bike bags?

[pooks]

Hi, I'm new here!

I can tell already that I want some sort of bike bag (probably on front of my hybrid) to carry a few things, including a camera.

Does anybody have any advice? What to look for and what to avoid?

I found these and love all the colors to choose from, but am open to all suggestions!

http://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/hb_bag/overview.asp?fl=1&site=

http://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/sm_hb_bag/overview.asp?fl=1&site=

Thanks!

[Veronica]

We have the larger Arkel. It's built like a bomb shelter! :) We got it for our tandem trip to Hawaii. It poured one day and everything stayed dry. I'll be putting it on my single for a trip to Nova Scotia in a couple of weeks.

V.

[pooks]

I was told that having a bag on the front instead of panniers could make the bike more difficult to handle. Is that much of an issue? I'd like mine where I can get into it quickly and easily, plus like that it comes off and works as a shoulder bag so you can carry your stuff in with you if you go inside somewhere.

[Veronica]

A lot depends on how much weight you have up there. I routinely ride with a small handlbar bag, a GPS unit and a light and I don't really notice a change. I REALLY like having things like food and Advil right at my fingertips. I can get into that bag while riding. I often drop a few Advil, but that makes the squirrels with headaches happy. ;)

http://www.tandemhearts.com/dmd-2006/slides/v_not_happy.jpg

Ignore how unhappy I look. It's not because of all the stuff on my handlbar. :)

I expect the Arkel will feel a little different and change the handling some. But I'm making a lot of changes on my bike to go from doing double centuries to a self supported tour. The advantage of having my camera handy will be worth it.

My husband uses a different handlebar bag everyday that he commutes and he prefers it to his saddlebag.

http://www.tandemhearts.com/bike/blue-ramb/slides/left-side.jpg

Here's the large Arkel on our tandem from our Hawaii tour - Feb. 2003.

http://www.tandemhearts.com/hawaii/images/ready-to-go.jpg
V.

[pooks]

Those pics are really helpful. Thanks for all the feedback!

[Veronica]

Yeah... I figure a picture of the bag on a bike gives you a better idea of size, than just the bag by itself.

That little bag on my single holds a lot. If you have a point and shoot camera, it will fit in that. Along with a Red Bull, a tube, a tool kit, a small container of Advil, some food... and a partridge, but NOT the pear tree.

If you're carrying a larger camera (Thom does) or need some other gear handy, we've been happy with both bigger bags. The gray ones are Gilles Berthoud.

V.

[DeniseGoldberg]

I use an Arkel TailRider for my camera. I am much happier without a handlebar bag...

For my reasoning for purchasing this bag, see this page (http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/journal/page/?page_id=32883) in my Panniers or Trailer article (http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/journal/PanniersOrTrailer).

--- Denise

[pooks]

Denise, can you reach back and get your camera out/replace it easily, without getting off the bike or unfastening the TailRider?

[DeniseGoldberg]

Denise, can you reach back and get your camera out/replace it easily, without getting off the bike or unfastening the TailRider?
No. The zippers go the full length of the bag, and the unzip motion starts from the back. So I do need to get off of the bike to grab that camera - although I don't need to remove the bag from the bike, just need to open it. One of the reasons I went with the TailRider is because I can keep the camera in a small space where it won't bounce around at all (there is a moveable divider in the bag).

I also carry a small camera in a fanny pack (yes, maybe I'm a bit nutty, but I do ride with two cameras!), and that's the one that I use for the "put my foot down and take a picture" shots. The camera that I carry in the TailRider is a digital SLR, and although it's small for that class of cameras, it's considerable larger than my baby camera. And I just don't like handlebar bags, so I never considered one!

--- Denise

[wannaduacentury]

I have a rear rack on my hybrid and just use a small velcoed bag on back to keep stuff in it. I can always of course can add more and add panniers to the front. But this works for me.

[Surlygirl]

I have the small piggyback bag sold at Adventure Cycling. It has a map case velcroed to the top that is removable and a zippered compartment that I can carry a small camera, a few luna bars, chapstick and a phone.
http://www.adventurecycling.org/store/moreinfo.cfm?Product_ID=235

[Bad JuJu]

I used to have a big ol' handlebar bag, but that started bugging me, the way it rattled and swayed, and it really was too big for the few things I carried in it, but I do like having certain things near to hand.

I've just started using this small handlebar bag:
Detours Shuttle bag (http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47919259&parent_category_rn=4500847&vcat=REI_SSHP_CYCLING_TOC)
It holds a few things: energy bar, lip stuff, camera. The flap flips over to reveal a clear pocket for a cue sheet, and the bag has waterproof zippers and comes with a rain cover, too. The bag attaches to your bars by means of a plastic adapter, which isn't as small as I expected it to be, but still reasonably unobtrusive when you're not using the bag. I'm pretty happy with it so far.

[maillotpois]

For my 600k, I got a size medium Ortlieb bar bag and a large Ortlieb saddle bag. Both are waterproof and I can get stuff out of the bag easily on the fly:

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j285/maillotpois/bikereadyfor600k.jpg

The tough thing was figuring out how to attach the lights which would normally go on the bar. Here's a picture where the bag doesn't look so overwhelmingly big:

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j285/maillotpois/MP_IMG_2382_2_B.jpg


I didn't really notice any change in handling. It worked great!!

