What happened to Kirtland bike bags?
06-23-20, 04:23 PM
#26
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Like Eclipse they made high quality innovative kit back when touring was a booming category in the industry.
If I recall correctly the founder sold Kirtland in ~86-87. Perhaps a member from Boulder CO will have more exact info since they were made there.
I still have a H-bar bag, small panniers and three late model seat wedges. The seat packs are still in daily service many years and thousands of miles on, faded but functional.
edit: Remembered that I have a set of NOS Kirtland Pursuit MTB panniers circa '88-90, on the un-opened package "Made in Korea".
-Bandera
If I recall correctly the founder sold Kirtland in ~86-87. Perhaps a member from Boulder CO will have more exact info since they were made there.
I still have a H-bar bag, small panniers and three late model seat wedges. The seat packs are still in daily service many years and thousands of miles on, faded but functional.
edit: Remembered that I have a set of NOS Kirtland Pursuit MTB panniers circa '88-90, on the un-opened package "Made in Korea".
-Bandera
I've a full matched-set of the blue "Early-Warning" 70s/80s touring/commuting bags (Century-600 H-bar bag, Elite Panniers [small fronts, large rears] rear top barrel Century-100 under-seat bag), plus an over-the-bar deep-set bag, and a silver rear-top mini-duffel. They have survived 4 different bicycles and rack sets (I also have all my Blackburn racks), and they match my current bike, perfectly.
The only problem I have right now, is that I can't use the H-bar bracket on my new bike... The stem is too wide... I guess I'll have to build something.
06-23-20, 06:47 PM
#27
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I bought a quarter inch steel rod and bent it to the right shape. I also bought some quarter inch ID rubber hose and put that over the rod to cushion and protect the stem and handlebar. I sprayed it with black paint, but it is pretty clear that a lot of that black paint chipped off.
My point is that if you wanted to make your own frame for your handlebar bag, it just takes some time, a big vice, some careful measurements, and some effort.
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06-24-20, 08:58 AM
#28
Banned
Klick Fix makes a bar bag support of chromed steel that would slip into the side sleeves of Kirtland and Eclipse bar bags .
their |_| bend of 8mm rod engages the bar bag mount of version 6 of Ortlieb's bar mount too.
FWIW KF bar bag mount is simpler to fit than Ortlieb's, and now they are both cross compatible ..
KF has been always able to fit Ortlieb bar bags ..
their |_| bend of 8mm rod engages the bar bag mount of version 6 of Ortlieb's bar mount too.
FWIW KF bar bag mount is simpler to fit than Ortlieb's, and now they are both cross compatible ..
KF has been always able to fit Ortlieb bar bags ..
Last edited by fietsbob; 06-24-20 at 11:34 AM.
07-29-20, 04:58 PM
#29
07-31-20, 07:49 AM
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10 year back, we were still using our then 25 year old Kirtlands. We have since switched to Ortlieb and still use the Kirtlands on our commute bikes. I have to say, even with the nostalgia factor, we much prefer the Ortliebs.
07-31-20, 04:02 PM
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Kirtland handlebar bag. Eclipse panniers with the special rack they required. Effective Cycle Fitments saddlebag. If retro-touring ever becomes a thing, I'm ready. 
Say, there's not a market for this stuff in Japan, is there?
Say, there's not a market for this stuff in Japan, is there?
01-10-23, 07:35 AM
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Here's my '79 TREK with a Kirtland handlebar bag. I've had them both since new. The old bag has held up remarkably well and faded nicely, I think.
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01-10-23, 07:51 AM
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The 1970's and '80's was when I discovered outdoor sport and the new equipment offerings. From Bicycling, family camping, running, hiking, and white-water canoes. Those were good times. My children still love these activities as well as their children.
01-10-23, 09:38 AM
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01-12-23, 01:51 PM
#35
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I agree that the cable on the Ortlieb mount is a bit of a pain to set up, but once done the KlickFix mount is very convenient; it's strong and the bag comes on and off quickly.
02-15-23, 02:43 PM
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I toured on Kirtlands for years till they just got exhausted from tens of thousands of miles of touring. I tried Ortlieb only to learn to hate their shape, their solo pockets, their inability to breathe (so what goes in wet stays wet...) and their awkward method of attachment.
Kirtlands were great because they had numerous zipper separate pockets that meant you didn't have to search through an entire bagful of stuff in order to find an item, especially a tool. They had one small pocket which allowed a can of powdered coffee..PERFECT! Your could segregate wet stuff from dry stuff and the former pocket could be loosely zipped to allow the stuff to slowly dry.
Kirtlands were great because they had numerous zipper separate pockets that meant you didn't have to search through an entire bagful of stuff in order to find an item, especially a tool. They had one small pocket which allowed a can of powdered coffee..PERFECT! Your could segregate wet stuff from dry stuff and the former pocket could be loosely zipped to allow the stuff to slowly dry.
05-07-23, 08:27 AM
#37
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It seems most people are either lovers or haters of Ortlieb bags. I do agree they lack pockets and internal compartments, that's why I like the Arkel bags. They are pretty much like the Kirtlands but with a tougher mount system.
05-08-23, 04:36 AM
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The handle bar mount for the Kirtland handle bar bag is still the best and simplest method for a attaching a bag (IMHO). It's a bit of lost engineering. There are many new and different methods, but nothing comes close.
05-08-23, 06:11 AM
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I absolutely loved my Kirkland HB bag. I liked all the pockets on old panniers.
The single waterproof compartments in new panniers is a pain but strategic use of ziplock freezer bags help
The single waterproof compartments in new panniers is a pain but strategic use of ziplock freezer bags help
05-08-23, 01:55 PM
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I had a set of Kirkland Century panniers in red for the Transamerica in 1980, pretty much like BigAura's rig, but without the handlebar bag. The KTs had a superior mounting system with hooks and springs and could be removed or attached to the bike in seconds. I still have 'em, and occasionally will mount a rack and a single bag for some small haul.
And I note, BigAura has is rear bags on in reverse! I mounted them so that the small pocket was facing forward to have heel clearance, the other, longer, pocket interfered with clearance. But it must have worked for him, or he figured it out after a few yards.
We have clearance, Clarence!
And I note, BigAura has is rear bags on in reverse! I mounted them so that the small pocket was facing forward to have heel clearance, the other, longer, pocket interfered with clearance. But it must have worked for him, or he figured it out after a few yards.
We have clearance, Clarence!
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