The Perfect Handlebar Bag? Ortlieb, Topeak, Alpkit?

[@ludovicmir3435]

Hi, Simon ! Thanks for the vid and the comments. The R&K KlickFix system is a clever design, but I don't like that much the available bags. Brilliant idea of custom-made bag!

[@simonssubjects68]

Thanks!

[@minnesnowtan9970]

You throw out the Topeak name and yet IGNORE the Topeak handlebar bags.

[@notafan1275]

I do like Ortlieb bags (still using the back rollers I bought in about 1995), but I also very much like the idea of putting just any bag on my handlebar! So thanks a lot for this tip!

[@MiikaKontio]

Great video. Really easy to understand and pro quality. I feel like we as a viewer got really much info from this. Clearly you have tested many of different things and thought about these for a while.

[@tomsitzman3952]

I used they same handle bar for 50 years. It worked great. I made a fiberglass insert with looped elastic cord to hold lose items in place and give it a ridged body.. But it was time for a change. Last summer I bought a padded camera bag and retro fitted a quick release to my front rack instead of the handle bars. No rattling, easy remove to use as shoulder bag/w strap. The padding protects my camera and phone and gives me insolation for cold drinks on a hot day.

[@Flintynicknacks]

I am so glad I came across this! Thanks to you I have just repurposed a cheapish pannier with some reclaimed fittings from an old handlebar basket. Saved £££s . Many thanks for upload!!

[@aintnobodygottime4dat]

Where'd you get you nice silver button klickflix bracket from?....all the one I've seen have a garish Red button.

[@nathan7todd7]

Loved this video, I've shared all the same afflictions. Your end solution was pretty genius too.

[@Ah_Lee_Sun]

Thank you for the tip on the Klikfix adapter. I have a BTR handlebar bag that was annoying me and I can now use my Ortlieb clip for it instead.

[@rstcdog]

The Ortlieb handlebar mounting system works well but is cumbersome if you need to regularly remove your handlebars. For example when boxing the bike for plane travel the mount has to be removed so that the handlebars can be taken off and prepared for boxing. The cables begin to fray after repeated mounting and unmounting requiring a cable cutter to tidy up the end so it can be rethreaded. The mounting procedure is awkward, particularly if having to mount or unmount in challenging circumstances.

[@davidcawthorne7115]

No such thing. Different bags for different purposes. Best watch your video now. 😂❤

[@hoboesque_]

Swift industries in my opinion make the best saddle or handlebar bags . I have used a few but I prefer the Swift bags

[@solitaryrefinement6787]

The process of elimination: "This" is why I have so many "things" in life, bags, pumps, tire levers, etc... You buy something, try it out, experience it's like & dislikes and what you can't modify you pass on to someone else or put it on another bike. But the moral of this video is "nothing's perfect" pretty much! 😂 Thanks for sharing your experiences Simon. It'll help a lot of others that's for sure. Just one note, I tried a front handlebar bag configuration of using a dry bag with an accessory bar from Amazon and a couple of straps as a budget set-up to start out with. The total system was about $40/USD. While it works, I can see why the Topeak Frontloader would be the better option in the end AND ironically enough, I'm going to use the Topeak with the accessory bar which'll extend the mounting points of the Frontloader out more in front of and away from the handlebar. I just don't like that cramped feeling of having anything right up against my hands when riding.

[@MiikaKontio]

We're always searching for that one perfect bag, or anything else really, in life

[@jrnamida5470]

Ortlieb bracket clearly states it is not for carbon handlebars?

[@simonssubjects68]

Yes. That’s right. You can’t put them on carbon bars - the wire clamp would crush it.

[@p504504]

Mind = BLOWN 🫠 I love my Ultimate 6 on the commuter bike because I don’t mind the rattling. But I need a good solution for bikepacking. Now with a separate adapter, I can convert my strap on handlebar bag to the superior Klikfix system 🤯🤯🤯

[@michaelberger6699]

On the ultimate 6 the wing shaped thingies on the lid are supposed to be folded inside! My favorite though is his adaptation of the soft bag! That's just brilliant!

[@GrzegorzK_gg]

I did the same with small Rockbros handlebar bag, with some thermo lunch box bag, camera bag. Now I do several options :)

[@michaelbeiyt]

Nice to see someone thought this thru. :-) Will get the adapter and combine it with a Ortlieb outer bag.

[@Robutube1]

I'm a bit late to your party Simon, but appreciate your reflections here. I'm just sticking my toe in to the endurance/audax world now and the search for a good bar bag is proving much more elusive than the myriad offerings out there would make you think. I bought a (not inexpensive) 10L Rixen-Kaul and I'm disappointed in the lack of 'design' involved - not waterproof, very limited internal organisation, not even a key clip etc. So much for German engineering on this one! It does have that KLICKFix system that you demonstrated though and I DO like that.

