Front Bags & attachments

[Michael Hechmer]

I purchased an Acorn bag  2-3 years ago and have been pretty happy with its volume, portability, durability, and looks. I also like the little pockets for camera, phone, etc.  But it sits a little low on my 62-63 cm frames, and I typically can't read a map that far below the HB.  Meanwhile my wife has been wanting to replace her 80's vintage Rhode Gear nylon bag.  So I am thinking about giving her my Acorn and replacing it with something that is either taller (Bertoud) or simply sits higher.  (This past month the check book got hit with Fed. Inc. Tax, state Inc. Tax, property Tax, house insurance, car insurance, four new car tires, a mercy mission to a friend dying in Zurich, and a conference in Boston.... so this project may not happen right away!)

But the question is which combination of bag & rack?  I'm a big fan of quick release on & off.  And, I don't want to cramp my hand position on drop bars.  The Bertoud Bag and the Klickfix attachment looks fast but I wonder how much space there is between the bag & bar? The klikfix also would be inexpensive to replicate on other bikes and is unobtrusive when not in use. The traditional Bertoud decaleur looks classy but also looks fussy to put on & off.    I once had the VO decaleur and found it rattled, but maybe that is not a universal or current issue.  The RBW boxy rack looks nice but I wonder if either the Sackville or Nigel Smith bags have the little pocket versatility of the Acorn, and of course would look very strange without a bag mounted to it.

What's your experience?

michael

[Ablejack]

My best bike has a decaleur and the Berthoud 28 (12 liter). It's more of a fuss than dropping it on and pressing a button to release, but I like it for looks. I have two other bikes with the klickfix system and use the Brooks Hoxton basket as well as two different Berthoud Klickfix Bags. Very easy on and off. The problem with the klickfix is that the available bags are too small. Even the largest Berthoud with klickfix is smaller than the traditional attachments. But then again I find the Acorn bag way too small as well. I tend to think of a handlebar bag as the primary bag, the bigger the better. There's plenty of finger room at the bar if you are worried (2 inches, I just measured) and maps are right up level with your bar. No rack necessary. You can also attach a klickfix plate mount to any bag or basket you want. But there's part of me that tries to avoid putting plastic parts on a bike too. So the fancy bike gets the decaleur/rack. But if you want quick release I say the GB192.

http://www.renehersestore.com/servlet/the-Bags-and-Racks/Categories

There is also the Guu Watanabe shop which makes whatever you desire including full size klickfix attached front bag with map case any colour you want. But how much do you really love your bike?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/guuwatanabe/3720690644/in/set-72157618490343797