Ok, let's face it. Sometimes when you pack a bunch of stuff in your handlebar bag, it's a little less than "sturdy". I know mine kind of bounces and sways with even a moderate amount of weight in it. I've experimented with a few different ways to keep it still (velcro straps, bungees, securing the bag handle around a brake lever or whatever) and I wanted to see if:

a - anyone else has had the same problem (I use a Nashbar Elite handlebar bag, far from "top of the line", but imagine some other big bags have the same issue)

b - what methods you've used to secure the bag, if any.

Thanks!

First, I'll say I really like the Nashbar Elite bag. I have never had anything in it get wet and it was been used on a few tours the longest being 73 days. I did usually put a plastic bag over it just in case if it rained hard, but I am not sure if that was necessary. It was often uncovered in lighter rain.

It got a little floppy by the end of the TransAmerica with a heavy DSLR and an extra lens as well as a bunch of other too heavy stuff. I added some stiffening it in the form of a thin aluminum plate. It worked fine but I have since started using a little Nashbar rack to hold it rather than use the original hardware. That allowed me to remove the plate.

See the setup on my SFT tour page.

Also check out the rack on the nashbar page.


I am really happy with my current setup. The shoulder strap gets wrapped around the stem and keeps the bag in place. it can be released in a few seconds and is more secure than the O.E.M. bracket. I think the rack is lighter than the O.E.M. bracket too which is a nice bonus.

Edit: If you decide to add stiffeners, check out the insde of the bag and look at the existing stiffeners. They are in a sort of pocket. It isn't too hard to replace or supplement them. To do that effectively you may need to drill out the rivets that attach the mounting plate and either replace them with nuts and bolts or heavy duty pop rivets.

Hmm, dunno. I use the Topeak medium sized handlebar bag, and I wouldn't say it "sways" or "bounces" problematically. Sure, it jiggles over bumps, but it doesn't seem like a problem to me. It's like the internal frame stays still, and the fabric just bounces around it.

Awesome staehpj1, thanks for the info!

I think you need to get a better bag. I have Ortliebs. A pain in the butt to mount and unmount but they are rock solid if mounted correctly.

I solved the mounting problem by fixing a second stem. I mount the bag to that then simply remove stem, bag and all when desired.