Originally Posted by
max-a-mill
you might have considered this; but if you haven't let me warn you:
handlebar bags make a bike (at least my surly crosscheck) ride like shEEt imho. i used one for one three day epic ride and it was really frustrating. once your cruising it isn't terrible, but at low speeds and stopping/starting your bars flop around with all the weight way up there. my bike was constantly falling over while leaned on stuff it just kid of sucked especially once i got tired. it reminded me of a bad three stooges routine everytime we stopped.
i have since resigned myself to keep stuff just about anywhere else after that experience. now i use a frame bag instead and like it much better.
i have that nearly new ortlieb bag just collecting dust. let me know if your interested in it. i'd sell it real cheap as i have no use for it.
Yea that's definitely something to keep in mind. I use one, obviously, but some bikes are better suited to it than others. I hated my handlebar bag at first, but on this bike it works okay. I keep the load light.
I would frankly prefer a seat bag, but then I like having the map case and easy access to food the handlebar bag provides.