Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Lower cost handlebar bags?

Hi, any experience with Arkel, Topeak, Jandd, or other lower-cost (compared to Berthoud and Acorn) handlebar bags? How do they work out in long-distance riding?

Have no experience with any yet. I would also consider the Ortleib. The velo orange bag looks good and costs $95. Seems to be in stock. I am going to build myself a randonneuring bike, and the Velo Orange has traditional looks that would go along with that. I like the idea of pockets in the back, although that might not be as useful as it looks.

I've got a cheap one I picked up at Target or somewhere, and the zipper is broken. I can't find another like it, and haven't seen a replacement at local stores. It'll hold 2- 32 oz Gatorade bottles + a smaller bottle. Has the clear cue sheet pocket on the top.

They have one at the local bike store, but it's smaller, and padded. Walls must be a 1/2 thick, so it's bulky on the outside, but not much room inside. I haven't figured out the purpose of that.

I enjoy my Lone Peak H-100 handlebar bag. Completed 2 SR series and still enjoy it.

Road Fan, did you make any decisions?

No, not yet, but it's not upon me. Some respondents are serious randonneurs, and are not wed to Berthoud and Acorn, so I have learned that that equipment is not seen as a requirement. I can see the design advantages of both, however. When I get back on my bike I'm going to try my old HB bag and test the handlebar concept for myself. That's the first question, can I and my bike accommodate a front load.

That's what I've learned so far.

I don't know if I like Ortlieb, generally. We have an Ortlieb dealer, locally, but I haven't given them a chance to sell me on it. I'm really a bit put off by their designs, just because in my mind's eye, something more along the Madden design lines is right, or of course the old TA, Berthoud, et cetera. I do need to take a good look at the Ostrich, and I think Jitensha had another canvas bag.

Until I try say 50 miles with SOME front bag, I won't know if I want a canvas one.

Dealing with center of gravity and a low mount is a question in my mind, as well. Decaleurs do not seem to be cheap, and neither are lightweight front racks. I already have a three-liter saddle bag, that works for my shorter rides. My current bike can deal well with a Carradice or other larger saddle bag.

You?

Hi, any experience with Arkel, Topeak, Jandd, or other lower-cost (compared to Berthoud and Acorn) handlebar bags? How do they work out in long-distance riding?

My first few years of randonneuring, I just went with a map pouch that mounted to my handlebars, but after losing this pouch on a recent trip, I replaced it with a cheap handlebar bag from Trek (http://revolutioncycles.com/itemdetails.cfm?LibId=8549). The two major shortcomings with the bag is

a) water resistant, but not waterproof. All personal electronics need to be stored in ziplock bags in order to protect them.

b) map pocket is a little narrow and doesn't sit perfectly flat if anything is placed in the front zippered pocket (ie. brevet card) The clear plastic on the map pocket also tends to reflect headlamp light, making it occasionally difficult to read directions

also a minor quibble is that the elastic stabilizer cords aren't going to win me any style points or get any favorable comments if featured on American Randonneur or Bike Quarterly.

and, of course, handlebar mounting with no decaleur or rack places the bag at a high enough position to affect bike handling. I can still pedal for short distances with no-hands, long enough to remove a rain jacket or arm warmers, or open a ziploc of food, but I usually have to be quick about such things.

All the same, for $35, the bag does its job. I've used it on a couple of 200k's, a 300k, 400k and 1000k and it's been great for carrying food, camera, arm warmers, wallet and paperwork.

I like my Ostrich bag, it has to have the most space per dollar of all the offerings, but then again I think it's almost too big for most rides.

I use the Topeak 'Tour Guide'. http://www.topeak.com/products/Bags/TourGuideHandlebarBag

It's well made and perfectly designed. Here's some more pics:

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e262/kowtaaia/Picture462.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e262/kowtaaia/Picture465.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e262/kowtaaia/Picture473.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e262/kowtaaia/Picture474.jpg

I strongly recommend using metal washers.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e262/kowtaaia/Picture472.jpg

Interesting, those Topeaks looked good on Ebay, too.

I like my Ostrich bag, it has to have the most space per dollar of all the offerings, but then again I think it's almost too big for most rides.

12 liters of space is indeed cavernous.

