Touring - Handle bar bag question

Has anyone ever had any issues with not being able to see their front tire because of their handle bar bag? My concern is that if I can't see my front tire it will be more difficult to keep my front tire out of expansion joints in concrete. I just got my new Arkel panniers and handle bar bag last night. I had just enough daylight left to mount them and ride around the street in front of my house. I'm sure that I probably need to give it more time than just a quickie ride but it felt pretty awkward not being able to see my tire.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks,

I have the "small" Arkel handle bar bag and I've never been concerned with it blocking my view of the tire. I steer by looking down the road a couple yards, not at my tire or the area immediately in front of it. If you are moving at over walking speed, you need to be looking ahead in order to have a chance of reacting to an obstacle in time.

[That sounds a little smart-alecky - but that's not my intention.]

Kinda like driving a car, you can't see where the tires are but you learn to sense if your going to miss that pothole, or hit the can if you so choose. I ride with a huge JAND HB bag on my Hybrid and have no problems at all. The convenience factor is well worth it.

Honestly I would think if your watching your front tire that closely, you probably wobble a little while you ride, it has been my experience in biking but more so in driving the further ahead you look the straighter you will track down the road.

I have the "small" Arkel handle bar bag and I've never been concerned with it blocking my view of the tire. I steer by looking down the road a couple yards, not at my tire or the area immediately in front of it. If you are moving at over walking speed, you need to be looking ahead in order to have a chance of reacting to an obstacle in time.

[That sounds a little smart-alecky - but that's not my intention.]


I didn't' take it as a smart-Aleck remark. :) I know what you mean and agree, but there have been times when at slow speed and crappy concrete it has helped to see. OTOH I probably need to remember this isn't an XC bike and I'm not doing technical single track on it. I'll give it some more time.

Thanks

I almost never look at my tire anyway. When cycling, I apply the same principles as I do for driving: look 12 seconds ahead. In other words, look far away, where you think you should be in 12 seconds. I also scan points closer to me, say 2-3 seconds ahead, or 1-2 car lengths ahead.

And I'm fairly successful at avoiding most potholes.

Like most folks have said you just sense where the tyre is.
Rode with one for about 6 months and never had that problem.

Expansion joints and railroad tracks, I avoid taking those parallel to the slots. I have used HB bags all in the small Arkel size range and have never noticed if I can or can't see my front tire.

I always ride with a handlebar bag (small Arkel) and the very few times I ride without it freaks me out. Seeing the tire so close turning so fast hypnotizes and distracts me.

I've done a couple of tours with my small Arkel and have never had a problem not seeing the front wheel. It's just so great to have a front bag that isn't in the way of my cables!
I've customized mine so I have a LARGE waterproof map bag velcroed to the top of my open bag. I just don't find the map pocket provided adequate.
Recently I toured along narrow tow paths alongside canals. Often I had to follow 5-7 cm wide ruts. I knew exactly where that wheel was. Which was good because my other option was tipping in the canal!

I agree with mgagnonlv, I rarely look down at my front tire while riding, if your doing that then you can't see hazards ahead of you on the road plus you can't ride a straight line as well; kinda like driving a car and never taking your eyes off the road where the hood meets, your not going to notice situations until it's too late. I use a front bag for long rides and never even thought about not seeing the front tire-it's a non-issue for me.

I just don't find the map pocket provided adequate.
Do you know if the map holder fits Adventure Cycling maps?

I've got the Arkel handlebar bag (the big one where you can put the map in) and I've had absolutely no problems. I scan the ground ahead of time as I'm approaching, so that's how I get around any potential problems.

Koffee

I've been thinking about getting large Arkel handlebar bag. However, I've got large wedge bag at the back which holds a lot and I tie my waistpack around the top of the handlebar and that holds quite a bit. I have the panniers too but only use them when I'm commuting. Is there any advantage to have the handlebar bag? What is everyone carrying in it?

Is there any advantage to have the handlebar bag? What is everyone carrying in it?

I use the small Arkel handlebar bag. I put food items in it so I can nibble while riding. I also put in things I want quick access too like a camera or sunglasses. And it has a clear plastic case on top for holding a map. I can look down at the map while riding.

I think the large bag is mainly for the touring, not for the everyday recreational riding. I definitely put all my stuff that I would need to get to right away in the handlebar bag so I wouldn't have to spend my time digging for it. I had my tools, food, a couple of books, all my maps, my money, my camera and some extra film, toliet paper, my cd player and a small speaker, keys, and some other stuff in the handlebar bag. I don't usually use wegies for my longer trips- I tend to forget I had them on and walk off before I remember to run back and get it! :eek:


Koffee