Any experience with these handlebar bags?
 

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=2312

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...ndlebar%20Bags


If so how did they hold up on a tour?

I used the Performance bag for one tour. It held up very well, stayed dry in the rain. I enjoyed using it but it was a bit too big and I didnt like how it changed the handling. I didnt use it this year, but if you want it go for it.

I would steer clear of nashbar bags. I bought their "basic handlebar bag" and it was the worst piece of cycling junk I've ever had the displeasure of trying to use.

I've used one of the performance bags for the last year or so. Never used it on an an extended tour but for a lot of weekend tours/century rides. The bag itself has held up well. The main issue is that the mounting system won't fit large diameter handlebars (31.8?) and it does sit a little close to the bar so cable interference could be an issue.

Shog

Thanks for the input, I think I'll try out the bag from Performance.

I second this. I bought it for $8 on sale and it wasn't worth that. I took it on a loaded weekend trip and on the way home the velcro strap snapped off. Later on that same ride, another portion of the bag broke and it was hanging on only by one strap.

I've used the performance bag for many miles on some rough touring and it has held up great. It's strong enough that I even carried a 12 pack of beer home in it the other evening! (top open of course:)

Thanks again to everyone who answered. I really wanted to avoid buying an Ortlieb handlebar bag if possible. I know they are excellent but they sure do cost a lot, and the Performance bag is $10 off at the moment.

Check out the Topeak bags. From compact to large.

Yeah the Topeak compact isn't expensive, and very useful. Not so waterproof, but everything else is good.

Steve

I used the large waterproof bag from Nashbar and it held up well on the TransAmerica and since then. It stayed pretty dry. I slipped a plastic bag over it when it rained hard, just in case, but the waterproofness seemed pretty good. The stiffening stuff inside was a bit flimsier than I would have preferred but that wasn't a show stopper and wouldn't be an issue at all unless you overload it like I did.

If you really wanted to it would be easy to beef it up by either adding an aluminum plate or replacing the stiffener with coroplast. It was adequate as is though.

Bottom line is that I like it well enough that I have since bought another for a different bike.

I ended up getting the bag from Performance while it was on sale for 30 bucks. So far so good, comes with a very sturdy mounting system, nice room inside, as well as a few outside compartments. Has a built in map case on the top. Also has an attached rain cover that hides in a little pocket on the underside of the bag. Overall it seems like a very nice bag.

Mooseblend, I am curious to see the mounting system on that Performance bag - would you post a picture or two of the mounting system on your bag and bike?

Hey bwgride, I am at work right now, but as soon as I get home tonight i'll take some pictures for you.