... but, 12 liters of space for $135 at Velo-Orange equals roughly .09 liters / dollar. Whereas a $35 Trek handlebar bag has 4.5 liters of space for $35, or roughly .22 liters / dollar. The big Jandd handlebar bag offers 10 liters of space for $90 or .11 liters / dollar.

You get a lot of nice perks with the Ostrich and Acorn bags, with respect to decaleur attachments, multiple pockets for ease of organization and waterproofness, but I wouldn't highlight the economics of space as its chief virtue. It's really about the build quality and design approach.

12 liters of space is indeed cavernous.

... but, 12 liters of space for $135 at Velo-Orange equals roughly .09 liters / dollar. Whereas a $35 Trek handlebar bag has 4.5 liters of space for $35, or roughly .22 liters / dollar. The big Jandd handlebar bag offers 10 liters of space for $90 or .11 liters / dollar.

You get a lot of nice perks with the Ostrich and Acorn bags, with respect to decaleur attachments, multiple pockets for ease of organization and waterproofness, but I wouldn't highlight the economics of space as its chief virtue. It's really about the build quality and design approach.

You're right - it's just a big damn bag in the end, maybe not a better deal.

Fwiw the canvas on the Ostrich isn't waterproof, but layered enough that the insides don't get wet so far.

Hi, any experience with Arkel, Topeak, Jandd, or other lower-cost (compared to Berthoud and Acorn) handlebar bags? How do they work out in long-distance riding?

I used a Jandd 'bar bag (adapted for use with a Nitto rack and decaleur) for a while, and other than it not being tall enough (I ride a 65cm frame), it worked quite well. I've since switched to a Berthoud bag which fits better but works about the same.

BTW, I'd be glad to make you a deal on the Jandd if you're in the market. It's their Touring Handlebar Pack II. It's drilled to take a Velo Orange decaleur, but includes all the original hardware, and is in near-new shape.

SP

Interesting, those Topeaks looked good on Ebay, too.

5 liters is perfect. Most of the mega handlebar bags come with a load weight recommendation of 9-12 lbs, anyways.
It's the best designed handlebar bag I've ever had.

Decaleurs do not seem to be cheap,

and neither are lightweight front racks.

Nashbar has a little front rack that lists ofr about $15 and often is on sale for less than $10. If you don't have cantilever brakes on the front you might need to get some of the plastic-dipped "P" clips to hold it to the fork. Works to sit a bag on.
Another thing to look at is how your cables get from the bars to the head tube area and beyond. Shimano's brifter cables for the shifter function tend to conflict with handlebar bag mounting. Bar end or down-tube shifters are usually less of a problem.

I recently got the topeak tour guide handle bar bag. My thoughts on the bag are that 1. The bag is well designed and looks very nice 2. at 5 litres has a fair bit of space for adds and sods with ample pockets. 3. Comes with a map holder.
The down side to the bag I found was the mouting system Niehter of the rings that came with mounting bracket fit my handle bar. I found that it made the bag sat too high up on my bike. The map holder was not designed for cue sheets in mind and certainly not water proof.

After doing a bunch of 200km's and a 300km ride with this bag I opted to take the bag off. I don't think this is a great randonneuring handle bar bag but certainly would make a great touring bag.

On the other side this bag is well priced at $65.00 and very nicley built.

I recently got the topeak tour guide handle bar bag. My thoughts on the bag are that 1. The bag is well designed and looks very nice 2. at 5 litres has a fair bit of space for adds and sods with ample pockets. 3. Comes with a map holder.
The down side to the bag I found was the mouting system Niehter of the rings that came with mounting bracket fit my handle bar. I found that it made the bag sat too high up on my bike. The map holder was not designed for cue sheets in mind and certainly not water proof.

After doing a bunch of 200km's and a 300km ride with this bag I opted to take the bag off. I don't think this is a great randonneuring handle bar bag but certainly would make a great touring bag.

On the other side this bag is well priced at $65.00 and very nicley built.

