Prowler 

I like having a handle bar bag since it's so handy for things (minimum phone and keys). Since I don't load it much the weight is not an issue but many stock set ups look funny to me. I prefer having the bag lower than most folks do. I've made my own rack for the Raleigh Professional.

The first couple of shots show the stock Cannondale rack for the Cannondale Trestle bag. These show that stock bracket without and with the bag.



I made a 'beta' rack that set the bag about 3 inches lower and liked it. It was too small and too close to the bar so I adjusted measurements and made the final from a 1/4 inch chrome plated rod I had stashed away. The next shot shows that one. From the side you can barely see the bracket. Next couple show it from the front and top. Next couple show the bag installed and the clearance over the tire. Works nicely.



The last shot shows the chrome bracket with the black 'beta' version behind it. On the 2x4 is the Cannondale bracket for contrast.



As with the stock bracket, these bags are more stable with the tension straps snug down to the wheel. They were intended to hook into the fender eyelets. My Raleigh is a USA model so there are no eyelets brazed on the forks. I made hooks to connect the bungee at the hub lock nuts on each side of the wheel. Clean set up.

Someone asked how I bent the rod. Well if you know someone in a similar situation, or if you are in a similar situation do it right with a proper rod bending tool. I don't have one and my work was not pretty. I have a 4" wide blacksmith's vice and used that alot but the process was ugly. Fortunately my work will be mostly hidden behind the handlebar and the bag itself.

Maybe this is an idea that's useful to someone else on the Forum.

pastorbobnlnh 

Great idea! I use a good number of old Cannondale handlebar bags and while I really like them, I agree they are high. If I need to run a headlight from the bars, this is not an option. Just curious, how long is the bar before bending it?

AZORCH

Y'know, I actually have a rack that does pretty much this exact same thing...i.e., holds the bag lower than the bars. I have no idea who made it, and it looks a little different than yours, but same concept. Mine bounces around quite a lot, so it sits in the bin most of the time. Curious to hear how your design works.

RobbieTunes

I use a Louis Garneau "Oxford" bag that hard-mounts about 1/2 way between his 3" drop and his high-mount C'Dale. I used to have the Cannondale, but it was bigger than I need. A lunch, or snacks and tablets for my water bottles fits in there, and I can carry the bag anywhere I want with the push of a button.

jeirvine 

Cool project. I really like the old Cannondale bags, and may have to give this mod a shot. Thanks.

ColonelJLloyd 

Nice work. I modified a VO rackaleur to sit lower than usual with a torch and a vice because I ride bikes with tall head tubes.

Prowler 

Thank you. As you can see from the 'beta' version I often just cobble up something to see if I can and if it will suit. I'm OK throwing out something that does not work out. Anyway the rod I used for the chrome version was about 3 feet long and was around 30 inches when finished. I started with the bend in the center then worked outwards, trying to match each side as a mirror of the other, then cut to length when done. If doing it again I would still start with more than needed. FYI: I've globbed some black Plasti Dip on those two cut ends. If that does not work out I'll buy 'thread protectors' for 1/4 inch bolts (most good hardware stores have those).

Prowler 

As I said, one key to these is the bungee cords hooked down near or on the axle. Those times I've forgotten to hook those in, my bag bounces too. I've also found that having the arms that slide thru the side sleeves tilted up a bit settles the bag back against the rear rods and stabilizes the bag too. Some bags have ties or clips that lock the bag to the rack. Mine ties to the rack. Helps too.

Try it. FYI I never leave the bungee cords hooked in when the bike is stored at the end of a day. Keeping them stretched all the time causes them to weaken and loose 'bunge' (or whatever it's called). I have a bag I bought in 1979 whose cords are as new.

Prowler 

Thanks. I like them too and was lucky to find one of the rare versions with the full leather side pouches. I think it was one of the earliest versions as the tie points for the bungee straps are steel D rings. They pretty quick changed to black plastic (Fastex??) ladder lock fittings.

Eric S.

That reminds me of the classic Kirtland Tour Pack. I really wish someone would resurrect that design for all of us to purchase.