[pooks]

So many to choose from! I read REI's info about choosing bags/panniers and they suggested starting small and building which is probably a good idea for me -- since my specific needs right now are small and it's only later that I'm thinking I'll need a larger bag.

They say the smaller Arkel bag holds a six-pack, which is a solid visual and probably a good size for me. But I like some of the others I've seen, too, even though they don't come in cute colors.

Another thing I'm considering is being able to bike to the post office or supermarket. I live so close to the supermarket it's disgraceful not to bike up there for small loads (and most of mine are small at that store). However, my husband is very apprehensive about the bike getting stolen. There's no bike rack and even if I could figure out some way to secure it, it's still a little nervewracking. We don't live in an area where a lot of people bike that way, and bikes DO get stolen.

But if I were going to do that (and I'd really like to figure out a way to) I'm also considering something like this (unfortunately my yellow lab wouldn't fit in!):

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5790/1923/1600/anon_girl_on_bike.jpg

or

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5790/1923/1600/B000AO9LCY.01-A2TE9IQP68MWQU._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

because they seem handy to put shopping bags in.

Any experience with something like this?

Also, re: securing bikes w/o a bike rack?

[DeniseGoldberg]

Also, re: securing bikes w/o a bike rack?
How about a light post? Or at a grocery store, sometimes they have racks outside to hold the carts. You need to be careful there so the bike / lock isn't in the way of getting carts in and out of those corrals, but it can work. But definitely lock the bike to something!

And on the pics above - I wouldn't put a container filled with groceries on the handlebars. I don't think you'll like the way the bike handles if you start adding heavy items there; for grocery shopping I really think panniers are the way to go.

[bcipam]

I am not a fan of either a front bag or a large seat bag. We call the big seat bags "utter bags". They can interfere with leg and pedal stoke motion and it looks really weird from behind.

Do you really need to carry all that stuff? On my road bike I carry 2 tubes, irons, some med. supplies in my seat bag. It's fairly small and tucks up underneath the saddle. I also use a Bento Bag. I can place in it either my digital camera, my keys and cell phone, goodies/snacks. I also have an advantage in that I like to use a Camelbak for water. Even though my road Camelbak is small, I can still out in it a pump, keys, Gu/bars, lip gloss, money, ID etc.

[li10up]

Do you really need to carry all that stuff? On my road bike I carry 2 tubes, irons, some med. supplies in my seat bag. It's fairly small and tucks up underneath the saddle. I also use a Bento Bag. I can place in it either my digital camera, my keys and cell phone, goodies/snacks. I also have an advantage in that I like to use a Camelbak for water. Even though my road Camelbak is small, I can still out in it a pump, keys, Gu/bars, lip gloss, money, ID etc.
That's a good question...what all are you folks carrying? Do you carry all that stuff when you just go out for a training ride? Around here the most you'll see is a Bento Bag and a seat bag. Alot of people don't even use Camelbaks - just water bottles.

[pooks]

In my case, I'm a new, overweight, out-of-shape cyclist who isn't doing road trips yet or training for anything.

But I'd like to do my part for the environment (and my health) but making this 1/2-mile to 1-mile errands bike-able. That would mean having a basket large enough to carry mail or a small package in, and or a couple of grocery bags. You wouldn't believe how often I go to the supermarket and pick up small items. The supermarket is closer to me than a convenience store!

So what I like about those baskets is how easily they come off. I wouldn't use them all the time -- just on quick errands.

As for the larger bar bags, because my husband and I will be "Sunday cruisers" and aren't looking to compete, I'd assume they would be for cameras (mine is Digital SLR and my husband has several different ones to choose from, or to carry more than one), snacks, I don't know what. I do eventually foresee us picnicking from our bikes, though.

[Bad JuJu]

Do you really need to carry all that stuff?

Depends on the kind of ride you're doing and what kind of rider you are. On a fast training ride, a seat bag is sufficient, but not every ride is either fast or a training ride, and for some people, no ride is a fast ride. We've all just gotta do our homework--as you're doing, Pooks--and figure out what works best for us.

[susiej]

But I'd like to do my part for the environment (and my health) but making this 1/2-mile to 1-mile errands bike-able. That would mean having a basket large enough to carry mail or a small package in, and or a couple of grocery bags. You wouldn't believe how often I go to the supermarket and pick up small items. The supermarket is closer to me than a convenience store!

If you are bringing back two grocery bags, and they are packed fairly full -- not like the baggers around here who seem to think you can't put more than a pound of things into a plastic bag, sheesh -- well, I'd want to carry that on the back where it won't interfere with handling. When I go to the farmer's market, the bags go into cheap panniers that clip onto the rear rack. There's also a teeny under-seat bag that replaces my purse -- ID, tire repair kit, tire levers, phone, insurance cards, cash, keys, inhaler, first aid kit. A purse loose in the bottom of the panniers seems an invitation to trouble -- or a MasterCard commercial (bike: $x00, seat bag: $x, having $2 for a bottle of water: priceless). A trunk bag is on order for my daily commute to hold lunch, shoes (http://www.jorj.org/cgi-bin/potd_comment.cgi?EID=519), lock, jacket.

