DirtRoadRunner

Does anyone have recommendations for a reasonably priced front rack and handlebar bag? I would like a ~1,000 cubic inch bag that mounts to the top of a front rack. Something like the VO Campange bag , but in synthetics, would be nice. Most bags like this seem to be canvas and very expensive - I would prefer something in the $50-75 range that is a lighter-weight synthetic.

I'll be using this for winter rides on my Space Horse, on both gravel and pavement. I currently have a 500 cubic inch Avenir bag, which is fine for summer riding, but it is just too small to hold food, a water filter, a first aid kit, and extra clothing on winter rides. I much prefer a front or handlebar bag for this type of riding (over a trunk bag, frame bag, or panniers) as I can easily stop and get stuff out of the handlebar bag without having to fully dismount from the bike. This is a big time saver when taking clothing layers on an off.

thebulls

Synthetics don't last as long and lose their waterproofness faster. That's why canvas is such an excellent material for handlebar bag. Weight difference is not significant. As to 1000 in^3, that's double the size of the Campagne bag. Even the biggest bar bag I know of, the Gilles Berthoud 28, is only 780 in^3.

For winter riding, I use a GB28 combined with either a Carradice Pendle or a Carradice Lowsaddle Longflap.

As to a rack, that depends what kind of bike you're attaching it to. I have a VO rack on my Burley Duet tandem, a "Mark's Rack" front rack on my Gunnar Sport, and a Nitto 32F Campee rack on my Soma Grand Randonneur.

ThermionicScott 

1,000 cubic inches is twice the volume of the handlebar bag I used on PBP, too. Like Nick, I'd suggest splitting your load between the front and rear if you need to carry that much stuff (are you really going to be accessing your first aid kit a lot while riding? ) Things like spare tubes, patch kit, spoke wrench, etc, I figure I'll be stopped when I need to use them, so they go in the back, too.

RR3

I have synthetic panniers and handlebar bags that are over 30 years old.

thebulls

Yeah, I guess it's not that synthetics don't last as long, it's that they are not waterproof for as long. I have a Lowe daypack that I bought in the early 80's that's still going fine, and I still have the Trailwise backpack that I bought in 1973. But neither has been waterproof for a very long time. It used to be that you could buy urethane to re-coat things but I think environmental concerns took that off the market. Do you know of any substitute?

Waxed canvas is easy to re-waterproof. You just buy some Carradice wax dressing and warm it up and then rub it in to the canvas. I suspect that parrafin from your local craft store would work just about the same for 1/10 the price.

Nick

Carbonfiberboy 

Modern synthetic fabrics are pretty amazing. Ortlieb panniers and bags have quite a reputation for waterproofness. I have a set of waterproof synthetic panniers. I have no idea of how the fabric was made, but it's Nylon ripstop, doesn't appear to be coated, is extremely durable and totally waterproof. While light for a pannier, it's much heavier and stiffer stuff than one would see in a tent or clothing. There are many good materials out there.

unterhausen

I have some panniers from the '70s that stink (I think that was the waterproofing breaking down) and the waterproofing has finally almost sloughed off. Which is good, because that stuff was annoying. OTOH, I don't expect my Ortlieb commuting pannier to ever do that, it's fundamentally different fabric. I have some synthetic fabric that seems to be very similar to the Ortlieb stuff, but I can't get around to sewing anything right now.

iTrod

I have been happy with the Arkel large handlebar bag, but only have a few months experience. Have been on three wet 200 km rides with main compartment remaining dry. Cost is high at $190. Capacity is less than you a may want at 615 cu. in. And you need metal handlebars, but no rack is needed. It sits high, so I run lights underneath. Good luck!