You can tell from the pictures, that my bag isn't angled upwards like they recommend, but parallel to the ground. It would be easy to raise the female attachment on the bag, so that the bag would sit lower. The only reason I haven't done that is because my lights are underneath the bag.
It has a rain cover, you know. :)

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e262/kowtaaia/IMG_0432.jpg

You can tell from the pictures, that my bag isn't angled upwards like they recommend, but parallel to the ground. It would be easy to raise the female attachment on the bag, so that the bag would sit lower. The only reason I haven't done that is because my lights are underneath the bag.
It has a rain cover, you know. :)

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e262/kowtaaia/IMG_0432.jpg

I had the same lighting setup as you here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/9320902@N04/3206745377/). I've recently installed new brackets and moved the lights (http://www.flickr.com/photos/9320902@N04/3682549412/in/photostream/) to my forks. Maybe an option you can go with.

I had the same lighting setup as you here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/9320902@N04/3206745377/). I've recently installed new brackets and moved the lights (http://www.flickr.com/photos/9320902@N04/3682549412/in/photostream/) to my forks. Maybe an option you can go with.

Kind of difficult to change modes when the lights are at the axle and not the best place for being seen by motorists. The only plus I can see is that you'd have a really accurate reading of the road surface (and of course, you'd be able to lower a Topeak handlebar bag). :)

What's your take on the set-up, so far?

I've had a Cannondale handlebar bag for quite some time and it still works good and it was fairly cheap, comes with a map holder.

Will the Topeak or Jandd bags interfere with Shimano STI cabling? It looks like they might make it a little tight for a stem mounted Garmin Edge, too.

Any thoughts?

Will the Topeak or Jandd bags interfere with Shimano STI cabling? It looks like they might make it a little tight for a stem mounted Garmin Edge, too.

Any thoughts?

I don't know about the STI cabling or the Jandd bags, but the Topeak bags come with this attachment for computers etc. I use it for a light when I'm not using the bag and I also have velcro on it to keep the extended map case fully open.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e262/kowtaaia/qc_hb_computer.jpg

Yes the topeak bag did cause problems with my STI shifters. So I had a bike shop put in some brake noodles, which in the end casued even more shifting problems. When shifting it was very difficult to shift into my big ring and when I shifted down to my small ring the chain flies off. This is very frustrating.

My axiom handle bar bag did not casue any issues with the STI shifters though.

But I just scrapped the whole handle bar bag concept and switched back to my aero bars. The entire time I was using the handle bar bag it was nice to have esy access to food and other things but I kept wishing I had another hand position especially when the wind really kicked up. Over all I am much happier with my aero bar set up.

Will the Topeak or Jandd bags interfere with Shimano STI cabling? It looks like they might make it a little tight for a stem mounted Garmin Edge, too.

Any thoughts?

The Jandd bag does interfere slightly. Not too much to cause shifting problems. The bracket allows the bag to be mounted in six angles, up or down.

As for the Garmin, I'd get a Topeak Bar X'tender as shown here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/9320902@N04/3207591104/) and mount it upright. You can then mount it 'T shape' or bar-wise as seen here (http://topeak.com/products/Xtras/BarXtender) and run it parallel with the stem (or not). This accessory mount is bombproof. I've heard some bad reviews on the ones Minoura makes.

Not to discredit Minoura or their products. I just installed some of their 'other' mounting brackets and they work great.

I have a Topeak bag that I used for several years. It has been modified, the stiffener was not stiff enough
if the bag was full, so the bag would sag badly , especially if riding in the rain. Map pocket was too small and not waterproof. I moved the mounting bracket higher, so the bag would sit lower and added an aluminum stiffener. It helped, it does not sag any more and it sits lower on the handlebar. I also tried the second stem mount so that the bag would sit lower, but removed it due to additional weight.

Although, earlier this year I installed a Acorn Boxy bag on my other bike with a small front Nitto rack and there is no comparison, rack mounted bag is so much better.
It is bigger, easier to open(string vs zipper), bike handles way better with the bag fully loaded, useful map pocket and it is easier to read the map-bag sits lower.

I would recommend a rack mounted bag like Acorn, Giles B. or VeloOrange over an cantilever mounted bag.

