985 is starting to come apart at the seams, hope my next one lasts as long as my trusty friend. I think it is time to start hinting to BF for Christmas is just 8 months down the road. (BF is you see this I promise to act surprised).

[KnottedYet]

How cool! The picture of the Frost River Echo Trail bag even has Nigel Smythe's signature on the leather patch! Well-drawn!

Did you see the pics of Trek's and my Nigel Smythe bags from Rivendell? The fabric is a dark browny-olive, and the leather is a lightish brown-honey. All the Nigel Smythe bags we fondled at Rivendell (the canvas ones) had the same fabrics and leathers, so if Frost River is selling Nigel Smythe bags any one you get is probably going to have the same fabric and leather, too.

We saw a well-loved canvas bar-bag on Grant's bike at Riv, and it was sooo neat. The canvas was aged and darkened and the leather had darkened too. It had so much character! Perhaps if you oil the leather on your Nigel Smythe seatbag it will darken?

Those are very nice seatbags. The leather tie-loops for your wet jacket or whatever are a great touch. (Riv sells leather straps that will fit, or you can just use nylon web straps) I was torn between getting one of them and getting a bar-bag. I got the bar-bag, and just love it. They are so well made! Even though you're not loving your Nigel Smythe bag yet, you might be able to darken the leather. I don't know if re-oiling the fabric will make it a more carmel color. I don't think I'd try it, but if you contact Nigel Smythe directly they might be able to give you some ideas for the canvas.

Edit: here's a link to the review Trek wrote of her Nigel Smythe bag, with pics of both our bags. You can see the canvas color better in her picture. http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=14368&highlight=nigel+smythe

[KnottedYet]

Wow! Frost River has a bunch of Nigel Smythe bags! That big honkin' set of panniers is pretty nifty.

http://www.frostriver.com/bike_bags/bikebags_menu.html

Trek and I saw this Rivendell Bleriot (see the link) with the moustache bars and bags at Riv. They offered to let us ride a couple of their bikes... we chickened out! But Trek got into a nice conversation with Grant about the moustache bars vs. albatross bars vs. drop bars. Those Rivs sure are pretty bikes. (and the Nigel Smythe bags look so good on them!) Next time we're at Riv I might get up the nerve to take a couple of their bikes for a joyride! But what if I end up buying another Nigel Smythe bag, or a BIKE!!

(ha, I won't be buying another bike! Well, not yet!):D

[uforgot]

Knotted: Yes I saw yours and Treks bags. I even sent Trek a PM to see what color and all her bag was. That's why I contacted Rivendell, but alas, no bags for weeks. It seems YOUR bags are not trimmed in that dark grayish brown, and I like the color of yours so much better! If only those pictures on Frost River really did look like the Nigel Smythes on Rivendell, I would have been happy, but the design was even different.

As for Nigel Smythe's signature...I didn't notice it on the pic. My bag says Frost River, but why are there no real pics on their site?

Thanks for the help! I"m going to check out those Carradice bags. I have looked at them a little, maybe they need a little more scrutiny.

[KnottedYet]

So Frost River is posting pics of Nigel Smythe bags, but they're selling something else?

The Frost River Echo Trail on their website looks exactly like the canvas NS seat bags Trek and I fondled. Very nice bag. The wool NS bags are different than the canvas ones, so don't go by the wool seatbag pic.

Can you post a pic of the bag you recieved?

I wonder if Rivendell would be interested in a "cease and desist" against Frost River for using pics of a Rivendell bike and Rivendell's Nigel Smythe bags on their website.

(or perhaps using "drawings" instead of actual "photos" gives them a loophole)

[uforgot]

Sooo...is this the Nigel Smythe bag? No leather and rivets at the top, which I would think would help it hold its shape, and that dark trim..ugh. I'm too picky, right?:D

[KnottedYet]

that is NOT the Nigel Smythe bag pictured on Frost River's website!!!!!!!!

DANG, they are cheating!!!!

The canvas is not a tight weave like what Trek and I have (though the color is similar) the leather isn't nearly as nice, and what on earth is that bias tape doing as trim?

JEEEEEZZZZZ LOOUIIISE! You got ripped off!

I'm gonna write to Rivendell and see if they want to take any action against Frost River. That is just sooooo dishonest!

Edit: oh, yeah, and where did the tie-down loops go (the riveted strip of leather)?

[uforgot]

Okay, I'm not picky!lol I hated that trim, and yours and Treks seemed to be trimmed so nicely! Frost River was very timely when I wanted to order, but since I've been emailing them and asking about this bag, and how to return it, they don't seem to have time to reply now.

Thanks for your help Knotted! I certainly appreciate it!

[KnottedYet]

I wrote to Rivendell, but someone seems to have beaten me to it.

I've tried several different ways to get to Frost River's website again, but it appears to be down.

Is it just my computer, or is their site really offline now?

[KnottedYet]

Nope, still can't get into Frost River's website.

However, Riv's site says the tan Nigel Smythe seat bags are now in, "call to order".

http://www.rivbike.com/webalog/baggage_racks/20125.html

is that out of date?