[@eugene_kaverin]

Good afternoon! Tell me please. What kind of device is installed on the handlebar, to the right of the stem? In appearance, it resembles a camera lens, with markings in numbers. 3:26

[@simonssubjects68]

Hello. That is my gear shifter. I have a Rohloff gear hub and the thing you see is a CoMotion shifter for it.

[@DilbertMuc]

Strange... this Ortlieb bag usually comes with a nice padded inner separator that can be bent according to your needs. Prevents rattling and keeps things apart to quickly reach them during the ride. Maybe your store took them out to sell them separately?

[@keystonedaytrip238]

Route Werks is by far the best

[@Morningcycles]

great video! what bell is that?

[@andrewm6192]

Just what I was looking for! The klickfix bracket

[@christopherhanson5723]

Thanks Simon, for a really great video. Your journey towards an optimum handlebar solution has saved me a great deal of time and money. Chapeau!

[@WatchJapan]

Did it ever cross your mind to fit the Topeak bag up against your seatpost instead? That way your "Gentleman's bits" won't intefere with the bag...

[@simonssubjects68]

No it didn’t. What a good idea. I’ll try it. 😀

[@simonssubjects68]

Sorry. Didn’t like it. It rubs my thighs when I pedal. Good idea though.

[@garymitchell5899]

I have a separate bag on the bars just like the yellow one in the video. I use it for food and anything else I need easily. I found that going into the bar bag for sweets etc every five minutes was too much hassle. I have straight bars so there's a perfect space between the grips and the headset. Works really well and I leave it on the bike all the time.

[@klausmcclean3369]

Very useful ! Thanks

[@judygifford7922]

Hi Simon, thanks for the vid, v useful! Btw, I think I've decided on the Ortlieb so if you'd consider letting it go, do let me know! I'm in Brissy.

[@Redheaded_Cycle_Path]

What is the brass/gold item on your handlebars?

[@simonssubjects68]

My bell. 😀

[@johnr5545]

Thanks god bless

[@eGazTheFirstAustralian]

Not too big. When I leave my bike I want a front bag big enough for my helmet, gloves and glasses, at least. Then there're my cables, roll-up shopping bags power-bank, allen-key kit and maybe an apple. I think a front bag could be 9-10litres.

[@mickhurley7305]

Good reviews.

[@supercrazysane]

Great vid and just going through a similar headache myself. I pickup a Riese & Muller Superdelite Rohloff GX Next week and have a front rack but struggle to find a bag which secures to just the rack itself. Not sure the Ortlieb bracket will work in this case.

[@simonjohnson2897]

I had the same bike - I recently heard that R&M is coming out with a dedicated bag for the front carrier

[@Tubeinnit]

Do you have links to purchase the bracket that's fixed to the bike & also the adapter plate baggy attachment please, or their model numbers? Thanks!

[@SC-hk6ui]

Topeak - not a big fan of their design obsolescence and rubbish you need to get thing compatible. Ortleib - expensive and foreign-made. Alpkit - made in the UK. Lovely people. Great company. Customer support and someone to repair at a reasonable cost. This would be my choice.

[@MrSimonGM]

Just a great video! Very pertinent real world comments!

[@simonssubjects68]

Thanks!

[@thecovidprisoner]

Walking round the streets of Milan .... Not.....Manchester etc. Adapt your own bag , trick idea, very cool video Simon . 👍

[@cycloneranger5354]

Brilliant idea, I can't be bothered buying a 150$ on a rack or a special "bikepacking bag". Just wondering how much weight this can take. I'd like to fix some sort of lightweight wire basket thingy for touring to stuff a bottle of wine in with a sleeping pad/bag. Hmmm...... Weld basket is a bit finniky and I already have low-rider panniers so i don't need more hardwear. Worth a shot- perhaps attach this to a decathlon waterproof backpack ???

[@markpickford4756]

Thanks for good review as I’m going to buy same but 8.5L and rattle noises won’t be issue for me since I’m deaf myself cheers👍🏻

[@sleepycatsqueeze]

'Epic story' ? Well yes it is mate, I seem to be spending way too much of my life trying to compromise the carrying of stuff on bicycles and nothing is ever perfect. cheers for this vid though now I've got some more possible solutions to keep me awake at night.

[@richtrelo]

Goldilocks of handlebar bags. 🙂

[@simonssubjects68]

🤣

[@Janhartman74]

You’re a genius!!! Thnx! Perfect solution to take my camera bag.

[@ChordsofPower]

So helpful. Thanks for sharing. May I asked which KLICKFIX mount did you get? I notice a few on the market.