One advantage of a rear rack is that it doubles as a rear fender. Although you couldn't put a golden retreiver on the rack either. ;)

[Bad JuJu]

I meant to add that I agree that you might not be happy with that large basket on your handlebars. But there are one or two companies that make removable grocery-shopping bags/baskets that attach to a rear rack--you might want to look into that. Regardless of what you end up with, you'll want to limit the weight you carry in any sort of handlebar carrier because, as Denise pointed out, that weight affects the way your bike handles--and that can be dangerous. That's why if you want something on the handlebars, I'd keep it fairly small if I were you--just to be safe. We want to fall in love with cycling and be out there riding your bike for years to come. :)

[Veronica]

I am not a fan of either a front bag or a large seat bag. We call the big seat bags "utter bags". They can interfere with leg and pedal stoke motion and it looks really weird from behind.

Do you really need to carry all that stuff? On my road bike I carry 2 tubes, irons, some med. supplies in my seat bag. It's fairly small and tucks up underneath the saddle. I also use a Bento Bag. I can place in it either my digital camera, my keys and cell phone, goodies/snacks. I also have an advantage in that I like to use a Camelbak for water. Even though my road Camelbak is small, I can still out in it a pump, keys, Gu/bars, lip gloss, money, ID etc.

On a double century I start riding somewhere between 4:30 and 5:30 in the morning and it's generally kind of cold. I'm going to want a place for my arm warmers and leg warmers when I take them off. I'm carrying all the stuff you listed, plus enough food to get me through 15 hours of ride time. Yes, these are supported rides, but certain foods work for me. I also bring some extra clothes as well, since most of these rides are not flat, a balaclava, long fingered gloves and a jacket are often neccessary for the descents. I don't like to have anything on my back for such a long ride. I don't even like to have things in my pockets. Personal preference is to put it all on the bike. I don't notice a significant change in the handling.

So it looks funny to you - oh well. I prefer to have what I need. BTW I have a gignatic bag for commuting to carry textbooks. It doesn't interefere with my pedal stroke.

Veronica

[pooks]

Okay, it sounds like the basket, though romantic, is impractical!

I'll check out panniers.

[bcipam]

On a double century I start riding somewhere between 4:30 and 5:30 in the morning and it's generally kind of cold. I'm going to want a place for my arm warmers and leg warmers when I take them off. I'm carrying all the stuff you listed, plus enough food to get me through 15 hours of ride time. Yes, these are supported rides, but certain foods work for me. I also bring some extra clothes as well, since most of these rides are not flat, a balaclava, long fingered gloves and a jacket are often neccessary for the descents. I don't like to have anything on my back for such a long ride. I don't even like to have things in my pockets. Personal preference is to put it all on the bike. I don't notice a significant change in the handling.

So it looks funny to you - oh well. I prefer to have what I need. BTW I have a gignatic bag for commuting to carry textbooks. It doesn't interefere with my pedal stroke.

Veronica


OK for a double century you do need to carry much more than normal. I assumed the poster was referring to normal, training rides.

Although good thing about a Camelbak, I can attach my vest, arm warmers etc to the tie backs if need be. I've also been known to tie my arm warmers around my handlebar. Works great. I've done long week end tours and have then used a temporary seat rack and seat bag. If one is prong to carrying all that much stuff, a seat rack seems to work so much better than a under saddle bag or front bag. Or better yet touring panniers.

[pooks]

This is what I've decided to try for quick supermarket runs, securing the bags with bungees:

http://planetpooks.wordpress.com/files/2006/06/b000bteody01.jpg

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BTEODY/ref=pd_rvi_gw_1/104-2801648-0945506?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=3375251

It fits on the bike rack in back.

That's a pretty good review and it's not expensive.

Now, back to the small bar bags...!

Thanks for all this feedback. It's very helpful.

[donnambr]

That's a really cute rear basket.

I'm primarily a utility cyclist who rides to work daily and doesn't own a car. Anyone own a briefcase pannier? I've seen ones by Arkel, Ortleib, and Carrradice. I'm leaning towards the carradice, but am definitely looking to hear about other people's experiences. I need it to look more professional and less sporty, because I ride to other offices for meetings and such. I've got to get something that I can organize myself with, as I have been forgetting stuff at home and work because I no longer use my excellent organizing bag with a pocket for everything. My grocery pannier isn't cutting it and I do not want to be carrying anything on my back. Fortunately, I do not have to lug a laptop around. Anyone have something nifty they use for work?

[jobob]

I like to carry stuff with me - it is my personal preference. And I ride with a large saddlebag on my road bike to carry the stuff I want to bring with me.

The large saddlebag does not interfere with my pedal stroke.

I ride for my own enjoyment, not to live up to others' expectations of what one should or should not be doing. If a large saddlebag full of stuff offends some sensibilies, well, so be it.

[Geonz]

If you want to be able to run errands and carry stuff and just not have to think about it, forget dainty baskets :-) You're probably not ready for this level of plunge into making the bike painlessly useful for all kinds of nonsense, but I LOVE my Free Radical... it just doesn't notice weight. You can't even see the 1.5 gallon detergent and 3 jugs of punch on the other side...
http://xtracycle.com/albums/real_loads/bigloadplusmay29.jpg

(Full disclosure: only rode 1/2 mile with this much stuff!)

[snapdragen]

If you want to be able to run errands and carry stuff and just not have to think about it, forget dainty baskets :-) You're probably not ready for this level of plunge into making the bike painlessly useful for all kinds of nonsense, but I LOVE my Free Radical... it just doesn't notice weight. You can't even see the 1.5 gallon detergent and 3 jugs of punch on the other side...(Full disclosure: only rode 1/2 mile with this much stuff!)

