Handlebar bag/Shimano STI: compatible?
 

I'm about to switch to STI, and have to choose between Campy and Shimano. I'm heading towards Shimano, but one concern is whether a handlerbar bag would foul the gear cables where they emerge from the STI levers in front of the bars. (Campy's cables run along the bars themselves).

Has anyone ever tried to use a handlebar bag with an Shimano STI equipped bike? Was there a problem?

Thanks, Tom

I use an Ortlieb handlebar bag......STI plus Tecktro secondary brake levers. When I moved the bag from another bike to this bike, I picked up the mounting "extender".....moves the bag about 3 inches further out......also with the extender mounted, gave me a place to mount a bar to lift my headlight and GPS above the bag...

I used STI with a Cannondale brand front bag, and it worked fine. However, I think the issue here would be for your particular setup -e.g. it may all depend on the angle of your handlebars, the angle of installation of your bag, width of your handlebars, where you position the levers, the size of your front bag, the amount of cable you have running from your levers to the cablestop, etc, etc.

The short answer is may well work fine and you won't have any problems.... the long answer is that the only way you'll find out is to do it to see if it works.

It's an annoyance more than a problem. You can just squish the cables out of the way - which works. Or you can use a V-brake noodle to route the cable down and around the bag, like this:

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...e/IMG_0337.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...bar-detail.jpg

It works very well with an Ortlieb bag.

I might add, if you don't use something like the above solution, you're very likely to break the cables....

Topeak Compact Bag
 

I've used the Topeak Compact Handlebar bag with STI levers without any issue. It's small enough that if you tilt it at the recommended angle it won't interfere with the cables. I carry my phone, cable lock, maps, snacks and sunscreen in it without issue. My only knock on it is that the rain cover that comes with it is not very effective. Anything that can't get wet should be bagged.

http://www.topeak.com/2007/products/...ndlebarbag.php

Mark

I use the Jandd Mountain Handle Pack IV with my STI, no problems or adjustments needed.