So I'm not sure this subforum is a real good fit for this, but since you guys are always so helpful, I figured I'd start here.

Anyway, I have a Nashbar Handlebar Bag and I do like it. It was cheap and works nicely to keep essentials (read: snacks) nearby. What bothers me is that it's constantly hanging straight down and is difficult to reach the zippers when this happens. Does anyone have any suggestions for keeping it level without installing a second stem to hold it in place?

First, pictures would be helpful in this case. Also, what kind of set up do you have -- handlebars, brakes, levers, fork, etc?

There are a few different options. Most of the higher-end bags (Giles Berthod, Rivendell Baggins, Carradice) use some sort of rack underneath to set the bottom of the bag on. The Nashbar looks shorter/smaller than those, so maybe go with tension cords from the front corners to the brake levers to pull the bag out a bit -- a bit like the Rivendell Candybar bag. Surf the retro-grouch websites like wallbike.com or rivbike.com or velo-orange.com and you'll get an idea for how the smaller bags can be secured.

Or maybe if it has a hard plastic back inside then drill some holes and put U-bolts through it to tighten it onto the handlebar (with tube pieces underneath) and keep it from rotating forward?

I have this bag attached to a Surly LHT with Nitto Randonneur bars. It continually wants to rotate downward, with the bag falling back onto the headbadge of the bike. This picture shows the bag as I'd like it to sit:




The U-bolt idea might just work, as it does have a hard plastic back/lining to it. I suppose a downside to doing that would be that it would end up sitting a little high on the bars and wouldn't allow me to use the top of the bars while riding (at least it would partially block the bars).

I can try to get some pictures later today, but hopefully you get the idea.

Well with cantilever brakes on a LHT, this might be a good... Nashbar front rack

edit: Just don't sit it the shifter levers like in that picture!

Carradice and Ortleib use Rixen and Kaul style QR bag mount.
There are some illustrations of the very effective anti-sag cable fitting here

Hmm...that might work, although I imagine that it might end up sitting quite low on top of my wheel like a normal front rack and the bag might be a little more out of reach. I suppose for $13, it might be worth a try.

ODH, you have a PM.

In the picture, looks like Nashbar uses the brake cable to support the front of the bag. That's a new idea.