Bar bags
Moderators: Bearbonesnorm, Taylor, Chew
- fatbikephil
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Bar bags
Just had a squint at this:-
https://bikepacking.com/index/saddlebags/
My ageing sweetroll is falling apart and I've been ruminating over bar bags. I stash shelter and waterproofs in it plus maybe the odd thing like spare gloves, beer and whisky. I'm now wondering if a top loader bag would fit the bill as it should be easier to get in and out of rather than faffing with roll up closures and pulling everything out when you grab what you need.
Most are eye-wateringly expensive apart from the caradice stuff. Then I dragged out my old Nelson saddlebag, ejected the spiders and mice; and lo, it fits on the bars a treat.... It's a bit heavy though.
Whats everyone think?
https://bikepacking.com/index/saddlebags/
My ageing sweetroll is falling apart and I've been ruminating over bar bags. I stash shelter and waterproofs in it plus maybe the odd thing like spare gloves, beer and whisky. I'm now wondering if a top loader bag would fit the bill as it should be easier to get in and out of rather than faffing with roll up closures and pulling everything out when you grab what you need.
Most are eye-wateringly expensive apart from the caradice stuff. Then I dragged out my old Nelson saddlebag, ejected the spiders and mice; and lo, it fits on the bars a treat.... It's a bit heavy though.
Whats everyone think?
- RIP
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Re: Bar bags
(obv I'm not grinning about the poor old witch, just Phil being a witch...)
"My God, Ponsonby, I'm two-thirds of the way to the grave and what have I done?" - RIP
The sign outside the asylum is the wrong way round.....
"At least you got some stories" - James Acaster
The sign outside the asylum is the wrong way round.....
"At least you got some stories" - James Acaster
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Re: Bar bags
I've been looking for something similar for a while, but in a synthetic material.
As you've mentioned they're really expensive, but I'm probably going to pull the trigger at some point.
Cheers, Michael.
As you've mentioned they're really expensive, but I'm probably going to pull the trigger at some point.
Cheers, Michael.
“I want to see the wild country again before I die, and the Mountains..."
Bilbo Baggins.
Bilbo Baggins.
Re: Bar bags
I did a similar thing with a super c bag to see what it was like: viewtopic.php?f=13&t=19391
Have now used it for a few trips. Not sure it’s quite as stable as the wild cat harness for proper off road and is definitely heavier, but very convenient. Think I’m a convert - fancy the tribulus end over one…..
Have now used it for a few trips. Not sure it’s quite as stable as the wild cat harness for proper off road and is definitely heavier, but very convenient. Think I’m a convert - fancy the tribulus end over one…..
- Bearlegged
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Re: Bar bags
In the past I've used a Carradice lightweight audax modified to take a Klickfix bracket. Not bad, but a bit floppy and faffier than one might expect to get into.
I now have an Ortlieb Handlebar-Pack QR which seems to be a distinct improvement.
The main driver for both is something to fit between the hoods/shifters on my drop bar bike. I don't think I'd use one on a flat bar bike, I'd probably go for my bar roll with an accessory pouch if I needed to have easy access to gubbins.
I now have an Ortlieb Handlebar-Pack QR which seems to be a distinct improvement.
The main driver for both is something to fit between the hoods/shifters on my drop bar bike. I don't think I'd use one on a flat bar bike, I'd probably go for my bar roll with an accessory pouch if I needed to have easy access to gubbins.
- fatbikephil
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Re: Bar bags
Reg I thought I could rely on you as a staunch traditionalist!
I might give it a go. Being on the Jones, the truss fork and loops make for a very stable mount for such a bag, if I can fit it in there. IF it works I might spend some dosh on a lighter one, in the absence of anywhere selling revelate sweetrolls....
Re: Bar bags
What size sweetroll would you be after? Been thinking about parting ways with mine and going for something with a harness instead.
- fatbikephil
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Re: Bar bags
A 15L one is what I'd need
- RIP
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Re: Bar bags
Mmm, sorry chap . I'm sort of a traditional modernist or maybe a modern traditionalist. Like a Fred Dibnah / Elon Musk jekyll and hyde .
"My God, Ponsonby, I'm two-thirds of the way to the grave and what have I done?" - RIP
The sign outside the asylum is the wrong way round.....
"At least you got some stories" - James Acaster
The sign outside the asylum is the wrong way round.....
"At least you got some stories" - James Acaster
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Re: Bar bags
Does that you mean that you climb cooling towers whilst Tweeting sub standard about cave divers who don’t want your mini submarines?
If you are going through hell, keep going.
WSC
WSC
Re: Bar bags
I quite like the idea of a roll top front bag. Easy to get to stuff. I always find I really like the little add on pouches on the front of a bar roll best, normally I leave with it empty and have it there for sandwiches etc.
Guess it depends where you like to keep your most used stuff. Usually the frame bag for me.
Guess it depends where you like to keep your most used stuff. Usually the frame bag for me.
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: Bar bags
I'll often use my Acepac one as a standalone bar bag.I quite like the idea of a roll top front bag. Easy to get to stuff. I always find I really like the little add on pouches on the front of a bar roll best
May the bridges you burn light your way
- Cheeky Monkey
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Re: Bar bags
Ditto.
That and a skinny under-TT bag (rather than a full frame triangle size) are the bags I use most on a more "daily" basis.
That and a skinny under-TT bag (rather than a full frame triangle size) are the bags I use most on a more "daily" basis.
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Re: Bar bags
Yep - My Revelate Yakataga makes a good stand-alone bar bag.Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Fri Aug 13, 2021 10:00 amI'll often use my Acepac one as a standalone bar bag.I quite like the idea of a roll top front bag. Easy to get to stuff. I always find I really like the little add on pouches on the front of a bar roll best
Re: Bar bags
If you do consider a new bar roll type set up I can highly recommend the Acepac stuff that Stu sells. I got the version with the separate dry bag and harness and also got the extra bag that attaches to the front and am really impressed with it all. It's really well thought out with some lovely design touches like a velcro patch that holds the dry bag in place while you attach the straps. The front bag also attaches in a really clever way and allows quick access to stuff you need more frequently and it can be used as a a stand-alone bag for day rides as well (it's 5 litres capacity iirc). Quality is really high as well, I love mine.
- fatbikephil
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Re: Bar bags
Although I've just received a replacement Topeak bar loader (first one fell apart) which was a chrissy pressie from Mum and Dad so anything I get will have to be bodged to allow it to be fitted.
Re: Bar bags
Ive been using an alpkit airlok on the bars for the last 10 years I’ve been bikepacking. For me it still ticks the boxes of being cheap and very lightweight - when my current one wears out, I’ll definitely replace it with the same. Those toploader bags look heavy and expensive in comparison, pretty much the exact opposite of what I want.
I also get that I’m not at all representative of the ‘modern bikepacker’
I also get that I’m not at all representative of the ‘modern bikepacker’
- fatbikephil
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Re: Bar bags
Mine is a medium (first generation one) so defo interested.