Carradice Super C A4 Pannier

Carradice luggage has a well deserved reputation among mile-eaters for being tough, no-nonsense and durable. Their Super C A4 pannier, specifically designed - as its name implies - to take A4 files and similarly shaped objects, certainly lives up to that.

As with everything in their Super C range, it's made from cotton duck, a traditional heavy, waterproof waxed cotton fabric. Cotton duck is incredibly hard-wearing and will keep your stuff dry for decades to come. It can be repaired easily by stitching or gluing, and can be reproofed with reproofing wax. A pretty good choice to make bike luggage out of then. It also gives Carradice bags an idiosyncratic retro-look which you either like or you don't. I'm a fan.

The pannier is shaped to take A4 files, and does so well. Unlike my Ortlieb front panniers, it has a flat surface internally for files to sit against and will easily swallow a laptop too. You can get a separate laptop pouch from Carradice.

The main compartment has a massive storm flap with drawcord closure underneath the main flap which closes with plastic backpack-style buckles. These sit quite high up the front of the pannier. On the one hand this means there's less range to strap the pannier down when there's not much in it (like you can do with similar style Ortlieb panniers), on the other hand, there's space for a small elasticated mesh pocket underneath these fixings for stowing the shoulder strap for example. This is no ordinary mesh by the way, it's super-duper plastic coated strong stuff.

On top of the main flap are two straps crossing each other which form the carrying handle. This looks slightly odd, but works well. The bag comes with a separate shoulder strap which attaches to the sides. This strap is rather utilitarian and is clearly intended to be used for short periods. The pannier can be used on either side of your rack and has reflectives on both sides. A strap to attach a rear light is missing, something we also remarked on when reviewing its bigger sibling the Bike Bureau.

Carradice use their own C-system fitting to attach the pannier to a rack. It consists of two hooks which are fastened into an aluminium rail, allowing them to be positioned horizontally exactly right for your rack. The hooks have clever little fasteners that you snap into place manually once positioned on the rack. This works well, though some might prefer Ortlieb's system that integrates the fasteners with the carry handle - I prefer this system.

The hooks are not installed in the aluminium rail out of the box, the instructions show you how to do this. It pays to be careful when you do, maybe even wear gloves: it's a tight fit and the edges of the aluminium rail are sharp. When the hooks are on, you cover those rail-ends with plastic blanks, so this is only an issue once. Why this doesn't come assembled, I don't know - it would certainly be better.

Lower down is a plastic clip, fastened into a horizontal, plastic rail. This clip can be rotated through 260 degrees and should be able to fit most racks. It's purpose, according to the instructions, is to stop the bag moving forwards; Carradice therefore advise you to point it forwards. The system is designed to fit rack tube diameters up to 13mm.

Verdict

It's clear that Carradice have an opinion on what a pannier should do and what it should be made of, and that those requirements to a certain extent drive what the pannier looks like. This no-nonsense approach works for me; I like stuff that works well and that's made to last. I also like that it's manufactured in Lancashire and hasn't travelled through more countries than I have before getting to me.