Road Fan

Has anyone tried the new Minnehaha canvas handlebar bag, from Velo Orange? It comes set up for Klik Fix, but looks like it's adaptable for a front bottom support with decaleur. Price is attractive, at $85.

What about the new SackVille front bar bag from Rivendell? It seems to require their handlebar support and not be readily adaptable to a decaleur, but has very nice features and finish. More pricey, however, even without the 'bar support.

What do you think about these bags?

barturtle

Neither of those bags need a decaleur, which is basically a device to help hold upright a rack mounted bag. These mount much higher.

Personally I quite like my Acorn Handlebar Bag, no big brackets to mount, just some leather straps.

Road Fan

Yes, I was talking about the possibility of adapting one to use a decaleur. I have no use for a 'bar bag. My bike does not handle well with one. But my first question is impressions of quality and workmanship.

Plus I'm trying to spend a lot less than the price of an Acorn, Berthoud, or Zugster.

barturtle

If you've got cantis or v-brakes, it's hard (for the price) to beat the Nashbar Front Bag and matching mini-rack. At one point or another I've had it mounted on all my bikes. I can even unzip and reach into the pockets while riding.

If you're running one of the bigger front racks, like the Surly Nice or Jandd Extreme, you could use any of a variety of rack trunks mounted up front, many of which can be pretty reasonably priced.

Road Fan

I have sidepulls and a Nashbar mini-rack. I'm adapting an old Rhode Gear 'bar bag, but it's never been easy to get into because of the zipper top.

MTBMaven

If you haven't already take a look a the Boxy Rando Bag from Acorn. I use mine with a VO decaleur and love it. Keep in mind that Acorn's monthly orders fill up in a few hours at the beginning of each month. So get up early when they start taking order and get your order in. Amazing stuff made in the Los Angeles area by a husband and wife team of riders.

Road Fan

Ok, so basically there's no experience with the bags I'm asking about.

unterhausen

I don't think I would be happy with something I had to adapt. The Minihaha does look like a traditional rack mount front bag, too bad there isn't any flexibility in mounting. I suppose you could get a custom rack to adapt to the klik fix, but that would cost more than the bag.

bmike

why not just spend $20 more than the minnehaha and get the VO chamgagne bag...?
No screwing around required.

unterhausen

I hate to encourage wasting money, but a bag like that is going to last for a very, very long time. As I always say about my tool collection, you're still living with the quality of the tool long after your wife forgets how much it cost.

Road Fan

Hmmm, so Bmike and Unter recommend just going for the Campagne? not a bad thought, since it is designed for a bottom support and a decaleur.

Road Fan

so Bmike and Unter seem to be recommending just going with a satisfactory rack/dec bag, the Campagne, rather than redesigning the Minnehaha. Seems reasonable.

Road Fan

Re-reading this thread, Unter, you have got the flavor of the situation perfectly!!!

I just about finished getting my improvised Rhode Gear front bag mounted with a headset decaleur, so once the rain stops I can see if this hare-brained idea even works with my Woodrup. If so, it's Campagne time!

I'm still interested if anyone has tried a Minnehaha boxy front bag.

CliftonGK1

I'll throw a 3rd vote for the Campagne. A few riders with the Seattle Randos have them, so I've gotten a chance to check them out in person, and they're really nice bags. Compare to a Berthoud Luxe 9L bag for size. (the VO bag is 1.5cm deeper front-to-back and 1cm wider, but the same height). The VO bag has flat pockets on the sides, rather than buckle closure pockets like the Berthoud if that makes a difference.

Phil85207

In no way am I a weight weenie, BUT, that thing looks like its heavy.
Al that leather is nice if I had a motorcycle.

bmike

they are all relatively heavy.
you need to do a calc of weight of bag / cu in of stuff carried factored by convenience of it all being upfront right in front of you...

Road Fan

Hmm, not even I want to deal with that math model! Just imagine this crew trying to reach consensus on the quantification of convenience -- shudder!

Six jours

Note the guy claiming not to be a weight weenie is also bragging about his Felt AR4 with Mavic Super light Premium wheels.

FWIW, there's a fellow out in Seattle who's been setting course records on a 30+ pound bike. Weight doesn't seem high up on the list of things that matter to a randonneur.

For the OP, have no personal experience with the bags you mention, but I ride with several people using the Riv bag. They appear to me to be good quality -- but I add my voice to those saying it is a poor idea to try to adapt such a bag for use on a decaleur. And I'll up the "Buy once cry once" ante by pointing out that the VO bag isn't nearly the quality of the Berthoud bag -- and that's coming from a guy who's a big fan of VO in general. I have a garage full of bags that led up to my purchase of the Berthoud. None were satisfactory, and I'd have saved myself a lot of money by buying the best right off the bat.

Homeyba

Weight is not a issue for a guy strong enough to set course records but it might be to someone struggling to make control cut-offs...

CliftonGK1

I've noticed that the more likely culprit for excess weight is what's in the bag, rather than the bag itself.

Road Fan

Phil, I''m new to this long distance world, but as far as I can tell, that leather and canvas are about function and durability, not style.

Six jours

I imagine one cold make a functional bag out of some superlight cloth material, maybe with carbon stays for rigidity, and some kind of waterproof coating. It would doubtless save a lot of weight.

But then, as Clifton notes, after the five Powerbars, the three packets of Gu, the spare tube, spare tire, tool kit, patch kit, cell phone, wallet, car keys, and what ever other detritus finds its way into the average randonneur's bag, you have to question whether the weight of the bag is worth sweating over.

Without meaning to be rude, Phil impresses me as fairly new to the LD scene, with ideas garnered from the racer-boy set; ie. you have to have a 15 pound bike if you want to be with-it. I imagine a bit more real-world LD experience will show him that those ideas are not universal.

Phil85207

You are not rude at all and are 100% correct that I fairly new to the LD scene. I have done lots of centuries and have found myself as one of the very few who carry a handlebar bag. I use a fanny pack that I attach to the bars. I still can't see the idea of carrying any unnecessary weight though.
And about the new bike. I got it after a long (107 day) absence due to a health issue. I came to know just how fragile a persons health really is, and I decided to get it. One of the things on my bucket list was to have a really nice bike. The difference between this bike and my last one made me realize that, on the long haul weight seems to matter more than I thought. It may be caused by my weakened condition from being off the bike for so long, or just only in my mind, but it sure seems that way. That bag looks like it weighs 5 or 6 lbs. I can't help but think I would rather not carry the extra weight.

Road Fan

Saving weight is a great principle, but I've found if I compromise function too much, I'm very unhappy. But it's fine if our priorities differ.

I haven't weighed a similar bag, but 5# sounds way too high of an estimate. I have a Six-Way front and shoulder bag in very heavy canvas with leather reinforcements, and it weighs about 20 ounces (just weighed it).