Oooh - jobob - you've got some competition here.......;)

[jobob]

How about that !!!

Maybe we can form Team Looks Weird From Behind :D

But I don't need a saddlebag to look weird from behind, alas...

[Jones]

Maybe we can form Team Looks Weird From Behind

Can we get jerseys made for the team?:)
(Sorry, but I crack my self up.)
Mojitas anyone?

Jones

[jobob]

Only if spazzdog is willing to design them :cool:

[Geonz]

Yea, "Team WTF????" would make an interesting jersey :-) (And, btw, Geonz is pronounced "Jones")

[pooks]

How about that !!!

Maybe we can form Team Looks Weird From Behind :D

But I don't need a saddlebag to look weird from behind, alas...


I'm in! For the jersey, too!

Unless we want to have our team name emblazoned on the seats of our shorts?

[snapdragen]

I'm in! For the jersey, too!

Unless we want to have our team name emblazoned on the seats of our shorts?

Oooh! A big old WTF? across the butt.......:eek:

[Quillfred]

Blender, Geonz

Where's the blender???: eek:

Still chasing behind with my empty margarita glass.....

[KnottedYet]

"chasing behind with my empty margarita glass"

See Knotted, red-faced and panting, pull a u-ee and head for the nearest outdoor bar-n-grill to get her glass filled.

Agua Verde run on the Burke Gilman, any of you Seattle-ites?

[KnottedYet]

I ride with a honkin' big pannier (left one) all the time. Today I rode farther than I expected. Emptied my bottle. No prob, got another one in the pannier! Hungry? Banana, Lara bar, Payday, Clif blox, Clif shot, walnuts in the pannier! Front fender had a nervous breakdown. Whaddaya know, I have a Leatherman and Park Tool I-beam in... the pannier! And once I got the whole thing off I stuck it in the pannier! Starting to rain? Rain gear in the pannier.

And pump, tube, hankie, sunscreen, lip balm, ouch-pouch, etc.

I also have a bungee cord wrapped around my rack. Just in case. I'm a belt-n-suspenders kind of gal!

(hey, I might need to carry a 12 pack of beer, too!):p

[Trek420]

Quillfred "Where's the blender???: eek:"

jobob's probably got one in that bag.

Tease people with extra storage on the bike all you want but there will be a day you need _____ and they will have an extra _____. Like on Diablo when I needed full finger gloves (yes, yes, shoulda read the post).

Who's looking weird from behind then?

[tprevost]

just thought I'd throw in my .02 as I really like my handlebar bag. Its pretty sleek (as handlebar bags go) but I can carry an extra water bottle my camera, my gu etc. and it does become a fanny pack if you wanted to take if off. Here's a picture (ignore the goober rider :rolleyes: )

I do also have a bag under my seat as well. I normally ride by myself and just feel more secure having more 'stuff' with me I guess.

Good luck w/your search!

Tracy

[pooks]

I ride with a honkin' big pannier (left one) all the time.

I'd wondered about that -- only one? Does it not cause probs to have weight on one side and not both?

And Tracy -- That little bag holds all that? Looks perfect -- what kind is it?

[tprevost]

It does pretty well holding stuff! When I went on a long ride recently I had a crystal Geyser water (I always feel better having that extra water - I guess I need to get another holder somewhere!), about 5 gu's and my camera, plus a few other odds and ends and it all fit fine. Its a topeak. I saw it on Caligurl's bike and really liked it because it wasn't very bulky. It also stands out from the bars a bit so I can still have my computer etc attached to my bars w/no interference. So far, I've been really pleased w/it.

btw, that basket for the back of the bike is really cute! If you get it, I'd love to see a picture on your bike!

Tracy

[pooks]

That looks great, Tracy. I really like it.

My basket should arrive tomorrow, and I'll see how it works and take a pic!

Somewhere I saw a net that fits over the top of the basket to keep things from bouncing out -- but now I can't remember where I saw it! I guess I'll run across it again, and if I'm having that prob I'll order it.

[Trekhawk]

How about that !!!

Maybe we can form Team Looks Weird From Behind :D

But I don't need a saddlebag to look weird from behind, alas...

LOL - having travelled a few miles behind you I can honestly say you dont qualify for Team Looks Weird From Behind - you just look like a well prepared cyclist and I think thats a GOOD THING.:)

[Geonz]

Oh, of COURSE we used the blender waiting for dinner on Monday, though it was in a "no alcohol" park so it was bananas and yogurt and ice. All those people who thought I was kidding :-) (that's www.bikeblender.com (http://www.bikeblender.com) )
Still haven't done margaritas yet. Need a recipe and the right place and time :-) Need to tweak the details on washing too... Mainly I need to make a "blender kit" so I can get things going efficiently and easily. Didn't want to carry a cooler and ice up that 15% grade, either, tho' since I went as a volunteer and my car was the "refreshment stop" vehicle I might have been able to coordinate cold ingredients...

[KnottedYet]

Pooks - no problems with the weight on one side. It's all pretty close to the balance line for the bike, close to the axle/wheel. I pack the heavy things (bike lock, water bottle) closest to the wheel. If I have a lot of stuff to haul, and i know sqeezing it all into the left pannier would throw me off, I bring along the right one. (like when i had all my work clothes and lunch AND needed a bag of dogfood)

I think having it on the left helps cars to realize how wide I am, too.

