Handlebar bag suggestions
Peter
so high I can't put my Ayup lights on the bars. It also has a dicky
plastic mount that doesn't handle the weight in the bag very well over a
long distance and begins to tilt forward.
I'm wondering whether there is an alternative handlebar bag available
that sits below the handlebars. It would be great if it had a very
secure mounting system so it doesn't suffer when riding on dirt/rough
bitumen. Preferably one with a clear plastic map pocket on top too.
Anyone have any suggestions?
Peter
terryc
Only one of the four(?) handlebar bags I've ever had would match your
need and that was a Karrimor bag I purchased in the 70's. It was a nice
little bag and I still have it except the plastic needs replacement and
the seams were not overlocked and threads kept getting caught in the
zippers.
You have three problems;
1) Any handlebar mount that just grips the handlebars is not going to
carry anything more than a plastic cards and a energy bar for long. You
need a bag with a convoluted rod that wraps around the headstem and them
comes over the handlebars to support the bag. Not fool proof especially
if you tend to cart a few bricks in it, but you should get ten years out
of a good one.
2-A) Wanting the light on the handlbars. Can you move it? Stick it on
the front of the front rack (mudguard?), otherwise IME you are
restricting bag choice greatly.
2-B) Have you considered a rack top bag?
3) I've had clear plastic tops on Karrimoor(built in), Bell (3 stud
pocket), ????(clear top?) and now the Campro.
The campro is a LBS cheapo (same $ as ebay for den haag), with a A4 size
plastic bag sewn into the back top seam that you fold up and tuck under a
1" piece of elastic. The bag was thin and went crispy relatively fast.
Also fails comment one (I've already replaced plastic mounting grips) and
need for light on handlebar.
Zebee Johnstone
Peter <p5...@REMOVE.THIS.yahoo.com.au> wrote:
>
> I'm wondering whether there is an alternative handlebar bag available
> that sits below the handlebars. It would be great if it had a very
> secure mounting system so it doesn't suffer when riding on dirt/rough
> bitumen. Preferably one with a clear plastic map pocket on top too.
>
Arkel?
http://www.thebikebiz.com/Arkel_Handle_Bar_Bag_p/com-bag-ark01.htm
although it doesn't sit below unless you do this:
http://mgagnon.net/velo/potence-double.fr.shtml
http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-408644.html has other
suggestions.
the Arkel website seems to be down at the moment.
Zebee
Peter
Are they still around?
Peter
Peter
Thanks Zebee. The stem mount may even work with my current bag. I'll
check out bikeforums when I get home tonight.
Peter
John Henderson
> I knew I had seen something with a frame in the past. Karrimor was it.
> Are they still around?
Yes, but they seem to have moved on from the bicycle luggage
business: www.karrimor.com
More's the pity - I still use Karrimor panniers I bought decades
ago.
John
Peter
>
> Only one of the four(?) handlebar bags I've ever had would match your
> need and that was a Karrimor bag I purchased in the 70's. It was a nice
> little bag and I still have it except the plastic needs replacement and
> the seams were not overlocked and threads kept getting caught in the
> zippers.
>
> You have three problems;
>
> 1) Any handlebar mount that just grips the handlebars is not going to
> carry anything more than a plastic cards and a energy bar for long. You
> need a bag with a convoluted rod that wraps around the headstem and them
> comes over the handlebars to support the bag. Not fool proof especially
> if you tend to cart a few bricks in it, but you should get ten years out
> of a good one.
>
> 2-A) Wanting the light on the handlbars. Can you move it? Stick it on
> the front of the front rack (mudguard?), otherwise IME you are
> restricting bag choice greatly.
>
I have the light mounted on the front of my front rack at the moment,
but it's a bit annoying. You can't see the front of the wheel, which
makes for some interesting moments riding in a group. It's also hard to
adjust while riding.
> 2-B) Have you considered a rack top bag?
>
That's what I'm thinking would be the idea. I've done some googling and
found the Ostrich bag with a Nitto M12 looks like a good setup, but the
price is quite high for a simple bag (about $220 or so for the rack &
bag plus freight).
>
> 3) I've had clear plastic tops on Karrimoor(built in), Bell (3 stud
> pocket), ????(clear top?) and now the Campro.
>
> The campro is a LBS cheapo (same $ as ebay for den haag), with a A4 size
> plastic bag sewn into the back top seam that you fold up and tuck under a
> 1" piece of elastic. The bag was thin and went crispy relatively fast.
> Also fails comment one (I've already replaced plastic mounting grips) and
> need for light on handlebar.
Doesn't sound like what I want.
Jack Russell
Brooks do one and there are some nice French ones.
--
Remove norubbish to reply
Peter
> Rather than a rack top bag why no a saddlebag, I use a Carradice but
> Brooks do one and there are some nice French ones.
>
I like the idea of being able to see what's in the bag while riding and
and having a map pocket in front of me.
Jack Russell
Jack
terryc
> You can buy map holders (or you can in the UK).
That was going to be another suggestion. the last one I saw was in the
80's, but Australia has mtb orienteering contests, so there should be
some available locally. Worst case is that some where on someone's pages
was a build your own mapholder.
Then put gear in rack top back.
< will post to other msg after The Thing>
terryc
> I have the light mounted on the front of my front rack at the moment,
> but it's a bit annoying. You can't see the front of the wheel, which
> makes for some interesting moments riding in a group. It's also hard to
> adjust while riding.
There are basically three main positions for lights; axle level, rack
mount or brake bolt, or handlebar. Each has advantages and disadvantages.
