Who Rides with a handlebar bag on their normal bike?

[MattTuck]

The more I've been thinking about it, the more this seems to make sense. Larger volume (more capacity)than a saddle bag, easier access to stuff, get things out of your jersey pockets, etc. etc.

Add to that, it is a little extra wind resistance which benefits the training.

[christian]

No one. Once you add a handlebar bag, it's no longer a normal bike.





(Might as well grow a beard and buy a recumbent.)

[palincss]

What is a "normal" bike?

If you mean by "normal" an "off the shelf Trek Madone or Domane or similar carbon fiber racing bike" then the answer is, about half the people in my bike club. Usually they're small bags and don't carry anything particularly heavy.

If you mean "the bike you normally ride or ride most of the time" for me the answer is yes, more than 2/3 of my annual mileage is on front loading randonneurs with large size bags. It's so much more convenient than going around back to get at stuff or store something you've just taken off, and this time of year I'll always stop somewhere between 4 1/2 and 5 1/2 miles into the ride to remove a layer and store it. That whole "start feeling cold" thing really doesn't work for me; if I'm that cold I don't warm up, but instead go straight to feeling sick.

[MattTuck]

No one. Once you add a handlebar bag, it's no longer a normal bike.





(Might as well grow a beard and buy a recumbent.)


I have a beard. :bike:

No comment on the recumbent.

[Lovetoclimb]

I ride with one on my road bike AND my cross bike. It is a wonderful feeling not carrying around so much stuff you feel like a turtle. Using the Yanco Customs bags which are smaller than most Rando boxes that require a rack.

[JLP]

I have a couple of rando bikes with Berthoud bags. I like them for many things, but for others not so much. I tend to use these bikes more now for nasty weather rides or commuting chores. On real brevets or other faster (for me) rides, I tend to carry stuff in a little frame bag and/or seat bag from Revelate. The frame bag has the same easy on bike access as a front bag without racks/decaleur. It all works. One thing I miss when I don't have the bar bag is the map pocket for the cue sheet.

[Seramount]

in 1975, I bought a Blackburn hb bag for my first unsupported century. carried a PBJ sammie in it...

haven't used it since tho...it's still around here somewhere.

[charliedid]

I rode with one for years. I do longer solo rides generally so I would carry a lunch a jacket and maybe a camera. I have a Gunnar with a rack that I run a small pannier sometimes but have been feeling the desire (again) to have a smallish bag up front for the same as above. I know a bunch of people who have been using those feed bag sacks that hang in front of bars on one side...but too small for my needs.

I'm getting this...

http://www.rivbike.com/product-p/bavbt-gr.htm

[Ken Robb]

I have a couple of bar bags but I usually have plenty of room in one of my assorted saddle bags. Take a look at the Berthoud saddle bags.

[Mzilliox]

I only use handlebar bags on my abnormal bikes

[p nut]

A problem with a (proper) handlebar bag, like an Acorn, is that I tend to stuff WAY too much stuff in them. So I tried out a more compact bag (Jandd) that just straps onto the handlebar. Well, should have put some tape on the headtube. Nice shiny 1cm circle where it rubbed on the headtube.

Now I just use a saddle bag and either a feedbag (on my MTB) or Rev gas tank (road).

[oldpotatoe]

I only use handlebar bags on my abnormal bikes

Abby Normal Ab Normal. Never had an issue carrying what needed in jersey. 2-4 hour rides.,

[marciero]

I have a rando setup on one bike (albeit non-standard,with a large or medium Ortlieb bag that is not rack-supported) It is really easy to get used to that arrangement, with easy on-the-bike access.

I also use the compact Ortlieb bar bag on a more standard road bike. It's very...compact. It looks good and completely in keeping with the aesthetics of the bike-essentially a performance-oriented day ride/day tourer. Also it works well with mid-to-high trail, not affecting handling.

[Straz]

I've been thinking about getting a handlebar bag for the very reasons you mention.

I'm seriously considering a Dill Pickle Handlebar Bag (http://www.dillpicklegear.com/store/index.php?route=product/category&path=76_74). Interested to hear if anyone has experience with this bag?

I like that the top does not project much higher than the handlbars. Arkel and Ortlieb bags with their brackets seem to sit much higher.

