chaadster

I was quite delighted to find my pre-ordered Route Werks handlebar bag arrived today, and having looked it over, I’d like to share my initial impressions. I have not installed or ridden it yet.

First off, this thing looks ready for prime time! The build and material quality seems excellent, showcasing solidity and attention to detail. For example, the lid is a really nice looking, solid type of plastic with nice finish texture and rounded edges throughout. The bag is tightly lined with a patterned, grey nylon fabric that looks great and feels good and durable. All the seams are edged, which is impressive. It’s built like a high-end trekking backpack, really.

That overall quality, though, translates to heft; with the bar clamp— itself a solid, stiff hunk of aluminum—the kit clocks in at 679g on my scale. Seems kinda heavy, but I suppose that for the feature set this offers, it’s an acceptable trade off.

Details I like are thinks like the tail extensions on the hooks for the external pockets, all black hardware and bolts throughout (incl. bar clamp), and the pull-tab snaps on the internal pockets, pockets which are actually designed to hold volume, not just flat stuff. The top cover elastic band— for strapping down stuff like gloves or a windbreaker, I presume— is fully tension adjustable and replaceable; a green replacement is included, in fact. Most of the assembly hardware is visible, too, suggesting this is a fully serviceable bag.

The quick release clamp is all metal and seems solid and easy to use.

One thing kind of annoying but which my have been ordering error on my part, is that the computer/accessory mount which came with mine is a Quadlock or somesuch, not a Wahoo. I don’t onow if it was a ship error, a mistake ordering or what, but I’ll need to make a separate order for that little piece, which is inconvenient.

In sum, for a first-go, Kickstarter project, this is seriously impressive and obviously is the result of smart design, thoughtful engineering, and quality construction. For those with need to carry stuff, but want style and versatility, this Route Works bag is a pretty cool option.



Route Werks bar bag interior

Route Werks bar bag

Iride01 

Does it have someplace to mount the front lamp or reflector that is required in my state? It's pretty much going to block my use of those and there aren't good alternate places for me to put them.

Nice review though. But this isn't for me.

tomato coupe

Given the types of cyclists that are likely to buy these, I would have thought they would have some type of map pocket.

Koyote

Seems like a lot of money, weight, and complexity for a small handlebar bag. I'll take my Outershell Adventure handlebar bag at half the price and less than half the weight -- and I can move it from one bike to another in about thirty seconds.

woodcraft

A pound and a half? I hope it's for the e bike.

chaadster

Yeah, it has two accessory post mounts, one on each side of the bag, for lights. It would also be very easy to stick a self-adhesive reflective triangle right on the bag, of course, and I’m sure one could bolt a reflector to the face right through the fabric, or on the bottom side of the bag if they wanted to. Tons of options in that regard.

chaadster

I’d guess you’re mistaken about that, and given the prominent location of the quarter-turn mount, it’s pretty obvious RW is betting more on the ELEMNT Roam crowd than the paper map crowd, too.

Atlas Shrugged

Handlebar bags are where it’s at, my days of stuffing crap into the back of my Jersey are over. Short ride or long it’s great to place whatever you need from id to a snack in the bag. Best on those spring days as you need to drop layers just place them in the bag and keep rolling.

CAT7RDR

Looks like it could hold a 6-pack and ice.

tomato coupe

Yeah, clearly.

chaadster

I figure one could be handy, but I’ve never had any handlebar bag nor really thought I even needed one. I guess I don’t do the kinds of riding where I find myself carrying a bunch of stuff or needing to stash more than a wind jacket. I bought this one primarily because I thought the design was smart, neat, and thoughtful, but also it was partly an aspirational purchase, something which might help drive me to tackle longer, more remote rides. We’ll see; I admit I haven’t warmed to the aesthetics of bar bags yet, even.

chaadster

maybe 4 and a chill pack. It ain’t very big.

chaadster

I put it on the Doppler for its inaugural run. Lid chatters a bit over rough stuff; I’ll copy James Huang’s (CyclingTips.com) hack of a couple felt pads on either side of the lid latch.

SapInMyBlood

Looks à lot like an Ortlieb handlebar bag... Reinventing the wheel?

chaadster

I’ve never seen an Ortlieb anything like it; got a link?

I have seen Ortlieb qr mounts, though, and they’re hideous monstrosities. The RW mount is considerably more trim and discreet, which I think is nice in any case, but especially so when rolling without the bag. On the plus side for Ortlieb, they do have a locking mount option which is probably great in some scenarios.

Koyote

Costs less, weighs less, holds more.

https://www.ortlieb.com/usa_en/ultim...assic-1+F3122A

chaadster

They say the devil is in the details, but if “box with top” is as far as you can go, they may be wrong about that.

mstateglfr 

Its a neat initial design and the OP is clearly an early adopter for this so of course its excellent.

- The hardshell top is much easier to access stuff compared to the common inexpensive zipper burrito style handlebar bags.
- Designers solved the issue of where to put your GPS unit.
- Accessory mounts for a light on each side of the bag are a smart addition.


- A top that chatters is a huge miss and having to hack something right out of the box to fix the noise is completely unacceptable.
- Thats a lot of money for a small bag.
- So many people falling for the scams where they could buy this bag for 30% of the cost and have it delivered before the real thing even ships is right on par for us as a society.

Koyote

This is why the OS Adventure handlebar bag kicks ass. Half the price, lighter, more capacity, incredibly easy access while riding, and you can stick your headlight right on the handlebar. It doesn't work so well with an out-front mount, but it's fine with a head unit mounted to the stem. As an added bonus, you don't have to bolt anything onto your handlebar, so it can be swapped from bike to bike as easily as a saddlebag. And no hacks required -- it just works.

The bag in this thread, on the other hand, seems deliberately over-engineered -- as if they were trying to justify the high price. There seems to be a lot on there that just adds weight and cost, and more potential failure points, without much added utility.

I offer these opinions having actually ridden with a few different handlebar bags. But I suppose if I had paid 2x as much as necessary, I'd feel a need to justify it, too.

chaadster

Yep, 4 cans of premium makgeolli, or any other 12oz can beverage-of-choice, will fit with a small gel ice pack. Three have to go in on their sides.



Route Werks bag will carry 4x12oz cans

indyfabz

And you can get a map case for it.

Atlas Shrugged

Not sure why the need to put down the Route Werks bag? You like the Adventure Bag and others may prefer the Route Werks but adding the worn-out trope of its a pricing plot is silly.

Koyote

What's a "pricing plot"? Don't know what you're referring to.

Atlas Shrugged

deliberately over-engineered -- as if they were trying to justify the high price

How about they added features people would appreciate and desired rather than produce another soft sided featureless sack like everyone else. By looking at the incredibly successful Kickstarter campaign they obviously found a product people were looking for.

Sy Reene

because marketing. Never understood how any of these work if you have cables out front.