(Tall Riders) Rando Bags

[Kelly Sleeper]

I keep looking and thinking that during the summer when I'm not out to carry as much that a rando bag on a marks rack might be the ticket. 

 

Trouble is I don't think they make rando bags tall enough to reach the Decaleur. I'm measuring about 15 inches from top of rack to bottom of handlebars.  

 

So what have you done?

 

Kelly

[Lynne Fitz]

check out Swift Industries - http://www.builtbyswift.com/

[doug peterson]

Kelly:

I've been pleased with Acorn's Boxy Rando on a Nitto small front rack
(same platform as Mark's, I think?). Sits on the rack solidly, no
connnection to the h'bars. Holds a ton of stuff. Acorn puts a
stiffener inside so the bag pretty much maintains its shape. Had mine
for a couple of years now & wouldn't leave home without it. And it
looks great.

dougP

On Mar 25, 7:09 pm, Kelly Sleeper <tkslee...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Tim McNamara]

I use a Mini 86 bag which is plenty big for my needs on clement rides up to about any distance (but then I can go on a 100 mile ride with whatever will fit in my pockets, too). There's a leather loop on the back that slides over the upright on my Nitto rack, and a toe strap goes through slots in the bottom and secures it to the rack.

I have to admit, I don't quite get the decaleur thing. I just leave the bag on the bike.

[William]

You can get a stock boxy rando handlebar bag as tall as 270mm. 15
inches is more like 370mm. Let's say you wanted the top of your rando
bag to be 1 or 2 inches below the level of your handlebar to leave
room for your headlight. That still means a custom handlebar bag that
is 320mm high. I bet my boy Phil at Loyal Designs in Berkeley could
make something for you.

[Kelly Sleeper]

Ok I was under the impression it was needed for stability. That and if to short I would be able to read or us the map holder. (no biggie there really)

You're like me there I'ld never take it off.

Sent from my iPhone

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[Jim Cloud]

Kelly,

I'm not sure what bike you're planning to ride with a Rando bag (you
obviously have several bikes!). If you haven't already gotten a
Mark's Rack and the bike will accommodate a front rack with cantilever
mounts, you might consider the front rack that VO makes with an
integrated decaleur. Here's a link to their website:
http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/accessories/racks-decaleurs/racks/pass-hunter-front-rack-with-integrated-decaleur.html
This rack is also made in another version that mounts to bosses on the
fork, instead of cantilever mounts.

That rack will accommodate a medium-size handlebar bag, like the Acorn
Boxy Rando Bag (which is 20 cm in height). It would probably fit one
of the various Gilles Berthoud bags as well, probably the GB25, or
GB2586 deluxe (22 cm high).

I have one of the VO "Traditional Stem Mount" decaleurs on my
Rivendell Road Standard (65 cm frame size), with a Gilles Berthoud
GB2886 (27 cm high). However I only have about 11 inches between the
bottom of the handlebar and the rack (which is a Mark's Rack), so I'm
not sure you'd want to use that decaleur. At any rate, here's a photo
from my Flickr Photostream that shows the Traditional decaleur on my
Riv: http://www.flickr.com/photos/37964304@N05/3634095108/in/set-72157619758078965/

Jim Cloud
Tucson, AZ

On Mar 25, 7:09 pm, Kelly Sleeper <tkslee...@gmail.com> wrote:

[rob markwardt]

The Mini is designed to be used without a decaleur...it's pretty
small. The other common Rando bags are two to three times higher.

> > For more options, visit this group athttp://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

[Kelly Sleeper]

Jim

Thanks that looks great... i was going to us it on my 67cm AHH. I
would easily fit a 69cm so there is a bit more seat post and stem than
usual so saddle bags and such don't reach well.

Sweet lugged stem.. yet another item on my wish list. That continues
to grow.

Kelly

[CycloFiend]

on 3/25/11 8:09 PM, Kelly Sleeper at tksl...@gmail.com wrote:

> Ok I was under the impression it was needed for stability. That and if to
> short I would be able to read or us the map holder. (no biggie there really)
>
> You're like me there I'ld never take it off.

I have a rando style bag of moderate height and just use the rear rack loop
and bottom strapping for attaching it. It goes through some reasonably
heavy mixed terrain, and doesn't seem any worse for wear. It does have a
stiffener inside.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclofiend/sets/72157617134694243

It seems like the need for upper attachment increases with the height of the
bag. The taller the bag (and increasing the load) the more movement near
the top.

Also, for route sheets - reformatting and enlarging print is a lifesaver!

hope that's of some help.

- Jim

--
Jim Edgar
Cyclo...@earthlink.net

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[Tim McNamara]

Yes, it is quite small, although I also think that most bar bags that I see in photos and such are way too big IMHO- like putting a shopping bag on your bike to go for a 20 mile ride. I did a brevet series and attempted PBP with just a Banana Bag and never felt that I didn't have enough carrying capacity. But I am moderately minimalist (my friend Doug has done many brevets on racing bikes and whatever will fit in a cycling jersey's pockets, and he always has a fun time so it is all a matter of preference).

I carry a compact tool kit (inspired by the ones at the link below, mine are closest to tool kit B) in one of the four side pockets, carry spare tubes in two other side pockets, have another side pocket for spare bulbs and sundries, wallet and tiny Leatherman type tool in the front internal compartment and basically have the main compartment free for whatever I need to take along. That's obviously not going to be a lot of stuff.