[OtayBW]

No handlebar bag! You cannot experience flight with that kind of heavy nose gear....:hello:

[Joachim]

May as well start carrying a murse (man purse) to work then. Go from one handbag to the next.

[MattTuck]

No handlebar bag! You cannot experience flight with that kind of heavy nose gear....:hello:

Depends on what you're carrying.

https://thebestpictureproject.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/et3.jpg?w=300&h=225

[MattTuck]

May as well start carrying a murse (man purse) to work then. Go from one handbag to the next.

Good point, I'll have to make sure that it matches my shoes...

[Kirk007]

Not anymore ... ; ) (but I have found them very useful for all day or bad weather rides particularly with variable weather). But then, this isn't a normal bike, its an extraordinary one.

[Mzilliox]

My first post was not very helpful, so I will remedy that by posting a shot of my handlebar bag. Let me say i love love love having a bike with a handlebar bag. When i ride i rarely just go ride. I like to stop and get wine, coffee, have a walk, take pictures, snack, whatever. having the bag in front lets me do anything. i can bring home a 6 pack, i can bring in the mail, it holds tools, rain coat, camera, snacks, anything. I can access it while riding too.

Like somebody else mentioned, I do tend to over pack more often than not, but who cares, I can carry the weight... and if i get tired, well, it acts like aero bars and i rest my arms on the bag in a nice aero position...

Here she is about to pick up 2 bottles of wine!
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/528/20108013858_2400d865ac_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/wCSPY7)Riding the Applegate (https://flic.kr/p/wCSPY7) by Matt.zilliox (https://www.flickr.com/photos/41573599@N06/), on Flickr

and here it carried camera, snacks, and a blanket to sit beside the lake and picnic with my lovely wife!
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5743/21552223538_fe28f4edd4_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/yQuMc1)Berty at East Lake (https://flic.kr/p/yQuMc1) by Matt.zilliox (https://www.flickr.com/photos/41573599@N06/), on Flickrhttp://

[Megalodon]

An alternative is a light rack like the Moots Tailgator but it only fits on round seatposts. The accompanying rack bag has lashings and an expandable section so you can easily stash a light jacket, leg warmers, arm warmers, etc., and not have to put anything in your jersey pockets. The inside compartment can hold 3 tubes, one mini "floor" pump, Kool-Stop bead jack, and phone. It also acts as a rear fender.

Unfortunately, I have an aero carbon bike now and unless I get extremely creative with 3D printing I will no longer be able to use the rack.

[oldpotatoe]

An alternative is a light rack like the Moots Tailgator but it only fits on round seatposts. The accompanying rack bag has lashings and an expandable section so you can easily stash a light jacket, leg warmers, arm warmers, etc., and not have to put anything in your jersey pockets. The inside compartment can hold 3 tubes, one mini "floor" pump, Kool-Stop bead jack, and phone. It also acts as a rear fender.

Unfortunately, I have an aero carbon bike now and unless I get extremely creative with 3D printing I will no longer be able to use the rack.

You have one? Want to sell it?

[pinkshogun]

my friend calls it a cosmetic case...

[tumbler]

Here she is about to pick up 2 bottles of wine!

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/528/20108013858_2400d865ac_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/wCSPY7)


Looks like a normal bike to me. :beer:

[sparky33]

The more I've been thinking about it, the more this seems to make sense. Larger volume (more capacity)than a saddle bag, easier access to stuff, get things out of your jersey pockets, etc. etc.

Add to that, it is a little extra wind resistance which benefits the training.

Just do it.
It looks foolish and weird, but who is really watching?

[timto]

The more I've been thinking about it, the more this seems to make sense. Larger volume (more capacity)than a saddle bag, easier access to stuff, get things out of your jersey pockets, etc. etc.

Add to that, it is a little extra wind resistance which benefits the training.

YES do it. I have a boxy rando bag with rack support - overkill for anything <300km. Bags like the swift bandito (http://builtbyswift.com/shop/bandito-bar-and-saddle-bag/) fit snacks, windshell, sunscreen and don't feel heavy on the front of the bike like the boxy rando bag does. Boxy Rando wins for easy map holding tho and substantial packing like if you want a change of clothes kind of packing.

