Handlebar bag for carbon bars??

[rjones35]

Anybody have any experience with using a handlebar bag on carbon bars?  I know you're not supposed to attach any brackets to the bars so I was looking for one that attaches with velcro.  I've come across a few on the internet, but they look like they all attach on top of the stem, which might work, but then the computer has to move to somewhere else.  I'm just wondering if there is one that goes on the front.  Just a smallish one for camera, snacks, phone, maybe a tube.  Any help would be appreciated!!

Thanks

[BrianW]

I've used an Ortlieb bag with the old-style mount (that doesn't use a cable) on flat carbon bars for a couple of years, including two short loaded tours. Seems fine.

You can see a photo at http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/pic/?pic_id=870278

[rjones35]

Thanks!  It looks like the mount doesn't have the sharp clamping edge that it seems like they all have now.  Any idea if that style is still available?  Do you know how old it is?  I looked on their site and didn't see it, so I sent them an email.  Thanks again for the help!!

[John Nelson]

The Klickfix is similar and is compatible with Ortlieb and other bags.

[rjones35]

Oh yeah, thanks! I checked those out and you're right they look the same.  Klickfix has a "mini" bag that I think is just what I need.  I'm not trying to carry a lot, just the few extra things to get out of my pocket!!  Thanks again!!

[rjones35]

From what I've read and the different companies (bars, bags, mounts) that I've talked to, it sounds like a bad idea for me to any kind of bag on my bars.  I still think a velcro mounted one may be the way to go if I keep it light.  On the next bike I just won't use carbon bars.  I've also seen frame bags for road bikes.  Anybody have any experience with those? They don't look very big, but probably big enough and accesible enough for what I want to use it for.

[DaveB]

For an alternative computer (and maybe a small headlight) here is a possibility: http://www.deltacycle.com/computercaddymount

This thing is brand new and apparently not available yet and I've absolutely no experience with it but the concept does seem interesting and useful.

[whittierider]

I wouldn't have anything against putting a handlebar bag on carbon bars as long as it doesn't gouge them or clamp in a place they're not meant to be clamped.  It's the aluminum bars that you need to replace after any accident.  I've had an aluminum bar break with absolutely no warning and no visible signs, and a friend has broken three aluminum bars.  Carbon ones won't fatigue; so as long as you don't do any gouging or clamp them where they're not made to be clamped they will last indefinitely.  Just putting the weight on them with something like velcro straps won't hurt them a bit.

Frame bags don't have much room at all because they have to be so thin.  I don't like that the insides of my legs keep brushing the upper water bottle on the front of our tandem even though the water bottle doesn't sway or anything.  I considered frame bags for touring but they limited me to an itty bitty water bottle in the seat-tube cage, and I was not willing to give up my 32-ounce Zefal bottle.  I got a little bag that stands up at the front of the top tube just behind the fork steering tube to put food it to make it easier to eat on the go, but my knees hit it when I pedaled standing up, so I immediately took it off.

[rjones35]

Yeah, I have one of those little top tube bags as well.  It does what I intended it for, but I don't like hitting my knees on it either, it bugs me.  I found a small Avenir handlebar bag, the metro mini, which, from the looks of it, is small, what I was looking for, and attaches with velcro.  I'm going to get one and check it out.  It's not very expensive, and MIGHT be just what I'm looking for.  I'll let everybody know when I get it.  Thanks for the feedback, I really appreciate it!!!  My first "long" ride is in a month, well month and half or so, I'm excited!!

[rjones35]

I got the Avenir Metro Mini yesterday!  I think it will work out great for me.  It's definitely not big, but big enough for camera, cell phone, wallet/money, a tube, snacks, maybe a rain jacket, but that might be a stretch.  I'll let you know how it actually works!