Touring - good handlebar bag under $40 (USD)?

I've looked around, but still haven't come to a conclusion... is there a good, fairly cheap handlebar bag that you guys like to tour with? Do some of them mount on the top-bar side and face you (rather than mount on the front-tire side)?

I was looking at the sunlite fortress (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270574925993&hlp=false&rvr_id=153735369854&crlp=1_263602_304652&UA=W2F%3F&GUID=3354c76f1290a0e203b0e630feeaaac4&itemid=270574925993&ff4=263602_304652), mainly because it's waterproof and the map compartment is cool. Any experiences with this or similar ones? I'm on a straight-bar MTB...

That bag loks like it will be a hassle to open while riding.

whoa, yeah! It's opening looks kind of difficult for on the ride accessing, but probably more waterproof than most handlebar bags out there. If the mounting system is ok, then I would think it's a decent purchase considering the price. Realistically though, I'm not fishing for things in my bag that often, so maybe it wouldn't be such a hassle. I normally stop to snap pictures and could see the peace of mind of your electronics being safe if a storm came rolling through. I'd say look at the reviews of that bag, if they're decent then go for it!

for straight bars?

I'd rather have something like this http://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FMBHP with a small dry bag/compression sack strapped under the bars. While that waterproof bag looks like it could hold a lot it's attached with a bracket extending weight further forward and high. Not exactly the best location for good handling and the method of getting stuff will only happen while stopped.

2 Jandd's on sale. For 5$ the 4 is a great bag.

http://www.jandd.com/search_results.asp?txtsearchParamTxt=&txtsearchParamCat=10&txtsearchParamType=ALL&txtsearchParamMan=ALL&txtsearchParamVen=ALL&txtFromSearch=fromSearch&iLevel=1

I have this bag... http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m570&_nkw=Avenir+Excursion+2.0+Handlebar+Bag
Great price here... even $10 cheaper than I got it and $20 than found elsewhere... Absolutely waterproof so far (thru numerous rain storms this summer).

Look at the local charity shop, you might find something that will work with a few modifications for a couple bucks .

can you sew?

Drmweaver, that's exactly the link I was hoping for, thank you!!! :)

Yeah, thanks a lot! You can't beat that price. It looks like a good bag, I bought one just now :D

Look at the local charity shop, you might find something that will work with a few modifications for a couple bucks .

can you sew?

I suggest taking an army surplus bag, (http://www.google.com/search?client=ubuntu&channel=fs&q=map+bag+surplus&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8#q=map+bag+surplus&hl=en&safe=off&prmd=ivs&source=univ&tbs=shop:1&tbo=u&ei=Deu4TPefGYy4sAOXrbn2Dg&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CC8QrQQwAg&fp=6b353df19b06cafa) putting in a stiff liner, and resting it in a cheap front rack. (http://www.nashbar.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10053&catalogId=10052&productId=167593) Follow Bobs advice, sew it a bit until it fits your need, and it will be great. I've lost track of the thousands of miles I've put on mine.

Topeak makes a nice bag and the mounting system is strong and doesn't wobble. Not waterproof, but it that is needed one could store items inside plastic bag.

http://www.treefortbikes.com/product/333222342189/398/Topeak-Tour-Guide-Handlebar.html

Try here: http://www.bikemania.biz/Handlebar_Bags_s/359.htm

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/19308-010_SETHB9-2-Accessories-24-Bags/Sette-Quest-Handlebar-Bag.htm

I suggest taking an army surplus bag, (http://www.google.com/search?client=ubuntu&channel=fs&q=map+bag+surplus&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8#q=map+bag+surplus&hl=en&safe=off&prmd=ivs&source=univ&tbs=shop:1&tbo=u&ei=Deu4TPefGYy4sAOXrbn2Dg&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CC8QrQQwAg&fp=6b353df19b06cafa) putting in a stiff liner, and resting it in a cheap front rack. (http://www.nashbar.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10053&catalogId=10052&productId=167593) Follow Bobs advice, sew it a bit until it fits your need, and it will be great. I've lost track of the thousands of miles I've put on mine.

exactly, I tried those big cantilevered handlebar bags a few times and they just didn't feel right for high speed riding down mtns.

This is an old thread, but I just wanted to warn people that this Avenir Excursion 2.0 QR bag is absolutely not waterproof, as my smartphone and ipod can attest after being blasted this weekend on tour!! I took the bag home and did some testing in case I had not zipped it up correctly, and it's definitely defective. In light of the pool of water that accumulates in the bag (presumably through the zipper seams as the material is clearly waterproof), you'd be better off leaving its contents out in a rainstorm than keeping them in the bag. The link in the thread is dead but here (http://reviews.bikewagon.com/product-reviews/Bike-Accessories/Bags/Handlebar-Bags/p/8879831-Avenir-Excursion-2-0-QR-Waterproof-Bike-Handlebar-Bag.html) is a similar one.

It's a nice bag, it mounted easily, and I'm sure it's "water resistant," but not waterproof, which is a shame because of the needlessly heavy material (Tarpaulin?). If you own this bag and plan to get it wet, bring along a grocery bag.

Velo Orange has a hang off the stem front bag rack to adapt a whole lot of stuff,

or even put a basket on, a few stuff sacks and you are set to go.

I got a Klick Fix bar bag mount, and one of their wire supports,
and even the 70's Eclipse HB bag has a new life..