Originally Posted by
Kotts
FYI: I don't generally like handlebar bags, particularly with a lot of weight in them. The mass at the handlebars makes the handling feel sluggish. Personally I prefer a rear rack and rack trunk or panniers for commuting. It doesn't seem to change the handling of the bike as much. Some rear racks are "quick release" you you can easily pull the rack when you don't want it.
YMMV, but I thought it would be worth mentioning.
Unless you can keep the weight low to the wheel, frontbags are nothing but steering nuisances. My favourite is my Berthoud GB28; 12L capacity and I can fit everything I need for a 400k into this sucker. For the work week, I can fit clothes and lunch, and leave a pair of shoes at work. The issue you'd face is that it requires a rando-style front rack and should have a decaleur to stabilize it at the top; so even though the bag is an easy-off design, there's still mounting parts attached to the bike.
Check out how everyone in this pic has theirs mounted, so the top of the bag is even with or below the bars tops, and the bag is almost sitting on top of the fender (literally, the racks have a mounting point for the front fender; that's how low you should have them.)
