Carradice City Folder M (Brompton) Long-Term Review

I have been absent from my writings in this space for waaaaaayyy too long. I have found that I generate content more easily via Instagram and the obligatory FB. However, I am lacking the therapeutic nature of compiling my cycling-related thoughts and projects in written form. 

I have been a Brompton owner since mid-2010, and I have ridden the bike at every opportunity. My commute along the lakeshore path in Madison, WI while I studied my MBA, grocery runs, running the kids to/from school, and, more recently, my daily commute to work in Minneapolis are a few of my Brompton-based activities. Not to mention my racing accolades (insert jest). On most of my adventures, a friendly duck canvas enclosure parts the wind for the Brompton and its humble rider to pass through. I am, of course, speaking of the Carradice City Folder M bag, made specifically for M-type Bromptons.

Overall, I have been pleased with the bag's ability to carry a respectable quantity of gear, including a laptop in the suspended laptop sleeve. By suspended, I mean the sleeve holds the laptop off the bottom of the bag, so when the 16-1 3/8" wheels navigate potholes the impact to the laptop is reduced. I typically carry my Hulk lunchbox, Shower's Pass rain jacket, Rainlegs, and a few tools with room to spare. I'll take a minute to show you around the bag and to highlight some of the issues I've had.

Green Duck Canvas (cotton). The main straps are opened with plastic buckles semi-hidden behind traditional buckles to adjust length. Carry handle on top and shoulder strap. 

The front of the bag has an open pocket directly behind the zippered pocket you see in front.  

The back of the bag, as you can see, is designed very nicely around the Brompton  bag frame. The rear pockets here fasten with the traditional buckles, making access cumbersome. I usually put a water bottle, keys, a camera, a rag, or other smaller necessities. I would prefer turnbuckle clasps like these from Acorn. 

Reflective logo diamond on each side. 

Once the top flap is open, the drawstring allows for various volumes of cargo. I have even used a nylon buckle strap on the wood dowel to hang a handled object, say, a lunchbox. The dowel us the support for the carry handle (more on this later). 

The drawstring loosened. 

The suspended laptop sleeve with what are supposed to be cable/accessory pouches. I have found them much to small to be of use to carry a charger. 

The carry handle attaches to the wood dowel with a small screw, and is reinforced by stitching to the canvas (or vice versa?) Both the screw and stitching have failed, and have led me to rarely use this carry handle. 

The front-facing reflective logo lost its adhesion some time ago. You can see the strange quality of the leather and stitching on the logo backing. Lackluster details for a $200+ bag, in my opinion. 

More detail on the leather and stitching. 

These were the stripped out holes from the carry handle screw. I had to rotate the dowel and reinsert the screws.

One of the shoulder strap rivets pulled through as well.

Since the top-flap carry handle is less sturdy than I would like, I often find myself using the Brompton frame to carry the bag. I also hang my helmet through this loop when I carry the bike into work and throw the bag over my shoulder. However, the corrugated plastic structure inside the bag prevent any practical use of this handle. I had to devise a solution. 

Park Tool knife. 

A couple cuts should do the trick. 

Now the handle is useful. 

I enjoy the bag, in spite of its shortcomings. Mostly because it is designed specifically for my Brompton, and also because it carries a decent quantity of cargo. Do I recommend it? Perhaps study the shortfalls I've highlighted and make the judgment yourself and contact Calhoun Cycle, Wallingford Bike, Peter White, or perhaps Carradice directly. Happy trails!