tpelle

I have a great big honkin' bag (can't remember what brand) that slips on to a bracket that u-bolts to the handlebars. Fits very securely. I use it to carry a lunch, and my rain jacket and helmet cover when it's threatening rain, plus it's a convenient place to carry my wallet, cell phone, digital camera, etc. When I bought it, I was thinking about commuting (but then I learned that my company was relocating about an additional 10 miles farther away, so that's pretty much out of the question now) and figured I could maybe carry a change of clothes. It does have a transparent flap on it, under which you could place a map if you were on a tour.

In the winter it's kind of nice because you can place your hands on to the tops of the bar behind the bag, and they are shielded from the wind.

It's heavy, so it makes the bike difficult to lean against anything, as it causes the front wheel to turn sideways and roll out from under the bike. If I'm going to lean the bike against anything, I release the bag from its bracket and sit it on the ground next to the bike.

rallykid

I have used the cheap Bell bag from Chinamart and it works fine for my purposes. I have used it for about 5 years with no problems. It holds all of my stuff and has held up fine. I have a small trunk bag I keep a patch kit, multi tool, zip ties etc in. My bar bag carries my cell phone, my blackberry, a couple of power bars, poncho, small first aid kit and couple of extra Glock magazines. Even on rough terrain it doesn't bang around and doesn't leak when it rains.

Of course I am a little more frugal rider, hence the Trek 3700 and not the 9.9

martianone

SBW:
Think i got it from some guy on BF whose wife (or GF) makes these in california,
search BF for "Acorn Bag". It has actually worked out pretty well, a good size for
a wallet and phone.

tpelle

So, another weight weenie, huh?

Just kiddin'.

rallykid

Yup, that is why I only carry one of my Glocks when I bike, Polymer is lighter than steel.

jens5

After trying Ortleib, Arkel and almost everything I can think of, I went back to my old Kirtland Tour HB bag that has a U shaped support that fits over the bar's and is easily removable. Rock solid and no ugly plastic support that stays on your bars.
The older Kirtlands can sometimes be found on E-Bay.

Richard

Siu Blue Wind

Thanks for the suggestions, tips and comments, everyone!

Michel Gagnon

What do you want the handlebar bag for ?

I use one, mostly as a camera case. It's the large Arkel handlebar bag, padded with the Ortlieb Camera insert, and it conveniently carries a SLR camera, a telephoto, my reading glasses, money and maps.


Things I like

– Very sturdy. Tough enough that the bag survived a fall down a small cliff and neither the bag nor the camera were affected.

– Very stable. Compared to my old (1980 vintage) handlebar bag with minimal framing, I hardly feel its effect on steering. Typically, if everything is well set so it can't move, I only notice it for 1-2 minutes after installing it.

– Easy on, easy off. The two clamps are hard to install (you almost need four hands), but once they are installed, installing or removing the bag takes 2 seconds. Useful most of the time, because when I tour, I'll take the handlebar bag with me inside.

– It has hard sides but a soft bottom, so that the camera is suspended like in a hammock. Considering our famous potholes, that's a worthy feature.

– With the Ortlieb Camera Insert (added 2 years afterwards), nothing moves, so the camera body isn't scratched; besides, retrieving and storing back the camera takes a few seconds. The way the Arkel is designed, the Camera insert is not essential, but it's faster than wrapping one cloth around the camera to prevent scratches. I would not use a camera insert if I were using a small point & shoot camera.

– The various pockets are a nice place to carry the folded maps, notes paper, a small calculator, sunscreen...

– If you like a bag that sits high, the brackets are designed in such a way that the bag is a few inches away from the handlebar. It means you can ride on the tops without feeling cramped between the bar and the bag, and that you could also install auxiliary brake levers.


So-so appreciation

– Not waterproof; the rain cover is very effective, but it means that I am less tempted to open the bag when it rains. (I probably would not open it much in a downpour anyways, but might do so more in a drizzle.)

– A bit heavy. The bag weighs 1,4 kg, vs 0,7 kg for the Ortlieb Ultimate 5 Large. Not a problem on the bike, but not as much fun when I carry the bag for a long time off the bike.


Not to my liking

– Apart from the shoulder strap, I have added a very short one so I can carry the bag in my hand. I generally prefer hand carrying, except when I take photos. Adding that strap was a short sewing project.

– The map case seems good, but I find that the opening is just a bit smaller than the way most typical maps are folded around here. I may be a little picky about my maps, but I like to read them mostly unfolded. So, I don't use the map case at all.

– The "blinker hook" (just below the Arkel tag in front) weights nothing, but is a useless gimmick.


A modification I have done

I may be old fashioned, but I like my handlebar bag to sit low. Since I ride a tall bike (single 25" – 63,5 cm) with high handlebars, I have added a second stem that allows me to install the handlebar bag lower. (I have since replaced the lower stem with a shorter one pointing down, so the bag is yet 15 mm lower).

With that modification, the bag clears both my generator-operated headlights and any headlight I would like to install on the handlebars. I'm not sure a modification like that could be done on a tiny frame: one can lower the bag only so much before it hits the wheel!


Arkel, Ortlieb or MEC ?

I have seen these other two contenders "live" only after I had bought the Arkel bag. I did not like the MEC bags and I'm not sure whether I would like the Ortlieb bag: it's lighter, but I'm not sure how effective its padding is on our bumpy roads.

Update

I have added two pictures showing the bag with a 35-mm reflex camera and telephoto lens in it.

dobber

Handlebar bags done right

Siu Blue Wind

Wow, thank you for that informative write up, Michel Gagnon!

I was hoping to use the bag for a small camera, some snacks, a windbreaker and other such necessities. It would be used mostly for day trips and recreational, no touring or anything like that. I'd like it to be easily removable, and be able to carry comfortable with the strap.

I haven't had the chance to actually go see/touch/feel any bags yet - my days off vary. I'll have to go at the end of the week, my next time off.

Dobber, that set up looks great! Nice and sturdy!

Michel Gagnon

You're welcome.

I have added a couple of photos above. If your camera is small (like the Nikon CoolPix 200 a friend has), a smaller handlebar bag would be plenty.

Siu Blue Wind

That bag seems to be real nice! But I have a little point and shoot Canon SD Powershot 950IS. I kind of like the Topeak Compact bag, I have a feeling that might be something I can use. I was just curious if it would sag or spin down with the handle bar mount.

onbike 1939

I have one and it doesn't sag or spin down at all. However I find it is just too small and with the built-in waist strap I feel it is over-engineered. All in all I gave up on it and found the compact Ortlieb which is just as narrow but deeper and fits well with STIs.