I don't know what "model" it is, but I bought a Louis Garneau handlebar mount bag a couple years ago from Nashbar; on sale for $20. The bag itself is already very heavy, let alone when you put even a few items in it.

jimmuller 

That's nice work. I prefer a handlebar bag which doesn't use a rack, but if there must be one that is a great solution. (I hate the ones which clamp to the bar.)

delicious

Nice work! Those bags are the perfect size for a day out on the bike, and your rack looks so much nicer than the stock Cannondale support.

And those must be the 28c Paselas you mentioned in the other thread. Are they still working out for you? Would you mind posting a full shot of the bike with them? (Thinking about them for my Professional)

seedsbelize 

I also have that problem with Cannondale bags. I'll give it a whirl one of these days.

Prowler 

Thank you. Your bike inspired me. I posted a full shot recently in the New Classic Rigs and Rides sticky thread - post 1409. That should help with the thinking. I've rolled about 100 miles so far - all just perfect weather, no wet roads. So far, very good. This old man don't push tires much though so I can't help on their performance capabilities and where the envelopes are.

rootboy 

Great looking work, Prowler.

John E

Great rack. On my commuter I just used an off-the-shelf one with my cylindrical Bellwether bag.

delicious

Thanks @Prowler! It's looking great and glad to hear you're enjoying the ride.

jeirvine 

Wanna make another one? If so, lemme know the cost shipped to 21228. I ride 60- 64cm frames, so your final rack dimensions would do fine.

Prowler 

I agree. The Kirkland is the other handlebar bag I have (now on the 1980 Nikishi Int'l) and it is a well done design. I bought mine (yellow) in 1979 with my Motobecane Mirage (also still in the lineup) and its a great bag. IOW durable, versatile and easy to live with.

Prowler 

I'm flattered but, as I said, mine is sorta ugly upon close inspection since I don't have a rod bender. If I decide to buy one (Harbor Freight??) or make one I'll let you know. As you know, micro production is never cheap though. You could possibly take the photos to a local blacksmith and ask her.

The Golden Boy 

That is incredible!

I have a couple of the Cannondale handlebar bags- one of them has a bracket that the previous owner had bent to a goofy shape. I think the goal was to make the bracket narrower and lower, but it's just crappy. I've tried bending it back, but I don't want to make it worse. I had not considered making a different bracket.

Having the ability to use a handlebar mounted light is a huge plus. I've taken to mounting the light on the hooks or the drops, it works fine, I'd just rather have the light where it should be. I guess I would also have to keep in mind that I ride a 21" bike, and the headtube is going to be shorter- so if I don't have a rack or fenders I have to be aware of the bag dragging on the tire

Thank you for the idea and the template!!

Lascauxcaveman 

I've done some similar bar-bending with aluminum to make a front bag rack for a daypack, since I don't (yet) have any nice, large, randonee type luggage for any of my bikes. Nice thing about these, if you screw up and make some unusable bends, you're only out four or five bucks with the price of aluminum stock

Below, one small rack for smaller, lighter bags and one extra long one for use with a tall headtube or high stem:


And a medium one, in situ:


The bag in the photo is a giveway daypack with the bottom reinforced inside and out with two layers of thin plywood stapled together through the fabric. The backpack straps knotted around the headtube and handlebars are your anti-bounce reinforcement. It works so well and is so quickly removable I haven't yet bothered to invest in a more elegant solution. The back pack is still usable as a backpack, too, for those bike/hike days of summer.

jimmuller 

L-cman, that's pretty nice. One caution though. With every little bit you steer that strap will scratch the back of the HT. Really. If you can find a way to attach it to the fork crown it would be better.

badger_biker 

I've never seen one like that - very cool with the natural leather and canvas color. I have a couple and they have the black side pouches. Very nice job on the bracket and a great solution! My son likes to work with metal so I may have him attempt to make one.

I modified one of my Trestle bags with a thin alumininum stiffener instead of the standard foam core and pop riveted a Topeak quick release bracket to it. Now I can use it with the Topeak brackets I have on a couple of bikes and pop it on and off quickly. It still rides higher than I would like but stays open better with the stiffener. When I get home to access my pics I'll post them or start a new thread to share.

Prowler 

I've replaced the internal foam too. It was pretty sacked after all these years. I used a sheet of 2mm ABS plastic I had rat-packed away. Works nicely.

Please do post your photos. These Cannondale bags seem to hold up very well and I'm sure folks are looking for ideas.