[@stevenhuss2753]

Brilliant! I’ve looked at all the options and like you they came up short for me. I realized the stem bag was all I really needed but knew it would be in the way. Off I go to order some parts!

[@Rick--A-F]

Thanks for this review. Before viewing your vlog I was about to buy an Ultimate 6 but I'd already picked up (I know) that there was no carrying handle which could be a pain. I liked the fixing style, easy removal and finger room so thought there were no other options. That is until you suggested the spare holding panel, armed with this info I can now adapt a Samsonite Trekking camera bag which fits perfectly, looks better, can be opened on the move and you can see inside. Thanks again, saved me a lot of money!

[@markjthomson]

Very fine. This may solve a few issues for me. I can buy both the replacement clip and the HB clamp and retro fit my bike bags!

[@johneric3886]

Great suggestion with the insert. Good communication skills as well.

[@redball4093]

Cood comparisons and helpful solution. Thank you.

[@63yorkshire]

Thank you for the very helpful advises

[@Northstar-Media]

Orrlieb bag the wings fold in when you close to keep waterproof

[@Makrelacz]

I ended up with a similiar bag. I have it on front part of the frame under the handlebar. It's far enough not to colide with my legs, it's low enough not to mess with the steering and it's still within the reach if I need anything.

[@bikechingu]

Thank you for the great idea! Did it on my DJI Mini 2 Fly More combo bag, fits perfectly on my road bike handlebar and still low to film with my GoPro. Thumbs up!

[@razzone58]

Could you please post a link for Klickfix products you used? Thank you,great advice!!!!

[@tiffchang6669]

Following!

[@WichaiPhutyaem]

A very good idea it was, Simon. Thank you very much for sharing.

[@dave83x]

Lovely, finally someone with common sense!

[@tucfoto]

Someone knows which brand the bell is?

[@topaz_climber]

Clever plan! Might try this with an old Fjallraven satchel that I have!

[@cortiz1679]

What is the bracket called? I searched for ultimate 6 replacement bracket but had no luck. I thought this was a great idea.

[@simonssubjects68]

Hi. Those brackets seem to have disappeared from Amazon. The Basil KF Adaptor Plate does the same thing and it’s cheaper too.

[@christopherchong3899]

Great work Simon! Use the Ortlieb Ultimate 6 - am not too fussed by the dorkiness. Practicality is priority for me, plus I look dorky anyway in cycling kit. But is a shame is a fraction too small to hold a Microsoft Surface (one of smallest current laptops). Otherwise would be close to the ideal size for my everyday carry.

[@albertweber5056]

Very good idea; helps me a lot.

[@johnsnyder7295]

You talk to much. Just show the goods .

[@philipmemm]

walk around the streets of atlanta!!lollll

[@oschibaby3471]

Hi Simon, your handlebar bell looks pretty cool. Could you tell us the model & manufacturer? Thanks from Munich!

[@bigelliot]

It's a Spurcycle. Beautiful and well made, but pricey.

[@paddy_cakes]

Nice suggestion re: spare mounting plate Simon. Thanks for sharing!

[@jeffpitts6156]

Always. Even a fan of the ultimate 6

[@cliveronald2860]

Great hack...very interesting...

[@marks-0-0]

The adapter plate top tip is ace thanks

[@lendemoss7473]

Ah, thank you, thank you, thank you! I also have a Co-Motion with Rohloff (with Gates belt drive and S&S coupling) which I bought in 2016. When we built it, I was never able to get the cable/housings coming out of the Rohloff shifter (just like the one in your video) positioned to where I could effectively mount my Ortlieb handlebar bag from my old Surly LHT. Watching your video helped me a lot as I now see how I can shorten both of those housings/ cables and mount my bracket for the handlebar bag. And I'd never heard of the Klickfix and am going to order a couple now as I have several bags I'd like to use. Thank you again!

[@simonssubjects68]

I’m so glad I’ve helped! I did have to carve some of the plastic away so the brake cables would fit under the Klickfix bracket. Just something to bear in mind. Good luck.

[@judith3592]

Funny video, Thank you!

[@estelletennent7132]

What a great idea about getting a plate to fit any bag. Where did you get it from and what it's called.

[@simonssubjects68]

Estelle Tennent I got mine from Amazon. Rixen & Kaul Spare Fixing Plate For Front Basket To Fit Klickfix www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001CCNCUU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fab_U0vGFbG32GEY5

[@tomasdouglas8521]

that was brilliant

[@BowenSpace]

It is a great tip!

[@stigohara4961]

Brillant! Very good idea!

[@johnkuan2011]

What a fuzzy man

[@michaelmoore9139]

Brilliant! Thanks for sharing!!

[@MrParacristo]

Brilliant! Great video

[@simonssubjects68]

Thanks!