Handlebar bag or other way to carry SLR camera?
 

Hi,
I’m looking for a small/medium size handlebar bag that can carry my D-SLR camera and a few small items. The challenge… 1) my new touring bike has bar-end shifters so the cables will be in the way of many types of bags and 2) I have a handlebar-mounted light and computer so I’m not sure how a handlebar bag can be mounted. I don’t even have space to put a bell!

The bag needs to be lightweight, padded and be semi-waterproof (it always rains when I tour). A map pouch would be nice but not necessary (I have a separate map holder).

AFter some web-surfing, I’m considering the Topeak compact handlebar bag or possibly an Ortlieb but the LBS’s don’t carry these so I have no idea if they’ll work on my bike.

Any suggestions? Any comments on the Topeak or an Ortlieb? Or, another suggestion to safely carry my lightweight compact D-SLR?

Thanks.

If you have questions about the Ortlieb call or email Wayne at the TheTouringStore.com, or contact Wallingford Bicycle. They both have excellent customer service, and they can probably answer any questions you have.

yeah, you're experiencing the perennial "my handlebar bag is interfering with the cockpit functionality" touring quandry. you'll wind up recabling, adding a second stem, etc....

heavy film SLRs like a pentax k1000 with lenses are usually stowed in better places than a handlebar bag. but for load carrying up high and in front, a rack supported front bag is the way to go. Berthoud, Ostrich bags, or just rig a trad, padded back rack bag on top of a decked front rack.

I regularly bike (and X country ski) with my DSLR with kit lens, a compact 70-300 tele, a 1.8 50mm, extra battery, extra sd card and various other small goodies using an LowePro Off Trail 1 (http://products.lowepro.com/product/...ail01,1980.htm)

Ha! I do the same thing using a LowePro bag - I think it's the "Topload Zoom". Attach it with zip-ties; works fine for road riding (never tried it off-road).

On my regular non-touring rides, I attach a small bag (I think it's this one) also with zip-ties to the handlebar stem to carry cell phone, GU, etc. (along with a ziplock Baggie in case it rains).

Lots of bags like this available @ Best Buy camera dept.

I used to have a bag that occupied the area under the top tube and strapped to the top tube and seat tube. It was a triangle and flat shape with a zipper along the top tube side. I think it was Avenir. Long time ago.

Hi again,
It sounds like I might be better off with a camera bag modified to carry on the handlebars rather than a handlebar bag.

I bought the smallest, lightest D-SLR I could find so I could carry on the handlebars. For those who are interested in the camera info…. It’s an Olympus E410 w/14-42mm zoom. I won’t tour with the longer zoom - cropping on the computer will have to suffice. I was considering a Pentax K200D but, that makes the K1000 look like a lightweight. For short day rides or rides on my road bike, I carry a compact digital, Pentax Optio S7, (the smallest available) and use a little top-tube pouch called a ‘Bento box’.

I have Lowepro’s smallest, lightest zoom camera bag for the D-SLR (Rezo TLZ20: http://products.lowepro.com/product/...-20,2017,8.htm. Today, after reading these replies, I attached it to my handlebars using the carrying strap wrapped around the handlebars then rode around Whistler taking photos. It worked okay but, definitely not quick to attach/remove. But, I was riding my old touring bike which doesn’t have cables in the front. Tomorrow, I’ll try this out on the new touring bike but, I suspect the cables will be in the way.

Does anyone have a better idea to attach a camera bag to the handlebars so it’s easy to attach/remove (zip-ties won’t work for this)?

Thanks!

I can vouch for the Arkel handlebar bag. It's a bit on the heavy side, but it'll carry a lot. There's also the smaller model but I think a DSLR could be a tight fit for that one.

It attaches to the handlebars using aluminium hooks.

>It sounds like I might be better off with a camera bag modified to carry on the handlebars rather than a handlebar bag.

Ha, no. I have the Topeak "tour guide" handlebar bag. It's so good, I'll probably be using it instead of the actual Lowepro bag I have for it. With the E-410 you'll easily have enough space for one or even two lenses in the main compartment, and there's a divider you can use. Zips for memory cards and filters. So easy to clip on and off the bike - cables really aren't a problem, they just push out of the way by themselves. Also, it comes with a fake handlebar attachment, giving you extra handlebar real estate.

I have the pentax k10d, which is pretty heavy, but it works fine.

Steve

I've carried a K1000 in a handlebar bag and a MZ-7 in a handlebar bag. Neither caused any handling problems. I do use low riders so the front end is already damped pretty well.

The Ortlieb with the camera insert is a very nice way to carry a camera by the way. It's water proof and it snaps on and off very quickly...much better than zipties;)

I don't attach my Off Trail to the bike -- I wear it around the waist (as intended).