I have a Topeak bag that I used for several years. It has been modified, the stiffener was not stiff enough
if the bag was full, so the bag would sag badly , especially if riding in the rain. Map pocket was too small and not waterproof. I moved the mounting bracket higher, so the bag would sit lower and added an aluminum stiffener. It helped, it does not sag any more and it sits lower on the handlebar. I also tried the second stem mount so that the bag would sit lower, but removed it due to additional weight.

Although, earlier this year I installed a Acorn Boxy bag on my other bike with a small front Nitto rack and there is no comparison, rack mounted bag is so much better.
It is bigger, easier to open(string vs zipper), bike handles way better with the bag fully loaded, useful map pocket and it is easier to read the map-bag sits lower.

I would recommend a rack mounted bag like Acorn, Giles B. or VeloOrange over an cantilever mounted bag.

I'll hazard a guess that the Topeak bag that you're talking about isn't the ''Tour Guide'' and that you overload your bag and/or put things in it that it's not meant for. :)

I'll hazard a guess that the Topeak bag that you're talking about isn't the ''Tour Guide'' and that you overload your bag and/or put things in it that it's not meant for. :)


These are the two bags I have:
Topeak
http://www.topeak.com/products/Bags/TourGuideHandlebarBag
Acorn
http://acornbags.com/boxybag.html

Also, the rain cover on the Topeak bag does not make it water proof. I had my wallet in the upper compartment of the bag in a rainy 24 hour ride with the rain cover installed. The wallet and other papers were wet during the ride. So I tried treating the cover and the bag with waterproof spray, but it does not help much on long rainy rides.
So far contents in the cotton Acorn bag without the rain cover during heavy storm were dry. I did not ride the Acorn in a rain for 24 hours yet.

Topeak is fine for a rides up to a day, but since it is a long distance forum, some rides take several days, and front rack with a cotton bag is much better than Topeak.

"Tour Guide" bag was not overloaded, it had a wallet, cell phone, several GUs, a coulpe of power bars, sunglass case, brevet card, small camera, extra gloves and a map.
Acorn on top of that fits leg warmers, extra lights, rain jacket, rain pants.

too bad the Acorn isn't an option for most of us. I figure I'm more likely to strike it rich in the lottery.

These are the two bags I have:
Topeak
http://www.topeak.com/products/Bags/TourGuideHandlebarBag
Acorn
http://acornbags.com/boxybag.html
Also, the rain cover on the Topeak bag does not make it water proof. I had my wallet in the upper compartment of the bag in a rainy 24 hour ride with the rain cover installed. The wallet and other papers were wet during the ride. So I tried treating the cover and the bag with waterproof spray, but it does not help much on long rainy rides.
So far contents in the cotton Acorn bag without the rain cover during heavy storm were dry. I did not ride the Acorn in a rain for 24 hours yet.

Topeak is fine for a rides up to a day, but since it is a long distance forum, some rides take several days, and front rack with a cotton bag is much better than Topeak.

"Tour Guide" bag was not overloaded, it had a wallet, cell phone, several GUs, a coulpe of power bars, sunglass case, brevet card, small camera, extra gloves and a map.
Acorn on top of that fits leg warmers, extra lights, rain jacket, rain pants.

It's hard to believe you had a sagging problem with those things in it. I could get everything you put into your Acorn, in my Tour Guide (plus a few other things) and I wouldn't hesitate to take it on a 5 month ride (except I don't do that anymore :)). I don't know; maybe mine is new and improved or something. :)

I don't know; maybe mine is new and improved or something. :)

:thumb::D

:thumb::D

Bless you. I thought we might have to meet and fight to the death. ;)

There is a handlebar made by Nitto that ends all the hassle of brifter conflict when handlebar bags are attached: http://www.jitensha.com/eng/nittorandbar.html

The biggest problem with the bag I now have and apparently other bags I've seen is that you can't mount a headlight to the bars, and there are no bags made anymore with a bracket on the front of the bag a light can attach to. The only thing you can do is mount the light to the fork which I would rather not because I prefer the higher light angle. Any ideas how a light can be mounted?

The only thing you can do is mount the light to the fork which I would rather not because I prefer the higher light angle. Any ideas how a light can be mounted?

I have 2 on the forks and the main (brighter) headlight on my helmet.

I have 2 on the forks and the main (brighter) headlight on my helmet.

