Handlebar harness advice

So I’m about to embark on my first bikepacking event… The Tor Divide. I’m going down the handlebar harness route for weight balance and to give me access to the tops as an alternative hand position.

I have a slight issue with not having much clamp space available either side of my stem. Can anyone advise on a harness with adjustable handlebar clamp width or one that sits close to the stem?

Thanks team STW!

I have a Blackburn HB Roll & Dry Bag that is a very neat fit around the stem.

The quick release bracket keeps the harness away from the bars and cables. The only issue you may have if using with drop bars is the width of the dry bag (355mm) as it might not fit between the drops.

I’ve got an Alpkit Kanga which actually works better with straps closer to the stem, although you’d need to make up your own foam blocks to space it out for hand space.

TBH I only use it with suspension as that’s where it’s needed to hold the bar higher than the wheel. For CX/gravel I just strap a drybag straight to the bar, the harness is a bit superfluous, just use a tough drybag (i.e. a normal one, not the superlight 15D ripstop variety), If my Alpkit dualock does wear through like that I’ll just patch it with quality gaffa tape.  If I really want to use the tops for a bit on the road it’s no big deal to tuck my fingers under the bag.

If it’s useful, I could measure the distance between the rubber spacers on my Revelate Harness. They’re fixed in width though, so they’d either fit or wouldn’t.

I’ve used that Harness with drop bars and a 13 litre Alpkit bag.

Buy a couple of these and just strap a dry bag to to them.

Ainiv 20cm Bike Handlebar Extender with 2PCS Clamp Brackets and 1PC Hex Wrench, Aluminum Universal Bicycle Handlebar Extension for Bicycle Light, Speedometer, GPS Device, Action Camera https://amzn.eu/d/dCmpzGy

I’d also avoid strapping too much to your bars as the weight can adversely affect your bike’s handling.

I’d also recommend that you have a test ride with your full bikepacking setup before the big event. Just to check that everything is ok.

Just looked up the The Tor Divide, it looks great but with a whole lot of climbing. Good luck, have fun.

Topeak Frontloader works fine with drops. I’m putting it on the MTB today for a trip starting tomorrow, so I’ll measure the spacing while I’m at it. As above, the basic Alpkit bags+straps also work fine – did an off-road E2E with one.

I’d also avoid strapping too much to your bars as the weight can adversely affect your bike’s handling.

I actually find it one of the more neutral places to put stuff. Because it’s close to your hands it’s under control, unlike frame bags, fork mounts, saddle bags etc which all feel like they’re trying to pull the bike around.

I’d also recommend that you have a test ride with your full bikepacking setup before the big event. Then take out half the gear you just packed but don’t need.

FTFY 😉

DrJons MC deck with cargo cage mounted below is what you want. Fits either side of stem with GFunk clamps, can mount GPS and lights on it then strap stuff below. Doesn’t wag, move, rib or be a dick even when you are loaded and riding really rough lumpy choss.

@tazzymtb out of interest, do you have a couple of photos of this setup?

@didnthurt

I’ve got the Dr Jon strapdeck on my Cutthroat. I can’t lay my hands on any pictures right now but this link had a pretty decent view of one in use.

Drj0n Bagworks G-Funk Handlebar Strap Deck System Review

Oh yeah, very neat.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5Tt1wAsVvp/

thats mine rigged up with Wolftooth B-Rad cage for general trail duties underneath the McDeck

Anyone use a Restrap Bumper Bar to keep bags from moving down and interfering with cables?

Anyone using a ‘strack’ i.e a steerer mounted rack? There’s a few of these emerging from the states. I’m thinking it’s wouldn’t work with drops though.

Anyone use a Restrap Bumper Bar to keep bags from moving down and interfering with cables?

I bought one, fitted it to my gravel bike and it interfered with the cables and hoses!

Turning the handlebars meant the (sharpish) edges of the bumper bar rubbed across the cables and sometimes snagged one of the brake hoses. I didn’t fancy a cable or hose being cut so removed the Bumper Bar.

The problem is the Bumper Bar ‘length’ is fixed but there are different length stems, putting the cables & hoses in different positions relative to the Bumper Bar. It’s a pity it didn’t work for me as it is a simple, neat solution to keep bar bags away from cables and head tube.

I have since bought a Jack The Rack. It’s not cheap (bought using Christmas money 🙂) but works really well, both for holding a bar bag/pack away from cables and head tube and as a lightweight rack in its own right.

I really like the aeroe bar mount. https://winstanleysbikes.co.uk/aeroe-spider-handlebar-cradle

Dead easy to attach to the bars and holds everything away allowing cables an easy life. Yes there is a slight weight penalty but the convenience and zero bounce make up for it

The alpkit one is a right fiddly thing and a bit of an art to fit.

I use an Acepac harness with spacers which push the bag away from the bar, which should mean you can get your fingers around on the tops.

https://www.santafixie.co.uk/acepac-mkiii-harness-grey.html

@madbillmcmad I have the aeroe spider rear rack and really like it. I looked at a few reviews of the handlebar cradle but they said it twisted and dropped down going over bumps. Has your cradle moved?
Thanks