[Denise223]

Lots of good info here!

I wore a "fanny pack" that someone had given me a couple of years ago -- never used it, now I know why....

I have to carry a lot of stuff with me -

Inhalors, eye drops (very dry eyes!!), lip sunscreen, mace, small towel, kleenex, cell phone, car keys, ID........etc....

When I bought my gloves yesterday, (PI Women's gel lite glove '95), I saw they had some little packs (to put right under my seat), but.......I'm not sure that they were big enough.

I'd much rather MORE room, than less --

So, instead of purchasing something that wasn't going to be "perfect", I wanted to come here first and see what everyone here recommends...

There's way too much information here not to check it out, before I purchase something...

Take Care!

Denise

[Denise223]

Lots of good info here!

I wore a "fanny pack" that someone had given me a couple of years ago -- never used it, now I know why ;) ....

I have to carry a lot of stuff with me - my pocketbook is very heavy b/c I like to have what I need with me!

Inhalors, eye drops (very dry eyes!!), lip sunscreen, mace, small towel, kleenex, cell phone, car keys, ID........etc....

When I bought my gloves yesterday, (PI Women's gel lite glove '95), I saw they had some little packs (to put right under my seat), but.......I'm not sure that they were big enough.

I'd much rather MORE room, than less --

So, instead of purchasing something that wasn't going to be "perfect", I wanted to come here first and see what everyone here recommends...

There's way too much information here not to check it out, before I purchase something...

Take Care!

Denise

[jobob]

Now that the weather is nice I don't really need the large bag anymore. But when the weather is cold or funky, or funkitude is threatening, it's nice to have a place to stash the jacket, tights, and other cool-weather stuff as the day warms up or vice versa. Or to stash other people's stuff for them. ;)

Still, the bag really comes in handy when I stop to buy lunch or Ho-Hos and want to take it someplace else to eat. Or to stash important purchases, like Jelly Bellys.

I don't like carrying things wadded up in the back pocket of my jersey, and I don't like camelbacks, so the seatbag is a good option for me.

Plus the stylin' Carradice canvas bags appeal to my retro-grouch aesthetic. Trouble is, they are heavier than other bags. But that doesn't really matter all that much to me, since there is pretty much nothing one would consider aerodynamic on either of my bikes :D

I might switch to my smaller Carradice "roll" bag (it's a handlebar bag which can also be used as a saddlebag) on Dusty for the summer, if I can figure out a good way to mount my toepeak morph pump on the frame. At the moment the pump fits nicely in the larger Barley bag.

[dachshund]

Oh, of COURSE we used the blender waiting for dinner on Monday, though it was in a "no alcohol" park so it was bananas and yogurt and ice. All those people who thought I was kidding :-) (that's www.bikeblender.com (http://www.bikeblender.com) )


I'm still trying to wrap my head around this blender thing. :) I did look at the website, but the pictures are small. Is this something that you hook a bike to that powers a blender ?? This would clarify the comment about chasing a bike with a margarita glass. :p

[donnambr]

I totally want an Xtracycle bike. It's just not going to happen for a year or two. I wouldn't take it to work anyway. Sometimes I have to go to meetings, and I will take the bus or the light rail with my bike in my nice clothes, and then change and ride home. The Xtracycles don't fit on the bus or light rail racks, alas.

I want a Burley flatbed trailer, too. That I think will happen sooner. My brother and I are going to buy one together and share it.

The more I look at the briefcase panniers, the more I'm leaning towards the Carradice. It's really pretty.

http://www.carradice.co.uk/commuter-bike-bags/bike-bureau.shtml

[Geonz]

Yea, the Xtracycle folks do *not* know how to put pictures on their sites that convey their products! It's kinda hard, though, to get the right angle.

The wooden surf-board thingy has four plastic c-shaped clips that snap around the tubes that hold the racks. You take that off - the blender has the same kind of little plastic feet that clip it right over the wheel. It's got a cute little whieel down inside of it that you adjust around so it's wedged against the bike wheel, so that when the bike wheel turns, that little wheel turns, and that makes the blade wheel turn, 'way in the middle of the air, just like ol' Ezekiel said.

You can do it two ways - you can put the bike up on a stand and spin, or you can use the portable industrial-strength bottle-blades and actually blend while you're riding. I haven't done that - it seems like a *lot* of work with the extra friction, and since I can't walk and chew gum at the same time I"m not going to set myself up to explain things at the ER. However, that could easily inspire a salt-rimmed-glass-bearing margarita-seeker to be leaping merrily along behind me.

I change when I get to work - a garment bag could fit in the side bags if I had to look *really* nice, but I generally don't. I love not having to plan how to pack.

[caligurl]

just thought I'd throw in my .02 as I really like my handlebar bag. Its pretty sleek (as handlebar bags go) but I can carry an extra water bottle my camera, my gu etc. and it does become a fanny pack if you wanted to take if off. Here's a picture (ignore the goober rider :rolleyes: )

I do also have a bag under my seat as well. I normally ride by myself and just feel more secure having more 'stuff' with me I guess.

Good luck w/your search!

