Handlebar bag conundrum . . .

[Rixtoy]

I am guessing this has been discussed, but my search provided no joy . . .
I am interested in the Ortleib handlebar bag, but am not seeing how to integrate a clean bracket attachment for Garmin GPs and GoPro with the bag there.
My Trek 520 has a nice duo mount in the center of the stem for GPs on top and GoPro (or light) below, but the bag will block the GoPro.

I guess a handle bar GoPro mount fixed to the side of the Ortleib bag might work?

I do have a front rack and could forego the Handlebar bag for a trunk bag on the front rack which sits lower than the GoPro.
That might be an optimal solution.

Thoughts or implemented solutions?

Thanks.

[John Nettles]

Here are a couple suggestions:

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/accessories/thorn-accessory-bar-mk2-t-shaped-105-mm-extension-254-mm-0-deg/?geoc=US   Mount the bar below the handlebar and then you have more real estate.  However, the devices get in the way of the map case.

https://www.rammount.com/part/RAM-B-273U  With this one you can use a handlebar mount as the base and add whatever arms, holders, etc.  RAM Mounts has a huge variety of cases, holders, etc. so you can mount about anything.  Very secure products will not have your device bounce out.  I use RAM Mounts to mount my GPS to the handlebar and position in line with the stem. 

Tailwinds, John

[misterflask]

This might help:
https://www.amazon.com/Topeak-60001001-The-Bar-Extender/dp/B000FIAVN8
I used one for a while; it was ok.  I replaced it with a piece of dowel mounted crosswise at the top of the steerer, but this wouldn't solve your Gopro height problem.

I've fabricated several brackets that fastened to the brake/fender bolt hole in the fork.  They are out of the way and pretty rigid.  A photo of a simple one for a light is attached.

[Pat Lamb]

I've got the Thorn bar John Nettles mentioned on one bike.  It's very solid and it works well.  I've got the accessory bar angled down, so the bag is below the "real" bar.  It's still handy to wrestle with the Ortlieb release for 5 seconds, pop the bag off, and carry it with me to preserve valuables like wallet, camera, and cell phone when I'm running inside (to a bathroom, convenience store, or diner).

Just writing this made me stop and wonder why I haven't done the same thing with my other bike.  Inertia, I guess.

[Rixtoy]

I've got the Thorn bar John Nettles mentioned on one bike.  It's very solid and it works well.  I've got the accessory bar angled down, so the bag is below the "real" bar.  It's still handy to wrestle with the Ortlieb release for 5 seconds, pop the bag off, and carry it with me to preserve valuables like wallet, camera, and cell phone when I'm running inside (to a bathroom, convenience store, or diner).

Just writing this made me stop and wonder why I haven't done the same thing with my other bike.  Inertia, I guess.

Now, that is a unique solution - put the handle bar bag on the extension bar below the stock bars.

Will definitely look into that.

Thanks.

[wildtoad]

Just to add a couple of ideas, although I haven't used a GoPro on my touring bike.

Consider a smaller handlebar bag that offers you some adjustment re how high you mount it. My favorite handlebar bag of all time is the small Topeak Compact Handlebar bag.  Converts to waist pack if you want to off the bike. Great mounting kit that also comes w/ a round plastic insert for mounting your GPS, bell, etc.  Holds the important stuff that you should take w/ you when you leave the bike. Given it's size, can be mounted "pushed down" if necessary and doesn't interfere w/ cables.  In higher position, you can easily also run bikepacking style frontloader bag for tent, etc. underneath the handlebar bag. Drawbacks for some...it's not waterproof like an ortlieb (comes w/ rain cover) and doesn't have clear map holder.  I don't care about the lack of either feature (YMMV).  Decent chance a stem cap mounted GoPro would clear...but you might have to change the stock mount that's on your Trek.  No guarantees   [By the way, my underlying bias is that I do not care for overly large handlebar bags for numerous reasons that are beyond the scope of this thread!]

If you are rocking a newer touring bike, you might be lucky to have many cage/accessory mount bolts up front on your fork, etc. Hopefully some are unused, in which case put on a Paul Gino mount (pricey) or Origin 8 Eyelet Stub (what I have) to give you more and often better mounting options.  So I run "anything" style cages on my fork nowadays instead of my former lowrider front pannier rack, so I  have free rack mount holes near front axle.  I installed an Origin 8 mount on outside of left fork leg, near hub and have my headlight there.  Simply fantastic field of light, and does not blind oncoming motorists, cyclists or pedestrians (as handlebar mounted lights often do...especially if they are designed for offroad riding).

[Rixtoy]

Just to add a couple of ideas, although I haven't used a GoPro on my touring bike.

If you are rocking a newer touring bike, you might be lucky to have many cage/accessory mount bolts up front on your fork, etc. Hopefully some are unused, in which case put on a Paul Gino mount (pricey) or Origin 8 Eyelet Stub (what I have) to give you more and often better mounting options.  So I run "anything" style cages on my fork nowadays instead of my former lowrider front pannier rack, so I  have free rack mount holes near front axle.  I installed an Origin 8 mount on outside of left fork leg, near hub and have my headlight there.  Simply fantastic field of light, and does not blind oncoming motorists, cyclists or pedestrians (as handlebar mounted lights often do...especially if they are designed for offroad riding).

Actually, I do have some nice attachment points on the front rack.
Have already decided to get an Origin 8 eyelet stub mount and move the extremely bright (for a reason) 1300 lumen headlight to a lower position on the front rack.
That is a great solution.

Thanks.

thanks!