I broke down and purchased a handlebar bag in preparation for a 400k in a few weeks. Took it out for a 18 mile spin at lunch, 1000 foot 10% climb with some following fast descents, bumpy roads etc. Moved my light to the fork from the handlebars and it held up well. It's nice to be able to reach in while riding. Only put a few pounds in it, although I tried riding around my neighborhood with a good 12 pounds of rocks in it a few days ago. I'll probably never put over 5-7 pounds of stuff in it though.

I picked the Lone Peak H-100 bag based primarily on a Nick Bull recommendation. 11 liters.
http://thedailyrandonneur.wordpress.com/pbp-nick-bulls-top-10-gear-picks/

I'm converted. I can't see riding without it. And I clocked my fastest time on the lunch route this year, and it was breezy today.

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SharpT

http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL362/677161/15775683/312180661.jpg

http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL362/677161/15775683/312180639.jpg

http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL362/677161/15775683/312379781.jpg

What the heck kind of headlight is that??? And how well does it work?

Scott P
Bend, OR

What the heck kind of headlight is that??? And how well does it work?

Light is a 3X1 Watt CREE LED. MR-16 housing, running off a 12V NiMH battery. Works very well.

MR-16 CREE LED 240 lumen bulb is available off ebay. $30
I saw this Optronics housing at Walmart the other day in the automotive section. They sell as a pair of extra front lights for a car and come with some 40W bulbs that I tossed. $15
The mount to the fork is a Minoura water bottle cage mount $7

http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=4153453&postcount=1599

That's an awesome looking light: Futuristic, yet retro. What is it?

One other advantage to handlebar bags -- on a cold descent, you can sometimes avoid having to stop and put on gloves by tucking your fingers up against the back of the bag to keep them out of the wind.

And I clocked my fastest time on the lunch route this year, and it was breezy today.

The Bicycle Quarterly did a wind-tunnel study that found that handlebar bags can actually act as a "fairing" (like a shield on a recumbent) and make you & your bike more aerodynamic, believe it or not!

I can't find a link to it, but I know the article is out there somewhere..

Where did you pick up your lone peak?

Where did you pick up your lone peak?

$70 including shipping to lower 48. $10 off shipping to other locations.

http://www.thetouringstore.com/LONE%20PEAK/LP%20H-bar%20Packs/H100%20H-BAR%20PACK%20PAGE.htm