Tracy

oh good picture, tracy!!!!!!!!!

that's the bag i have... and i couldn't live/ride without it! not too big.... but carries a LOT! i can carry 2 propel bottles (that i fill with gatorade).... then throw them away as i empty them.... that still leaves me my 2 water bottles (that i only ever put water in!) i can carry my jacket in there either for when i need it or after i take it off! holds the camera... house key... cell phone (in a little outside zippered pocket! same for the car keys.. they go in the other zippered pocket!) i pin any ride numbers to my bag... i refuse to put pins on my expensive jerseys!

i keep my chapstick in there... it's less apt to melt in the bag then in a pocket! it also holds the battery charger for my edge when i use it!

everything/anything i need... is right there available for me to grab!

oh... and i have my cute little handlebar bag on my ruby pro... yep! that's right!

(my under the seat bag holds my spare tubes, CO2.... tool... etc!)

by the way... it's a topeak! compact handlebar bag (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=66&subcategory=1002&brand=&sku=12253&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=).... i got mine at bike nashbar.. they often have it on sale for as low as 19.99! like tracy said... it can be a fanny pack... they give you the strap you clip on... i leave that at home! you also get a yellow rain cover! it has a velcro-able divider... i didn't used to use it... but after i got my new camera... i stuck it in on the end... holds my camera away from sweating bottles... or anything else that may scratch it!

[caligurl]

So it looks funny to you - oh well. I prefer to have what I need.

yeppers! i'm a creature of comfort! and i hate to carry things in my rear pockets! only wear a camelback when i HAVE to! (prefer water bottles!)

[caligurl]

OH... and hubby has arkel panniers and the little boot bag that sits on top for his commuter bike!

[jobob]

Thanks for the topeak link ! (wow, a bag that I did not know about)

Tracy or Cali, do you like the way it attaches to the handlebar? I like how the bag converts to a fanny pack - I often take my handlebar bag with me when I leave the bike and go into a store, and this seems like a good solution.

[caligurl]

i love how it attaches... you have the attaching thingy.... it clamps/screws to your handlebars.... then the bag attaches to that.... you remove the bag... not he clampy/holder thing!

there is also a piece that slides onto the clampy thing that holds your HRM! i LOVED this when i had my polar 720i... cuz instead of undoing it (the HRM strap... i just slid off the holder thingy.. and took it in to my computer!

i still have my garmin thingy attached to it... but i don't have to remove it cuz the garmin is just a little tab! i have a holder on each of my bikes... so i just move the HRM (and bag) to whichever bike i'm riding!

here's a link to topeaks site (http://www.topeak.com/2006/products/bags/compacthandlebarbag.php)... off to the side you can see the clampy thing... (fixer 5) in a small pic!

OH! and at the topeak site... see the little cloth "tab above the strap? i guess that's supposed to be the cell phone clip? well i use that to clip my doggie mace! i slide it behind the "stray" but into the loop! it's right there for me to grab when needed! those "straps" also have zippers at the top... so you can store stuff... inside the left one is where i carry my phone and the right one holds my car key/fob when on organized rides! nice and zipped in and safe! (the phone one doesn' zip... phone sticks above it a bit!)

AND! on rides when i have the bag stuffes with .... say a jersey.... or arm warmers or propel bottles still... and i have to remove my jacket... i've ties my jacket around the top handle!!!!!!!

[jobob]

Thankyee kindly ! :)

[caligurl]

i can take more pics of anything you need.... or maybe if tracy sees this sooner she could take some? (i can't take pics til i get home this evening!)

[winddance]

Hmm...bags that clip on to anything kind of worry me. I have ergobars, so they're flat on top and I generally end up zip-tying everything to them. It's a totally high tech solution.

I'm looking for a handlebar bag, though, and that one seems to be the perfect size. Do you think it would work on bars that are slightly differently shaped? or should I just bribe jobob with ho ho's to carry my spare gear for me?

[caligurl]

it "clips" to either side of the stem.... so that part on most handlebars is round anyways.... i also have the bigger around ones (31.8 i think??????) mine are slightly flat were i hold them... but round where the stem holds them... and where this bag holder goes!

and by using clip... let me amend... it SCREWS on! it goes around the bar.. either with or without the rubbyer stuff (hubby had to use something less thick than what they supplied... would have to aske him what!) that acts like a... uhm.... washer/griper... then you screw it one!

i really need to take pics tonight for you guys!!!!!!!

here's a link to my bars (http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=14910)

[tprevost]

Here's a picture from above. I like that the bag stands out a bit from the bar itself, it didn't affect my computer attachment etc. As Cali mentioned, there is also a little clip on thing above where it attaches to the bar ( you can see the edge of my HRM which is attached to it) that you can have on or off depending on whether you need it. I'm sure CG will have better pics but I thought I'd show you this one while I had time.

Trac'

[caligurl]

OK.... rather than bogging the thread down with a bunch of pics in case some are on dial up.... i made a page for those interested in more detailed pics of the holder and bag here (http://caligurl.com/bikergurl/pics/bag.html)! 7 pics.... so dial up will take a little bit to load!

if you want any more pics of anything.... let me know!

[tprevost]

Cali, you missed your calling, you need to be a bike gadget rep!!! ;)

T~

[KnottedYet]

Wow! Cali! Great pics!

Thanks for doing all those photos for us. Now I've got something more to add to my wish list, "things I don't really need, but want anyway cuz they're cool" :D

[tprevost]

Oh No KnottedYet, you NEED this bag ;) its very very cool!!!!

