I’ve always used a bar bag with flat bars for touring, it’s so very very useful for all those bits and pieces you need to hand, purse, phone, book, specs etc. But I now have a bike with drop bars and cross top brake levers, so can’t fit my bar bag. Is there any solution, or any bag that I could fit? I had thought of a tri-bag, but I need to be able to quickly take it off, not have to faff with multiple bits of velcro straps! Any ideas please? Or am I asking for the moon on a stick (not an unusual request for me!)
And don’t suggest using my pockets, someone decided most girls’ clothing doesn’t need pockets 😕

recently on the frotn page

http://singletrackworld.com/reviews/revelate-designs-mountain-feedbag/

ALthough I think it’s a bit steep at £43 and you may find you can make something to mount to the stem similarly out of a 3 or 5 litre airlok bag from alpkit

http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16469&category_id=295

possibles;

1) get rid of the brake levers
2)carradice saddle bag on q/r mount
3) use a water bottle or something like this as a container;

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/elite/byasi-storage-bottle-ec035497

I reckon a large climbers chalk bag, some tape and sewing skills could create something similar.

Move the crosstop levers out a bit, further away from the stem. Depends on the mount and the size of the bag, but shouldn’t need too much space, maybe about 1cm either side of the stem.

Interesting, but very expensive! However, looking at their website has given me ideas for using clips for attaching something like the Alpkit, thanks.

Have you thought of a small frame bag?
I ordered mine from the US, but there are similar, cheaper ones on eBay.

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/luggage-hooks-and-fittings-dept572/

Anything here any good?

There’s not really room for a frame bag between my (fat 😳 ) legs! And I need something that I can just take off very easily, so it’s a no to a carradice qr too, t’other half has one of those, and I’m always waiting for him to faff with it! I’m not really wanting a saddle bag, as the tent goes on top of the rack, so not a lot of room left.
Fussy, aren’t I? 😳

I’m sure your bar bag will fit with a bit of tinkering as per what CraigW says above. If the whole bag is too wide ( rather than unable to attach to bars) there are slimmer bar bags out there, such as:

http://www.probikekit.co.uk/cycling-accessories/ortlieb-ultimate-5-compact-handlebar-bag/10783804.html?utm_source=googleprod&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=gp_sports&affil=thggpsad&&affil=thgppc&gclid=CMnVh6-emLgCFZLKtAodSHUAmQ

Do you really need the extra brake levers?

Have a look at Arkel bags

They do two sizes, one huge, the other small. I’ve done thousands on miles with mine.

http://www.arkel-od.com/us/all-categories/handlebar-bag.html

Or something like this small Decathlon bar bag: http://www.decathlon.co.uk/handlebar-bag-25-litres-blue-id_8241979.html
It just attaches with velcro straps, so you should be able to strap it on somehow.

What about a bar extension so you can still use your existing bag?

Googled these at Edinburghbicycle.com

Edric 64 – Member
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/luggage-hooks-and-fittings-dept572/

Anything here any good?
Aha – I spotted a Topeak phone pack attachment in there – whilst the phone pack is very small, I could maybe make something bigger.

This guys got it working

http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=14319