I have a problem with headlight attached to a helmet that are large enough to throw light to see with well, that in case of an accident that the light could be jabbed through the helmet and into your skull. I actually read a news article a couple of years ago where a headlight on a helmet actually did that. Rare? Of course since I haven't heard of that before or since. I have a round flat shaped BLT 5 led helmet light that is fairly bright and you can see with it but it's not as bright as the 13 watt main light I have on the bar. I will end up eventually going with a dynamo set up with a fork mounted light that extends up when I get started in the long distance touring thing. In the meantime I was thinking of short tours and mounting the light I now have.

By the way I have a friend that does it your way.

There is a handlebar made by Nitto that ends all the hassle of brifter conflict when handlebar bags are attached: http://www.jitensha.com/eng/nittorandbar.html

The biggest problem with the bag I now have and apparently other bags I've seen is that you can't mount a headlight to the bars, and there are no bags made anymore with a bracket on the front of the bag a light can attach to. The only thing you can do is mount the light to the fork which I would rather not because I prefer the higher light angle. Any ideas how a light can be mounted?


Yes, the Topeak 'BarXtender'. It's already been mentioned and there are pics on this thread.
Here's another: http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e262/kowtaaia/Pictureswithscannerwizard112.jpg

P. S. If you can't or don't want to go underneath the bag, you can mount the Xtender so the lights are above the bag.

I was talking about the handlebar bag not the rear bag...but that was useful too, thanks.

Edit: silly me, I guess the extender works for handlebars too after looking at the web site.

I was talking about the handlebar bag not the rear bag...but that was useful too, thanks.

Edit: silly me, I guess the extender works for handlebars too after looking at the web site.

I took the opportunity to post a different picture. Just look at the front of the bike (and at the other pic (#17) on this thread).

I went back and scanned the other pics and saw what your talking about. The pic of the light mounted below the bag is done with the Topeak Extender? If so then that's what I'm looking for, something that can either go above or below the bag my option with buying just one thing.

Here is another photo (http://www.flickr.com/photos/9320902@N04/3384269668/) of that setup.

Here is another photo (http://www.flickr.com/photos/9320902@N04/3384269668/) of that setup.

Thanks for the photo. Would that bracket also work for larger front bags like the Acorn or Topeak? or is it strickly for smaller bags?

Thanks for the photo. Would that bracket also work for larger front bags like the Acorn or Topeak? or is it strickly for smaller bags?

#17 IS with the Topeak 'Tour Guide'. :)

#17 IS with the Topeak 'Tour Guide'. :)

Thanks for the comeback! :thumb:

Thanks for the comeback! :thumb:

Well, thank you for the "Inspired Bicycles" link. Absolutely bad ass! :thumb:

Thanks for the photo. Would that bracket also work for larger front bags like the Acorn or Topeak? or is it strickly for smaller bags?

If in doubt, mount it bar-wise as shown on their website downwards. That should (?) clear the bag.

Well, thank you for the "Inspired Bicycles" link. Absolutely bad ass! :thumb:

I'm an old man I wouldn't dare practice those stunts that guy did, nor do I think I had the coordination to pull off when I was younger. But man that guy has incredable bike handling skills I've never seen before and it just really impressed me, so I had to put in my sig area. I wonder how many bones he broke getting to that point? I shudder to think!!

Well, thank you for the "Inspired Bicycles" link. Absolutely bad ass! :thumb:

Yeah that was sweet. Flare off a tree! Awesome. My cousin Chris Gille (http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=3642693&categoryid=null) rides for Federal Bikes. He was in BMX Plus! magazine last month.

I'm an old man...

I'm getting there, myself. :)


...I wouldn't dare practice those stunts that guy did, nor do I think I had the coordination to pull off when I was younger. But man that guy has incredable bike handling skills I've never seen before and it just really impressed me, so I had to put in my sig area. I wonder how many bones he broke getting to that point? I shudder to think!!

I can jump a curb on a loaded bike, but I'd sure like to be able to jump over a high fence! ;)

Yeah that was sweet. Flare off a tree! Awesome. My cousin Chris Gille (http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=3642693&categoryid=null) rides for Federal Bikes. He was in BMX Plus! magazine last month.

What I really liked was that cop at the end. :)