Hardshell handlebar bags?
 

I'm prepping for some extended touring, or at least several coming trips. I'm planning on taking my time and building a body of photo work from the road.

I'll be carrying my expensive camera equipment and am looking for a hardshell, waterproof handlebar bag to hold it. Does anyone have any recommendations?

I thought about attempting to retrofit a pelican case like thing with an ortlieb handlebar mount, but the only appropriately sized case i found weighed about 8 lbs on it's own. This was a top loader. I might be able to find a lighter briefcase-like bag and mount it on a front rack, but I was hoping other people might have some other ideas.

Waterproof is easy. A hard shell is much more difficult...and probably unnecessary. The Ortieb bag is very durable. Because it hangs off the bike, the camera is cushioned by the camera insert and by the hammock that the handlebar mount makes for it. It's better than even a highly padded case mounted to the rack. I've never found a need for anything more.

You can buy the part for the Klick Fix handle bar bag that screws or rivets
to the various bags of makers that use the Klick fix parts.

I have an older Ortlieb Camera bag.
I use a KF wire support , that fits in the loops on the sides for the D rings ,
and secure it with the waist belt fitting slots on the back.
a short section of webbing and a tri-glide Fastex piece[x2] does the trick.
It's not a Hard case ,
But the bag closure is a roll top, so drier than the flap lid
on their regular Handlebar bag..

I find that the best use of a handlebar bag is being able to reach into it while I am rolling, whether it be for a bit of food or my point and shoot camera that I can easily operate with one hand or a bandana to wipe my nose or something like that. In other words, if it requires two hands, it is not in my handlebar bag. I can't hold the DSLR while operating the zoom with only one hand and I might not be able to get the lens cap off with one hand.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=197061

Thus, if I had my DSLR on tour, I would have both feet on the ground when I used it. Have you considered using a rack top bag for your camera gear? I have not put a rack top bag on my front rack before but if I was going to carry a DSLR, I would consider trying that to carry the camera and lenses.

Tourist in MSN what make handlebar bag is that.?

Looks like an Arkel bag to me. http://www.arkel-od.com/us/all-categ...lebar-bag.html

the ortliebs are semi-rigid in construction by virtue of the hardshell frame, bottom sheet that wraps the sides, and backplate. A little foam/plastic cut to size for front and top if you're concerned about it, add the divider insert, and you've got a great handlebar bag for shooting on the fly.

The bags' design lets you access them easily while riding.

I can't see any reason to go with anything besides the Ortlieb.

A handlebar bar work fine. I use a photo backpack (Tamron Aero 70) on the front rack. It's a little more tricky to waterproof and attach but there's much more room and it's more handy off the bike than a bar bag.

http://www.borealphoto.com/photos/946695531_xa4YR-M.jpg

GUESS...THAT...BAG!

Nay. I'm guessing an old Blackburn or Cannondale. Early to mid 90s. The wire hanger is the key.

I'd suggest a front rack support underneath a case like Pelican.

you have some hardware available from Ortlieb to bottom mount, then.

Their handlebar bag mounts are molded part of the bag internal frame.

Where as Rixen and Kaul , Klick Fix , another German company,
sell the parts wholesale to other manufacturers of bags.

I got a bag mount plate , thru Wallingford , same time as I Got
the wire support , and the handle bar mount hardware.

those plates are also used by Carradice and Berthould for some of their
products.

I apologize to the photographers for being off of topic.

Pre-1988 Aviner (not sure if I spelled it correctly).

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=197193

I am not sure the exact year of manufacture but I know it was 1988 or before because I bought it before I moved in Oct 1988.

It looks that nice because it has probably seen less than 5,000 miles because I only use it for long trips and not for day to day riding.

The stock wire frame did not fit on the newer threadless style stems which are wider, the frame in the photos is one that I made from steel rod on a very large vice with a fine adjustment tool (2.5 pound machinest hammer) and other assorted large tools.

I wish they still made them.

I've had the old wire frames in the past. Still have one in my parts bin. The Rixen Kaul mounts really are better, however. Lighter, more secure and easier to take on and off. Although your's with the upward hook on the end of the mount is better than the old straight mount ones.

On the picture taking: If I have to use the zoom, I do stop to operate the camera. However with modern autofocus cameras, you can easily operate an SLR with one hand while riding. As evidence

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...y/IMGP1590.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...sshoppers2.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...e/IMGP0246.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...e/IMGP0312.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...e/IMGP0382.jpg

Giant make a hardshell bar bag
http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productD...&categoryID=91
You can rivet or bolt R&K mounts to any suitable bag.
Carradice bar bag is made from a box of corrugated plastic with a cotton canvas covering. The box structure is very tough and rigid without the excess weight of a moulded hardshell.

I note the Zipper closure , so not as waterproof as modifying a Pelican case,
but is a buy and mount .. minus a DIY approach.

Thanks for the replies and thoughts. Not sure what I'm going to do. I'm rethinking the need for hardshell per some of the thoughts posted on here. I have a Sunlite bag that's quite water proof (flap like ortlieb + roll top)and surprisingly nice, but don't have the 31.8mm mount, and Sunlite has been telling me they'd send me it for about 4 months. Thinking about splurging for an Ortlieb, but seems like a lot of money especially considering I have a similar sized and waterproofed bag.