MyBikeGotStolen

Does anyone use a handlebar bag? I have looked at alot of pictures of peoples bikes in the commuting forums and I noticed that noone seemed to have one. I am thinking about getting one to carry my cell phone, wallet, keys, snacks, or what ever else in. Its either that or a frame bag. But I am worried that the frame bag isnt big enough (I have a tendency to over pack and over equip

Is there any draw backs to the handlebar bags, besides looking like a dork?

Thanks for the help!

cyclezealot

Yes. but it is small and hangs below the handlebars.

LastPlace

I am on my second one and think it is great......for me. I do keep a tool bag under the seat, but I also carry my full wallet and keys, which I want to keep an eye on, and as such wanted it up front. Additionally I wanted one big enough to carry a 'TIRE BEAD JACK', which really helps with getting difficult tires onto a rim.

The first was an 'Inertia Designs', but I have changed to a smaller 'Jandd', which is great.

I am officially FRED.

Allen

Love mine. It has 5,000 + miles on it and has held up perfectly well. It's big enough to handle my lock, and other sundry items. I have it on a compact road frame, and I've never had issue with clearances or over loading it.

HardyWeinberg

That looks like an old binocular case Allen.

Allen

You know, I've never though about that but you're right, it does.
It's a Brooks bag, btw.

ComPH

I am using Ortlieb on bars for years. It's great for little stuff, including lunch, phone, wallet, iPod, PDA, etc. Carradice under the saddle, and I don't have to deal with the annoying backpack. Keep most of the clothes to change at work for the week, so I carry very little daily. It is very pleasant.

ax0n

Yep.

Photo of my commuter

And A Midnight Rider, who comments on my blog quite often, also has the same one. (I think he goes by Portjohn on BF)

Link to Blog Post - same bag!

SDRider

I did for a while years ago but got sick of taking it off for club rides on the weekend so I just started putting everything I needed in a backpack for commuting.

MyBikeGotStolen

Thanks for the help everyone, nice bag AllenG.

Hey axOn, I just got home with the same bag (allmost) that you have. Me likes allready!!!!! The pic is not too good, its taken outside in the semi-dark. My bike was still wet from the ride to/from the store.



Had to return a few things while I was on the way to Wally World. They are bins that were canidates for mounting on my rear rack. As you can see, the milk crate won. I felt a little weird riding around town with these on my bike.

MyBikeGotStolen

btw, axOn, what size tires do you ride on your MTB? My next "upgrade" is tires but I dont really know what width I want. I have a tendency to carry some weight on the back (30 lbs? max)

ax0n

Those are 1.25x26" Forte SlickCity STs. I think they're all of $11 online. Look around. They came with my old yellow MTB that I bought used, but they've been really great tires. 85 PSI, smooth rolling and they haven't flatted all that often on me.

BTW I weigh about 210 right now, but carry a good 20 pounds of stuff with me almost daily. I've had a lot more than that. I had all this AND 15 pounds in my backpack once:

MyBikeGotStolen

Thanks, I am thinking that I might need 1.5's or maybe 1.75's on ine. I do my grocery shopping on it twice a week and I also have a tendency to run over stuff a little bit.

Performance bike has them on sale now for $8. 1.25's in slicks and 1.5's in the inverted treads. I might give them a try.

Wil Davis

Here's my reply to a recently asked similar question:

"It's nice having somewhere to stash things, but I think I'd rather keep all the weight off the handlebars & steering, although I admit that I've ridden many miles with a handlebar-bag.

What eventually turned me off the practise was that I was descending a fairly smooth section, had got up to about 35 mph and suddenly hit some bumps; the bike shook, rattled and bounced so violently that the bag flew off its bracket, fell down and got jammed on the wheel but behind the fork, in front of the down-tube. To this day I still don't understand why the bag didn't fall into the wheel; I was able to stop without crashing, but if the bag had fallen into the wheel and jammed it, the story would have had a far worse ending, so be warned, make sure the bag is very firmly attached!"

Take heed!

- Wil

Sammyboy

I believe this is the Brooks Millbrook. Cool as you like, and also, won't vibrate off the bars. The perfect solution?

BILLB58

Have been using the Ortlieb handlebar bag with the extension kit for 2 years....mounted an extender bar t-bar on the bag extension kit to mount my headlight above the bag. Works well for me...carries cell phone, wallet, sunglasses, rain visor, spares & tools, 1 tube, notebook and pen.....apples, snacks, etc.

icedmocha 

Allen do you have any other pics of your bike? What handlebars are those? Is it a 10 speed? It looks comfy from that picture alone. I would really appreciate some other pics. If you can't post them my

JOHN J

I love my handlebar bag.

I started using the type that just hung under the bars, that was ok untill I started commuting
more often thus found them not to hold enough.

I went with a Ortlieb ultimate 4, it was pricey but it has worked out great.

I have mounts on all 3 of my bikes so I can put the bag on any bike in seconds.

"John"

hairlessbill

I have one of the REI bags I use occasionally but it messes with the steering of the bike so I leave it off on long rides where this annoys me. For around town trips it's really handy because of the quick-release feature.

Allen

Click the "Asphalt Salsa" link in my signature line. It'll take you to the post where I introduced my bike.
Thanks for the compliment. It's had a few changes since then, but all are cosmetic. The front ring is now a single, and I changed the chain tensioner out for a different one.

MichaelW

With a commuter handlebar bag you really need a quick-release fitting. A shoulder strap comes in handy.The Ortleib and Rixen and Kaul Klickfix (as used by Carradice) are secure on bumpy descents.
I use to use my Carradice on day rides but I carry more stuff now. It is very light, tough and durable and pretty water resistant.

MyBikeGotStolen

I was thinking about making some kinda riser for my light, as it seems like the bag might be blocking a little bit of the light.




I found another great reason to have the bag! I take a banana with me everyday to work, but it allways gets a little bruised up in my basket on the way in with all the junk I carry. today....... perfectly yellow banana thanks to the handlebar bag!!

Nermal

Help me out one more time, AllenG. Where did you get those grips? If they will fit on a moustash bar sized for STIs, I have to have them. Right now, second best is a grip from Trek that can be forced on.

DavidLee

I have this bag from Nashbar. I pack my lunch in it, it has a quick release so I can just pop it off & go. It sits low on my trekking bars & the mounting hardware is virtually invisible when the bag isn't in use.

wheel

You can use your imagination with Bags.
I use a fanny pack and bungie cords for my touring. will get a picture soon