Both my brother in law and I had them on the ramrod this summer - for a 10-12 hour ride the extra space for extra food, wallet, sunscreen, camera, arm sleeves etc was nice.
https://scontent-lga3-1.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xft1/t51.2885-15/e15/11247012_411008545755774_365265644_n.jpg

[Kirk007]

Swift makes very nice stuff - and handmade here in Seattle. I use on of their saddlebags which also works as well as the smaller handlebar bags (albeit access requires stopping) for shorter hauls. Combine front and rear and keep going and going and ....

[Bob Ross]

(Might as well grow a beard and buy a recumbent.)

Wait, but if you did that you wouldn't have any place for a handlebar bag...

[Bob Ross]

I'm getting this...

http://www.rivbike.com/product-p/bavbt-gr.htm

As a LOTR geek from back in my junior high school days, I can truly appreciate a product called "Sackville" made by the "Rivendell" company.

[RFC]

I find my self, more and more often, in flagrant violation of Rule 29:

Rule #29 // No European Posterior Man-Satchels.
Saddle bags have no place on a road bike, and are only acceptable on mountain bikes in extreme cases.

I ride alone. And, in addition to the usual hammering road bike workout, I like to break up the monotony with rides with a mission, i.e. an errand 15 miles across town on an allarounder or SS. My 3 day a week gym routine involves 30 minutes of hard SS riding to the gym, lift for an hour, and 30 back. Gravel grinding on the eastern leg of the SRP canal means I will be in the middle of the Reservation with no outside support. All of these types of riding involved carrying "stuff." Not to mention late afternoon winter rides with an extra jacket for when the sun sets.

As a result, despite of previously making fun of old man satchels, I am now sold on the Carradice Barley Corn and Bagman setup with the quick detach. Easily transferable from bike to bike.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/IMG_0361_zpsxpcneh4j.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/RCopple/media/IMG_0361_zpsxpcneh4j.jpg.html)

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/IMG_0197r_zpsf7e93092.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/RCopple/media/IMG_0197r_zpsf7e93092.jpg.html)

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/IMG_0432r_zpsed6b734a.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/RCopple/media/IMG_0432r_zpsed6b734a.jpg.html)

But given that this thread is about handlebar bags, here are two of my DIY efforts. First, surplus leather 8mm Mauser cartridge pouches, perfect for light batteries. Second, a $10 garage sale Dooney & Bourke purse. These retailed for $280 in the 1980's. The workmanship and leather quality are extraordinary.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/IMG_0012r-1.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/RCopple/media/IMG_0012r-1.jpg.html)

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/IMG_0002br.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/RCopple/media/IMG_0002br.jpg.html)

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/IMG_0004br.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/RCopple/media/IMG_0004br.jpg.html)

[Louis]

Guys with enough self-confidence that they don't mind looking dorky.

[alexstar]

Not anymore ... ; ) (but I have found them very useful for all day or bad weather rides particularly with variable weather). But then, this isn't a normal bike, its an extraordinary one.

Forget the bag... I want to see more of that Spectrum!! :banana:

[steamer]

Guys with enough self-confidence that they don't mind looking dorky.

Yup. There are lots of kids here who need constant support and approval. Apparently.

[NHAero]

I have a Rixen & Kaul Daypack handlebar bag. Their Klickfix mounting system allows the bag to go on and off in a second, and I have one bag and Klickfix mounts on three of my bikes, so the bag goes on whichever bike I take out. Great system!

[Megalodon]

You have one? Want to sell it?

Nah, it's one of my most favorite things in the world. I actually have two racks and one bag. The first rack I bought had the older clamp that my thighs would occasionally rub against. The newer low-profile clamp was far less likely to do that.

[sparky33]

I have a couple of rando bikes with Berthoud bags. I like them for many things, but for others not so much.


That^

Boxy handlebar bags with map cases are helpful if you read cue-sheets or maps while riding. Otherwise, go with a bigger saddle pack, frame bag or hbar tube-bag unless you have a bike with geometry that is intended for a front load.

[palincss]

That^

Boxy handlebar bags with map cases are helpful if you read cue-sheets or maps while riding. Otherwise, go with a bigger saddle pack, frame bag or hbar tube-bag unless you have a bike with geometry that is intended for a front load.

I agree, if you want to carry a large front bag you're best off with a bike with geometry intended for that, and with proper rack mount fittings.