An axle mount is great for showing bumps/relief but lousy for depth of
holes and prone to damage if you drop bicycle on wrong (right?) side.
However, it would show your wheel and wheel in front if that is what you
need.
Other options are (a) wider beam or (b) second light (my pref)
>
>> 2-B) Have you considered a rack top bag?
>>
>>
> That's what I'm thinking would be the idea.
Benefit over panniers is that you can usually get access to stuff without
dismounting (or even stopping = shudder).
> I've done some googling and found the Ostrich bag
That looks a nice bag. I'm not sure about the wearability of cotton duck
Reminds me of too many tents that eventually rotted out and AFAIR it
doesn't wear well.
> with a Nitto M12 looks like a good setup, but the
> price is quite high for a simple bag (about $220 or so for the rack &
> bag plus freight).
What price did you have on each component?
If the only reason for buying this rack is for the high metal loop
protecting the brakes and headstem, you could fudge this effect with cord
over the mount points and down to the rack. although, there are a number
of front (unisex?) racks around that have such a loop, but slightly
smaller. Or, the bottom loop of the Ostrich bag could have a cord holding
it forward to prevent it moving back against the headstem.
This review mentions using it with other racks.
http://blogs.phred.org/blogs/alex_wetmore/archive/2006/06/29/169.aspx
Drat, the more I look at that bag, the more I wish SWMBO would just move
over to her new sewing machine and let me have the old one. If I can get
a piece of tube with an ID to match the headstem, I could easily make a
bag in the same style.
Peter
> You can buy map holders (or you can in the UK).
>
> Jack
That's great. However I want a handlebar bag so I can find things while
riding.
Peter
Zebee Johnstone
> riding.
A top tube bag? Doesn't help with the map, but a standalone map
holder might do for the times you need that. I suppose it depends on
how much Stuff you want to carry.
http://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/mapcase/overview.asp?fl=&site= is a
map case there are no doubt cheaper ones about eg
http://www.argear.com/zefal-bike-map-case.html
http://www.jandd.com/bikes.asp has a bunch of frame bags that might
work.
Zebee
Peter
> A top tube bag? Doesn't help with the map, but a standalone map
> holder might do for the times you need that. I suppose it depends on
> how much Stuff you want to carry.
>
> http://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/mapcase/overview.asp?fl=&site= is a
> map case there are no doubt cheaper ones about eg
> http://www.argear.com/zefal-bike-map-case.html
>
>
> http://www.jandd.com/bikes.asp has a bunch of frame bags that might
> work.
>
> Zebee
Thanks again Zeebee. At present I have a full complement of other bags.
A small saddlebag for my lock (and a musette in case I decide to
purchase a baguette on the way home). A frame bag for tubes, patches and
tools. A top tube bag for lollies and other essentials. And then there
us the handlebar bag. That's holding lunch, spare lights and batteries,
a tyre, raincoat, phone, etc.
I like the idea of a second stem to mount my bag on. I'll have to see
whether it would interfere with my centrepull cantilever brakes. The
Ostrich bag on top of the Nitto rack looks ideal (and retro enough to
upset the carbon fibre mob on Saturday mornings). Luckily both my
birthday and Xmas are coming soon.
Peter
20cents
p5...@REMOVE.THIS.yahoo.com.au (Peter) wrote:
Peter,
I had exactly the same problem.
I have an Ortlieb Ultimate 5 (medium) handlebar bag that holds
everything I need during the day. It is waterproof and uses a lockable
mounting that has a wire cable wrapping around the bars and under the
stem so that weight in the bag actually tensions the cable.
Ortlieb also make a map case that affixes to press studs on the bag lid
but I made a short strap with male press studs and just clip that to the
bag after threading it through a flap on my map case. It is not a
perfect solution because the wind makes the map case 'float' but that
does not bother me. It also silences empty press studs that rattle.
I also have an AyUp light on this bike (a Surly Long Haul Trucker) that
I have mounted underneath the top-plate of my Old Man Mountain Sherpa
front rack using AyUp Gecko mounts for both the light and battery.
An advantage of the under tray mount is that the light is not
immediately apparent to a casual passer-by (aka an opportunist thief) so
I am comfortable leaving it for short periods.
If you are in Sydney I could show it to you or if you need any more
information I am happy to provide.
I purchased the Ortlieb bag through Wiggle (UK) along with other stuff
and it was much cheaper than buying in Aust.
regards,
20cents
Peter
Not a bad idea. In fact I've got it set up like that at present. The
main problem is that it's hard to turn lights on/off or adjust them
while riding. I'm thinking a mini front rack and ostrich bag is looking
good for Xmas.
Peter
20cents
<173090558279063286.033342p5...@news.optusnet.co
m.au>,
Peter <p5...@REMOVE.THIS.yahoo.com.au> wrote:
Turning the front light on/off while riding is not hard and I don't need
to adjust the light so not problems. Mostly, I turn the light on/off
when stopped anyway. I will eventually get one of the new batteries that
has hi/lo power and flash but I already have two AyUp sets and cannot
justify more expense.
If you do buy the Gecko mounts and mount the light underneath, you will
notice that the light sags a little as there is some give in the velcro
but it only goes so far and is no problem. The light is quite stable
even when you hit the odd hole or raised surface (if you ride in Sydney
East then these impediments are unavoidable).
I did not use the Gecko mount on my battery because of space limitations
but instead used adhesive backed velcro strips - I don't use the battery
cover. I wrapped a velcro strap around the battery & rack as extra
insurance but doubt that is necessary.
Food for thought but whatever you do will be right.
regards,
20cents