Handle bar bags for drop bars

So, entering the world of bike packing as a total novice. Was wondering what sort of size bar bag you can fit between 44cm bars (no flare) and still have space for your hands etc.

Looking at something like Alpkit’s 13l Tivaro, it looks fine with flared bars, but I suspect with no flare it’s going to rub my knuckles to death..

Tivaro 13L

Although I could add a strap round the length of the bag to reduce it’s width a bit….

Any suggestions / experience?

I use a Revelate Harness with a 13L Alpkit drybag. The drybag only has a strap at one end, which helps with “overall packable width”. It’s mounted on Salsa Woodchippers though and they have a very pronounced flare. I don’t think that affects hand clearance as much as you might think.

P1010496 by Colin Cadden[/url], on Flickr

DSC_0144 by Colin Cadden[/url], on Flickr

As you can see, the lower the bag hangs, the more knuckle clearance you will have. As an aside, that also means less hassle trying to fit a front light.

Pretty much all regular bar bags fit drop bars. I’d think about/shortlist what capacity and features you’d like + budget then take from there. Opt for a Klickfix-compatible bag and hand-space is a given.

I’d recommend the Path Less Pedalled channel for reviews

I use a Revelate Harness with a 13L Alpkit drybag.

That looks very suitable!

I’d think about/shortlist what capacity and features you’d like + budget then take from there.

Things is, until you’ve tried one, you don’t really know what it is you want / like. By the time I’m on my 3rd or 4th bar bag I’ll probably have my spec dialled!

It’s all a bit of an experiment eg trying a RedShift stem, or would be if they’d delivered the right size.

Opt for a Klickfix-compatible bag and hand-space is a given.

This.
We went for Altura Klickfix bags for this reason.
If you need more capacity, I get that rolls/straps are more solid support. But I personally would then look at a tiny front rack.
For day trips/smaller capacity, Klickfix FTW.

I asked this question a couple of weeks back and ended up with this https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/BAPODWHBB/podsacs-waterproof-handlebar-barrel-bag?gclid=Cj0KCQjw1tGUBhDXARIsAIJx01kJKi6bPeu8nmr7U1z0YiZAuRImBtHaA_KNOi03NkJOr1qoNBJ7BPoaAs4JEALw_wcB#BAPODWHBB-BLU

You can stuff the dry bag less to reduce length and the harness doesn’t seem to mind. For £10 I’ll give it a go whilst perfecting things.

I use a 13l Alpkit dry bag with harness, you can just roll it an extra turn if it’s too wide. But note that riding on the tops is compromised as you have to force your fingers a bit to make room.

For audaxes and tours I use a carradice zipped roll on the bars with foam spacers and longer straps. It works very well.

I’ve used a Road Runner Jammer for lightweight touring together with a camper short flap saddle bag. As long as your front bag is either made narrow enough to give hand clearance or you cinch down the tubular bag without over packing it’ll be fine.

Similarish to scotroutes here. Baguette for scale. Using the cheap alpkit ‘harness’, always found it fine. I keep meaning to get some spacers for a bit more finger room on the tops.

The nice thing about a dry bag setup is that if you do find yourself catching fingers/levers on the bag it’s not that expensive to go one size down.

Bit of feedback, after reading all the replies above and a few reviews online, I went for a Restrap bag on the front. Had far more luggage space than I needed in the end – front one just had a wind shell and arm warmers in it.

Dr Jon Strapdeck and G-clamps, and then you can strap whatever size drybag you fancy to it, depending on what you’re doing. Rock solid and gets everything out the way of your cables and lights/Garmin/whatever.

Linky

I was just about to recommend a Restrap bag!! Glad you got one that fits.
I love my restrap – I basically leave it on the bike all the time..yeah, it’s not as big as a ‘proper’ bikepacking bag, but suits my needs.

DrP

Where do you mount your light?

@DrP & @Footflaps

I’ve got the restrap bag, but it annoys me no end – my bike doesn’t have a huge stack and the bag flops around hitting the mudguard or wheel over rough ground if it’s even slightly full

I’m getting some widgets to help space it out from the bars – how are you guys attaching it?

Mine doesn’t flap at all… not sure on my stack height (will take a photo) but basically it sits JSUT above my dyno light (that mounts at the top of the fork)…

DrP

how are you guys attaching it?

Just used the three straps it comes with. Seemed well behaved eg was fine on a large stone step staircase….

Where do you mount your light?

It has a fabric loop on the front, not that I have a front light that actually has a clip on the back.

Initially I was a bit disappointed with the lack of being to mount stuff on the bars, but moved my computer to the stem, which solved 50% of the problem. Not really sorted a light solution yet.

Dr Jon Strapdeck and G-clamps,

I wanted the front bag to have quick access to the contents eg take a gillet on/off and just stuff it in there, so that ruled out all the dry bags in a frame design things.

And, 2 days after I order a widget, restrap come up with something better!

