Handlebar Bag Recommendation Please

"Richard Bates" <[email hidden]> wrote in
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Quoted message said:

Can anyone suggest or recommend a handlebar bag that might match the following criteria?

* Suitable for use with drop handlebars
* Will not interfere with STI cable or lever operation
* (Preferably) using Klickfix mounting system (as used on Karrimor bags)
* Suitable for protecting a SLR camera
* Waterproof or very water resistant
* (Preferably) Will not obstruct handlebar mounted lights

A couple of bags have jumped out at me so far.

The Ortlieb Ultimate 3 RC Bar Bag - S 4.5 Litre
wiggle.co.ukv2 product detail.aspOpen ↗

and the Altura Skye/Orkney bags wiggle.co.ukv2 product detail.aspOpen ↗

Does anybody have any experience of using these?

Yep, have been using a Skye for a while - excellent.

I have clips fitted to both a Specialized Expedition with straight/riser bars and also to an old
Dawes Galaxy with drops. No problem fitting to the drops but I had to get the Klikfix extender
bracket (costs about 4 quid) that pushes the orginal Klikfix forwards and clear of the cables etc.
It seems to be waterproof but I have also invested in a bright orange bag cover from Halfrods for
about 4 quid just in case.

There is a problem with the lights - the bag sits in front of the bars and above them thus obscuring
a bar mounted light. I tried a SpaceBar (lifts the lights up) but didn't like it as it made the bars
look like a Christmas tree. I ended up using the fork-mounted lamp bracket on the Galaxy (I said it
as an old one!) and making a bracket that bolts to the fork crown (i.e. under the bag) on the
Specialized (replacing the front reflector bracket with a heavier on and fitting a Cateye clamp to
it with a bit of fiddling)

Hope that helps

RG

On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 18:18:59 +0000 (UTC), in
<[email hidden]>, "RG" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I have clips fitted to both a Specialized Expedition with straight/riser bars and also to an
old Dawes Galaxy with drops. No problem fitting to the drops but I had to get the Klikfix
extender bracket (costs about 4 quid) that pushes the orginal Klikfix forwards and clear of the
cables etc. It

Thanks for the reply. Does your "old" Galaxy have STI cables, and if so does it interfere with the
cables or the swinging action of the levers?

I'm guessing that the extender bracket is to clear the cables on *straight* handlebars?

Cheers for the advice so far.

Love and hugs from Rich x
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Due to a typing error on the Children's Hospital menu Saturday evening now offers "Beef burger in a
bum". Email: Put only the word "richard" before the @ sign.

Richard Bates said:

Can anyone suggest or recommend a handlebar bag that might match the following criteria?

* Suitable for use with drop handlebars
* Will not interfere with STI cable or lever operation
* (Preferably) using Klickfix mounting system (as used on Karrimor bags)
* Suitable for protecting a SLR camera
* Waterproof or very water resistant
* (Preferably) Will not obstruct handlebar mounted lights

The Carradice Super C bag, which I use, clips onto a neat little quick-release bracket; has a t-
piece of handlebar diameter plastic on the bottom to take headlamps; is easily big enough for an SLR
and everyday choice of lenses; does not interfere with cables; and is utterly waterproof.

I have one quick-release bracket on my road bike (drop bars) and another on my hill bike (straight
bars) and just switch the bag to whichever I happen to be riding at the time. It works equally
neatly on each.

Could not recommend it more strongly.

--
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On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 19:05:03 GMT, in
<[email hidden]>, Simon Brooke

Quoted message said:

The Carradice Super C bag, which I use, clips onto a neat little quick-release bracket; has a t-
piece of handlebar diameter plastic on the bottom to take headlamps; is easily big enough for an
SLR and everyday choice of lenses; does not interfere with cables; and is utterly waterproof.

Perfect. Thanks for the advice.

Rich x

--
Due to a typing error on the Children's Hospital menu Saturday evening now offers "Beef burger in a
bum". Email: Put only the word "richard" before the @ sign.