Yeah, I think there's no question that the best tool for the job is one that's designed to DO the job. In this case you want
a) a removable handlebar bag that's
b) padded enough to carry your camera safely.

It's just that I'm a cheapskate from way back - & for me a camera bag for $15.00 on sale at Best Buy is worth the inconvenience given the cost ( $40.00+ ) for the real thing. If I were planning the trip of a lifetime rather than week-long trips, I'd splurge.

I have the medium Otlieb Classic. I have BLevers. The bag was too close to the handle bar so I purhased the extension bracket. The side effect was to get the bag out of the way of the cables.

I think cyccommute has installed noodles to help resolve issues with brake cables.

I both love and hate the Ortlieb. It will keep your camera bone dry. The mounting system is rock solid (at least the old one is) but makes it very difficult to remove and reinstall the mounting bracket. The other thing I do not like about the bag (at least the old one) is the plastic insert on the lid that is supposed to prevent puddling but really never stays in place to do any good.

Thanks for the ideas
 

Hi everyone,
Thanks for all the tips.
I've found a shop that carries the Topeak bag and can order in the Orliebs and others who sell Arkel bags. Time to go shopping with the Marinoni and see what fits.

Cheers.
L

I have the Topeak compact bag and it is nicely padded for a camera. I've just carried a digital in it but there should be plenty of room for your SLR equipment. It is very easy to get off the bike and the built in waist strap is great. Best thing I've found for ease in taking your valuables with you when you stop.

As a word of caution, you will need to use the locking cable that Topeak provides to keep the bracket from rotating on your bars. Once that is in place weight doesn't seem to be a problem regarding slippage on the bars.
The other thing to remember - unless they have improved it in the last couple of years, the handy rain cover that comes with the Topeak is water repellant at best. In light but all day rains I've had some moisture get through and dampen the bag. I'm going to try a waterprofing spray on it before I use it again on a tour. Otherwise a small plastic grocery bag under the elastic cover would do the job.

Last time I was in rain using the Topeak rain cover, I also wrapped the camera in plastic. But in the relatively light rain, nothing got through the cover at all. Presumably one could make a better cover if need be, anyway? I also wish the cover was attached to the bag.

Steve

I have the Topeak Tourguide DX bag. I use it to carry all my critical bits, like mini tool kit, repair kit, etc and also have a place for my wallet, phone and any items I want to have easy access to. I love the bag as I can pull up to a store and take off my "man purse," put on the stap and take everything of real value with me off the bike quickly. I use this bike year round on my commute and on all my cycling outings. When I got the bad last year I did immediately spray the whole bad completely with rain repellant. I do this with any outdoor gear in general. The bag has been mostly water proof. Only during one major rain storm when I figured I was close enough to home and I didn't bother putting on the rain cover did I get some moisture inside the bag. When I've used the rain cover no water come through, but I did notice that it let some moisture "sweat" through so I sprayed it liberally recently. After spraying the cover it now does a great job if repelling the water. I also like the little mesh pocket that is on the underside of the lid, I put my bag and helmet covers in there. I also LOVE the map pocket. This is one of the main reasons for having the bag. I can now easily read the map while on the move while keeping it dry. I also have plenty of room to carry two maps that cover everything in my area that I could ride in a few hours. There is still enough room that I can carry my lunch and a clean shirt if I need to travel light on my road bike.

The only down side of the handlebar bag is that I was somewhat limmited with my headlight mounting on my daily commuter. In the end I used the B&M brack that came with the light that uses the same bolt as my SKS fenders on the front fork. Over all I love the bag and it works great and would easily keep a good size camera safe.

Happy riding,
André

Here is one more option that works very well for me, that is, a trunk-style bag mounted on a front rack with top shelf. I tired of handlebars a few years ago and thought that this arrangement would offer more stability and better overall handling versus the venerable handlebar bag. The trunk bag shown is a bit on the large size, but a smaller version might work even better.

Safe journeys,

Ted

I've been looking for a bag to go on top of my Surly front rack. What bag is it that you are using?

Lone Peak RP-350. Comes nicely padded. Call Wayne at thetouringstore.com and he will order it for you at a better price.

Safe journeys,

I recently added Surly front rack to put a Lowepro bag on top: http://borealphoto.blogspot.com/2008...ike.html#links

I still prefer a handlebar bag for a DSLR + single lens though.

I put an SLR in my panniers and the road vibration loosened the lens inside the focusing ring and cracked the mirror for the viewfinder. My light sensor also stopped functioning recently - probably a related issue. Make sure you cushion it well!