A couple of years ago my employer gave us all some 6-pack sized fabric coolers with an internal plastic tub. I think it would be a great handlebar bag with the carrying strap removed and I bet you could find something very similar in pink or purple.

Here's something similar

I'm sure I could [MENTION=326413]darth[/MENTION]_Lefty, but I'm looking for something stylish. It's not usually my thing, but on this bike, it apparently is. Go figure.

I don't mean this in a condescending way, but one way to deal with that is to use whatever you can until you can afford what you'll want to have in the end. People use disposable plastic shopping bags lashed to their handlebars. It's not ideal, but it mostly works. My main advice is not to get the mediocre bags, because you spend real money, and after a year, you might realize you should have gotten the good one. A handlebar bag can be an investment like the bike. A good one can stick with you for a long time.

Oh, I understand [MENTION=152773]noglider[/MENTION]; as someone said about Ortleibs, buy 'em and cry once. The Road Runner bag is very nice, and only ludicrous expensive, not plaid expensive. :D

One can sure get bogged down in those boggy rivers. :eek:

Perhaps time to go to those Electronic Harbors. :foo:

I've been pretty happy with my Axiom Stormfront panniers (Craigslist purchase). So, when a Stormfront front bag (red) popped up on that harbor site, I snagged it.

I still haven't put it to use yet. But, it should compliment the rears (although red vs yellow). It should be reasonably waterproof, and comes with a map pocket (does anybody ever use those anymore?)

This is a very well-made bag. My buddy has one. It doesn't play well with an out-front GPS mount, but otherwise, nice design and very high quality. comes in purple, but you should consider the leopard print :)
https://www.outershelladventure.com/shop/handlebar-bag

eric/fresno, ca.

Nice rando bags! And while I do enjoy the leopard print, I'm more of a galaxy print kinda gal. :)

If you wanted to go the compromise-route and buy a cheaper bag until you can afford something more expensive, i picked this one up a few weeks ago on sale for $32. Still, the reg. $40 price is good. It won't hold as much as my Revelate Designs Egress which can store snacks, arm warmers, an extra set of winter gloves, a lightweight jacket and much more, but this little bag is also very nicely designed, great quality and though black, works really well.
https://www.chromeindustries.com/pro...ag/AC-173.html

The designer explains the design. You'll noticed that Outershell Drawstring bag i linked above is shown in this video at the beginning: https://vimeo.com/320347361

Here is a page with links to many bag manufacturers. most offer a handlebar bag design. Bike Bag Finder | Riding Gravel

eric/fresno, ca.

This whole thread has gotten me thinking of learning to sew, spending like $10 on raw materials from the Joann Fabrics down the street, and making myself the perfect bag.

True. I went the cheap route for a half-frame bag. $15 on Amazon. I found it was lacking a few features the better bags offered. Something as simple as not being able to unzip it one-handed while riding because of the flimsy material drove me batty.

eric/fresno, ca.

There was a guy from Detroit that used to show up here a few years after I did that got an industrial sewing machine and made some awesome (and huge) saddlebags out of heavy duty canvas much like Andy Goldfine did when he started making functional motorcycle clothes out of Cordura. The bags looked pretty cool, and he had some pictures he took when he went camping with some old school camping equipment. I'm sure these pictures are buried somewhere in the backpages here.

[MENTION=421867]Korina[/MENTION], any luck?

I have used a home sewing machine to sew things in Cordura , just need a sharp needle..

Oh, I'm in no rush; I might waffle for weeks. But I will post pics here when I HTFU and buy it. Or something.

We're all curious now and will want to see pictures....

Of course. :thumb:

Yeah, you can't have a black bag on that

I'm usually against yellow, but YELLOW! call it marigold!

eric/fresno, ca.

Nice!! There are times now when I look at my bike and think of all the stuff I've bought and added over the years it gives me a lot to think about - and about how much I'd have to remove now to get back to the way it looked when I got it. Who would have known I'd need a rack trunk half full of tools/supplies/spare parts/balaclavas etc... back then? Certainly not the childhood version of me that used to take off on epic adventures with my friends without any of the things I take with now.

Beautiful bike!

I think a black bag would work well on the bike actually. It already has a black seat, and levers, and the bag would tie it together.

True, but the whole bike would look better with stainless levers and a pink seat. And pink pedals and bottle cages. And grips, but I think the castilian pink cork tree is extinct now

YES. pink pedals (are those Chesters? they don't come in pink), seat, silver anodized levers AND seat post. what about the cable housing?

I love purple, but you can't overwhelm it too much, you need complimentary colors for vibrancy :)

eric/fresno, ca.

Sweet! Let's spemd all her money! :lol:

It's what I do best for ALL my friends :roflmao:

eric/fresno, ca.