Bumper Bar

Actually..ignore me..i’ve got the cannister bag..! It’s tiny!

DrP

That Bumper Bar looks good, and better than other options I tried – so in the end got a front harness/dri-bag instead.

@jimdubleyou – what widget did you go for? That bumper bar does look good but it is quite pricey.

I had just started searching for something to do a similar jobs that I might be able to 3d-print so looking for inspiration.

Possibly something like the Topeak barxtender but hanging down from the stem rather than the bars themselves.

I’ve got one of these to try, I’ve just got a kitchen sink bar on the gravel bike so it’s next to the stem – works ok in the garage, need a test ride.

Minoura SGS-400 Handlebar Accessory Mount – Black/Black https://amzn.eu/1oiVJ6G

Noticed the restrap widget is 1 1/8th, so won’t fit my fork anyway.

I’m late to the party but:

I’ve got the restrap bag, but it annoys me no end – my bike doesn’t have a huge stack and the bag flops around hitting the mudguard or wheel over rough ground if it’s even slightly full

Where do you mount your light?

A small rack is a great option. The weight is a few inches lower as you don’t have to allow for sag and keeping it off the front tyre, the bars are unencumbered, you can mount a dynamo style light to the front of it, and it’s always there so you can balance your takeaway on it as you commute home on a Friday night.

I didn’t weigh it but I doubt my unbranded cheap rack from ebay is even heavier than the alpkit harness it replaced.

If you have enough steerer space, this is a cheaper alternative to the restrap bumper…

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/accessories/thorn-accessory-bar-mk1-t-shaped-105-mm-extension-222-mm-0-deg-satin-silver/

Thanks

Lots of choice on SJS Cycles, what a great site for random odds and sods!

Time to go and measure up steerer tubes and stuff I think.

I ordered one of these recently to support my bar bag & keep it from straining the brake/gear cables on my mtb. Unlike on a drop bar bike, the cables tend to get in the way of the bag.

Handlebar Extender

I mounted it to the bars pointing downwards as much as possible, with the bar bag strapped normally to the bar. The bag rested against the extender bar & I then fastened it in place.
It was much better than not having anything supporting it, but there was a bit of bodging required.
To prevent the extender rotating, it was necessary to use quite a lot of padding on the bars (cut down strips of inner tube). Once in place it was fine, but it took a while to get right. The clamps also mean that they really only work if they can be mounted on straight portions of the bar – if they are mounted on a bar with too much sweep, then the holes that the bar goes through are no longer on the same axis (they flare outwards) so the bar won’t pass through.

I like the idea of that Restrap bumper bar above apart from the fact that it cannot be particularly easily removed, as it is held captive by the stem spacers. I’d rather it was more easily removable.

A small rack is a great option.

I’d actually ordered a “Jack rack” from kickstarter – supposed to be here already but being made in China so delayed by pandemic.

Having to improvise 🙂

Yes I looked at the alpkit one but was put off by reviews. Apparently straps are terrible.

Restrap just launched one, got the email just now

Bumper Bar

Pretty much all regular bar bags fit drop bars.

Not if you’re using the Giant Conduct stem which very much gets in the way. Liking the look of the Restrap bumper bar though, and 10% off to new subscribers might make it worth a punt.

I’d actually ordered a “Jack rack” from kickstarter – supposed to be here already but being made in China so delayed by pandemic.

Haha, I’ve been thinking that a rack that hooked over the bar/stem a bit like a caradice rear rack would be a far better option than a fabric ‘harness’ for years. Should have pulled my finger out and made it!

Accessory bar

I’ve got one of these fitted and just use a heavy duty drybag like an Alpkit Xtra strapped to it- keeps it clear of the hoses/cables/head tube and doesn’t need a ridiculously expensive bent piece of metal ‘bumper bar’ to make it work plus I can also fit a decent handlebar light. I’ve got a Altura Klick Fix handlebar bag on the ebike – a semi-rigid barrel-shaped drybag with a Klick Fix mount would be great but don’t think they exist.

Restrap just launched one, got the email just now

Doesn’t offer a position for a light and their bar bag at the same time!

Not really sure what the point of it is….

The two photos I posted as the first reply on this thread show my bar-mounted light. All the other solutions seem to be fixing a problem I don’t have.

If it’s just for smaller items, i.e. gilet, snacks, etc. Then this bag from BTR on Amazon does the job well.
Seems well made (so far), doesn’t flap around, and is currently only £12.99 👍

BTR 5L Handlebar Storage Bike Bag https://amzn.eu/d/4pYlBK3

I’ve got one if Charlie’s headset spacer bottle openers, and the bottom strap fixes nicely to that.

@chaos – SJSCYCLES Are alway my first port of call for the unusual stuff that nobody else seems to stock

^SJS had the replaceable steel inserts for a set of 15 year old spd-sl pedals. Fantastic!

I have a Topeak Front loader. I chose it because of the vent that let’s you squeeze all the air out. It’s amazing how much smaller it packs when you do that.