Arkel big bar bag: Suitable for 6/12 pack?
03-05-09, 09:30 PM
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Arkel big bar bag: Suitable for 6/12 pack?
What do y'all think? Is an arkel handlebar "big" bag suitable for either/both of these most necessary of items?
I saw one on craigslist for $40 so it seems a good deal, but really all I want is for a couple heavy grocery items (eg. gallon of milk or 6-pack) to sit up front. I may eventually use it for touring as well. Dimensions seem like they just *might* hold a twelve pack. If so, I'm sold.
Thoughts?
I saw one on craigslist for $40 so it seems a good deal, but really all I want is for a couple heavy grocery items (eg. gallon of milk or 6-pack) to sit up front. I may eventually use it for touring as well. Dimensions seem like they just *might* hold a twelve pack. If so, I'm sold.
Thoughts?
03-05-09, 09:47 PM
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Unless your bike has a very slack steering angle and lots of trail, the weight would make steering control very dodgy. Restrict the front bag to stuff like maps, folding money, candy and cigarettes
03-05-09, 10:02 PM
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Even with just a 6-pack you think it'd be too dodgy? I'm guessing it'd definitely be so with a 12 pack, but might be okay on the way *TO* a party... I'm riding a 1971 Schwinn Super Sport with Nitto Promenade Handlebars. Pretty standard classic road geometry.
03-06-09, 09:36 AM
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My small Arkel bar bag might fit a gallon or six pack depending on container shape. But as mentioned, I wouldn't want to do it. The Arkel bracket projects the weight out there a bit making for some leverage on the front end.
03-06-09, 05:58 PM
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Ditto - I have a Big Bar Bag on a 2nd stem. I would not want to put anything heavy in it due to impact on steering and tendency of bars to flop over when parked.
If you want to carry beer -- I'd use a front or rear rack with a platform.
If you want to carry beer -- I'd use a front or rear rack with a platform.
03-06-09, 07:11 PM
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Weight up high on any bike is going to make the steering feel a bit "floppy", no matter what the steering angle and fork trail. That's why I'm not a big fan of actual handlebar mounted bags, or certain baskets which mount up high at the handlebar.
Even with a steeper head tube and low trail, a "handlebar" bag or front rack which is mounted low to the wheel (Velo-Orange Porteur, CETMA, Nitto M12) is going to keep the center of gravity lower and closer to the head tube, and not affect the steering to the point of feeling like you're fighting to stay on track.
I use a platform rack mounted front bag on a Cross Check, and routinely load over 8 pounds of junk into it. Not once have I felt off kilter, even when riding no-hands.
I'm putting a CETMA 7-rail (11 x 17 platform) front rack on my utility bike so I can load 40+ pounds of junk on the front and skip taking my panniers for 3-bag grocery runs.
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