I love the look of boxy handlebar bags, and porteur rack bags, but there is no way that they would be practical for me, except maybe on a tour or on a long recreational ride. I need to be able to carry things around on foot in a comfortable way. I can't be carrying around a rack-bag with tote straps like a briefcase, or a boxy bag with a shoulder strap, bouncing around clumsily. Lots of bags look great on the bike, but I can't understand how people use them off of the bike, unless they don't really walk anywhere after they lock up -- this is basically what I do all the time.
The best solution I've had, to date, was an 80s Trek with low-ish trail, and a Pass and Stow porteur rack. The trail on that bike was ~44m and I strapped my bag to the rack. The handling was neutral enough that it never bothered me. P&S rack is heavy though. My next thing is a custom porteur rack on a bike whose rake has been adjusted for slightly lower trail, and a rack bag that I'm going to sew backpack straps onto. The custom rack is about the same price as the P&S, and much lighter. This is the best system I can think of for what I need, and I bet it would work for others as well.
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Originally Posted by burnses_suit
Wow old thread but thanks! I never got one yet.. There's always a different shiny new toy that I want, but hold back. I'm worried about the steering as well...
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