Touring - Homemade handlebar bag

I didn't want to get rid of my aerobars, but was really starting to miss having a handlebar bag, so I decided to make one. It's pretty much cordura fabric, cloroplast and velcro.


My brother does a lot of silk screening, so I got him to put some stuff on my bag
http://www.angrysaki.com/upload/handlebarbag3.jpg


http://www.angrysaki.com/upload/handlebarbag4.jpg


I'm probably going to add more compartments, or things to hold specific items/tools, since I have a problem with my bags becoming a big mess. The center part opens too, but I guess I forgot to get a picture of that.
http://www.angrysaki.com/upload/handlebarbag5.jpg


I super want some STIs with internal cable routing, the derailleur cables aren't too much in the way, but they make it hard to get the bag on and off.
http://www.angrysaki.com/upload/handlebarbag1.jpg


http://www.angrysaki.com/upload/handlebarbag2.jpg


I still need to do a bit of work on the bag. I need to re-sew some parts of the bag when i have access to a good sewing machine (I had to do everything by hand because my sewing machine couldn't handle the thickness of the material).
I'd also like to think up a better system of straps to make it easier to get the bag on and off.
I'm also considering doing something about waterproofness, the material is waterrpoof, but not the design. I might just make a raincover for the whole thing that would sit on top of the aerobars.

Nice bag.

Man, now those are what you call 'drop bars'. :D

Those handlebars are crazy low,I hurt just thinking about riding it.

Well done on the bag though,thats a good design for aero bars.

That long steerer tube may be hazardous to your health.

The bars don't feel as low as they look because I've got my seat way forward in a TT position (although I'm planning on getting the head tube cut so I can try lowering them more :innocent:). I change all that when I go touring, eg. move the seat back and raise the handlebars, which is part of the reason I haven't cut my steerer tube.

I just noticed I didn't take a picture of the middle section open which i have dubbed the chip pocket (for holding open bags of chips), not that there's anything special about it.

Cool bag.

A side note - I noticed the funky curvature of your rear fender. How is it attached in the front? My bike doesn't have a chainstay bridge, so I had to zip tie the fender to the seat tube. It doesn't have the clearance I want that way, so I need to change it. Just wondering if you were facing a similar issue.

A few decades ago, handlebar bags usually hung from a steel frame that was cantilevered over the handlebars. To keep that frame from bouncing when you hit a bump, they usually had bunge cord from the bottom of the bag down to little hooks on the bunge cord that clipped onto something such as bolts in the fender eyelets. If your bag starts to move around in headwinds, you may need to do something like that.

154608

I wish they still made handlebar bags like that.

A few decades ago, handlebar bags usually hung from a steel frame that was cantilevered over the handlebars. To keep that frame from bouncing when you hit a bump, they usually had bunge cord from the bottom of the bag down to little hooks on the bunge cord that clipped onto something such as bolts in the fender eyelets. If your bag starts to move around in headwinds, you may need to do something like that.

154608

I wish they still made handlebar bags like that.

I still have my Eclipse bag, just as you described. I bought it in '87, seems like only a few years ago, I must be getting old.

A side note - I noticed the funky curvature of your rear fender. How is it attached in the front? My bike doesn't have a chainstay bridge, so I had to zip tie the fender to the seat tube. It doesn't have the clearance I want that way, so I need to change it. Just wondering if you were facing a similar issue.

I do have a chainstay bridge (it's an LHT), and that's what the fender is attached too. I didn't cut the main metal bars for the fender (not sure what they're called) when I installed them (I didn't realize you were supposed to), so i think that's why it's got a funny bend.

do have a chainstay bridge (it's an LHT), and that's what the fender is attached too. I didn't cut the main metal bars for the fender (not sure what they're called) when I installed them (I didn't realize you were supposed to), so i think that's why it's got a funny bend.

Gotcha.

nice bag... could i get the pattern?

nice bag... could i get the pattern?

I don't think you want it :P , but I could give you a general pattern if I had to make the bag again ;) (just say the word)

Not bad,it's nice to be able to sew what you need isn't it.

Not meaning to b*tch or anything but why the zippers on the outside? Just easier? If there's a next time,make the bag inside out,then turn it inside out,and everything will be hidden.

Good job!

I love it! LHT time trial bike. With trekking gearing.

This bike will certainly get you banned from the road forum.

nice!

You obviously have sewn other gear before.... show what else you hve made, please.


Robi

Not meaning to b*tch or anything but why the zippers on the outside? Just easier? If there's a next time,make the bag inside out,then turn it inside out,and everything will be hidden.

Yeah, it was just easier at the time. If I get access to a decent sewing machine I'm going to redo that stitching. (there's a good chance i'm going to try and redo parts of the bag to make it waterproof anyways, which would include the zippers. I just wanted to get a version of it done so i could try it out and see what I liked/didn't like.



You obviously have sewn other gear before.... show what else you hve made, please.

Hmm, the only other times I can remember sewing has for (http://www.angrysaki.com/Media/halloween2006/IMG_0205.jpg) halloween (http://www.angrysaki.com/Media/halloween2006/Cloak3/IMG_0197%20(Medium).jpg) decorations (http://www.angrysaki.com/Media/halloween2006/Cloak3/IMG_0198%20(Medium).jpg).

Brilliant! I wanted aerobars but the bag is in the way. I'm not skilled enough and too impatient to make something like this though. And yeah, not having a proper machine is a turnoff. I've sewn some webbing straps etc on a regular machine and it was hard. But I have to keep the idea in mind. Thanks for sharing!

Ah, it gave me an idea: two small bags back-to-back. My handlebar bag is too big and yeah, it ends up being a mess I have to dig through to find anything.

Adam

For a sewing machine that'll be able to go easily through the fabric you used, you could look for, say a 1950's Singer that are very tough; the old machine I'm borrowing right now from my brother can zip through 5 layers of 1000 cordura! Amazingly tough and cheap too.

And excellent work on the hooded figures! The first pic is pretty spooky...

I actually had a thread here (he he he...) regarding a sewing machine and as a result I'll look on eBay for an older industrial machine. They can be found under $100. Also, power is not the only problem, but getting into tight corners is another difficulty using standard machine.

BTW, what's "cloroplast" and how did you get the bag to be stiff?

BTW, what's "cloroplast" and how did you get the bag to be stiff?

It's the stuff that they make political signs out of, it's sort of like cardboard made out of plastic. I got mine at a sign shop but I hear you can get it free after any political race.

Nice job on the bag.

The steerer tube, on the other hand.... looks like a tracheotomy waiting to happen! :eek:

OK, since no else has asked, I feel I must- is there any significance to a periodic table in close proximity to the coffee maker? Are you creating new brews?

OK, since no else has asked, I feel I must- is there any significance to a periodic table in close proximity to the coffee maker? Are you creating new brews?

I agree, great idea on the bag. This comment is funny as heck! Please tell me there is a reason!

This comment is funny as heck! Please tell me there is a reason!

Just trying to add EPO to my daily coffee ;)


(I don't actually drink coffee very often, and the periodic table is a placemat for eating)

Just trying to add EPO to my daily coffee ;)


(I don't actually drink coffee very often, and the periodic table is a placemat for eating)

Hah! Great placemat too!

Garage sales are great sources of older sewing machines. Last year I upgraded to one that will zig zag for less than $5 USD.