bags for front rack
 

Does anyone know of any nice alternatives to the Lil' Loafer front bags sold by Rivendell? I'm looking for a bag to fit the Nitto M-12 front rack on my commuter-touring bike, but I don't want a handlebar mounting bag since I have the rack. The Loafers look nice but are priced rather steep at $90+.

http://www.rivbike.com/products/list...product=20-127

Have you looksed for stuff not marketed to cyclists? Lots of interresting stuff at department stores and thrift shops: soft sided lunch boxes, cosmetics bags, camera bags, fishermems worm boxes, etc.

No but that's a good idea. Acorn has a really nice front rando bag, but it costs $150 and is larger than I need right now. Topeak also has a nice handlebar bag that might work. I just wish I could look at one in person to see how it might attach, as I don't want to mount it on my handlebar. Might as well use the rack since I have it, plus lowering the weight should affect handling less.

http://www.acornbags.com/boxybag.html

http://www.topeak.com/products/Bags/..._Handlebar_Bag

I like the Acorn bag. You can run it without the whole decaleur system (saving about + $70 in hardware).

http://epicureancyclist.blogspot.com...arison-to.html

If you are good with a needle and thread you can turn any bag into a small rack bag. Look at the underside of the Acorn Boxy bag. You could get a small camera bag (they make some nice earth tone ones) from Ritz or someplace, stitch on some compression straps and you're good to go!

Hmmm...that might make a good post for epicurean cyclist...maybe I'll do a tutorial.

I'm also looking for a cheaper option for a bag like this. Loved the epicurean cyclist review because it explained the attachment system. Looking at camera bags now with the idea of modding one with a similar attachment system. I love the look of the acorn bag, but for the price I could do a 4 day trip.

well, i've seen photos of people using the top rack bags for the back on the front of the bike, i don't see why that would be any problem, it may overshoot the length, but if it's strapped down . . . they run about 50 bucks, cheaper if you find the right one

http://www.pbase.com/canyonlands/image/96025549
this appears to be what i'm talking about, granted, i can't really get a good idea of how long your rack is and whether a bag like that would fit. i guess the other disadvantage would be being a little harder to open while you're sitting on the bike

That's a Jandd Rac Pac (trunk). I used to have one mounted on a Jandd Extreme front rack. I would never attempt to open it while riding.

The rear rack bags tend to be much longer than the Nitto M-12, which is 8" long. All of the rear rack top bags I have seen are at least 12" long.

I looked at camera bags and soft lunch boxes and coolers at Target today. Some of them could work with some modifications -- mainly attaching some velcro straps around the bottom. The main problem is finding one just the right size and shape, about 8-9" long by 5-6" wide.

I also looked at the Topeak handlebar bag linked above and it's not such a good fit. First, it has a wide waistband attached so it can be used as a hip-pack, and there is no way to remove it. It also has a large plastic bracket on the back for attaching to their handlebar mount, and that just gets in the way. Finally, it is wider and shorter than what would fit the Nitto rack best.

If you are looking for a cheap alternative why not just use a stuff sack? I'm not sure how you plan to use the bag. If you don't need regular easy access a stuff sack is light, can be waterproof with the silnylon variety, and under $30.

I my searches through the internet world, I stumbled across these cool Rando bags being developed by a guy in California. They aren't available for sale yet, but are expected sometime this spring.

http://www.zugsterbags.com/products/rando-bag

http://www.flickr.com/photos/aalpern/3274877414/

Those are nice a small or medium from him would fit the bill nicely. Still waiting to receive my front rack in the mail so I can see what I have to work with.