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- Verified Buyer
Yes, as mentioned by hundreds of purchasers, lovely bit of craftmanship. Top notch finish, etc, etc. However, form over function has created a tool bag that is all about Bag, at the expense of Tool. The clever mounting design fills the bag with buckle and strap. The closure strap is riveted wrong-way round, and occupies the center of the bag. FOR NO GOOD REASON.It is impossible to pack a 700c tube, much less levers and a patchkit.This bag is is a Brooks brand affectation.This bag says "I throw away money on useless crap"I am embarrassed by what I spent on a saddle ornament.If you don't really ride your bike, you will love this bag.For the rest of us, this is just a new take on handlebar streamers.DO NOT EXPECT ANY UTILITY FROM THIS PRODUCT.Many reviewers both here and other Web sites describe this bag as small. I expected it would be small when I ordered it. Just HOW small was a real shocker! It is indeed a ''tool bag''. In no way, should anyone ever describe it as anything else. Tools. Period. A more appropriate description would be a 'sunglasses case''. An expensive sunglasses case. The Ferrari of sunglasses cases. . .Now that thats out of the way. The bag itself is the first bag I've ever found that actually FITS on a Brooks sprung saddle. Just bearing in mind that taking a sandwich on your ride, or an apple. .or a hard boiled egg, you get the idea. . will mean using an additional bag somewhere. I suppose one might fit a 'politically correct' sized candy bar on top of the tools. You know - the ones they sell today, that are only 2 oz - vs the ones they used to sell, that actually had more than one bite. Its a small bag. Oh wait. . we already discussed this!Price is, I guess what you'd expect to pay for the Ferrari of sunglass cases. (Opps- can't seem to get a away from this). Being a Volkswagen owner, I wouldn't know. It seems that $30 would be a reasonable price for the rather small-ish piece of leather, while still providing Brooks with a modicum of profit. $50 would be expensive. Anything more - Brooks is laughing all the way to the Bank.Nevertheless, I'm keeping it. As I say - it FITS the saddle I bought it for. It's a nice looking bag for my tire change tools.I would give it 5 stars, but necessarily must remove one for it's impracticality. Another one for it's price. Some other reviewer mentioned fitting a tube in this bag. Makes me wonder what sort of bike that person rides. Maybe they are confusing the word 'tube' with 'condom'? Thats the only sort of tube I could see fitting in this bag.That about sums it up. . . in a nutshell.Bought this bag for my Kestrel road bike, as well as the Brooks Swallow road saddle. The bag is made with a thick durable leather. It looks fantastic and will probably last forever. This is the Brooks Challenge Large; (the original Brooks Challenge Tool bag is smaller). It holds all my essentials: A multi-tool, spare tube, tire levers, wrench, patch kit and phone. It is made by Brooks England of fine quality leather and is equal to the standard set by their fantastic leather bike saddles. This bag will probably not be good for cyclists concerned with every gram of weight, but if you are looking for quality, function and durability, this fine looking bag is a great choice.As other reviews mention, this is a very small bag. It holds my multi-tool, 2 tire levers and a patch kit. It would not hold a spare tube and anything else (just tuck the spare tube under your seat and secure with Velcro strips). I read in a review that the saddle could cut through the leather straps so I smoothed over the saddle's sharp edges with some fine grit wet and dry sandpaper folded up to the same size as the strap. I anticipate no problems and the saddlebag attachment loops really WERE surprisingly sharp The strap was hard to get through those loops, so I wrapped duct tape (hey, don't judge me!) around the straps to create a "lead" to pull the strap through. Don't use too much or it won't fit through the loop. It looks great with my antique brown Brooks Special Flyer saddle. That was the point; small, functional and stylish. My December 2014 purchase was made in England, not China as some said.No longer made in England, but still a high quality good made of full grain leather. Comes with a Brooks canvas bag.A must to match your Brooks Saddle. Be aware the small is small. So if you need to carry more stuff, this isn't for you.First let me say that the quality of materials and craftsmanship on this item were great. It's a beautiful piece of work and with proper care will last for years. In my case it's too small, a bit larger than a glasses case. I needed it to hold a spare tube, two tire levers and a multitool, but I could only get the tube and one of the tire levers in. Regrettable, because this really is a quality seat bag. I reluctantly returned it and ordered the larger model.Definitely 5 stars on appearance and construction... it’s a beautiful accessory to their B17 seat, which is quickly becoming a very comfortable seat.I give it 4 stars due to its size, hampered by the design of the straps, which take space inside of the bag. It’s just barely big enough to hold a short chain. I’ve made it work, but it’s size makes it a bit fiddly. This downside isn’t enough for me to return it for the bigger size.It is smaller than I thought, but I bought it mainly as an accessory for my Brooks B66 saddle. However, my B66 has faded after nearly 20 years, and this bag is brand-new, so there will be a contrast. If you are buying a Brooks saddle, you may consider buying this tool bag at the same time so they will age together. When brand-new, the leather is very stiff, almost plasticky-like, making installation difficult. You will have to break it in gently until the plasticky becomes more leathery.Bit smallif u have a Dad as cycle maniac perfect present.Great with my Pashley Guvnor !Bought as a present. Recipient delighted. As described.It's perfect to my Phillips.
