mstateglfr 

I have firmly been in the 'no handlebar bag' camp, even though they look neat on some bikes. A couple years ago i was also firmly in the 'no fanny pack' camp. This is mostly based on a totally irrational roadie perspective.
But I broke down and bought a 1.5l handlebar bag, ironcally enough, for RAGBRAI which is road riding.

I dont like large wedge bags that swing and sway, so that isnt an option for storage. And one of my jersey pockets always holds a zip pouch with my phone, card and ID, plus $.
I do RAGBRAI with a bunch of teens so there is always need for something random and a bit more storage is helpful. Broke down and bought an REI bag since it was available right away.

- for how popular handlebar bags are, its crazy that they seem to all be boutique/online brands.
- I have had a moosetracks feed bag for a couple years now(no idea why thats been acceptable to me, yes a small handlebar bag isnt) and moving forward this will probably replace the feed bag on my gravel bike.



The REI bag has mixed reviews, but it seems like most who gave it negative reviews dont understand how to attach at bag with velcro. If its terrible though, maybe Ill try one from roadrunner / orucase / leadout / etc.
Its a whole new world!

shelbyfv

Jandd has a nice small handlebar bag that is not boutique/precious. I've used one for years and have another in reserve.https://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FBB-2nd-CO

trailangel

This one is good!
https://banjobrothers.com/collection...bar-bag-medium

katsup

Not sure if there is a question here, or if you are looking for suggestions.

As for suggestions, I like smaller handlebar bags. I have a Road Runner Burrito on my main bike, and a few Speedsleev Diego Small across my other bikes. The Burrito feels nicer and has a better zipper pull, but the Diego is cheaper. All of my Diegos have replacement rope zipper pulls as the metal rattled and drove me crazy. Other than that, I have no complaints with either. I just use them to carry the phone, wallet, keys, maybe a snack, etc....

pbass

I have some really nice bags from Revelate, and funny enough, the humble 'lil Jandd is my "daily driver". I got mine on sale for $14. For my shorter rides, it holds just enough. My Revelate Egress pocket is a great standalone handlebar bag, but feels a bit big, like overkill for just a small multi-tool, tire lever, and my keys and phone. But it wins if I need to bring more than that--jacket, food, etc. My only issue with the little Jandd--not really a complaint 'cause it was $14--is that it doesn't have a way to attach it at the bottom--to the fork, headtube, whatever. So it does tend to bounce around on rough terrain. I intend to mod it somehow--add a strap or cord to it.

mstateglfr 

Ha, yeah the post was some rambling with no real point.
I forgot about speedsleev as I saw that a couple months ago since I have their wedge bags on all my bikes.
​If this rei bag is a bust, I'll heavily look at a burrito or diego.

Metieval

Same applies to bar bags. for me anyways.

And then for a super sturdy bag it becomes about the weight.

Have you tried fork mounted anything cages and dry bags?

Rolla

I've never understood the resistance to bar bags, fanny packs, etc. If having the ability to carry things on a bicycle violates some fashion rule, so should a jersey pocket stuffed to its limits.

unterhausen

I have a randonneuring front bag for my gravel bike because I sometimes use it for randonneuring on the road. I like it, don't have to worry about leaving something behind. I have my spare tire in there usually.

Maybe if I was doing a ride where the weather might swing a lot during the day, I would put a seat bag on with the spares/tools.

The thing I like best about it is having empty jersey pockets.

revcp 

I absolutely agree that feedbags are very handy. I have an Alpkit feedbag on each side of the stem behind the bars. On last week's bikepacking trip it held all my lunch food, trail mix on the left and bars on the right. I keep them (and the top tube bag) on my bike for commuting, as they so handy for keys, gloves, wallet, etc. My Olympus TG6 camera lives in the top tube bag.

Metieval

FWIW

cs1

Pretty nice for a small bag.

ericcox

I have the basic REI Coop handlebar bag on my gravel bike - it is fine. The zipper is probably not water proof, but I put anything that needs protection in a ziplock anyway. It holds a couple of tubes, co2 cannisters, levers and a multi-tool quite easily. For normal rides on smoother / less technical gravel, I carry my phone and gels in it with one tube / co2. For longer, tougher rides, I add a frame bag.

