The best bike bar bags all follow the same sort of formula. A barrel-shaped bag, sometimes another shape, but usually attached to the bars by a pair of straps. Most of the time this formula works well, but it creates some challenges.
If you run an out-front computer mount then it can interfere with access to the bag, and if you run anything slung beneath the computer this only compounds the problem. If you run lights mounted to your bars then you have to navigate the straps, which can often be a pain. Finally, if you ride on the tops a lot, having the bar bag sit right against the bars can leave your fingers with nowhere to go.
The Handlebar Bag from Route Werks aims, pretty successfully, to address many of these concerns. It’s an extremely well-thought-out bit of kit, but while it makes a very good account of itself, it also has some drawbacks that ‘normal’ bar bags don’t.
Having put a fair few miles in with it strapped to my bars I’m here to tell you what works, what doesn’t, and whether this bag is for you.
Image 1 of 3
Design and aesthetics
The bag itself takes the form of a canvas tub slung beneath a solid rim, with, unusually, a solid lid. It’s a novel design and unlike anything else out there. The main thing that catches the eye is the solid lid, within which a recessed port allows you to mount your bike computer of choice, thus negating the issues arising from using an out-of-front mount. The lid is also crossed by webbing, enabling you to stow soft items under it for easy access.
The lid hinges away from you, with a little clip at the stem, revealing a 3.2 litre cavity. Under the lid is a small organisation pouch, and the main cavity itself has a pair of small popper’d pockets for popping your possessions into, and one larger one too, which all sit flat against the sides when empty. On the outside, there are another pair of pockets, webbed with cord beneath the bag for stuffing larger soft items.
The mount is a solid unit that bolts directly to the bars. Here’s issue one; you’re going to need round bars. The mount though does mean that the bag sits a few cm away from the bars themselves, meaning you can hold the bars properly…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at CyclingNews RSS Feed…