Hill & Ellis, Leather Saddle Bag
by Robert Thorpe & Ben Thorpe
There’s a whole new movement of cyclists, all over Europe, who love vintage bikes of all genres, especially fxed wheels. Add to this, the cyclists on Brompton’s and other more modern city bikes for cool commuters, then this high-quality leather saddle bag from Hill & Ellis is the perfect gift.
Yes, cyclists can often be a difficult group to buy for – there’s too much choice. Finding something that’s quite unique, hand-made and high-end at a reasonable price – well, that’s the Holy Grail. Add to this, that there’s an option to add some silver to the bag, then you’ve got the cycling gift that’ll bring smiles to those chilled out fixed gear or commuter miles. Sadly, as I’m actually no fan of e-scooters, this does also fit on a scooter; meaning that there is at least one saving grace to these objects of disdain in most cities. It’s a beautifully crafted bag, so try to keep it on 2 well sized wheels – as cycling history intended 😉
In an age where we’re all trying to support more locally based companies and businesses, this beautifully made saddle bag is designed and crafted in London, the hub of modern cycling. Hill & Ellis have used the highest quality full grain leather, and well made fastenings, to produce an stylish and superb example of cycling history, in a modern and cool format. For me, it’s really nice and yes, cool, to see a brand that’s focusing on such quality, whilst also drawing on the heritage of cycling. I can imagine this leather saddle bag in years to come, looking somewhat dishevelled, but still quite beautiful, and still attached to an amazing piece of cycling history such as this awesome Raleigh track bike, holding all the essentials – and a non-essential phone too 😉
Good things come in small packages, or so the saying goes; and, small saddle bags like this well constructed leather example from this stylishly modern brand, are a small but perfectly constructed example of those bygone days of cycling that we all yearn for. Remember those days, with faces pressed to the cycle shop window, as we eyed up the bikes and accessories ready for birthday and Christmas lists. The excitement as we fastened them to our bikes, and the pride as we filled them with nice things: sweets, the obligatory innertube, and a small bike tool. And, like those saddle bags of old, it’s as waterproof as leather needs to be, and as tough as a saddle bag gets, meaning that it’ll easily outlive any soft fabric saddle bag.
This tough leather bag from Hill & Ellis, takes everything a modern commuter or day rider requires, including a mobile phone, charger and wallet, allowing you the freedom to explore the towns of cities without having to wear a cycle jersey with pockets. You’re free to simply jump aboard the bike, with the bag neatly fastened by its strong leather straps to the handlebars, or to the saddle, and start riding.
Yes, I know, you can go to Wiggle or some other huge cycling website and get yourself a quite boringly standard saddle bag of varying sizes at a reasonable price. However, life is already too mundane; and, after all, you’re unique and you deserve something better – don’t you 😉
That’s why Hill & Ellis provide a personal touch to these leather saddle bags, allowing you to have your own name embossed onto the bag professionally, and there to see for all time. It’s these small personal touches that makes gifts quite special, and having tested this bag for some time,it is a very special little gift that’ll bring smiles to those cycling miles – especially for the collector or aficionado. Those people who know the difference between an Italian and a British bottom bracket!
Vintage bikes are rising once more – especially across the U.K. scene. Track bikes and fixed gears in particular, are now common place in cities; and, the trusted Brompton is selling as fast as you can fold it. People love cycling again, and not just as a means of transport – they’re in love with the culture of cycling.
Hill & Ellis have captured this perfectly, in their range of high-quality leather saddle bags, and this limited edition, hand crafted bag is just perfect for cyclists who live the 2 wheeled lifestyle and cafe culture of the new cycling revolution.