ISO Handlebar Bags (my first time starting a thread)

[Guy Jett]

I bought my Hilsen in May of 2010 soon adding a Sackville handlebar bag on a Nitto N-15 rack.  The main bag capacity is about 7.8 litres and is a teensy bit too wide.  I've added corrugated plastic stiffeners to help it hold its shape and have completely enjoyed this piece of art in the many years since.

I am now looking for a handlebar sack for my ancient Raleigh Competition.  The old Karrimor sack on a slip-over the stem wire-rod mount is long dead and there aren't any around now.  So I'm looking for current recommendations.

Last extensive discussion of handlebar bags was back in 2020.  Many of the suppliers discussed no longer have active websites and, I presume, are no longer in business.  

Desires:
      1.  Opens towards the rider for easy access while riding.  This might include fasteners
              such as such as a hook and elastic string to secure the top in place. Something
              like the Rene Herse or Berthoud rando bags use.  (I've added such to the Sackville
              with a small elastic attached to the two rear d-rings then over the stem and held
              by a zip tie button.  This keeps the magnetic catch from flying open and dumping
              all my stuff when crashing.)
      2.  6.5 to 9 litres capacity for the main sack with side pockets for a small toolset
             and a patch kit.
      3.  Map case preferred.
      4.  Some kind of device to mount to the handlebars such as used by Ortlieb, or the
              Nitto N-15, or a decaleur or other options.
      5.  I'd like to keep the bag price under $200, preferably under $150 -- the rack
             would be extra.
      6.  I've looked at Topeak (poor reviews, fragile),  Ortlieb (most too small but would
             entertain  suggestions.), Route Werks (large is too large, small too small),
             and others with no luck.

What I DON'T want are:
      1.  Direct mount to the handlebars.  I like my hand space near the stem and to
             mount my phone / cyclocomputer and my bell.
      2.  A main closure using buckles, zippers, drawstrings, etc. as they complicate
             matters.
      3.  Burrito type bags, esp. with front openings as they seem difficult to access when
              riding.
      4.  Roll-top bags as they seem even more difficult to access while riding.

Happy routes,

GAJett

[Ron Mc]

If you like the F-15 bag hanger, take a look at Ostrich F-516 - canvas and nylon versions.  

https://alexscycle.com/collections/front-bags/products/ostrich-f-516-canvas-front-bag-limited-edition

https://alexscycle.com/collections/front-bags/products/ostrich-f-516-canvas-front-bag-1

https://alexscycle.com/collections/front-bags/products/ostrich-f-516-front-bag-1

This isn't the Ostrich bag, but an F-15 bag that Ruthworks made for me.  

You'll spend a lot more on a front-rack-tombstone + decaleur - here, Nitto M18 and Berthoud decaleur on Acorn tall rando (my '75 International rebuilt 5 times).  

[Mathias Steiner]

Jett,

I share your dislike for burrito bags and other semi-floppy ones mounted directly to the handlebar.
For a rando-type bicycle, where the handlebar bag is your main luggage, I'd go with something like Ron has suggested.

But for a touring bike, or a bike that's otherwise equipped with bags, I really like the old Cannondale bags, as shown.
This particular one I bought new in 1993 and am still using it... last year, I bought a used one in excellent shape, attachment gizmo and all, for fiddy bucks. An excellent value, they're light, and they don't rattle.

Ortliebs work great, but mine rattled, and it's heavy, and I don't like the looks.

The 'dales are around with a little patience. Maybe ebay, but I prefer bikeforum's "for sale" section in the Classic & Vintage forum.

cheers -mathias

[Ron Mc]

One other thought that's less $ on a rack system and more on a nice bag.  

KlikFix makes their version of the bag hanger, similar to Nitto F-15 and looks identical to Ostrich Hook Rack K.  

WaxWing makes custom bags, and his medium Waxwing Rackless fits the bag hanger:  

https://www.waxwingbagco.com/store/p41/Waxwing_Rackless.html

(more than twice the cost of the Ostrich F-516, but made just like you want)

[Conway Bennett]

I have an outer shell rack bag attached to a jack-the-bike-rack.  It's stable and easy on and off, so I can swap it between bikes.

[Bill Lindsay]

I've got a spare Mark's Rack + Loyal Designs traditional "Berthoud Style" handlebar bag + a small collection of Berthoud decaleur bits, so I could possibly set you up with an ensemble if you were so inclined.  Let me know if you wanted to pursue something.  

The Loyal Designs handlebar bag is grey canvas with traditional leather trim.  The integral stiffeners have been squished a little in shipping, and they are partially held in with velcro that could probably handle being re-done with better adhesive or even a couple rivets, or similar.  The bag is roughly 250mm x 180mm x 160mm, which is about 7 liters not including the exterior pockets.  It has a proper map case, and has a nice front pocket and side pockets and rider facing pockets like a fully appointed Berthoud bag would.  I think $150 would be a fair second-hand price.  

Used Mark's racks go for $100 and I think that's fair also.  

Berthoud decaleurs are in the $140 range retail, so if I have the combo of pieces you need, I'd ask half-retail: $70. 

Let me know if you're interested.  Otherwise I'll make a separate for sale post with photos and such.  

Bill Lindsay

El Cerrito, CA

[Bharat Nair]

Got this bar support off eBay a few months ago and have not used it much as I switched to panniers. LMK if you're interested. Similar to Nitto F16.

I've mounted both a Wald Basket (zip tied) and a Swift Zeitgeist, the latter worked best. 

v

[Guy Jett]

I'd forgotten about the Cannondale bags.  Quite nice.  I aAlmost bought on when I bought my Karrimor some decades ago.  Thanks for the reminder.

GAJett

[Guy Jett]

Thanks Ron.

The Ostrich bags look very promising.  Just need to decide on the bag support.  F-15, F-18, the KlikFix you mention below, or the Ostrich hanger.

Unfortunately Ron of Acorn retired a couple of years ago.  Their bags were fantastic.

GAJett 

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[Ron Mc]

Hi Guy, 

You're welcome.  Ostrich makes a killer bag for the price - you did say cost effective for your Raleigh Competition, and I can't think of a more cost effective bag.  

I will say their nylon doesn't weather as well long-term as their canvas.  

Also, you can clean the canvas up nicely with a foam-type auto upholstery cleaner and a sponge.  

I have Ostrich giant 15-l bag, where I need it on my bike-fish bike - they don't do a tombstone loop, and are trickier to strap down to Mark's, M-18, etc., and really benefit from the spendy Berthoud decaleur.  

When you mentioned cost, size and having used F-15, Ostrich F-516 bag seems like an easy choice.  

Regards.