Carradice might be nearly waterproof (I have lots of Carradice stuff and that's what it is) but if
you really want waterproof, get Ortlieb or Vaude. I have both. I've a friend who uses STI with
handlebar bag and he says that the "pushingoutoftheway" which the bag does does not interfere with
the gear function in the slightest.

"Richard Bates" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Can anyone suggest or recommend a handlebar bag that might match the following criteria?

* Suitable for use with drop handlebars
* Will not interfere with STI cable or lever operation
* (Preferably) using Klickfix mounting system (as used on Karrimor bags)
* Suitable for protecting a SLR camera
* Waterproof or very water resistant
* (Preferably) Will not obstruct handlebar mounted lights

Almost any (all?) will interfere with your STI cables. When I was considering a new bike, I decided
that I'd go with Campag parts because of the cable routing. I'd suggest any will be safe with your
SLR - I don't worry about my camera in the Karrimor handlebar bag I usually use (not 100%
waterproof, so I wrap anything precious in a plastic bag).

My best suggestion is a tail (saddle) bag, such as the Carridace SQR system bags which are
quick release.

Alternatives will require some bracketry to lower a handlebar bag to clear both your cables and your
lights - you may be able to construct something, but I doubt there is anything "off the shelf" which
will do it; I fear things like Minura "space brackets" would not be strong enough for a bag (though
would do to lift the lights above the bag).

Quoted message said:

A couple of bags have jumped out at me so far.

The Ortlieb Ultimate 3 RC Bar Bag - S 4.5 Litre
wiggle.co.ukv2 product detail.aspOpen ↗

Ortlieb have a reputation of being really waterproof.

Quoted message said:

and the Altura Skye/Orkney bags wiggle.co.ukv2 product detail.aspOpen ↗

Richard Bates said:

Can anyone suggest or recommend a handlebar bag that might match the following criteria?

* Suitable for use with drop handlebars
* Will not interfere with STI cable or lever operation
* (Preferably) using Klickfix mounting system (as used on Karrimor bags)
* Suitable for protecting a SLR camera
* Waterproof or very water resistant
* (Preferably) Will not obstruct handlebar mounted lights

A couple of bags have jumped out at me so far.

The Ortlieb Ultimate 3 RC Bar Bag - S 4.5 Litre
wiggle.co.ukv2 product detail.aspOpen ↗

and the Altura Skye/Orkney bags wiggle.co.ukv2 product detail.aspOpen ↗

Does anybody have any experience of using these?

Hope you can help. Thanks in advance.

Love and bags from Rich x

I have the Ortlieb barbag on a Galaxy.The STI cables just bend out of the way,gear changes not
affected.I had a problem with 'lever swing' on Shimano Sora levers.I changed to Ultegra which appear
to have less swing and all is well.

Sam Salt

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Gearóid Ó Laoi/Garry Lee said:

Carradice might be nearly waterproof (I have lots of Carradice stuff and that's what it is) but if
you really want waterproof, get Ortlieb or Vaude. I have both.

Well, mine had a large puddle in the top of it for several hours on boxing day, and didn't leak a
drop. For that matter, it's been out in the rain many times over the past few months, and it hasn't
ever leaked a drop. Anything that can withstand the rain of a Galloway autumn without leaking is
waterproof in my book. OK, if you strapped it to the outside of a nuclear submarine and took it down
to 500 metres it would probably leak, but I don't often do that. For cycling purposes, at least in
West of Scotland conditions, it's waterproof.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) jasmine.org.uk~simonOpen ↗

;; of 90+ years of protection, but a cure for cancer, only 14? -- user 'Tackhead', in /.
discussion of copyright law, 22/05/02

On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 17:56:32 +0000 (UTC), in
<[email hidden]>, Richard Bates

Quoted message said:

Can anyone suggest or recommend a handlebar bag that might match the following criteria?

OMG, I emailed the CTC Shop enquiring about two of their bags and got a reply from a chap named
Paul Smith!

