Handlebar bag alternatives

[Polite]

Non cycling specific but I use a Snugpak Response bag as a bar or rack bag sometimes. It fastens to the bars quite easily, leaving no permanent fittings. It also has a belt strap (that can be fastened and concealed out of the way if you're not using it) for taking with you off the bike.

Thanks. I really like the look of this. Could I be a pain and see how you fasten it?

 

[young Ed]

Non cycling specific but I use a Snugpak Response bag as a bar or rack bag sometimes. It fastens to the bars quite easily, leaving no permanent fittings. It also has a belt strap (that can be fastened and concealed out of the way if you're not using it) for taking with you off the bike.

bit off topic but, i love this bag! it is my permanent first aid kit and it just swallows more and more!
i have fitted two pairs of trousers, two shirts and several changes of undies and socks in it before with no problem!
Cheers Ed

 

[Teuchter]

Thanks. I really like the look of this. Could I be a pain and see how you fasten it?

The bag has two straps that wrap around it underneath from the rear to fasten with buckles to the carrying handle. I use these and find they are just far enough apart to fit around where I have my computer and light brackets fitted. Both bikes I've used this on have drop bars and STI levers (Tiagra and Sora) and it doesn't foul the cables at all.

It can fasten to the rack using the same straps. I keep the waist strap stowed away completely while the bag is on the bike.

Not great photos of the bag being mounted but if you look at the two links below (they're links to the fully zoomed in photos), you'll hopefully get the idea.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pete_johnson/7344657448/sizes/o/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pete_johnson/13977493103/sizes/o/

 

[Teuchter]

Forgot to mention, the one thing that may be a concern with the response bag is that it isn't waterproof or resistant. Pack accordingly (plastic bags inside!) and I've not found this to be an issue. I agree with Ed - it is a really useful bag for general use. I use it on the hills when I don't want to take a full sized rucksack and when I'm away on holiday with the family in the car, it lives under the car seat as an emergency "EDC" bag (Every Day Carry for you non Bear Grylls types). A really versatile bit of kit.

 

[jay clock]

emergency "EDC" bag (Every Day Carry for you non Bear Grylls types). A really versatile bit of kit.

so, what anyone else would call a bum bag?

 

[John the Monkey]

so, what anyone else would call a bum bag?

Funny enough, I was thinking how much they look like a Carradice Barley.

 

[young Ed]

so, what anyone else would call a bum bag?

not necessarily, if you want to get nerdy like me. my pocket EDC that i carry everyday everywhere but school consists of:
3 folding knives
one multi tool (basically only good for pliers)
one bomb proof lighter
my keys

many would add a torch to that mix.

but at the same time a box or bag you always carry in your car could be classed as an EDC and this might contain:
torch
first aid supplies
tow rope
tyre plugging kit
mini compressor
etc etc

okay now i shall leave before i bore you all any more!
Cheers Ed

 

[young Ed]

Funny enough, I was thinking how much they look like a Carradice Barley.

similar but i think think the carradice is more bike specific?
Cheers Ed

 

[themosquitoking]

not necessarily, if you want to get nerdy like me. my pocket EDC that i carry everyday everywhere but school consists of:
3 folding knives
one multi tool (basically only good for pliers)
one bomb proof lighter
my keys

many would add a torch to that mix.

but at the same time a box or bag you always carry in your car could be classed as an EDC and this might contain:
torch
first aid supplies
tow rope
tyre plugging kit
mini compressor
etc etc

okay now i shall leave before i bore you all any more!
Cheers Ed

3 knives??? Who are you looking to cut?

 

[young Ed]

3 knives??? Who are you looking to cut?

sorry, posted without thinking!
i am a knife nerd i admit not the psychotic type but the nerdy and collector type!
and i am constantly working on farms or out in the field for all sorts of reasons so they are there to serve a practical purpose and that they do. i am not walking around the back streets of your local town wearing ripped jeans below my hind end a scraggy T-shirt and a cap on back wards shouting 'i'll shank ya blad!'
Cheers Ed

 

[themosquitoking]

sorry, posted without thinking!
i am a knife nerd i admit not the psychotic type but the nerdy and collector type!
and i am constantly working on farms or out in the field for all sorts of reasons so they are there to serve a practical purpose and that they do. i am not walking around the back streets of your local town wearing ripped jeans below my hind end a scraggy T-shirt and a cap on back wards shouting 'i'll shank ya blad!'
Cheers Ed

Electrician myself so i know the value of a knife but i try to only carry one when i'm working. The locals in south london can so easily get the wrong impression otherwise.

 

[young Ed]

Electrician myself so i know the value of a knife but i try to only carry one when i'm working. The locals in south london can so easily get the wrong impression otherwise.

out in kentish country side and i only really come in to contact with family, farmers and bushcrafters/outdoorsmen they really don't care what i carry as they know they can all trust me
Cheers Ed

 

[John the Monkey]

similar but i think think the carradice is more bike specific?
Cheers Ed

Oh, for sure (although the Super C Barley (now called the Super C Audax) has d rings that would take a shoulder strap, or hook to a belt. Cotton Duck is waterproof too

 

[Teuchter]

sorry, posted without thinking!
i am a knife nerd i admit not the psychotic type but the nerdy and collector type!
and i am constantly working on farms or out in the field for all sorts of reasons so they are there to serve a practical purpose and that they do. i am not walking around the back streets of your local town wearing ripped jeans below my hind end a scraggy T-shirt and a cap on back wards shouting 'i'll shank ya blad!'
Cheers Ed

I always carry a decent Swiss army knife and/or an old leatherman tool when I'm on tour or in the outdoors. Thanks to overly draconian (IMHO) knife laws these days, I don't tend to carry even in my pannier or rucksack day to day however. Certain people will always find ways to turn everyday items into objects of harm and fear and you can't ban everything that could conceivably be put to ill use. At least where I grew up, we were raised to view knives as tools, not weapons.

Meanwhile, off my soap box and back on topic...

Oh, for sure (although the Super C Barley (now called the Super C Audax) has d rings that would take a shoulder strap, or hook to a belt. Cotton Duck is waterproof too

Good point. I've never owned a Carradice but looking at them, I'm sure they aren't restricted to being hung from the back of a Brooks saddle and could be fastened to handlebars in some way.

 

[John the Monkey]

I always carry a decent Swiss army knife and/or an old leatherman tool when I'm on tour or in the outdoors.

I have a little Opinel in my pencil case - can't beat a knife sharpened pencil

Good point. I've never owned a Carradice but looking at them, I'm sure they aren't restricted to being hung from the back of a Brooks saddle and could be fastened to handlebars in some way.

The bag loop straps would work, and I've seen them used in that way - personally, I like Klickfix, and wouldn't buy a barbag without that system, but then, I don't carry bike bags around very much (shed to house, mostly. Occasionally car deck to passenger lounge when on the ferry )