T~

sorry, couldn't resist!

[bikerz]

I just this moment got back from REI with one of these bags - I can't wait to see if I can actually attach it tomy handlebars - I really hope so - it looks to be the perfect size. I'm a little to burned out to fuss with screws and brackets right now - maybe tomorrow!

Thanks for all the great info, cali and tracy - it was very helpful :)

[pooks]

My basket came and I love it! It's so cute! I can't use it yet (am grounded from the bike until Sunday, grrrrr!) (wait, just realized it looks like I'm 12-years old again - medical procedure yesterday grounded me, not my daddy, heh) but anyway, here is the basket:

http://planetpooks.wordpress.com/files/2006/06/bikebasket-closeup.jpg

It's spring-mounted to the rear bike rack, easy on and off so you can actually carry it in as a shopping basket if you want. I think I will so that I can see how things fit, and not buy more than I can carry!

Somewhere recently I saw a net that fits over baskets to keep things from bouncing out, but I evidently didn't bookmark it, grrrr.

I have more pics on my blog.

[caligurl]

ohmigosh.... that's CUTE! you need a cute lil dog to carry around now! (my bike store has dog baskets for the front of bikes! SO cute! little paw prints and stuff on the cushions/blankies!)

but that baske is really cute!

[pooks]

They also had a version that hangs on the front -- several versions, as a matter of fact. I just decided to go with the back version ... I don't remember why! The brand name is Kettler. They even had a bright-colored front basket I loved but it turned out it was made for a kid's bike or trike or something. LOL!

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000DG5TB/sr=8-2/qid=1150996877/ref=sr_1_2/104-2801648-0945506?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance

[Denise223]

Hey.....what a great looking basket!!! :)

It looks very sturdy, too. Hmmm....that would REALLY be a good idea for my bike..... It would be nice to bike ride to the grocery store/veggie stand, rather than taking the car - or, walking....
(of course, I would need a super strong lock for my bike if I were to leave it outside where I live.....).


medical procedure yesterday grounded me

Hope you're feeling better soon :D !!

Have a peaceful day.

Denise

[pooks]

Thanks, Denise -- being able to lock my bike at the store is my concern, too. No bike racks, even.

Hmm. I could push it up and down the aisles with me... <g>

[tprevost]

LOVE that basket! It really looks cute and very functional! Thanks for posting the picture :D

Tracy

[Jones]

Hmm. I could push it up and down the aisles with me...


I sometimes bring my bike in the store and leave in the front by the big bags of dog food and BBQ charcoal or what ever all that stuff is. No one has ever told me a couldn't do it and I don't always have a lock with me.
Jones

[Geonz]

Yea, I'd bring that puppy in - maybe even ask "customer service" if there's such a desk to just park it back there, or lock it to something... or just say "it's my grocery cart" and wheel it down the aisles.
It owuld make the "bring your own (http://www.bringyourown.org/)" folks happy :-) (as in bring your own bag to the store, your own mug to the drink shoppe, and cut back on the disposables!)

[pooks]

You know, I'd considered that -- taking it into customer service or something. I may do it. And also point out to them that if they had bike racks I wouldn't have to. Of course I'd prefer the bike racks to be visible from inside, and that wouldn't happen. (sigh)

However the shopping center where the grocery store is is less than 1/2 mile from me so it's ridiculous to drive it if I have a bike. (Walking should be more of an option than it is -- I hate walking and would hate hauling back groceries in my arms, especially in the heat.)

But that shopping center has a Starbucks (no bike rack) and a Subway (no bike rack) -- the only bike rack is at Bally's and I assume they provided that themselves. I've considered figuring out who manages the shopping center and asking them to put bike racks by the food places, at least.

[Brandy]

I just ordered the Topeak Compact Handlebar bag that Tracy has! Nashbar has them on sale right now for $19.99 :D

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&brand=&sku=12253&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

[pooks]

A lot depends on how much weight you have up there. I routinely ride with a small handlbar bag, a GPS unit and a light and I don't really notice a change. I REALLY like having things like food and Advil right at my fingertips. I can get into that bag while riding. I often drop a few Advil, but that makes the squirrels with headaches happy. ;)

http://www.tandemhearts.com/dmd-2006/slides/v_not_happy.jpg

Ignore how unhappy I look. It's not because of all the stuff on my handlbar. :)


V.

Dredging up an old thread to ask Veronica --

What kind of handlebag is that ? Now that I've been cycling a bit more I've decided that I really would like a small bag that straps in without brackets for now. It looks like yours fits the bill, but I don't think you ever said where you got it!

[KnottedYet]

Me too! Is that something from Rivendell?

[pooks]

I didn't find it on their site.

:(

[Rai Sue]

all sorts of solutions!

i have to say, I love having panniers. I got some nice ones at a garage sale that aren't too flash, and they're for around town. I just put a front rack on, and i actually like riding so much better with the weight in the front, but lower than the handlebar bag. (i'm pretty much an urban biker who doesn't use a car much, lately mostly i've been hauling 15 pounds of books on my commute)

Before i sprung for panniers, though, rather than buy a basket, i put a milk-crate on my rear rack, attached with zip ties and bungee cords. I loved it. It was great for groceries, picking up random stuff, and no one wanted to steal it, so i didn't worry about it like i do with my panniers.

