hilltowner

+1 on Jandd. I have the Touring Pack II which is big. The quick release tour bracket that comes with the touring bags is easy to get on and off and secure and reliable. I've used it in on and off road situations and with the straps snug it doesn't move.

phughes

I will agree to disagree. It isn't difficult, it just takes a little understanding of how it works, and a little forethought. Seriously, it comes off easily, and reinstalls easily.

nun

That's exactly what I found. The initial adjustment is fiddly and if you want to take the mount off for any reason it's hard to reuse the cables as they get crushed. The Raven clamp is better, but also needs a single cable to stop the bag sagging. The result is very stable and I have mounts on two bikes so that I can use my Ortlieb Classic on either without messing with the mount.

fietsbob

A second stacked stem works , leave the Ortlieb mount on , pull the stem, off the steerer to pack it.

SJSC has a welded T of aluminum (27mm of spacers worth of steerer ( less than actual stems))

(repeat) Klick Fix Bar bag mounts will take Ortlieb bags ..

2 plastic U's ... Short cable is just plain, a cut off section of brake cable will do ..
Plastic coating optional.. cover with tubing if you wish..

the full bells and whistles electronics disconnect bag and mount is exclusively Ortlieb.

Prior version 3 wrapped around the bars 4x per cable-side.. now its the Version 6.

phughes

You really have to be more careful how you install it in the first place. For one thing, don't be hamfisted and over torque the bolt that tightens against the cable, thereby smashing it. Technically you are also supposed to leave extra cable on the end, there is a place to tuck it in, that way you can easily thread the cable back in if it is necessary to remove it. I neglected to leave extra but have had no issues. If you cannot judge torque well, and are prone to over tightening, use a torque wrench, I have one made by CDI that is a T-handle that accepts bits. It is set for 5n.m.

neilfein

It's almost like we're different people with different needs from our gear. Weird!

Tourist in MSN

I hope that works for you, but I want something that I can easily open while I am on the bike. I rarely open it while moving, but I don't want to have to get off the bike to access it.

And I want to put my map on top of it.

A roll top bag that sits on the front rack like that is clearly something that would not work for me.

No, I do not normally leave the right hand pocket open, but the camera resides there so that pocket is open when I am taking photos.

phughes

Very weird!

1Mule

I have several of the Ortlieb Ultimate 6 Plus-Large bags, love 'em. They're big enough and I like the 2 small zippered outside pockets for lip balm and deet in one, and a headlamp that I can always find in the other. I've never had any trouble with the Ortlieb attachment system, and they mount secure and stay that way. My 2 pennies,

AdvXtrm

Makes good sense to me, great points.

AdvXtrm

If I do end up going for a handlebar bag, it will likely be one of these in whichever size seems best for me.

Handlebar Bag - Arkel Waterproof Handlebar bags

phughes

For anyone with the Ortlieb or those wondering about removing and replacing the bracket. If you want to remove it, and replace it without replacing the cable, only disconnect the end of the cable that has the finished end, the end the bolt screws into. Loosen the screw that holds tension on the cable, but not the screw that secures the cut end of the cable, leave that secure. Remove the bolt on the finished end of the cable, the one that tightens the cable, and pull the end of the cable out. You can then get enough slack in the cable to unthread the cable from the bar, but leave the last loop, then you can slip that off the stem after you remove the bars. That way you never remove the cut end of the cable, and you don't have to try to thread the cable back into the mount. This can be done quickly and repeatedly without having to replace the cable.

Tourist in MSN

A friend of mine has the red Arkel bags. The red color faded really bad in the sun. His are about 10 years old, I think he used it on the Northern Tier for 70 plus days, plus a few other short trips. If you go with a red one, you might want to ask Arkel if they still fade very badly.

All nylon bags fade, but his seemed to fade much worse than you would expect.

Doug64

My experience is similar to phughes. I installed Ortlieb bar bag mounts on my daughters' bikes a couple of weeks ago, the night before we started a tour. It took 15 -20 minutes per bag. We gave them the bar bags as birthday gifts My wife and I switched to Ortlieb bar bags about 9 years ago. I have removed the mounts from the bikes many times; and once I realized that it does not take very much pressure on the set screws, removal and reinstallation was not a problem. The set screws only have to be lightly tightened to provide a secure mount. I have tried using the Klickfix mount with Ortlieb bags but found the mount to be too finicky when used with Ortlieb bags.

The 2 bar bags on the right have been used for over 16 months on actual tours. The 2 on the left are brand new. Not much difference.




My camera fits in the orange padded case. This bag is 9 years old.

AdvXtrm

OK thanks, that's good info. On the plus side, I won't need to have it out much before it makes me look like a hardcore long-time touring rider.

Booger1

The smaller the better.....It's a horrible place to put weight.....I made mine,just big enough for a map,glasses,flashlight and munchies.

andrewclaus

Finally, someone on this thread who sees it my way!

Actually, for my last tour (4,500 miles) I finally left the HB bag at home and everything got better. I put a gallon ziplock easily accessible in the rear pack for stuff I used to carry up front, and added a $5 cue clip for the map. It was nice not to have the weight up high on the steering. I got home and gave the bag away and will not use one again.

I started thinking about a "pack weight to payload" ratio and the HB bag didn't make the cut.

Tourist in MSN

Regarding weight distribution, you are quite correct. And the framework and mounting of a handlebar bag by itself when empty is quite high too. So, this is a very valid point. I try to pack the most dense stuff to the rear of the bag, the light density stuff goes in the front of the bag.

I however for the convenience want to carry my camera, spare camera batteries, first aid kit, helmet rain cover, glasses, sunglasses, map, multitool, toothbrush and toothpaste, spare batteries for GPS and the USB powered battery charger for the GPS batteries, USB powered battery charger for the camera batteries, daily ration of granola bars, rain cover for my leather saddle, notepad and pen, a couple small Lithium Ion powerbanks, and I am sure there were other small things that do not come to mind where they are convenient and easy to reach. (I use a dynohub powered USB charger, thus the batteries being charged as I ride are in the handlebar bag, that is why the chargers are there too.) If I carried the multipocket panniers that were easy to access, like Arkels, I would likely put some of this weight in the panniers. But I try very hard to avoid opening my roll top panniers during the day while riding.

I also have my valuables in the handlebar bag, thus when I stop at a restaurant, grocery store, etc., the bar bag goes inside with me which is another convenience.

Doug64

Good point. I carry wallet, passport, camera, and other items I want quick access to in my bar bag. It comes off the bike anytime I leave it.

My bike handles well no-handed with my bar bag and front panniers. Handling does not seem to be an issue.

Tourist in MSN

I can feel a detriment to handling when I have a handlebar bag but do not have panniers on the bike.

But when my panniers are on the bike I like you do not feel any reduction to handling.

fietsbob

I wear the important stuff that Doug mentioned, money* passport Debit & CC under my Clothing, Now..

after pick pockets took that stuff in the airport on my way Home.

(* it was Traveler's checks which I got replaced , Cash was in NL Guilders )