[Jim9112]

I've been considering some sort of bag as well for this time of year stashing layers.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[charliedid]

As a LOTR geek from back in my junior high school days, I can truly appreciate a product called "Sackville" made by the "Rivendell" company.

Yep,

Tho not as big a fan the name is not lost on me. My wife on the other hand smiled wide when I showed it to her :-)

[George Ab]

I ride with a front bag for longer rides. Particularly if I need a sandwich or bicycle lock so I can sit down and have lunch somewhere.

[Kirk007]

Forget the bag... I want to see more of that Spectrum!! :banana:

here you go: http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=173758&highlight=spectrum

[Ronsonic]

Yup. There are lots of kids here who need constant support and approval. Apparently.


Where ever you go, people will see your bike and you will be judged. :bike:

This is important. :fight:

There are rules that are meant to be followed. And a bag is, well, you might as well have a 30 tooth bailout cog.

[happycampyer]

Guys with enough self-confidence that they don't mind looking dorky.I suppose a confidence booster would include riding as a pro for a decade or two, winning the Giro and l'alpe d'Huez at the Tour, and running your own cycling tour company. Anything short of that and you're a goner.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-8cgWgt2/0/L/i-8cgWgt2-L.jpg

I've often wondered what's in the bag. My bet is that it's survival munitions--several bars of dark chocolate, a bottle of red wind and a bottle opener.

[steamer]

There are rules that are meant to be followed.

By the enslaved, yes.

[palincss]

Where's that "like" button when you need it...

[54ny77]

It's always cooler to have the bag on the side.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/a0/0a/dc/a00adc6664b49e29eda21d819c8895af.jpg

[oldpotatoe]

By the enslaved, yes.

I guess that noise is the sound of his humorous point whizzing over your head.

At least use one of these-:rolleyes::D:cool::p;)

[Fatty]

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/IMG_0004br.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/RCopple/media/IMG_0004br.jpg.html)

That's it. I'm off to the Goodwill store !

[RFC]

That's it. I'm off to the Goodwill store !

Good luck! Also readily available on eBay.

[54ny77]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K3LsaGxYIZg/Sh1apGMJJXI/AAAAAAAAAFI/0syQT7CY5KU/s1600/abici_fendi2.jpg

[benb]

I have one of the little bags you can strap to your handlebar.

I used it like once or twice on long rides.

It turns out I hate it because my knees can easily hit it climbing out of the saddle, and it's also not really big enough or proportioned well for putting clothes in. To me it would be most useful on long rides in that time of year where you end up taking off or putting on a lot of clothes along the ride due to the highly variable and changing NE weather. (E.x. +30-40 degree change during the ride and you go from winter clothes to shorts & jersey.)

My main bike is built for a front load so maybe at some point I try a front rack and a small bag. I already have a rear rack & panniers but that is really overkill... easily enough room for lunch, several changes of bike clothes or one set of street clothes, a pair of shoes, and my laptop computer. I've never used that setup for anything but commuting.

[Vonruden]

I do

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj533/vonruden1/73A00DE5-2A37-4B5F-96A5-154A63D3CCF7_zpsop2ykuiw.jpg

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj533/vonruden1/115C46FB-C6D5-4E08-84A8-D81DEA4B3485_zpsmthhqbif.jpg

[laupsi]

Only when I feel an immense sense of freedom and wish to stash my "bro"

[weisan]

another alternative...frame bag. eg. Revelate. I got one a while back, haven't get to try it out in the field until later this morning when I am planning to hit the trails on my Merlin. I have in there right now - two extra tubes, camera, wallet, roadside repair tools, extra granola bars, room to stash away the vest when it gets warm up later in the ride.

Was originally planning to bring along my Ortlieb handlebar bag but then decided last night as I was prepping the bike that I really don't need that much space or have that many things to carry for a couple of hours of trail riding, the frame bag will do just fine.

http://forums.thepaceline.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1697912193&stc=1&d=1450732847

Not my bike, but the Ortlieb looks like this:
http://cambridgebicycle.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/ortileb_ultimate_6_plus_handlebar_bag_raleigh_reve nio_carbon.jpg

Revelate Designs:
https://www.revelatedesigns.com/index.cfm/store.catalog/frame-bags

[El Chaba]

