Front bag suggestions and why you’re making them.

[Lucia Matioli]

Hey folks. 

So…

Let’s talk bags. I currently have the wizard works alakazam for a medium Wald basket. 

I loved the way it looks and the expansion was so promising. 

But. 
I dislike it more and more. The Velcro pouch in the front zips away from me and gets caught on the velcro all the time-not in a clean way and if I have stuff in it it doesn’t allow it to conform if the main bag is full. And when the bag is expanded flaps all over the place. There isn’t a way to secure it when it’s open. It’s annoying. 

There aren’t any outside pockets either. Except for that one flap, again inaccessible when riding.

I need a bag that is good for commuting, holding a laptop and lunch, folio, etc as well as something I can take bike-packing. Hence, why I was initially stoked on the alakazam with its expansion capabilities. Also it’s great for groceries. I can pack a ton in it. 

I was thinking about the swift sugarloaf. It def doesn not have the capacity of my alakazam, but I think it looks more useful. 

Curious what yall use? I know this can be very personal. But was looking for thoughts. 

Thanks

Lucia

Lucia Matioli

Sr Creative Consultant

goodthinkingco.com

linkedin.com/in/luciamatioli/

              

  

[Nick Payne]

I commuted for many years before retirement using a Carradice Camper Longflap saddlebag to carry what I needed - laptop, lunch, work clothes to change into, etc. I also used the same bag and bike to carry all my luggage for short tours of up to three or four days.

Here it is being used in the Victorian Alps.

Nick Payne

[Andy Beichler]

I plan to either make or buy a large randonneur bag for one or more of my bikes.  In the meantime, I have a Carradice Camper Longflap like the one Nick post above hanging from my handlebar and supported underneath by a Mark's Rack.  I did that just to see if I liked how it handled with a front load.  They can handle a lot of stuff and if I didn't also want the look of a traditional randonneur bag, I would just keep this one on there.  For the record, I have 46cm Noodles on my bike. I would not want the Camper Longflap with narrower drops, but it might not bother other people. And, Carradice makes narrower bags if you wanted to try that approach with narrower bars.

Most of the traditional style randonneur bags would not hold my work laptop, lunch and anything else I might be carrying.  Even my smallish laptop is wider than most of them.  However, Waxwing bags makes a Porteur and a Demi-Porteur bag that are bigger than most other offerings I have found and they still look like traditional front bags.  If I decide to buy one instead of making my own, I will buy one of those.  Good luck in your search.

[Minh]

I have a sugarloaf (and actually need to list it for sale), I think it would be a pretty big downgrade in terms of capacity and flexibility compared to the WW bag.  its definitely tidier and more organized, but if you want to expand capacity beyond, you have to stack another bag on top.  

for example when I use it in a basket for bikepacking I will add another bag on top or my sleeping bag and pull a net over the whole thing.  ends up being a bit of a tower, it works but not ideal.  

that said I do like the Sugarloaf for day to day--still not sure if it will work for your laptop.  but if you decide on sugarloaf and don't mind secondhand in black, send me a message privately to discuss. 

[Bernard Duhon]

I have a black medium Acorn  randouner handlebar bag that's barely been used just a little dusty . I would consider a selling it.

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From: rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com <rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Minh <mgian...@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2025 10:50:13 AM
To: RBW Owners Bunch <rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [RBW] Re: Front bag suggestions and why you’re making them.

 

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[Dorothy C]

Fifth Season bags based in Vermont have a handlebar bag. I don’t have this model, but I do own their Switchel sack that makes a nice basket bag. 

https://analogcycles.com/products/fifth-season-canvas-bulldog-front-handlebar-bag-bright-blue-black-wool

[Spencer Robinson]

The sugarloaf is very nicely made, I like mine a lot, but, it might be tight with a laptop.

The bag that Riv sold, I forget the name, I have one of those and love it for the simpleness…ya just dump stuff in and zip it up.

If I had a need for a 3rd, the Fifth Season would be my choice 

[Ben R]

I have a black Rons Fabios chest in pac size small and a Large Pink waxed Fabios chest im going to list if you're interested in any of those.

I bought them before needle works factory closed and used them for like a month before I went back to using my basket.

[Matthew Williams]

I’m very happy with my Weekender Longflap from Rambler:

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[Josh C]

I can't say enough good things about the outershell large basket bag here: https://outershell.com/shop/rack-bag-1

It can strap to a porteur rack or simply sit in the large Wald basket. They have a smaller one for the 137 basket, but for me, it's not big enough. I use this bag daily to commute to work with my lunch, often a laptop, coffee, a large water bottle, and so on. One thing I like is that you just set it down in the basket, attach the two hooks on the flap, and you're off. You CAN strap it down into the basket with the straps sewn to the bottom of the bag, but I don't find it necessary. 

[Josh C]

Here's a quick shot of that Outershell bag for size reference.

[Steve]

Lucia, would it solve the issue with the zippered pouch if you simply turned the bag around so that the zipper faces you?   The Wizard Works looks like a nice bag - especially if you happen to have the splatter colorway. 

Steve in AVL

[Shannon Menkveld]

I've been really liking my Dark Realm Basket Bag in "Southern Sunset" X-Pac:

It's riding in a Wald 137, zip-tied (pardon me, cable-tie-tied) to a Jack the Bike Rack front rack on the Probable Peugeot PKN-10. Floppy at low speeds, but a bit of speed straightens things right out. Great bag, looks crazy-cool, hella convenient, MUSA.

