Open to all suggestions. Only have about 13 inches between handle bars to work with. Looking for waterproof and map slot, but any ideas are welcomed.

The ACA has some options. The Arkel small and large handlebar bags both come with a map case and don't exceed 13" in any direction.

You might instead opt for a regular map case and a separate bag without map case. When I was using my Topeak Tourguide Plus DX handlebar bag I found it hard to look at the map while riding since it's on the opposite side of the handlebars. The map case by itself goes in front over the stem and is much easier to read while riding IMO since it's right in front of you.

This link is to the ACA Cyclesourse store where you can find all 3 of the products I mentioned...
https://www.adventurecycling.org/cyc...words=map+case

I really like the Jandd mountain handle pack IV, Mountain Handle Pack IV

It has an excellent attachment system. I like the size a lot (around 6 liters). That's enough for the stuff you really need ready to hand but it won't allow you to overpack (a larger bag will have more of an impact on steering). With the strap, you take it as a shoulder bag so you always have your valuables with you when you walk away from the bike.

Edit: not waterproof but that's what plastic bags were designed to do; otherwise get an ortlieb.

You wanna hold a map? Get this or something like it. Personally I've stopped using big-ole-handlebar-bags because they are rather heavy for what they are able to carry.



BTW: I've stop using paper maps too. GPS and photo-map-images is all I use now.

Who needs a map slot? A couple of of small binder clips on the lid of an Ortlieb Classic work perfectly.

Ortlieb with optional extender if needed for you bars.

how hard is it to ride and not have to look at a map every 400 yards?

I think I'm just spoiled in the mid west.

Until it rains.

Says the guy who has never wound up miles from where he was supposed to be because he knew he didn't miss the turn

Ortlieb makes a good waterproof bar bag and optional map holder. Both are waterproof.


Dimensions can be found at: TheTouringStore.com ? Bicycle Touring and Commuting Panniers and Packs, Bicycle Racks and Other Touring Gear

A plastic bag protects the map from rain

I recently bought an Arkel small bag and it has an included clear plastic map holder that is really good quality. The one knock on the Arkel as you will see if you research these touring pages is that the bag's attachment system to the bike creates a noisy rattle that is kind of bothersome until you get used to it.

My Arkel big bag doesn't rattle at all. I think the key is the adjustment of the handlebar brackets. It they're perfectly centered on the bag slots, there can be a little play, for side to side jiggling. If they're a tad to outside of center, the connection with the bag slots will be tighter, as they bind against the outside edge of the slot to bracket interface. Seems to be working fine so far, with no effect on ease of removing/attaching the bag.

I haven't used a map other than ACA maps, which are waterproof.


However, I do you a PGS: Paper Guidance System (a/k/a a cue sheet). I simply carry a small Zip-Loc bag in the event of rain.

Hmmm... I feel like I have tried just about everything. Maybe I will revisit the issue this weekend and see if I can't stop the rattling. There was another thread within the past 6 mos. where other folks complained of the same thing. One guy even returned his Arkel bag. Did you see that thread per chance?

https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/10...+handlebar+bag

My Ortleib came with a map pocket. It simply snaps off to remove.

Saw it.

I don't know how widespread the problem actually is, although there's obviously some anecdotal evidence it occurs for some people. I've also heard of people complaining about metal zipper pulls rattling on their panniers.

Back in the day, I used to get annoyed with the sound of tire savers humming against my tire, if they drooped down onto the tread, so maybe some of this is just related to each person's level of sensitivity to certain things.

It wouldn't hurt for Arkel to look at the issue. A minor design change could absolutely preclude this from happening in the first place.

I sent mine back. Although I had mounted it in a way that precluded the mounts from rattling, the bag itself rattled way more than I could stand.

ditto on the Arkel

On drop bars with STI levers and the exposed shifter cable/housing I've seen a lot of riders put their map/crib sheet inside a zip-lock bag and then binder clip it to the cables housing. For a handle bar bag almost any bag can be used and a plastic map holder made from a zip-lock bag and velcroed to the bag top.

Cheers