Handlebar bag advice, please

[Mandragora]

I have a Specialized Vita hybrid bike, and in the summer am lucky enough to do day trips along the Landes coast cycle path, and for these I carry a towel, sarnie and my phone with me. I need about 6 litres of capacity, I think. I've been using my dad's handlebar bag for the past five years - he had it for probably about ten years before that. It's like this one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-BICYC...K_SportGoods_CyclAcces_RL&hash=item2a3d7cdfd4 It's been great in that it is light-ish and convenient, but now it's officially dead, as the inner is so tattered and torn that the zip is a nightmare to do up. So, I've decided to use my Tesco's vouchers at Evans and treat myself to a new one. I like the look of the Altura Orkney: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/altura/orkney-bar-bag-ec008427 but it seems from the reviews I've read online that the top flap is only held with a bit of Velcro, rather than a zip. Is there a better one out there that I ought to consider, preferably with a decent top flap closing, but which is easy to put on/take off the bike? Maybe I should just head to ebay and buy the seven quid job? Many thanks for any advice & suggestions.

 

[jazzkat]

You can't beat the carradice super c handlebar bag in my opinion. Pricey, but well made.
Not sure if evans do them.

 

[alans]

IMO Ortlieb Rule. o.k.

http://www.ortlieb.co.uk/bike/handlebar-bags.html

 

[Mandragora]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. Looks like Evans used to do the Carradice Super C, but they're now showing as no longer stocked. Ortleib looks as if it has a more sturdy top flap than the Altura, so thanks for that pointer.

 

[John the Monkey]

Spa have the Carradice handlebar bags if you're still after one;

http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m2b5s76p0

 

[Mandragora]

Thanks for the recommendation - prices seem good there. I am still sort of trawling the Evans site, though, because I've got Tesco's vouchers that need using up, and they'll get me a straight 50% off, from the value of the vouchers that I'd get if I just used them for groceries shopping. I don't need magazine subscriptions nor any of the other 'fripperies' that the vouchers would get me, but I would love to use them on a new bar bag. The thought of getting one at no physical cost in terms of £/s/d that I have to hand over is very beguiling. Sorry - more of a hard-core miser than cyclist, it appears

 

[John the Monkey]

Ha! Use the money you save to get summat nice at Spa, eh? I can recommend the Super C Audax as a day ride bag...

 

[Mandragora]

Thanks to all for you patient advice. Still trawling the Evans site, and wondering, as Carradice has been mentioned, what about this one? I see it has zips, which will, I think, be better than the skinny strip of velcro on the Altura model I was looking at intially:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/carradice/carradura-handlebar-bag-ec026800#BVRRWidgetID
I know brown isn't the trendiest colour, but I don't care one jot about that. That'll be the inner miser again

 

[Matt-g]

Sorry to change the thread stream a little, but how do the tesco vouchers scheme work at evans ?

 

[Mandragora]

http://www.tesco.com/clubcard/deals/product.aspx?R=4166
and:
Note: your E-Gift voucher is a code that can be used in store or online against any purchase with Evans Cycles. If you don’t use the total value of your voucher in one purchase, the unused balance can be used against further purchases. More than one E-Gift voucher can be used per purchase.

 

[John the Monkey]

Thanks to all for you patient advice. Still trawling the Evans site, and wondering, as Carradice has been mentioned, what about this one? I see it has zips, which will, I think, be better than the skinny strip of velcro on the Altura model I was looking at intially:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/carradice/carradura-handlebar-bag-ec026800#BVRRWidgetID
I know brown isn't the trendiest colour, but I don't care one jot about that. That'll be the inner miser again

Depends how much you want the detachable pocket bit on the Altura, I guess.

If I know Carradice, the build quality will be tank like, and the bag looks to have the bits I'd want (Klick Fix fitting, easily accessible front bit for tickets &c, map case).

 

[Profpointy]

I've got an ortlieb one and, like every Ortlieb item I've got, it's excellent.

That said, have only ever heard good things about Carradice too, so doubt you can go wrong with either

 

[Mandragora]

Brilliant. Thanks everyone, that's the decision made. The Carradice it will be! It's got everything I'm after, good recommendations as a brand from you experts and, happily for the inner miser, it's not expensive either -let's be honest - it's the cheapest of all the ones that made it to the shortlist.