I've spent almost the entirety of my cycling life-and it has been a long time-racing and then riding with the racers after I quit myself. Of course, we are minimalists, carrying only what is absolutely necessary; however, there are times of the year when you just have to start with more clothes than you will need later in the ride....or you are on a long ride requiring extra food...etc...The practice of jamming all of this crap into your pockets can really get out of hand and get downright annoying. A handlebar bag would make so much more sense, but they are definitely eschewed by that group. I have a randonneur bike that I got mostly because I wanted it but rationalized it for use on some overnight camping trips, etc. If you have to carry some stuff, it's awfully nice to have some place to carry it other than jammed into your jersey pocket....As a pure bonus, nothing equals the satisfaction of riding away from some fragile-egoed weekend warrier with carbon everything while astride a "Fred" bike with fenders, lights and a handlebar bag...

[etu]

I do

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj533/vonruden1/73A00DE5-2A37-4B5F-96A5-154A63D3CCF7_zpsop2ykuiw.jpg

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj533/vonruden1/115C46FB-C6D5-4E08-84A8-D81DEA4B3485_zpsmthhqbif.jpg

very nicely done!

[bcroslin]

before this thread get's too silly.... can anyone recommend a good bar bag that would accommodate a small dslr? The Sackville bag posted upthread looks cool - more of that style. I would prefer something minimal but it needs to stay put. I stopped carrying a saddle bag because the stupid things would always fall off and I would hate to watch a bag with $5k worth of camera go flying down the street.

[Mzilliox]

Looks like a normal bike to me. :beer:

totally normal, totally French!

[Mzilliox]

I do

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj533/vonruden1/73A00DE5-2A37-4B5F-96A5-154A63D3CCF7_zpsop2ykuiw.jpg

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj533/vonruden1/115C46FB-C6D5-4E08-84A8-D81DEA4B3485_zpsmthhqbif.jpg

Brother, you have some of the coolest builds around. I'd love to meet up for coffees and chat bikes one day, I love your style. :beer:

[palincss]

before this thread get's too silly.... can anyone recommend a good bar bag that would accommodate a small dslr? The Sackville bag posted upthread looks cool - more of that style. I would prefer something minimal but it needs to stay put. I stopped carrying a saddle bag because the stupid things would always fall off and I would hate to watch a bag with $5k worth of camera go flying down the street.

To keep the bag from flying off a front rack when you hit a bump you need two things: a loop to fit around the rack's "tombstone," and a solid support at the top of the bag. I converted a Kirtland Tour Pak front bag to rack use by making a strap out of a length of nylon webbing and bolting it through the aluminum inner vertical support and attaching a Berthoud decaleur.

The other main decaleur style, prongs on the bag and tubes attached to the stem, for example, the Velo Orange decaleur
http://store.velo-orange.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/530x530/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/2/_/2.jpg
relies on a friction fit between the prongs and the tubes, and it's more prone to the bag flying off if you hit a big bump. After that happened to me, I initially zip tied the bag portion of the decaleur to the stem portion (I was setting out on a tour, didn't plan to remove the bag for a week and hoped it would deter a thief) and after the tour replaced that with a small strap. I haven't had the bag fly off since.

It's also possible to carefully bend the tubes so as to increase the friction, so I've read, but after the one time that the bag flew off and luckily did not end up in front of my front wheel and did not cause a crash, I decided I didn't care to push my luck any further.

Some people bolt or strap the bottom of the bag to the rack. A bolt (Peter Weigle's approach) certainly won't fail, but a velcro strap possibly will. Also, there are racks with a built-in extra large tombstone with a decaleur on top of it. These have been known to fail on the road, especially during extended riding on rough gravel, and if they fail the bag will fly off.

A small bag strapped directly onto the handlebars won't fly off, but as much as many DSLRs with big zoom lenses weigh and as big as some of them are, that might not be as good a solution as using a small front rack and a decaleur.

You could also use a Carradice type rear bag: with a saddle with bag loops like a Berthoud or a Brooks B.17 the bag definitely isn't going to go flying off, but if you forget to close it properly things could fall out. I lost my wallet that way commuting home back 35 years ago; fortunately a commuter right behind me found it and brought it to my house. Also, getting at the camera in a saddle bag can be very slow and cumbersome, especially compared to getting at it in a front bag.

[etu]

put the backpack away today...
no more big saddle bags for me.