No longer the domain of fancy gravelers, the humble bar bag has in many ways usurped the most productive cargo bags in recent years. You can buy more on them, they’re easier to access and they’re a better way to give it a twist. color to your bike. Today, they come in many forms, but the barrel shape is the most popular. Depending on the size, you can fit all your spares, such as a multi-tool, a mini pump, tire levers, as well as a load layer and some snacks. There’s a slight aerodynamic penalty compared to a pannier, but in my opinion, the load application is worth it.
In this consultant, I’ve limited myself to the flavor features of smaller daytime rides, rather than the giant features found in our consultant of the most productive bike bags. While there is a great diversity of features on the market, the differences between a very smart choice and the average option are not huge, as with the most productive cycling socks, so you can easily choose an option that suits your tastes. The key points I need to consider are construction, assembly, capacity, and aesthetics.
Simple, effective, incredibly well made, and available in two sizes. The Lil’ Presto from London-based Wizard Works is my go-to. There are a variety of colors to choose from, the zipper is excellent and holds up. to the point of suffering a lot of abuse (the one shown in the photo is new, for reference). What sets it apart is the details; the gusset is really strong, so it holds its shape when empty, the lining is bright yellow with superior visibility so you can place the little things in the look more smoothly, and the fastening formula uses the shiny Voile nano straps, which outperform everything else in terms of protection and longevity. With foam spacers and two attachment issues on the bag, you’ll be able to mount it smoothly to avoid wires. My only complaint is the side pockets, in which I tend to hide empty wrappers, which are not elastic. On the other hand, there is no rubber band that can wear out.
While the Lil’ Presto comes in a smaller offering, if you’re looking for a smaller tonneau bag, the Resrap Canister is my go-to. Its 1. 5-litre capacity is ideal for all the essentials, a soft snack and a windbreaker or pair of gloves. It doesn’t have reinforcement, so when empty it can look a little flabby, but since it’s small, it’s relatively simple to fill. There are also wallets with an elastic look (ideal for packing) and a soft holder on the front, it is more productive to store it for the small clip-on bags that “are seen”. The shoulder straps are also decent; There’s no Velcro here!I’d prefer the shoulder straps not to be sewn to the bag, to allow for left and right adjustment, but that’s a minor detail.
While most of this consultant’s handlebar bags will thankfully forget about a prolonged downpour, Apidaura’s Racing Handlebar Backpack is very water-resistant. It has a roll-up top, which is larger than a zipper to keep water at bay, and a welded frame so there are no vulnerable seams. It’s also not barrel-shaped, which has nothing to do with its water-resistant capabilities. If you have a fairly long shank, it turns out to be a bit more streamlined than a barrel option. There is a loop for a light and it is very stiff to hold its shape. Although the straps are padded, the zipper and fastening straps are made of Velcro, which will wear out over time if you put it on and take it off a lot. .
If you’re like me, it’s not unusual to pull out a smart camera for cycling. Outer Shell has a habit of making this easy, and their camera strap is on my team of the year for 2023. Its drawbar bag is ideal if you need to store your camera on the motorcycle instead of on the body. There’s even an optional padded camera insert, to additionally protect your camera, and the lid opens to the front so you can seamlessly access the contents while driving. The problem is that the lid clasp sits on a bungee loop that hooks onto the back of the stem, so if your shank doesn’t have a small notch between the bolts, it’s possibly not maximum security; This can be secured with a zipper. although.
If you want to pack more than just snacks and tools, the Swift Industries Pigeon is for you. It requires additional mounting hardware, sold separately, but gets the shape of a classic hiking bag but without the desire for a front mount. The shape is square, well reinforced with a decent-sized external wallet for extra carrying, as well as a giant map pocket on the lid for your map/patent card/patches/bike computer. It’s best for gentle hikes to buy all your valuables. as it can be easily removed if you park at a coffee shop. For UK readers, you can check out the Carradice Keswick, which I’ve also used for travel, has a heavier structure and its fundamental shape is very similar. .
The Werks Road Handlebar Bag is a modular and shiny handlebar bag that effectively solves many of the disorders related to a handlebar bag. Do you want to use an outdoor stand, but it gets in the way of your bag?This one has a bracket on the hard plastic cover of your computer. Does the bar bag get in the way of your light?You can add lightweight mounting elements to the bag itself, freeing up space on the handlebars. Don’t want the bar bag and want to use an outdoor stand again?There’s an external bracket that you can upgrade in the mounting formula on days when you don’t want the bag. It’s expensive, but it’s well-made, well-thought out, and with a bit of internal loading, another great option for photographers.
To fulfill its number one function of carrying snacks, tools, spares and diapers, the bag will need to hold 1. 5 liters. If it’s smaller than that, it’s difficult, and you could also use a wallet. That’s why the Restrap bag is the smallest. on this list.
On the other end of the spectrum, for general use, you don’t need to go beyond 3. 5 liters or it gets bulky. If you’re taking a smooth ride, overtaking more with something like the Swift Paloma makes a little more sense, but for everyday driving, it would be more bag than you’d need.
In an ideal world, at least in my opinion, all bar bags would be fastened using Voilé straps. They’re stretchy, incredibly durable, and if they break (they won’t), they can be replaced without a problem. Otherwise, any loop can be detached. The formula based is still excellent.
Velcro is my least favorite option. While it’s incredibly convenient, it can get clogged when it’s muddy and wear out.
Most bar bags are compatible with an outdoor computer stand, but if you have a short stem, they’re more likely to get in the way. If you place a light underneath the outer stand, you’ll need to move it somewhere else. – the Route Werks bag brilliantly solves any of those disorders.
Most are water-resistant, enough to withstand heavy rain, but few are truly waterproof. If you’re going to be out in the rain for a while, be sure to protect all electronics, as well as your extra layers, so they don’t get soggy when it’s time to put them on.
Most handlebar bags have straps long enough that they can be attached to even the most inner, aerodynamic handlebars. The difficulty will arise if you use incredibly narrow bars, where the width of the bag would possibly exceed the width of the drops. Compatibility is tight and you’re using an electronic shifter, then it’s probably fine, as long as there’s no dirt on the brake levers, but if you have a mechanical shifter, you’ll also want to know the travel of the shift levers.
The build quality, straps, how they carry your load, capacity, waterproofing, and aesthetics are all evaluated to determine if a bag is included in this guide, as well as aspects such as ease of assembly. Diapers filled, removed, zippers closed, snacks. crushed after running in front of a gas station; It’s all part of the testing process.
Will joined the Cyclingnews team as a reviewer in 2022, having written in the past for Cyclist, BikeRadar and Advntr. There are very few types of cycling that he hasn’t dabbled in and has a specific affection for older motorcycles and durable components. Road driving was his first love, before moving on to CX racing in Yorkshire. He rode in an old tandem to gravel and mountain biking with fixed gear as well. When he’s not riding one of his many motorcycles, he’s regularly discovered in the garage tinkering with another or obsessing over tires. Plus, since he doesn’t use Zwift, he’s our go-to user for testing in bad weather. . . God bless you.
Rides: Custom Zetland Audax, Bowman Palace:R, Peugeot Grand Touring Tandem, Falcon Explorer Tracklocross, Fairlight Secan
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