Compact and very useful tool kit ideas:

http://pardo.net/bike/pic/fail-003/000.html

[MichaelH]

Ditto what Doug wrote. The top of the bag does sag just a bit, which
I'm sure it wouldn't do with a decaleur, but so what. The bag sits
very solidly and comes on and off pretty easily. The strap that sells
with it is also very well done.

michael

[Mike]

On Mar 25, 9:09 pm, Kelly Sleeper <tkslee...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Ok I was under the impression it was needed for stability.  That and if to short I would be able to read or us the map holder. (no biggie there really)

You're right there Kelly. I bet the tall Berthoud bag and a Berthoud
decauler would work fine for you on a big bike. I really think it's a
bad idea for a taller person to get a small HB bag like the one VO
sells. The Berthoud bags are great quality and work well when set-up
properly. The Berthoud decauler would work well for you if the bag is
below the HB a few centimeters. I've used the VO decauler and it might
not work as well for you depending on your set-up

http://www.renehersebicycles.com/NPP%20Bags.htm

My 63cm Hilsen with the largest Berthoud bag:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/41335973@N00/3585988020/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41335973@N00/4510673877/in/set-72157613195465589/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41335973@N00/3419940264/in/set-72157613195465589/

Berthoud bag mounted on my Rambouillet (sold) with VO decauler:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41335973@N00/4251858375/in/set-72157613195345103/

It might be hard to see in this photo but mounting the bag was a bit
tricky because of the length of the stem and position of the
decauler.

I definitely say go big on the bag, it's expensive but worth it and
consider the Berthoud decauler. You could also see if someone could
build you a decauler.

--mike

[TomM]

On Mar 25, 10:09 pm, Kelly Sleeper <tkslee...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Trouble is I don't think they make rando bags tall enough to reach the
> Decaleur. I'm measuring about 15 inches from top of rack to bottom of
> handlebars.  
>

No problem .... just design the decaleur to reach the bag!

For a traditional Nitto stem
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34156114@N05/4858599135/

Or, for a threadless stem with a 4-bolt faceplate
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34156114@N05/4858599141/

Modular design allows for the custom fit that you need now, and the
interchangeable span element is useful if your needs change.
Decaleurs currently are available in conjunction with a custom front
rack.

Cheers,
Tom
http://www.tommatchakcycles.blogspot.com/

[Kelly Sleeper]

That's the best option and I saw from your photos that the reach wouldn't be a problem.

Lots of great info.

Kelly

Sent from my iPhone

[Jim Cloud]

I agree with Mike's suggestion to "go big" for a handlebar bag. The
additional capacity is useful for longer rides (and, I assume, brevets
although I don't ride in those events). There's little weight penalty
in having a large bag, and it doesn't have to be loaded to the gills
at all times. I often compartmentalize my Berthoud with some foam
camera bag inserts (I have a number from my Domke photo bags) just to
provide some useful arrangement to the large space available in the
GB2886 bag.

It's still convenient for shorter rides to switch the Berthoud out for
a Nigel Smythe "Little Loafer" front bag if I don't need the capacity
of the Berthoud. I don't feel compelled to keep the Berthoud on my
bike all the time!

Jim Cloud
Tucson, AZ

On Mar 27, 7:31 am, Mike <mjawn...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Mar 25, 9:09 pm, Kelly Sleeper <tkslee...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Ok I was under the impression it was needed for stability.  That and if to short I would be able to read or us the map holder. (no biggie there really)
>
> You're right there Kelly. I bet the tall Berthoud bag and a Berthoud
> decauler would work fine for you on a big bike. I really think it's a
> bad idea for a taller person to get a small HB bag like the one VO
> sells. The Berthoud bags are great quality and work well when set-up
> properly. The Berthoud decauler would work well for you if the bag is
> below the HB a few centimeters. I've used the VO decauler and it might
> not work as well for you depending on your set-up
>
> http://www.renehersebicycles.com/NPP%20Bags.htm
>
> My 63cm Hilsen with the largest Berthoud bag:
>

> http://www.flickr.com/photos/41335973@N00/3585988020/http://www.flickr.com/photos/41335973@N00/4510673877/in/set-721576131...http://www.flickr.com/photos/41335973@N00/3419940264/in/set-721576131...
>
> Berthoud bag mounted on my Rambouillet (sold) with VO decauler:http://www.flickr.com/photos/41335973@N00/4251858375/in/set-721576131...

[Jason Hartman]

Tom

I'm sure you have put a lot of thought into your design.
Why do you make the stem attachment part out of two
pieces rather than one?
Berthoud makes theirs that way because they have to be adjustable
to fit on any bike, but yours are custom and made to order for a specific bike.

Jay Hartman

[bicitourist]

+1 on the Loyal bag design. I just got my custom bag from Phil (customizations included detachable map case/full pockets on both sides with elastic band closure/inside wallet pocket/custom ranger tan fabric/with hand dyed leather). He's great to work with and the bag is on par with any GB and way cheaper than GUU Watanabee. My bag cost me about the same as a GB2886 deluxe but it was made exactly the way I asked for it so worth every penny in my mind. I goofed on the decauler and bought the shorty GB (90mm); too short for the bag I ordered on my 63cm frame! (you'd think I'd learn my lesson on impulse buys but i saw it at Box Dog Bikes and jumped on it).  The 120mm should fit perfect and is on order.  I'll post some picks of the bag when I get back home this weekend. (stuck in DC for work).

 --e