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Due to a typing error on the Children's Hospital menu Saturday evening now offers "Beef burger in a
bum". Email: Put only the word "richard" before the @ sign.

"Simon Brooke" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Richard Bates said:

Can anyone suggest or recommend a handlebar bag that might match the following criteria?

* Suitable for use with drop handlebars
* Will not interfere with STI cable or lever operation
* (Preferably) using Klickfix mounting system (as used on Karrimor bags)
* Suitable for protecting a SLR camera
* Waterproof or very water resistant
* (Preferably) Will not obstruct handlebar mounted lights

The Carradice Super C bag, which I use, clips onto a neat little quick-release bracket; has a t-
piece of handlebar diameter plastic on the bottom to take headlamps; is easily big enough for an
SLR and everyday choice of lenses; does not interfere with cables; and is utterly waterproof.

I have one quick-release bracket on my road bike (drop bars) and another on my hill bike (straight
bars) and just switch the bag to whichever I happen to be riding at the time. It works equally
neatly on each.

Could not recommend it more strongly.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) jasmine.org.uk~simonOpen ↗

I have used one of these for about five years on drop handlebar STI with no trouble (it's not got
a t-piece of handlebar diameter plastic on the bottom though). I have to push (bend) the cables
down slightly so that they go under the bottom of the bag but that's never caused even the
slightest of problems.

I have therefore never bothered to get the bracket extender which would move the bag forward away
from the handlebars. Now use fork mounted front light but the bag did obstruct the handlebar light.
Can get a little extender that bolts on the bars so light can be mounted higher up.

Paul.

I find that things get a bit damp in Carradice bags, even though you don't get loose water. Try
tissue paper e.g.

Quoted message said:

and the Altura Skye/Orkney bags
wiggle.co.ukv2 product detail.aspOpen ↗

Does anybody have any experience of using these?

Hope you can help. Thanks in advance.

Love and bags from Rich x

I've used an Altura Orkney bar bag for about a year now. Very good size, comes with rain cover, map
holder and plastic T-piece for mounting lights etc. under the bag. It uses the Klickfix system.
Definatly worth the extra over the Skye model, as the fabric is much more resilient and much less
affected by UV light. It's also lifetime guaranteed. I've no experience of STI's though as I use bar-
end shifters.

Cheers,

Chris
------------------------
I have no sympathy for the stupid. I have every sympathy for the innocent.

On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 17:56:32 +0000 (UTC), in
<[email hidden]>, Richard Bates
<[email hidden]> wrote:

[own post snipped]

Thanks for comments folks.

On the basis of recommendations from here, I think I will go for the Carradice Super C.

I like the underside light fitting option and CTCshop reckon it will be okay with STI's on drops.

Camera padding can be made/improvised from [something].

I'm also drooling over the Vaude World Tramp series of pannier, and the matching Vaude TopCase
(racktop bag). The World Tramp Plus II (rear) has an external pocket (I *love* pockets) which is
also waterproof. Unfortunately the handlebar bag from the same series doesn't have the underside
light brackets. Otherwise it would be lovely as it has an optional padded insert for cameras and
fragile stuff.

It seems I can't have everything, which is a shame considering all up it'll be nearly £200.00

Love and bags from Rich x

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Due to a typing error on the Children's Hospital menu Saturday evening now offers "Beef burger in a
bum". Email: Put only the word "richard" before the @ sign.

Chris Heys said:

I've used an Altura Orkney bar bag for about a year now. Very good size, comes with rain cover,
map holder and plastic T-piece for mounting lights etc. under the bag. It uses the Klickfix
system. Definatly worth the extra over the Skye model, as the fabric is much more resilient and
much less affected by UV light. It's also lifetime guaranteed. I've no experience of STI's though
as I use bar-end shifters.

I have been researching bar bags today but couldn't getmy hands on a Orkney. Question for you, does
the back sit very high above the handlebar, is the mounting plate at the top of the bags back or
downtowards the middle ?

Thanks