Carradice Bike Bureau Review

I've now had the Carradice Bike Bureau for a while and thought it was about time for a review. Overall I think it's a great bag which hits the mark for my uses.

I was basically looking for a pannier that would function well off the bike as a shoulder bag, plus look good. I also needed it to hold a fair bit of stuff.

Mine is actually a second from the factory store in England (a friend brought it back for me - thanks Graham!) so it doesn't have the laptop sleeve, but I was intending to use my own anyway.

Firstly, the looks:

Off the bike, you peel back the uppermost flap (which then covers the hardware) and it reveals a pretty classic looking satchel. The Leather straps are yellow-y and great quality. What's really nice is that they are decorative - you use clip-locks to do the actual closing - much easier! I wish the nylon shoulder strap had a leather pad on it, but it looks fine.

Under the main flap there is this zipper pocket, plus a pocket right behind it, presumably for a U lock as it fits mine well. It does, however, depend on how much you put in the zippered compartment. If you've loaded it up with your Constanza-wallet, keys and phone, then your lock won't fit in. This brings us onto the size.

It's humongous. Deceivingly so. It's very hard to capture, but here is a helmet in the bag. I could easily stash four big helmets in here with no worries. There is a drawstring thingy at the top of the satchel which also means you can overstuff. The leather straps on the flap can be adjusted to assist the overstuffing.

The fabric is very stiff waxed canvas and all of the thinner nylon parts have some sort of waterproofing applied to them. It all seems very sturdy.

Here's the hardware. Note that it is on an angle to avoid heel-strike. It's a big, big pannier and I have big feet. I've never hit it with my heel. Each bag is side-specific, so if you're buying a pair, be aware (I'm a poet). The system of attachments is very simple to use. I don't know if I'm doing it 'correctly' but it works fine and fast. There's probably some way to do it with one hand in a single movement but I haven't quite figured that one out yet!

Overall, this is a really great pannier. It's huge and would be great for work, school, shopping etc. It's a bit of a behemoth to carry as a bag, but it's a big bag. It holds a lot of stuff. I totally recommend getting one!

Kid's Toys are Stylish, Right?

Or at least...not...offensive. Especially when they are in a chic new wire basket. Found this black one at Homesense this week for 8 bucks!

 The table is from Homesense too, bought a while back; it's the perfect height for a cup of tea and a good book.  I must say I'm having a little too much fun accessorizing the bathroom now that my cabinet is in place (I think I'm close to done aside from some hooks, restraint is good in this situation, don't you think?)

Po Campo Review Update

I got my Po Campo Armitage Satchel about 10 months ago and I initially reviewed it here. As it's been a while, I thought I would give a long term review.


In my original review I mentioned that there were a couple of issues with the tension on the stitching. Over the course of time, this caused one of the velcro straps to fray and pull out of the bag. I have no doubt that this was an unusual occurence and not typical of the bags. I contacted Po Campo and they sent me a new bag, no questions asked! What amazing customer service. I got the new bag in the Waxed Umber because I thought it would be a more practical colour than the Chartreuse Poppy that I had originally. The workmanship on the new bag is top notch and shows no signs of the thread tension issues that the other one had. 


I used the old bag every day for about 8 or 9 months. It was my main purse so saw a lot of action. It stood up remarkably well and now I have handed to over to a friend after I gave it a good bath. The new bag is amazing. It doesn't show dirt at all and seems very sturdy.


I find I can put a lot of stuff into my bag, though I have ended up buying the Loop Pannier as a complement to my Satchel. The satchel is a large handbag, for sure, but the dimensions don't allow you to put things like folders in it as you would be able to in say, a hobo. I think perhaps the ideal situation might be a smaller purse, like the Streeterville Clutch as an everyday purse with the addition of the Loop Pannier for your big-carry days.


I have the Loop Pannier but have yet to really test it out. I will write a review once I've put it through its paces. I would also like to add that the description of the prints being on "Laminated Cotton" makes the fabric sound thin and flimsy (to me at least), but in fact it is nice and thick and very high quality. It's very yummy indeed and looks as though it will clean up really nicely.


Who else is a Po Campo groupie?

More bike bags

Here's my Po Campo Armitage Satchel (more on this another day) basking in the sun. We had a great day and I thought it would be a good time to blog about bike bags. Again.


Until now, my commute has only been a few miles with a viola on my back and my bag strapped to my rack. It's been easy, and my carry hasn't been too extreme. From September onwards, it will be about twice that, with a LOT more to carry. So of course I had to prepare.

A friend brought this bag back from England for me. It's a Carradice Bike Bureau which works as a huge pannier and message bag (the upper flap folds back to cover the hardware). Apparently it is quite waterproof. It's also cavernous! A nice feature is that is has a pocket which is the perfect size for a U-lock. Mine doesn't have the laptop case built in as it was discounted, but I will have a separate sleeve anyway (when I get my Mac). I'm looking foward to testing and reviewing it. I think it will also make a great grocery pannier.

Carradice

And I also bought this one for my light-carry days:

Po Campo

The Po Campo Loop Satchel. I love, love, love this company. Stay tuned for reviews on both of these bags, plus an update on my Po Campo Armitage Satchel.

Trashy.

Simple Human

I'm on the hunt for a new kitchen trashcan/garbage bin. The lid of my current one broke several months ago, so it's either on the floor (ugh) or needs to be lifted off with grimy fingers. Of course, I'd LOVE the one above - it butterflies open using a sensor. Unfortunately it's a bit out of my price range (over $300) and I think it might be a bit too fun for the kids.