--Shannon

[velomann]

As someone with A LOT of front bags, I've got some opinions that may or may not be of value to anyone. First, my handlebar bags can be divided into two basic categories; supported by a rack (and maybe a basket) or just hanging on the handlebars. 

I currently run two Sugarloaf bags and two Outershell 137 basket bags. All of these are in baskets supported by small front Nitto racks. I slightly prefer the Outershell rando-style features, but the Sugarloaf is better for grab and go functionality. However, if you want to carry a laptop, I don't think either would be a good choice - they're better for smaller or more packable squishy items.

I picked up a used Tunitas basket bag, it's a rolltop style and it's got a lot more capacity - I wouldn't hesitate to put a laptop in it. I really like it. I hear the latest version is even better. I also just started testing out a new Swift Acme basket tote. Not a rolltop, doesn't even really "look" like a bike bag, but it has some cool basket attachment features and again, easy grab and go, and would work great for a laptop and additional stuff. So far I like it a lot.

My non-basket bags are a Jack Supply Slugger and Little Slugger https://www.jacksupplyco.com/shop/p/yolbwkp5ijyayzoys6p6rtzbhm1ws2

A Bags By Bird Goldback and a Piccolo https://www.bagsxbird.com/handlebarbags and a Swift-made Fab's Chest, which has HUGE capacity. THe BbyB bags have a stellar reputation and I concur - they're fantastic. THe Fab's Chest is great for my main bag bikepacking; I personally wouldn't use it for anything else, and at my size I have to run it with some kind of rack to keep it off the tire. Jack Supply is a local company, but have recently started manufacturing Simworks brand of bags. Excellent quality, no frills, similar design to BbyB bags.

Mike M

[velomann]

Also, Shannon's recent post reminded me, the Jack the Bike Rack is an excellent way to mount a basket, OR to strap down just about any non-bike specific bag. I've got three in use currently and have zero complaints. 

Mike M

[Shannon Menkveld]

My post was too long, so I had to split it up. Here's the rest.

In my closet here at the transitional housing facility, (read: really nice veteran's shelter,) I've got a Tim Tas+Rek Randonneur Bag & decaleur that I scored a couple of months ago on the List of Bay Area Craigs for $40, but the bike it's going on is still in storage in Eureka. (It's been a really, really long year.) Still, given that the combo new would cost me $322.48 at today's exchange rate, shipped from the Netherlands to Berkeley, I had to grab it:

The damage at the left rear corner is what happens to a canvas handlebar bag when its bicycle falls off on the freeway. It's also apparently all that happens... thing's built like a nuke-proof outhouse.

--Shannon

[Hugh C]

I think the Swift bag would be a good choice. As an FYI the Camper Longflap is a huge bag. I use a Nelson Longflap occasionally for touring and plenty big for the purpose you describe. Mine fits in my 15”x10” Wald basket if the side pockets are empty and has D rings to attach a shoulder strap. A downside of the duck canvas Carradice bags is they are water resistant, especially if re-waxed periodically, but not waterproof. The Zeitgeist bags aren’t waterproof but they shed water better - I have a Catalyst and Zeitgeist.

I have a Pelago bag and porteur rack for my city bike. It’s great for errands but would have the same issues you describe with your current bag. For touring I use a Berthoud rando bag or the smaller Swift bag, so wouldn’t fit your needs.

On Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at 8:01:34 AM UTC-4 Andy Beichler wrote:

[Tyler ('06 Homer)]

I commute with rear panniers (ortlieb back rollers) and add a Swift Catalyst up front when camping. I tried to make basket-commuting work for me but, as you seemingly have realized too, the space is often insufficient. Ortliebs are popular for a reason I would say. I also acquired their commuter insert which includes a laptop sleeve and it keeps everything organized and safe. 

[Ryan Good]

I wonder if Swift Acme Tech Tote might meet your needs?

Acme Tech Tote – Swift Industries

On Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at 9:33:13 AM UTC-7 ber...@bernardduhon.com wrote:

[Patrick Smith]

I've got a 14 mile round trip commute with a front rack/bag. I take clothes packed in a packing cube and a 15" laptop. Unfortunately the laptop is just a touch too big for any Wald137 setups. I tried a large Restrap Rando, which I love. But a touch too small. Then I had the large size ILE rack bag. Really great design but a touch too wide for my smaller demiporter rack, it could t cinch down quite tight enough. My current bag is a Outershell Large Rack bag. It's darn near perfect. I liked the carry handle better on the ILE. Still need a good size rack though. 

Smitty in DC 

[Lucia Matioli]

Hey folks!

It’s been so cool to get to see all of the suggestions as well as find out about new manufacturers! I love it. I have always been a bit bag obsessed, always. 

I think I’m going to try adapting the alakazam, based on another expandable roll top bag someone suggested. I’m lucky to have a friend who is also bag obsessed and they happen to have a bunch of sewing machines. I also might have them make this alakazam repro with design edits out of oil cloth. It’s such a great material. 

I’ll keep yall posted. The trick will be turning over the bag for updates and not having something in the interim. :/

Keep the suggestions coming because, well, obsessed. 

Cheers!

Lucia

oakland 

Ca

Earth

Lucia Matioli

Sr Creative Consultant

goodthinkingco.com

linkedin.com/in/luciamatioli/

              

   

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