handlebar bag or what?

[easterbird]

I signed up to do an 'inmotion' event called Lighthouse Tour of Novia Scotia. I have never done any touring cycling and only have my carbon fiber road bike. Most of our gear will be moved by support folks but I think I'll need a handlebar bag or something to carry rain gear etc for a day. Is there anything out there that can be used on carbon fiber bike as a handlebar bag. I feel so dumb...the handle bars aren't carbon, right? I'll need to check on that I guess. Giant OCR2.

[SouthernBelle]

Any bar bag that meets your needs will do fine.

[KnottedYet]

Ortlieb makes some nice ones (in a couple different sizes) that are waterproof and can also be carried like a shoulder bag. They are rather expensive, but there are similar designs by Seattle Sports and Novarra too.

If you don't need a waterproof bag, there are a gazillion to choose from! Styles from the "classic" Rivendell bags to the sleek and modern Topeak bags. (and they are generally cheaper than the waterproof ones.)

[Thorn]

I'm rather fond of the Topeak line of bags and have a small bag I'll put on my road bike when I want to carry the camera. A large handle bar bag will affect steering, so keep the bag as small as you can. Don't forget, your rain jacket will probably fit in your back pocket.

Can you temporarily put a aluminum seatpost in your bike? My road bike is aluminum so it wasn't an issue to swap the carbon seat post for an aluminum. That way, when I really need to carry stuff I can put on a cantilevered rack and bag. I don't know if that is an option for a carbon frame, though.

[mimitabby]

what color are your handlebars? (where they aren't wrapped) if they're shiny metal, they're not carbon. ..

[rij73]

The bars that come stock on that bike are aluminum. I agree you should get the smallest that fits your needs. Even better would be a good-sized wedge bag that goes under your seat. Anything that wouldn't fit in there you could carry in your jersey. That way, you won't affect the handling of the bike!

[SouthernBelle]

A small saddle bag really shouldn't affect even a carbon seatpost. It's got enough oomph to take our weight through corners and bumps. Same with the bars.

[Geonz]

I like a CamelBak with soem cargo space... but I have a high tolerance for Stuff On My Back.

[anakiwa]

If you do get a handlebar bag- be careful it doesn't mess up your shifting. That happened to me- there wasn't quite enough space and it put just enough pressure on the cables.

I'd favor jerseys with pockets, lightweight raincoat wrapped around one's waist, under-seat bag, or if needed- something that attaches to the seatpost. And you can definitely put an aluminum post in a carbon bike (I've done it).

Have fun on your trip.

[Flybye]

I have a Giant OCR 2 as well and it is an aluminum frame with a carbon forks. I am do not think that the OCR 2 is a carbon framed bike.
Just checking.

Here is the link for the OCR 2
http://www.giant-bicycle.com/en-US/bikes/road/3/11473/

[rij73]

I have a Giant OCR 2 as well and it is an aluminum frame with a carbon forks. I am do not think that the OCR 2 is a carbon framed bike.
Just checking.

Here is the link for the OCR 2
http://www.giant-bicycle.com/en-US/bikes/road/3/11473/

Maybe she means the OCR C2?
http://www.giant-bicycle.com/en-US/bikes/road/2/11468/

[Flybye]

That would make sense. I didn't want to be a party pooper. I had forgot that they had the OCR C line. Whew Yeah for her. Thanks for that suggestion.

[Zen]

A big seat wedge and a small handlebar bag should be sufficient.
If you must carry more, there's always the option of a lightweight rack and small trunk bag

[Kathi]

Easterbird,

Not to scare you but I did that ride in 04. We called it the "Tour de Fog". Temps. were moderate but we started every day with a very heavy fog that took several hours to burn off. The last day was an all day fog. One day we had all day rain so we took the shortest route to our destination town and got lodging. I hope your weather experience is better than ours was.

Even without the rain, conditions were always damp so if you're camping pack everything in plastic bags. I like Eagle Creek compression saks, available from REI.

Be sure you have a tailight on your bike or backpack. It helps motorists see you in the fog.

I use a Jandd seat bag that unzips and creates more space. I carry my tire levers, 2 tubes and arm and leg warmers in it, food, whatever I need to stuff in it.

In addition to my seat bag I use the Novara (REI) Bliss hydration bag. It's women's specific, is large enough for a small pump, cell phone, camera, clothing, etc. It has a bungy on the outside for a jacket. I find that I drink more fluids when I have a hydration pack.

Do not wrap your jacket around your waist or seatpost. It is a very dangerous thing to do, if a sleeve gets loose and ends up in your spokes or drivetrain you could have a nasty crash.

I just got a Marmot Precip jacket for riding in the rain. I can't tell you how dry it keeps you because it hasn't rained since I got it! I also have a pair of Patagonia rain pants that the only time I used them was on that trip. They kept my bottom and legs nice and dry. If you take rain pants and they are wide at the bottom be sure to have a velcro strap to secure the pants leg on the drivetrain side.

If you are doing this tour by yourself be sure you can change your own tubes and carry the things you need with you. Even though there are sag wagons on the route it may take some time for them to get to you. I carry my bicycle pump by my water bottle holder although small pumps can also fit in hydration packs like the REI one.

Take any food like energy bars, Accelerade, etc. that you are used to eating on long rides. If you haven't done many long rides do some and experiment with what works before you go on the tour. The hardest thing on a week long tour is consuming enough calories.

Pack everything in small bottles and this time, for Ride the Rockies, I packed my soaps, contact solutions etc in baggies. That way everything was together for getting ready in the morning or showering in the evening.

Pack towels are good to have, they are towels that dry out quickly. It was so damp on our tour that regular towels did not dry well.

The terrain is not flat as one would expect but not mountainous like the Moosa tour in Maine.

I got a stiff neck from sleeping on the ground in the cold. My camp pillow is not very supportive. I used a product called Biofreeze and it really relieved the stiffness.

Have fun and hopefully you'll have wonderful weather.

[easterbird]

Yes, I meant an OCR C2. Thanks Flybye and rij73. Kathi, you scared me ...not really but I will take heed re 'wetness' factor and also like idea of using velcro for rain pants legs! still work on how to carry my gear. All your info was appreciated about the ride. i am going with some other local club folks so will oick their brains too.
LBS says they could mount a very small handelbar bag or a rear rac. In either case, I get the impression I will have to do scout's honor pledge and promise not to overload it.