3speed

Does anyone know of any top tube bags that are waterproof and include a clear pocket on top for a map/cue sheet? The only one I can find seems to be a crappy thing direct from China, and doesn't seem waterproof(though it claims it is). There are no flaps over the zipper, so water could easily get in that way, and I doubt the seams are sealed. Any better options?

Here is that one.

bmike

timbuk2?

Timbuk2 Goody Box Top Tube Pack

bmike

nevermind... saw that you want waterproof.
only way to get that, really, is with a dry bag i would guess.
zippers can be water resistant, but i have never known one to be completely waterproof.

topeka makes this thing without a window:
TopeakŪ Cycling Accessories ? Products - Tri DryBag (2)

this one looks similar to the one you link to:
https://www.amazon.com/Weanas-Roswhee.../dp/B00D87ECUQ

banjo brothers:
Top Tube Bag | Banjo Brothers

this one is stem mounted:
Phone Pack, Bar-Top Mounted | Banjo Brothers

fietsbob

Sewing = making holes..


Pelican case Pelican 1030 Micro Case then modify the bottom of that to attach to the top tube

with, say, some Klick Fix hardware Rixen & Kaul, KLICKfix Adaptersysteme Fahrradzubehör, Solingen, Taschen, Körbe, Werkzeug

tarwheel 

I've got one of the Timbuk2 top tube bags and it is water resistant enough for my purposes. I got caught in a torrential downpour while riding with it on the C&O Canal last summer and don't recall my gear (including a camera) getting wet inside it.

djb

I wonder if it will just be easier to use a toptube bag that you like for size, zipper access etc etc, and then go with one of those "velcro-onto-the-handlebars" stand alone clear plastic map holder things. I've seen lots of people using these on supported rides where they have road bikes and don't want/need a true handlebar bag but want to have a map holder in front of them.

Added bonus is that they are light and have a much larger area for a larger section of map/cue sheet in it (compared to what I imagine is always going to be a smaller "window" on a toptube bag)

bikemig 

plastic bags help you organize things and keep everything dry; that way you can buy the bag that is otherwise best for your needs.

3speed

I'm thinking the waterproof bag by Giant/Topeak and then the cue sheet on the handlebar will end up winning out on this one. I'll try one of the cheapo ones from China and stop by REI or the bike shops and see if someone has a Timbuk 2, but I don't really see how it could be waterproof. Hopefully I'll feel differently once I have my hands on one. It would be nice to have a pocket on a bag like the Giant waterproof, but that doesn't seem to exist. ...Or maybe I'll get crazy and modify the Giant with a clear panel on top...

veganbikes

Timbuk2 isn't waterproof but the fabrics they use are highly water resistant and I imagine if you took a plastic bag such as one might find with a zip lock system you could put it over the Tb2 in rain to protect the zipper which isn't proofed and cover your map because the smartphone sleeve isn't sealed. I highly doubt you really need a fully waterproof toptube bag unless you plan on riding through water on some paddle bike submarine type of thing (which would be awesome). If you really did need fully waterproof go with the Topeak Tri Dry bag and have a bigger map/cue sheet holder.

I mean there is always gear that doesn't exist that maybe should and maybe this is one but I think the Tb2 goody bag is pretty good. I know we have carried them in our shop and I considered it but just haven't really needed it for my touring needs.

3speed

Whatever I end up with, I do want waterproof. My phone and camera will be in there. I ride in the rain a decent amount when home, and I spent probably 2 weeks riding in the rain on my last tour and was definitely grateful my panniers were waterproof. My friend didn't have waterproof fronts and was cursing them constantly. We'd have a dry day, he'd finally get his stuff dried out, and the next day it would rain and it would start all over again. And I'd rather just have waterproof than deal with rain covers or plastic bags. That's just another thing you have to pack in the bag, too.

bmike

I'm a fan of drybags for all essential gear. You can unpack in the wet, and repack with little worry. You can transfer phone and camera to a pocket to run into a store in a downpour and not worry. And you can access different gear more efficiently depending on how you pack.

But I use bikepacking bags and not panniers.

3speed

I'm a fan of drybags too. My Arkel Dry-Lights are basically light panniers/heavy duty drybags. I have a few drybags that I use for organization and keeping wet gear separate in my larger front panniers.