Handlebar bag alternatives

[jay clock]

On the subject of knives I found this. http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/l_to_o/offensive_weapons_knives_bladed_and_pointed_articles/ The police take the carrying of knives very seriously and carrying three is not going to hep your case. If you are stopped and searched I suspect you are going to be in trouble.

 

[Fab Foodie]

There isn't much space on my handlebar to fit a bag mount, I'm not very keen on forcing the cable (on the right) to make space in case it causes damage or interferes with the braking.

I had a different bike last year which had a different cockpit and I found my handlebar bag was ideal for keeping my wallet, phone, keys etc while touring.

This year I'm not sure I'll be taking the bag (a shame because it's great) because of the aforementioned so I'm in a bit of a quandary regarding how to store my 'essentials' - I don't like wearing a rucksack regardless of how light - so would really appreciate any thoughts or suggestions?

All advice grateful.

Thanks

I use this:

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/handlebar-bag-25-litres-blue-id_8241979.html

Doesn't interfere with brake/gear cables, or bike handling. Hangs out of the way. Cheap and cheerful ... what's not to like!

 

[young Ed]

on the subject of me carrying 3 knives, being interested in law i have thoroughly researched the law in this area and know what i may carry and what i may not and i am currently legal to carry what i do. also the main public areas that i am in when carrying any knives is on the road with knives in my pocket

the basics of the law is that anyone of any age may carry any pocket knife they like and they may carry as many of these as they like so long as it meets the following criteria
the blade is under 3 inches in length
the blade folds
the blade does not lock in either the open or closed position

and of course you may not carry knives that are to own such as spring assisted opening knives or butterfly knives etc

any way lets keep this thread on track now!
Cheers Ed

 

[Poacher]

on the subject of me carrying 3 knives, being interested in law i have thoroughly researched the law in this area and know what i may carry and what i may not and i am currently legal to carry what i do. also the main public areas that i am in when carrying any knives is on the road with knives in my pocket

the basics of the law is that anyone of any age may carry any pocket knife they like and they may carry as many of these as they like so long as it meets the following criteria
the blade is under 3 inches in length
the blade folds
the blade does not lock in either the open or closed position

and of course you may not carry knives that are to own such as spring assisted opening knives or butterfly knives etc

any way lets keep this thread on track now!
Cheers Ed

Whoops! That's my Leatherman Wave confined to the house and garden, then. Sorry to continue the off-trackedness.

 

[young Ed]

Whoops! That's my Leatherman Wave confined to the house and garden, then. Sorry to continue the off-trackedness.

oh but i can carry a 5 foot long machete through the middle of town if the policeman deems my reasoning good enough, so yes you may carry your leather man so long as you hide it under your shirt or in your jacket or so and have a good reason for it!
similarly if i were to be walking around the london suburbs in some dark back street alley and we were all smoking a fag and drinking beer whilst wearing ripped jeans and T-shirts with swag caps on back wards and were playing about with a load of knives then i think yes i might be in a little bit of trouble!
Cheers Ed

 

[Polite]

I use this:

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/handlebar-bag-25-litres-blue-id_8241979.html

Doesn't interfere with brake/gear cables, or bike handling. Hangs out of the way. Cheap and cheerful ... what's not to like!

Thanks. How does it attach?

 

[young Ed]

Thanks. How does it attach?

elastic bands on the bag, what it said on link
Cheers Ed

 

[Polite]

elastic bands on the bag, what it said on link
Cheers Ed

Where does it say that?

 

[young Ed]

looking back at the link, i did mis read it but here is a review on the page

The system that holds the bag to the bars consists in two straps only,leaving the bottom of the bag to flap freely which is annoying and can add stress to the stitches of the straps breaking them .In order to use it I had to make a solid bracket .Now after 100 miles I can say it is ok to use full time.I
The bag is not big but still I can stash in it the spare tire,co2 cartriges,phone ,small camera,x-tra socks and t-shirt.It does not interfere with cables and controls and is ofering plenty room

and the bad point they put down was

bad attachment system

Cheers Ed

 

[Fab Foodie]

Thanks. How does it attach?

It attaches by 2 x 1" wide velcro straps.
I've used it on several different bikes and it doesn't swing around on any of them. My BIL uses one on his Hybrid, one of our club lasses uses one on her Specialized road bike, Mrs dellzeqq uses one. They're fab!

 

[Polite]

So, to end my original post should anyone have the same conundrum. Because I couldn't refit my original bag, I narrowed down the following two handlebar bags;

1. Axiom Adirondack Handlebar Bag - it's very easy to fit, velcro and fasteners, a decent size (4.5 litres), cheap and good quality. However I found that I couldn't rest my hands on my drop bars because it was too wide. So it was a no.
http://www.wheelies.co.uk/p54616/Ax...bar-Bag.aspx?gclid=CKTAsOP57b8CFbDKtAodnxMA4A
2. Topeak compact - superb quality, not too bulky, easy Fixer 8 mounting system and just the right size for valuables. Not cheap but I plan to keep for a long time.
http://www.topeak.com/products/bags/Compact_Handlebar_Bag

Thanks to those who helped.