Convert a Canvas Bag to a Traditional English Saddle Bag

This is a easy conversion from a cheap rugged canvas bag to a traditional style saddle bag.

I've based this vaguely on my Carradice and the cheapest bag i could lay my hands on. The bag is basically big enough to carry my commute gear, a shirt, underwear, travel towel and sandwiches.

Step 1 Choose a bag

The trick with choosing a bag is that it can't be too big too long or deep and it will foul your back wheel. Wide is ok but finding a bag that is wide and shallow enough to be used is pretty unlikely unless its a custom designed saddle bag.

After you've chosen a bag its probably best to wax it to provide a degree of weather proofing. This was the first time I tried to wax any thing and made a hash off it as you can see from the colour of the bag. I forgot to take a picture when I got the bag but the colour variation is visible from the strap.