steinercat

Any suggestions on a smaller handlebar bag?

I really like the size of this Lezyne Bar Caddy - 7L.

However, I was hoping for something with a zipper pocket for quick access to phone & gels. The Timbuk2 FrontRunner Roll has the easy access zipper pockets, but it's too large at 11L for my needs.

Thanks for any recomendations.

TrojanHorse

this one (9L): https://www.apidura.com/shop/expedition-handlebar-pack/
can be paired with an accessory pack for your gel storage needs. Or get the rapha version because, why not, you deserve it.

This one is about half the size but seems to have more zippers etc for your gels: https://kgear.eogear.com/collections...gear-h-bag-2-3
You can also get accessories to hang on the side.

fietsbob

Ok, back packing strap on your bars bags not touring handle bar bags

Ortlieb , makes bags for that type too ,

A double end opening dry bag.. waterproof..

An add on bag offers your quick access, but

conventional handlebar bags they have made for a long time, also do that..
maybe better..??



..

Lazyass

Jandd has some nice ones.

https://www.jandd.com/search_results...el=2&subcat=10

steinercat

Thanks all!

Will check those out.

DrIsotope

Considered MOLLE? Might have to finagle it a little to mount to bars-- though a bracket could be fabricated quite easily and inexpensively. And by it's nature, you can attach more stuff to the front of it. I'm currently running a mini handlebar bag (for phone, USB battery, Clif bars, etc) which is a repurposed MOLLE belt pouch.

Hmmm

I have a Golden Saddle Cyclery logo'd Jandd ''bike bag" on my handlebars for colder days or longer rides. It keeps my pockets free, I can stuff anything I need in there. Usually snacks, jacket, arm warmers, extra tube tool and a light. I don't take it on short faster rides.

I love it. Plus it's hip AF to have a bar bag according to the internets.

Koyote

Look at Roadrunner Bags...Particularly the Burrito and Burrito Supreme. They are simple, effective, and reasonably priced.

Pbone01

Noice!

wipekitty

+1

I love my Jandd bike bag for centuries, adventure days, and rides with quickly changing weather conditions.

BirdsBikeBinocs

I like this one. It's a Bell. I fit a lot of stuff in there. Quite often I strap it onto the rear rack. I think I spent less than 12 dollars on mine.

Bill in VA

+1! for the Burrito. I looked and looked for a small bag and finally found the Roadrunner Burrito for my drop bar bike. I just wanted a place for my phome, wallet, keys and some snacks. Due to the size and method of attachment is is secure and does not interfere with my bike's cantilever brake wire. My one modification was a piece of 1/4" closed-cell foam to serve as a liner to prevent sag. A great bag.

The other suggestion by DrIsotope about MOLLE bags is a very good one as they are flexible beyond belief, and usually very durable. There are a number that are waterproof. Unfortunately most are only available in black, tan or other military or LE colors or cammy.

I will never understand why black bags are so popular. It absorbs heat so it is not the best for a cooler pack or for carrying electronics or a camera. I have seen MOLLE bags in red for paramedics. If people ask about the white cross just tell them it is for Switzerland..

wphamilton

Black doesn't make it any hotter. Maybe it absorbs heat better from the inside (works both ways you know) and the air flow cools it, but I've never felt anything was warm from the black bag.

This one a hard-shell "bag", more like an aero box




For "smaller" bag, since it pulls up narrower depending on what's in it

Phil_gretz

My wife and I have Topeak Tourguide handlebar bags. They feature a rigid construction, removable shoulder strap, rain fly, and most importantly, a quick connect/release mechanism that you can have on several bikes. This permits you to move the bag from bike-to-bike easily. I use mine on my daily commuter, and remove it to take inside each work day. Super convenient for small snacks, small tools, a phone, keys, wallet and other IDs that your job might require. I can also carry pepper spray, garage opener, small flashlight and my saddle cover inside. When touring, I add a few sundry items. This is a fantastic bag.

EDIT: I forgot to mention that it has a removable clear map holder on top, and the interior can be accessed while riding due to the zipper orientation. It's cleverly thought out.

Skipjacks

Amazon + MOLLE SMALL as your search term = awesome

It's all I use on my hybrid commuter. Tool bag, phone bag, etc. They are not aerodynamic. But they are functional. They come in every shape and size you can think up. You just have to be creative and patient with your searching.

Like Dr Isotope said, they are not designed to attach to a bike. So you have to be a little creative. A $3 pack of long velcro straps from Home Depot resolves a lot of those issues.

And for being dirt cheap ($10-$20) they are surprisingly durable and well made.

livedarklions

Where did you get it? Want one!

qajaq

cyccommute 

What do you want to use it for? The roll type aren't all that convenient for day-to-day use. If you want the bag to carry stuff that you need ready access to, you have to unroll the bag and pull everything out. The roll type are good for carrying stuff to a campsite where you empty the bag and set up camp. They are also not all that easy to remove if you want to take it with you.

A more traditional handlebar bag is better for items you want easy access to. My favorite (but it is pricy) is the Ortlieb Ultimate. It is waterproof, attaches solidly, detaches quickly, has a handy strap to carry it and is about the same volume as the Lezyne you posted. They are also rugged and durable. I have one from 2005 that is still going strong despite about 10,000 miles of touring. Brand new

Lolo Pas 15 by Stuart Black, on Flickr

and 10 years later

2015-05-03 11.38.54 by Stuart Black, on Flickr

I'm confident enough of it's waterproofness that I use it to carry an SLR on tour

2015-05-21 12.55.21 by Stuart Black, on Flickr

And it's easy enough to access that I can take the camera out and take pictures while riding.

Library - 3994 by Stuart Black, on Flickr

...even at 4 mph on a steep Arkansas hill

IMGP1727 by Stuart Black, on Flickr



If you don't want to spend the money for an Ortlieb, there are lots of other handlebar bags that are similar. They aren't quite as rugged but they would be better for most applications than a roll type if you need access to them during a ride.

wphamilton

Made it - sorry - and some nicer fiberglass ones which are way too much trouble to construct, but the reinforced fabric one in the second pic was very easy. I can describe it, but you can't really get one.

livedarklions

When it comes to sewing, some people are all thumbs. I am all big toes.

Thanks for the offer--think you could market it?

wphamilton

I probably could, the easy one, but you're the first and only person to suggest that anyone would buy one. Which is why I mentioned it when OP is asking for suggestions (to purchase) that it's not that hard to make, since you don't need the mounting hardware.

cyccommute 

If you have old style STI shifters, you can use a V-brake noodle to move the cable around the bag like this

93980024 by Stuart Black, on Flickr

The only problem with this was that the outer cable's rods shifted and caused the housing to twist which had an adverse effect on the shifting.


IMG_0336 by Stuart Black, on Flickr

More modern STI shifters route the cables under the bar tape so this isn't a problem.

For the bikepacking style bags, I haven't found any problems with the mount having an effect on shifting. I just push the cables around under the bag.

IMG_2314 by Stuart Black, on Flickr

There's really no reason why this should have much effect on the performance of the shifters.

Carpethediem