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Front Bags

Small Bag

Handlebar Bag

Boxy Rando Bag

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Rear Bags

Tri-Fold Bag

Roll Bag

Small Bag

Medium Saddlebag

Med/Lg Saddlebag

Large Saddlebag

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Options

Leather Straps

Shoulder Strap

Lashing Strap Set

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Your Questions Answered


About Acorn Bags

Materials and construction

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About Acorn Bags

Who are you guys anyway?

Acorn bags consists of my wife and me. That's it. We pride ourselves in handcrafting a product we truly believe in. Our goal is to produce an alternative to the imports; a "Made in America" bag that we could be proud of calling our own. Bicycling is part of our lifestyle; your package will be delivered to the post office by 2 (or sometimes 4) wheels!
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Why is there a "turnaround time"?

We are commited to offering quality bags at a reasonable price. This takes time...remember, it's just the two of us! Rest assured, we'll always give you an honest delivery estimate and won't forget about you. We've found it's simpler to make bags to order, one at a time, since we can make minor alterations and running design changes.
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What's on the horizon?

Traditional bicycle bags are our specialty. That's all we do. In the distant future, we hope to design a wide range of bags, including panniers and larger saddlebags.
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Materials and construction

Why cotton duck canvas?

Canvas keeps on performing after years of use. There's no coating to wear off. Abrasion resistance is high compared to synthetics; it's natural fibers are more forgiving and pliable. If damaged, it's easily repaired with needle and thread.

Please note that cotton canvas is a natural product. Slight weaving imperfections and color variations are part of it's character and beauty.
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Aren't leather straps and buckles old-fashioned?

Leather has a long history. It's tactile, strong and forgiving. It'll age gracefully, developing a nice patina. And If it's good enough for Indiana Jones...

Admittedly, Fastex closures are more efficient and save a couple extra seconds. However, plastic cracks and tends to get brittle over time. Give "old-fashioned" leather straps and buckles a chance...you'll be transported to a simpler, less harried time!
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Are Acorn Bags waterproof?

There's two schools of thought: to use waxed or unwaxed canvas. A popular British bag maker uses waxed canvas. A respected French and Japanese bag maker uses unwaxed canvas.

We decided to opt for the unwaxed duck canvas...but our bags are still water resistant. Why? Natural canvas duck has fibers that swell and self-seal when exposed to water. A moisture barrier is created, but still allows the fabric to breathe. Waxed canvas bags will still need to be "re-proofed" every few years and you have to careful about mildew. We'll let you decide if and when you want to "proof" your bag. (Carradice and Nikwax make good cotton canvas re-proofers.)

A healthy dose of skepticism is needed when listening to claims of 100% waterproof bags. Often overlooked points of water entry include zippers, gaps between flap pockets, mounting strap pass-through holes and seams. Unless a floating waterproof liner is used, it's almost impossible to avoid some water entering your bag during a downpour. A good compromise is to keep a waterproof stuff sack in your bag.
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Will your bag unravel?

Canvas tends to unravel if the edges are left raw. We take extra care to finish all edges, inside and out, including hidden areas.
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Can you customize a bag?

Well...yes and no. If you would like us to add a small feature, such as lengthening a strap, adding D-rings or sewing on a patch, we're happy to oblige for a minimal charge. However, we cannot easily change dimensions of the bag, because that would require drawing up new patterns.
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Color notes

Will the canvas color fade over time?

Of course! This just adds to the character of the bag. Think of your favorite pair of Levi's, Army surplus rucksack or Converse hi-tops. Truth is, all dyed cotton canvas fades faster than synthetic fabrics, especially the darker colors. If you don't care for that "lived in" look, then canvas bags are probably not for you.
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I can't decide which color to choose...can you give me some suggestions?

Since black is...well, black, it will fade much faster than the tan. Black will absorb the sun's rays and get hotter. Lint and dust is more noticeable with the darker color. Also, items are harder to find inside a dark bag.

That said, both colors will complement most color schemes equally well, with tan having more of a vintage vibe. It's your call.

Actual fabric/leather color may vary slightly from what you see on your computer screen. Also, minor color changes from bag to bag are unavoidable due to dye lot differences.
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Do you offer any other color choices?

We currently offer tan or black canvas with naturally tanned leather. (Olive green canvas and black leather is NOT available.)
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Mounting saddlebags

What's the best way to thread the straps through the saddlebag?

On most of our saddlebags, we use "pass-through" straps that wrap around an interior wooden brace. When mounting, make sure the buckle is on the inside of the bag, and pull the strap tightly around the dowel and the bag loops. This ensures a wobble-free mount. (If the buckle is outside the bag, there will be some play in the strap and the bag will tend to sway more.)
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How can I mount the bag if my saddle doesn't have bag loops?

The "pass-through" straps on our Medium, Med/Lg and Large Bags are designed to be used with Brooks saddle loops. No loops? Here's a simple solution. Just wrap the straps around your saddle rails. The straps twist and conform to the different angle. Not as nice as using the loops, but it gets the job done. You can also buy add-on bag loops.
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Care

How do I clean my Acorn Bag?

For canvas: Gentle brushing is best for loose dirt. For a more thorough cleaning, use a hand sponge with a mild natural soap (not detergent) in lukewarm water. Rinse twice with clean water.

For leather: A gentle leather cleaner/conditioner, like Lexol or Fiebing's, is all that's needed. Saddle soap is also a good choice.
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Should I put anything on the leather straps?

A protectant is recommended. You might already have a tin of Brooks Proofide; Snoseal is an economical alternative. Neatsfoot oil is overkill, since it will oversaturate and darken the leather. Take care not to stain the canvas.
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