Yes, I know that they clamp on to the handlebar. However, I would like to keep the as much of the handlebar available for steering and smaller items.

I'm considering the Topeak Tourguide DX. I would be more than happy to mount it to a front rack.

I'm considering using a BarXtener ( https://www.topeak.com/products/Xtras/BarXtender ) to support the upper part of the bag while using a front rack ( https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...s.php?id=45615 ) to support the weight of the bag & contents.

What do you do?

You should instead consider the second stem option if you have a threadless type stem and enough steerer to install a second one. Then a short piece of hacksawed off handlebar from the used bin at the bike shop or perhaps a piece of PVC pipe. I have not used a second stem, so I have no photos to show what I am talking about. Perhaps someone else will provide a photo?

If you have a quill stem, I have no suggestion other than look around for a 1980s style handlebar bag that hung from a steel rod frame. They are occasionally available used. I had to make a new steel rod frame for mine, the threadless stem and the old frame that was designed for a quill stem did not work well together.

I've gone the second stem and stub handlebar route on my Surly LHT and my Salsa Fargo as the means to mount a handlebar bag and keep it low and off the handlebar.

Here's some pix's, the bags not mounted, and in the one pix the bar stub isn't mounted, but should give you the idea

You can get an extended mount for Rixen and Kaul equipped bags to give more finger space between bar and bag. The R&K fitting is one of the best, very small clamp on the bar but rock solid even on fast mountain trails.
Mounts that lack the cable support have to use massive clamps to avoid rotation, taking up all the bar space.

#1) I dont have a bunch of electronic gadgets to occupy all that space on my handlebar.

and over the past 40 years parts have changed..

in the 70s quill stems were the norm, hooking the bag frame of wire bent
so as to go over the bars, under the stem and over the other side of the bar..
You can still buy those .. Velo Orange got someone in Asia to make them, again.

Yes Threadless steerer tubes do offer the option of stacking stems , now I have a
Koga Miyata WTR, that I did that to, Bar bag mount R&K Klick-Fix. fitted on a 1" tube .

Other solutions, I used a handlebar adapter made to mount a waterbottle cage,
and used those 2 threaded places and some plastic spacers to mount the bar bag
for my longest bike tour I had shop access so replicated that in a steel stem, extra strong...
the bag does not pop off , but I was Wearing the important stuff,
in my Money-belt under my clothes.

This rack is nice for that:

https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...2_167593_-1___
It assumes you have canti or v-brake brake bosses though.

Stay away from the bar xtender from topeak. I had one and it snapped with just a 2AA light and my air zound on it (though the road was a bit bumpy). I now use a pair of Dashboard Genies to mount my bag (and my light and my airzound) and still have room on my bars for my computer and interupter brake levers.

That’s a good solution. In my case, I would need a new threadless fork with an uncut steerer. But I really don't want a loaded bag that is not sufficiently attached and supported.

If I used an adjustable stem to hold the bag, I could lower the base of the bag onto a fork mounted rack.

Those might do the job! How much load do you think is safe?

I don't really know. The guy who sells them is a member here (Bob Doplina?, something like that), so maybe you should ask him. I've never had a problem with it. I'm pretty sure he said one time that he thought it was as strong as a stem, but I don't really remember.

Mine is different it’s just big enough to hold the important things I wouldn’t leave on the bike. I formed up an aluminum hook that’s two hooks one each side of the stem and connected at the bottom. Only takes a second on or off. And leaves the front rack free for other light bulky items that can stay with the bike.

I tried a double stem on my tourer and attached my Ortlieb handlebar bag to the bottom stem/bar. It worked fine. It put the bag away from the cyclocross levers I like and lowered the center of gravity. However, I concluded that the extra weight wasn't worth it. I took off the lower stem and bought an extender for the handlebar bag mount. It works fine.

Here's a picture of the double stem mount, before I removed the bottom one.

Double stem,threadless or not.Best single thing I've done for bike handling ever.

Might combine one of these https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/thorn-acc...deg-prod22924/ and the minirack like #6.

Velo Orange has stuff for the French style Brevet setups, bag clip and rack
as an integrated system, short of just buying the bike custom 'constructeur'
where the rack setup is part of the Build.

I've got a front rack that allows me to use a rack top bag rather than a handlebar bag, as well as low rider panniers. This moves all the weight down and makes it easier to control the bike. I can still easily grab what I need from the cockpit.

I also have installed a front rack, I have the Blackburn MTF-1

https://www.blackburndesign.com/racks/mtf-1-front.html

What bag are you using? How is it attached?

+1 on the rack top bag. I switched over to using a rack top bag six years ago and haven't looked back. I use the Surly front rack and a Lone Peak RP-350 (medium) rack bag and it works like a charm. This Lone Peak rack bag attaches simply using velcro straps. I like the lower center of gravity and not having the handlebar bag sitting high above the handlebar. The cockpit is now nicely uncluttered.



Many safe journeys,