I know several people with nicer handlebar bags - I can see the appeal. But... a few of the ones I looked at were unavailable whereas the REI one was in store, and given the cost, if it wears out quickly I won't be overly depressed.

rumrunn6

when do you get it? if you've tried using it how do you like it? I like feed bags even tho I use a rear rack trunk. it's nice having an empty pocket right up front where I can chuck stuff as necessary, like sunglasses when I stop, but also other things, like actual food items

mstateglfr 

I bought the bar bag in store last week. I'm on ragbrai now and it's been really good. I can access both zippers while riding, even with my out front garmin mount.
With that said, I would only use it for the road because it doesn't have a lower tether. The bag would probably bounce a lot on gravel.

Lazyass

I run tubulars and my spare tire gets strapped under my saddle. I carry a 2oz bottle of Stan's, a multitool and Co2 and I don't like carrying all that in my jersey pockets. I had my ESS sand goggles from my army days and they have a soft case which works perfect as a small handlebar bag. My rain jacket can fit in there if I need it. To me it looks like it was made to be a handlebar bag.

I like how it forms against the bar and stem, that keeps it from flopping around.

https://www.copquest.com/ess-soft-go...se_78-1664.htm

noirwest

It wasn't my intention but I found a way to violate both of your rules in one fell and cheap swoop. I blanched at the cost of a well made decently sized bar bag so have been stubbornly using a pack for ages. I was digging through the closet for a bigger pack for a longer ride when I discovered a really old, like 90's Mountainsmith waist pack. Remember those guys? They kind of reinvented waist packs and turned them into day hiking bags. Long story short, I now have a big old waist pack mounted to the front of the bike that holds just about everything I want to carry. The straps fold up behind it so it could serve double duty out in scenic country.

joesch

I used the under seat bags until just recently and found I prefer these speedsleev bar bags for the easier access
https://speedsleev.com/products/spee...-handlebar-bag
I have both the large and small size bags and use the one needed based on my trip and bike choice

thehammerdog

i won one years ago and never used until few weeks ago.
​​​​They rock, super useful but not very cool but as i age and needed storage it just works well.

cyclezen

Have had one for 15+ yrs ? at least...
great little bag, fits just enough for those variable weather, all day rides. + phone, snacks, reading glasses (LOL!)
yes, no attachment points other than the two strap connectors for the bar. But well made and durable.
prolly can McGiver something, if you find it too floppy. I don;t find it an issue, cause the bar straps snug down enough for it to resist being floppy.
But then, I don;t really carry any heavy stuff...
does the job, haven't really had a need to get something else.
Ride On
Yuri

mstateglfr 

Back in the early fall I ended up getting a Lead Out! mini handlebar bag for my gravel bike to mostly replace a feedbag I've had on the gravel bike for a few years.

I got it since it was 25% off so it was cheaper than the other 20 different yet identical options by other brands..
It's easy to open/close with 1 hand while riding and hasn't broken, so it fulfills my very low expectation level.

diphthong

bought the topo designs (colorado) one about 3 years with the intentions of doing a century ride in/through/around the carrizo plain national monument nw of los angeles in late winter/early spring. that ride hasn’t happened yet altho a smaller version did. bag is large enough to fit a small water bottle, windbreaker/rain jacket, two inner tubes, 2-3 power bars, small pump and phone/keys/cards/wallet. area is in one of those zones where a skullcap, cap, arm warmers and neck gaiter may or may not be needed. could also use it in an all-day, mountains foray but haven’t deployed yet.

due ruote 

I have been eyeing this bag from Alpkit. It seems to get positive reviews. I haven’t pulled the trigger though, so no firsthand knowledge.

https://us.alpkit.com/products/gravel-handlebar-bag

darrellc

I have the orucase smuggler hc and I think it is great. Waterproof and the mounting (if u use the pads and get longer straps) leaves room between bag and bar for fingers.

Craptacular8

Have the same bag. Fits nearly everything you would put in a larger wedge. I can just barely fit my better portable pump in there, but, it does fit. Fairly easy to move from bike to bike, and doesn't have hardware that will scratch the bars.