[xeney]

I'm pulling up the Frost River site just fine, FYI. And this is too bad, I really like that bag. I have a Carradice Barley bag which we use for picnics, but it is HUGE and I would like something smaller.

[uforgot]

I pulled up the Frost River site okay too. I called Rivendell last night and they said it would be 4 to 6 weeks to get the tan bag in. Although he said to try back in a couple of weeks just in case.

I looked at the Carradice Barley, and I like it. I haven't had a LOT of time today, I'm the teacher in charge of Prom and I've been hot gluing tiny white flowers on gossamer laden tables. A beautiful night in Venice, and it's SNOWING!!!!

Thanks for all of the input. I'm going to check into the Carradice Barley, but now I have to make up king and queen ballots.

[Surlygirl]

How about this one. I have it and what you see is what you get. Very nice
quality and detail. I used it on a century last year.
http://www.velo-orange.com/saddlebag.html

[KnottedYet]

Mystery solved?

Lisa says Frost River used to make the bags for Riv, but now someone else does. So the pics on the site must be for the bags as Riv specified them, but what Frost River is selling now isn't the same as in the picture.

(using the old picture still seems like cheating to me! That is bias tape on Uforgot's bag, not leather trim! I still can't get FR's site to come up, but I'd swear from the pic they had the Echo Trail had leather trim like the Riv NS bags!)

I like the VeloOrange bag, very cool, nice extra strap. Is it made by Frost River?

[KnottedYet]

Oooh, I need this for Trek's and my Princess Tour!
http://www.velo-orange.com/ossabag.html

[uforgot]

Here is the blog where I learned of the rift between Rivendell and Frost River.

http://velo-orange.blogspot.com/2006/06/velo-orange-saddle-bag.html

Prom is over. $3000 in decorations, $400 dresses, $100 tux rentals for 3 hours...but I guess it's something you always remember. sigh. Now I can get back to the business of finding stuff for my bike!

[SadieKate]

If you like black or grey with real leather trim, you could get a Gilles Berthoud. This one has a stiffener in the back so it holds its shape better than the Riv Banana Bag (I have both).

http://www.wallbike.com/berthoud/saddlebag.html

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

OK....

First, Knotted, the bags pictured on FrostRiver sight are NOT Nigel Smythe bags. If you zoom in, you'll see that the logos pictured all say Frost River, not N.S. They are not "that" similar to Nigel.S. bags either. F.R. is not selling N.S. bags! Nor are they making N.S. bags. A lot of these canvas bags tend to look similar, but that doesn't mean they are necessarily breaking copywrite laws or anything.

Second- I have one of the VeloOrange "banana bag" type bags:
http://www.velo-orange.com/saddlebag.html
I am VERY pleased with it, especially since it is the only one of those "type" bags that has a strap that feeds over the top where you can slip a rolled up shirt or vest under the strap on the outside of the bag- totally adds to the storage ability. This is the bag I recommend for that reason- the strap is so handy it's even worth waiting for if it's backordered.

Just send the bag back if you don't like it. And i agree, they should update thier site with PHOTOS of the actually bag, as it appears they have made too many changes since those drawings were made. Call them and let them know.

[xeney]

I don't think it was the Nigel Smythe bags that were the point of controversy, it was the older Rivendell Baggins bags that they don't sell anymore.

SadieKate, thank you for reminding me of the Berthoud bags. I really need a small seat bag for my new single speed, and the bike is too pretty for a regular wedge bag, but I don't want something huge. There are a couple of Berthoud options that would look great.

[KnottedYet]

Second- I have one of the VeloOrange "banana bag" type bags:
http://www.velo-orange.com/saddlebag.html
I am VERY pleased with it, especially since it is the only one of those "type" bags that has a strap that feeds over the top where you can slip a rolled up shirt or vest under the strap on the outside of the bag- totally adds to the storage ability. This is the bag I recommend for that reason- the strap is so handy it's even worth waiting for if it's backordered.


Thanks, Lisa. I think the main thing is that what Uforgot saw on the website is not what she recieved, and she can't get ahold of FR to discuss sending it back. I still can't get FR to come up again on my Mac... I got all confused over who made what, but I know the pics on FR's site don't match what Uforgot recieved.

I love the strap on the VeloOrange bag, and the loops on the NS bag to add a strap or two. What great ideas!

[uforgot]

I finally communicated with Frost River. They said ship it back, no problem. We'll see if they reimburse shipping like I asked.

I went with the Carradice Barley for those days when I have more to carry. Thanks for the recommendation Xeney! I think a bag that holds a bottle of wine will be handy at some point! I'm also going to wait for Rivendell to get the tan seat pouches in as Knotted indicated they were much nicer!

Many thanks for all of the help! No way could I have learned so much on my own. Knotted and Trek SAW the bags and both described them for me. (And their pics were soooooo much better than an inaccurate artists sketch) I have a much better feel for what I'm buying from Rivendell. Others pointed me in other directions and it is much appreciated!