dellwilson

From looking at the pictures in the touring journals, it appears that about 50% of people use handlebar bags. That appeals to me because at least the outer pockets on a handlebar bag are accessible by riding and they can hold a bit of gear.

Question: I have a bike with Ultegra brake level/shifters and the derailleur cables come out of the hoods at a 90 deg angle towards the interior of the handlebars. Does this arrangement of cables preclude the use of a handlebar bag?

Thanks

staehpj1

I just kind of tuck the cables back and have not had a problem and this is with a fairly large bag. I haven't bothered, but know that some riders have used 90 degree "cable noodles".

neilfein

It depends on how wide your bars are. The stock drop bars on my touring bikt were too narrow for my shoulders, and too narrow for a bar bag. New bars solved both problems.

Otherwise, I'd have used noodles. (I wouldn't have gotten new bars just to fit the bag.)

zzzwillzzz

no, i just used one on my racing bike on a short tour. 42cm (44s would be even better) bars help as do running the cables a bit long. it wasn't great, it wasn't pretty, but it did work and i didn't have any problems.

mijome07

small handle bar bag w/ Sora

medium handle bar bag w/ Sora

cyccommute 

The noodle trick that staehpj1 was talking about.




It's not really needed but it does make for easier installation and removal. It's dead easy to do.

Solomander

Nice. I was just looking at a Cannondale T1 over the weekend, equipped with STI shifters, and wondering the same thing.

Joel

meaculpa

I'd like to have a handlebar bag except that I had crosstop brake levers installed. So now I'm used to having them there. Guess that means I'll need to build a bike dedicated just for touring.

mijome07

My bike came with them installed. Since the picture was taken, I have raised the bag 2 notches up (and the 'cross levers a little). Just a get a wider handlebar.

mattbicycle

I recently toured with a cheap wire basket on the front of a mountain bike. I put the heavy gear from the rear bag which wasn't affected by rain into the basket, plus my camera, map, an extra water bottle and whatever food I wanted. It was very convenient. The only problem is I lost my favourite hat which I suspect fell out whilst travelling down a steep hill.

staehpj1

There is no reason that the cross levers can't work fine with a handlebar bag. Just rotate them down more if necessary.

Neil G.

Arkel has a nice page showing which handlebar widths require modification for their two bag sizes.

Their modification suggestions include both the brake noodle and Avid Rollamajigs. I used the Rollamajig option, but since I don't think they make those anymore, you're probably limited to the brake noodle option if you need to modify. The brake noodles are certainly cheaper and probably work just as well.

Neil

Cyclesafe

Yesterday I tried to use the noodle trick on my Ultegra STI's but it didn't work for me. Fortunately my HB bag is small enough that I really don't need them so I guess I didn't work particularly hard at making them work. I'll send the pair to the first person who PM's me with their address.

However, before you consider a HB bag there is a much lighter option, the Arkel Map Case. If all you want is a convenient place for your map and a couple of pockets for valuables, this might do the trick. Cheaper and lighter.

https://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/map...asp?fl=1&site=

cyccommute 

Do yourself a favor and look at a T2. Comparing the two, I think that the T2 is the more worthy touring machine. It has a better drive train (lower gears) than the T1. You could run a 22 inner chainring on it but you can't go that low with the 105 crank on the T1. Also look at the cost of replacing the IRD 10 speed cassette...$160...compared with $30 to $60 on the 9 speed (and you can get a lower low on the 9)

Just sayin'.

cyccommute 

Angle your interrupter levers down. Look at how mountain bike levers are mounted. Most people have those nearly vertical (it's a more natural position). Most of the interrupter levers I see are nearly horizontal...a very unnatural position.

robow

Another simple option for those that don't insist on a large box up front is to use a smaller front bag that attaches via velcro straps and allows the bag to hang lower and not interfere with the cables.
325 cu. in.

AsanaCycles

another huge subject
lots to choose from
custom bags too
www.CarouselDesignWorks.com
https://www.flickr.com/photos/carouseldesignworks/

mijome07

Someday when I get a mountain bike (new or old), I'm gonna order those bags. Cool bike (+ setup).

Solomander

I actually meant the T2. Thanks for the additional justification. Besides, green bikes are faster up hills than white bikes.

Joel

AsanaCycles

plus it takes panniers
using Old Man Mountain racks

the bike is a Hunter 29er
so it takes 29er MTB tyres as well as 700c tyres.

Novara Panniers... click off and on...
OMM racks use two bolts where the canti studs would be, for stabilizers, OMM racks have their own dropouts, so all i do is carry a regular set of skewers with me...

remove racks and replace skewers. literally 4 bolts.

cyccommute 

I have a T800. It's a most excellent touring bike.