beauty is in the eye of beholder.
Wow, great resources given, thanks!🙂
It is an Ira Ryan custom bike and it appears to be a GB 25 or 28 bag. Velo-Orange has one similar to it and is priced at only $95!
Now to figure out the retro bike that matches the Brooks saddle, brown leather handlebar wrap, leather and chrome bottle racks, and whatever bag(s) I decide to get. Don't need anything too large as I am only carrying the XA2 and possibly a rangefinder (NOT the M3)....😱
![]()
Rivendell has the most selection of "retro" bikes. I like to think of them not as "retro" but as "useful". Lugged steel for comfort, beauty, and longevity. Great to commute on, because they actually give you braze-ons for proper racks, and enough room for fenders. I have two of them.
Surly is a bit downscale from Rivendell, but has very nice steel frames that are practical and relatively inexpensive. Bianchi was dabbling in the steel-framed commuter market a couple years ago. Maybe still. There are other brands competing in the steel frame world, mostly on the expensive fringes. Do some Googling.
Not sure I'd carry a RF on a bike-mounted bag. Lots of HF vibration. Maybe not a good idea (?).
This can become an addiction, like cameras. Sadly, I have six bikes. I like them all, for different reasons, so it's very hard to let go of any of them.
...
The handlebar bag looks nice, but I don't think it suits my style of riding or shooting. Also, I don't like anything on the bars that might upset their balance for the opportunities when I take both hands off the bars. My Litespeed is pretty stable with no hands, although my Colnago gets kind of twitchy.
...
I think choice of a bag, especially for something like bike riding, is very personal. You have to feel comfortable or it simply doesn't make any sense. The Crumpler is just right for me. I don't imagine it would work for everyone. My Colnago weighs about 16.5 pounds. I'm sure that adding four pounds of unsprung weight in the form a bag and a camera on the bars would upset the balance and handling. On a heavier bike, I doubt it would make much difference. Especially if you have a bike with front suspension.
Rivendell has the most selection of "retro" bikes. I like to think of them not as "retro" but as "useful". Lugged steel for comfort, beauty, and longevity. Great to commute on, because they actually give you braze-ons for proper racks, and enough room for fenders. I have two of them.
This can become an addiction, like cameras. Sadly, I have six bikes. I like them all, for different reasons, so it's very hard to let go of any of them.