Here is my list of wants for a bin:

• Must be big - I hate changing the bin!
• Must take standard size bags - no specialty/branded bags, please!
• Pedal or other touchless method of opening is a must
• No flip tops (gungy-grossness)
• Built in recycling or compost storage is a bonus
• Fingerprint-proof
• Hot-looking, of course

So here we are.

Simple Human

Less expensive, but still over $100. Still, it is nice.....

Simple Human

The pedal version of the top one. I like how it will fit in tight spaces

Brabantia

The original! I've owned a few of these Brabantia ones and they are nice, though I think now there are lower priced option which are just as good. Plus most use a special size of bin liner.

Umbra

I'm kinda torn on this one. I saw it in person today and it was...ok. Functional, ok looking, good price. But I don't know about the brushed plastic pretending to be copper.

Or do I just bit the bullet and get a new Canadian Tire one to tide me over until I can get a new kitchen (with a built in pull-out waste system)?

Spring Scarves

Etsy

Ever since I saw this video, I've been a little obsessed with scarves:

You see, I'm a bit stupid when it comes to accessorizing. It didn't ever really occur to me to really arrange my scarf. I just thought that people's scarves naturally fell better than mine. Now I fiddle for ages with them and I'm always jonesing for more.

I'm hot for a cotton voile scarf this spring. Here are my etsy picks:

Etsy

Etsy

Etsy

I'm planning a trip into our coolest new fabric shop - Hyggeligt Fabrics to choose some funky scarf fabric for myself!

Cuckoo For...

I don't know why this has not occurred to me before, but I have no clocks in my house (aside from the stove and alarm clock). Is this weird? What is surprising is that I haven't bought a million clocks because my options are so cool. Here are my favorites:

Morba

LivingSpace

DWR

CB2

2Modern

Quasi Modo

I think the last one is the best, especially in that bright kelly green. Can't you just see it in a kitchen?

Bike Bling

Velobase

OK. You now know I have an illness. I honestly believe that the rear derailleur in the pic above is beautiful. You see, as well as spending way too much time looking at house porn, I also look at bike porn. The mothership for vintage bike porn is Velobase.

You see, I'm goign to rebuild this bike:

That means I'm going to strip everyone off it - the wheels, chain, cranks, etc and replace them with new or new-to-me vintage components.

I was quite thrilled when an online bike-acquaintance offered to sell me a mini-groupset of Shimano 600 Arabesque. You see the derailleur above (that's the thing that shifts the gears for you) - I love the curliques and details! Plus the crankset it beautiful too:

Velobase

I'll also be adding some other loveliness to it:

Brooks

This nice Brooks saddle which a friend is buying for me in England.

Lovely Bicycle!

Cream coloured Panaracer Paselas like this

Walt's Bike Shop

...and this simple but functional and streamlined bike rack.

Is it crazy that I am more excited about this than any of my home renos?

Cool Backpacks

Chrome Soyuz (image from wired)

I'm on the prowl for a bag. I want to use it both on and off my bike. It's gotta be waterproof, comfy, big, but not too big. I want it to fit a laptop, lunch, maybe gym clothes, and look cool. A lot to ask?

I first fell for the Chrome Soyuz (pictured at the top). Hot, isn't it? I'm a real sucker for black and red, plus I'm digging the rolltop design.

SealLine

I also dig these bags. My friend Matt has one and it's totally waterproof. I love the simplicity. Just one big compartment. Nice.

Mission Workshop

Then I saw this. The Mission Workshop Rambler. It's so perfect. Good looks, plenty of space, innovative design. Awesome. Plus they have cool videos. Check these out:

Plus here's one of its big bro:

I wanna be a hipster too. Actually not. But I do want a great pack. Any other suggestions?

I Think I'm a Little Obsessed Now...

I can't help myself. I know I'm not the only one who thinks matte black is one of the sexiest colours of all time. So when I kept looking at this one dollar garage sale bowl which has been acting as a space filler on my sideboard (I really can't stand the finish of it), my mind was battling between sending it on the next Goodwill trip and painting it.

Thanks to some leftover chalkboard paint, painting won...

That is one sexy bowl. You'll have to excuse me now as I go look for other stuff to cover with chalkboard paint.....

Black

Classic, timeless, it grounds the space...

Joanna Laajisto

Marion House Book

Bloesem

Door Sixteen

Sfgirlbybay

Fjeldborg

Helt Enkelt

I really like this look and would like to incorporate more of it into my home...Perhaps a little fun with paint is in order...

Bike Accessory Lust

Velo Orange

Who would have thought that I would end up caring about such tiny details on my bikes? When I bought my first ever adult bike (last summer) I thought that at $2.50 bell would be fine. Not so now. Now I spend days thinking about bells and whistles (the former literally and the latter figuratively!) for my bikes. I mean, why wouldn't you want this gorgeous brass bell above?

Here are some other lust-worthy accessories that I am coveting:

Velo Orange

I love the handmade look of these Honjo Fenders.

Simeli

I also love these crocheted dress guards! The purpose of a dress guard is to prevent your skirt (or dress) getting caught up in the rear wheel. I prefer to ride in a skirt, but currently have to ride in an A-line skirt (nothing fuller). I'd love to be able to ride in a maxi dress!

Etsy

How convenient for when you're riding to a dinner party! This doesn't happen too much these days with the kiddoes, but in a past life this would be purrrfect.

Ravelry

...this is probably more realistic at the moment! This coffee holder relies on the cetrifugal force to keep your coffee in the cup while you ride. I've been meaning to knit one up to test it out!

Chariot

Otherwise this might be a more secure (but less crafty!) option.

Banana Republic

And this is no longer a lust, but a reality! I've been coveting a cape for many years, and finally I am the proud owner of this one! It should be great for spring riding, plus, don't you think there is something kinda superhero-like to be riding in a cape?