Handlebar bag

[Catrin]

Not to put a fly in the ointment, but I did find that having the handlebar bag did make a difference in my handling. I had a Detours bag, not too big, on my Trek 5200 for at least a year and when I took it off, I realized it was affecting my stability and cornering. Of course, I am a spazz, so take it for what it's worth. I won't use another one.
I have a pannier on my Jamis, and even when it's jammed packed, once I get rolling, I don't notice that at all.

Do you notice the pannier while getting started? Not that I would start out loading 20 pounds worth of stuff... I am also looking at racks. I would love to get Surly's racks but they are quite heavy so will probably go for a lighter option that will carry at least 40 pounds.

[Desert Tortoise]

For those who use a bar bag on their road bikes, does it get in the way of your hand position? Can you still put your hands on the flat portion of the road bars?

thanks

[Crankin]

The bag did not affect my hand position on the road bike (and it was a tiny road bike).
Catrin, I find that I am aware of a loaded pannier when I start off, but I know it will feel different, so I guess I just do what I do and adapt my technique, because I haven't fallen over yet! My Jamis is so heavy and sturdy that it adapts well to the load. One time I went holiday shopping for my colleagues and after realizing I had to stash some hand made ceramic pieces in my pannier, I thought it might be hard to deal with. But, while it was slower going up the hills, I never felt like it was hard to do anything else. Of course, being 30 degrees out probably made the load feel worse...

[soprano]

I also notice a big difference in handling when I use a handlebar bag. The bike tends to feel twitchy. I have a larger bag (it's an older version of this bag) but I don't tend cram it full of stuff - usually it's just keys, a granola bar, wallet and phone, pepper spray, and a cable lock.

Have you considered a saddle bag? Or, you can do a rack and a trunk bag or a single pannier. I've never had trouble carting around unbalanced loads in one pannier.

Desert Tortise, I have plenty of room for my hands in the normal positions, including the flats.

[Crankin]

I was going to suggest a Carradice saddle bag. DH has 2, with a special clamp that he leaves on his bike, so he can switch them out, as well as clip on his teeny seat bag. They are pricey, but well worth it.

[Catrin]

I was going to suggest a Carradice saddle bag. DH has 2, with a special clamp that he leaves on his bike, so he can switch them out, as well as clip on his teeny seat bag. They are pricey, but well worth it.

NICE, and I have read good things about them on the LHT owners list. My only question is if one large enough for my needs would fit on my bike - but that is for me to figure out. I do like the idea of a saddlebag if I can find an appropriate size that would work. With the 46cm frame, 26-inch wheels, and only 3 inches of seat-post showing, there isn't much room.

Thankfully they post the dimensions, so when I have a chance on the next rainy day I will figure this out. Their Junior might work, though I am unsure if the bag is large enough. I have problems thinking in metric - and am accustomed to a "liter" to be a liquid measurement. How can I visualize 9 liters of storage space in a saddlebag?

I hadn't considered saddle bags before yesterday when an interesting discussion started on the LHT owners list.

[Desert Tortoise]

Soprano, Crankin, thanks for answering my question about hand position. The smaller bags seem handy for those over 50 mile training rides. I don't like loading my jersey pockets with too many things, it pulls and feels annoying.

dt