ALso, i could use my normal bag or purse, and then drop it in the crate rather than biking with it, so my back was happy too.

The only thing that i didn't like was the high center of gravity if i was carrying heavier things. Does anyone else have problems with putting a lot of weight in a top-basket rather than ones that attach and hang off of your rack?

[WrensMom]

Pooks, did you find your bungee-net? If not, they sell them at motorcycle shops, so if you still want one, go there.

I have these really old and teeny panniers (Nashbar brand) on my mtb that I don't ride anymore. Well, teeny by pannier standards, and purple to boot:D . I love them, but I don't think they really "go" with the new Bianchi, so I don't know what my plan is yet for carrying stuff on it.

[pooks]

Don't be silly. Purple goes with EVERYTHING!

There's a Harley Davidson store near me. Heh. This should be interesting.

[KnottedYet]

--- purple does go with everything!

and I must say that my long-gone Nashbar panniers were much better quality than the REI panniers I have now.

Nashbar and Bianchi, what a match! ;)

[Veronica]

Dredging up an old thread to ask Veronica --

What kind of handlebag is that ? Now that I've been cycling a bit more I've decided that I really would like a small bag that straps in without brackets for now. It looks like yours fits the bill, but I don't think you ever said where you got it!


It's a Gilles Berthould bag. But it's not on the Riv site anymore, which means they probably don'y have it in stock right now.

I just checked and Wallingford has it on their site. It's the small saddlebag. It can go either on the bars or on the saddle. I think it was cheaper at Riv.

V.

[pooks]

Thanks so much! Am I correct that it straps on and doesn't need special attachments?

[Veronica]

Thanks so much! Am I correct that it straps on and doesn't need special attachments?


That's correct. :)

V.

[pooks]

Um, what's it called? I'm on the Wallingford site and am not sure which one it is.

[Veronica]

http://www.wallbike.com/berthoud/berthoudbags.htm

small saddlebag - $55

V.

[pooks]

Thanks again!

[pooks]

I followed a couple of links and ended up on a motorcycle site -- looks like they have some interesting options:

http://www.leatherup.com/product.asp?pf_id=U1582%2DFringe%2DSissy%2DBar

[twin]

I like the Banana bag for small stuff, Little Joe for a little more, and a Hoss for weekend camping. These bags are from Rivendell. They look good and hold up nicely. I have a Jannd handlebar bag that is new that my friend that is riding across the USA could not use because her bike is really small if someone is interested. For touring I like Ortlieb panniers because they are waterproof. I also love my Candy Bar bag from Rivendell for a handlebar bag.

[Veronica]

I like the Banana bag for small stuff, Little Joe for a little more, and a Hoss for weekend camping. These bags are from Rivendell. They look good and hold up nicely. I have a Jannd handlebar bag that is new that my friend that is riding across the USA could not use because her bike is really small if someone is interested. For touring I like Ortlieb panniers because they are waterproof. I also love my Candy Bar bag from Rivendell for a handlebar bag.

I use the Banana Bag and the small handlebar bag from Gilles Berthould for most of my rides. I keep my jacket and some extra food in the BB and tools, food and drugs in the GB. I prefer the GB bag to the candy bar bag because it doesn't sway as much. I have the candy bar on the stoker bars on the tandem

I have a Hoss on my commute bike. You can pack for a small family in that thing!

V.

[snapdragen]

I just ordered a Banana Bag, does this make me a bag girl?:D

[pooks]

Does the banana bag also strap on without extra fixtures?

[twin]

It helps to have a Brooks saddleso you can use the lttle metal loops to attache any of the Baggin bags.

[Veronica]

Does the banana bag also strap on without extra fixtures?

Yes. Normally I use the bag loops on my Brooks saddle and then attach to the seatpost. But if I put it on my mountain bike, I use the saddle rails and seat post. It attaches with things that look like a belt buckle.

V.

[pooks]

Good. Oddly enough the ability to strap on w/o all sorts of attachments means almost more to me than anything else right now! Plus the fact that they're so pretty, of course!

[HipGnosis6]

Speaking of panniers or bags.... I'm trying to overcome the logistics problems associated with my commute. Right now I'm only getting out for rides on weekends (and I skipped this last scorcher) because my class supplies are, well, difficult to pack. Annoying on the bus, probably dangerous on a bike: 14" 24" L-square and 24" hip curve used for pattern drafting.

Even without the rulers, my 80's vintage Traveler panniers don't quite fit on this bike as well as they did on my previous one. And they don't hold very much. I need to be able to haul a full complement of books and some sewing supplies along with a change of clothes and shoes and so far am coming up empty-handed since I don't want to buy anything without being able to look at it first.

Suggestions, ladies?

[Kitsune06]

So... uhm... Geonz...
About that Xtracycle,
Was it *really* worth the $$$? I only ask because I think after getting DGF a motorcycle for her b-day, I've earned a gift of near-reciprocal cost, so now that it seems like a real possibility, I want to know what you think of it, having had it this long.

Also, I wrote Sheldon Brown (of online infamy) to see what he thought. In his words: "Highly recommeded, they're WONDERFUL. I'm trying talk Harris into stocking them..." So there you have it.

[pooks]

A friend of mine has one and has blogged about it.

http://www.nobody-knows-anything.com/bicycles/