To the Handlebar Bags credit, making small modifications is very straightforward. The flip-up lid for retrieving on the go. An under-lid pouch suspends from the same shock cord that allows for top-side expandability. At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. The Handlebar Bag and its related accessories will be a welcome addition to almost any cycling enthusiasts quiver. For you and a friend! The pockets are secured closed with hooks attached to another bungee strap that runs under the bag. Tel 01225 588855. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. I don't feel price is a fair comparator to mark the Handlebar Bag down on, as it's unique and so good at what it does. The three lower pockets have snap closures which have a very solid feel. Lastly, folks interested in a Bike Lifestyle bag largely for off-bike travel should look towards a proper messenger bag or hip/backpack. Save $44 off planned MSRP. Firstly the Bike Mount handlebar mount keeps everything planted to the bike. As the bag's frame curves away from the mount bracket, once on there's enough clearance to put your hands right next to the stem. With ours, you just get a replacement part and the bag can carry on, writes Mr. Sirotin. Look out for an email asking you to confirm your subscription to Carryology. Gone are the days of handlebar real estate woes! Think of them as tiny BMX pegs, cut perfectly so that accessories do not obstruct the riders hands when installed. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Wetness is more of an issue to consider on the underside of the bag and when riding without mudguards. The bag is mounted using a sturdy aluminum quick-release bracket that sits around your stem. Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad. With far fewer features but basically the same idea, the Ortlieb Ultimate Six Urban is one option at 80, while Tass quite liked the 60 Altura Heritage Bar Bag. Two small external Cordura pockets are sewn into the bags sides. The Route Werks Handlebar Bag is a pretty unusual product in a space as old as cycling itself. Save $70 off planned MSRP. Save $66 off planned MSRP. On the sides are two small pockets, perfect for a small mini-tool like the Topeak PT30 or a GPS tracker. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. The mount clamp is metal, and with no rubber shim I wrapped my handlebar in electrical tape to prevent scratches. Even having a wider opening cross-section (with the same total volume) would improve the riders ability to store common objects and access them on the go. Save $50 off planned MSRP. Route Werks states that they wanted to improve the classic burrito bag. Man, 24, charged with drink driving after car crashed into house Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. There are also two additional mounting options for accessories such as a light or bell on each side which are attached by Stubs ($ 10 each) which screw in place but have to be bought separately. The Handlebar Bag solves several traditional issues with excellent internal organization, eliminating bag sway, easy compartment access, and cable routing considerations. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Paracord is a very thin, somewhat abrasive nylon that does not disperse even the low 4kg/9lb capacity of the bag comfortably on ones shoulder, except maybe to bring the bag from garage to house. Get ONE Handlebar Bag and ONE Kickstarter exclusive Seat Bag in the color(s) of your choice (you'll get to pick later). It it is likely the first thing that youll notice about the bag as well. Our bag is built the same way. These side blocks hold a paracord carry strap in place, and also accept accessory Handlebar Stubs. The stitching is clean and the fabrics are pieced together well. This pouch is highly water resistant and good for small electronics. The freedom to grab more snacks, take a photo, pop on gloves or stash sunglasses without stopping or contorting around layers of clothes really is liberating. There was an error submitting your subscription. Everything from double-barrel headlights to brass bells fit well. Read the new issue of GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine now. Our unit was accessorized with a Handlebar Stub and Quad Lock Integrated Mount. The backbone of the system is a three-part rigid frame. Yes, you are paying a very pretty penny for 'a bag' but the result is that every minute of every ride just gets better: nothing in your pockets, everything to hand, no faffing, and rock-solid performance. At least 170mm needed between handlebars and top of tire. Quality materials are the core of carry and Route Werks did not skimp in this category. Everything is replaceable or repairable. These pockets are secured by metal pop fasteners with nylon webbing tabs. As a subscriber you can read road.cc ad-free, from as little as 1.99. Clever accessory integration allows for a cleaner way to run lights and a cycling computer. Two additional closable external pockets on each side add even more space. Yes, Use this box to explain your overall score. I run 2.1in tyres and a 700mm-wide drop bar, so basically full-on rigid mountain biking, and the Route Werks bag just asked for more, please. With great attention to detail, this is the new benchmark by which all other bar bags will be judged. SIGN-UP AND SCORE THE LATEST NEWS ON THE WORLD'S BEST CARRY. Under the lid is a long, thin 16 x 6cm pouch that does a good job of holding tyre levers, or possibly a well-folded, thin inner tube. While the hardtop will do a great job of keeping water from coming in, the bags canvas body is directly in the line of front wheel spray and will get soaked through if you ride in the rain for an extended period. The Handlebar Bag started life as an astronomically successful kickstarter, smashing its $40k goal in just six hours and going on to earn pledges of over $290,000 not bad for something to keep your sunnies and snacks in. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Currently, the paracord remains coiled and largely unused in the bottom of my test bag. Its weight on the front of my road (racing) bike was enough to make riding with no hands a bit shaky but riding normally (with both hands on the bars), I could hardly tell it was there. This is a genius 30mm-long 31.8mm-diameter machined alloy, er, stub, which keys into the frame so it can't rotate and is held in place with a threadlocked machine screw. Route Werks is a fresh face to the cycling carry scene. For our Super Early Bird bag lovers! The hinged lid with a latch closure makes getting to your stuff easy while also being reassuringly secure. On this you can then mount anything you can mount on a 31.8mm handlebar like a Garmin mount or light. If you dont want to subscribe, please turn your ad blocker off. On multiple occasions during testing, I attempted to pull out a rain jacket from the main compartment only to find the strap coming out too, dangling close to the front wheel. It's a system for carrying all manner of stuff within reach, yet be easily removable. However, its not very comfortable for long hikes and youll have to remember to stow it before closing the bag as otherwise, it can hang down into the front wheel. The Mount straddles standard stems comfortably, using a four-bolt attachment similar to a threadless stem faceplate. Tell us what you particularly liked about the product. For UK customers taxes are included in the price, but Route Werks advises placing two orders one for the bag, one for accessories to avoid tripping over some ineffable HMRC threshold. Then there's the bag itself, which, let's face it, is pretty close to the 'FOR A BAR BAG?' Sandwiched between those layers is a light plastic U-shaped form that has the dual role of giving the bag form (even when empty) and supporting the fabric when stuffed to the gills. Shock cord that runs through the lid allows for top-side stashing of gloves, glasses, or unplanned gas-station snacks next to ones mounted navigation device. I mocked up a front-facing handle to the accessory bars for several weeks (using some spent nylon rim tape) and removed the shoulder strap entirely. A metal frame and fittings holds a polymer lid and canvas body. A spring-loaded latch keeps the lid closed while riding. 'The Handlebar Bag features a customizable dashboard to mount any Bar Fly or Quad Lock compatible technology and is designed for quick, one-handed access with expandable storage. Protect that front wheel! In the end, Route Werks have created a storage platform that outperforms any burrito bag on the market. It is made of water-resistant Cordura and a hard top, which has an interchangeable mount for all popular bike computers, GPS devices, GoPros or smartphones. The hinged top is just excellent. Inside there are more pockets: at the front a 17cm-wide one that's perfect for a mini-pump like the Birzman Apogee, and two smaller pockets ideal for stashing snack bars or more tools. One note: after a couple of rides this units lever action squeaked something fierce. What do the manufacturers say about it? You definitely dont need more storage space for a days riding, while minimalists and purists out for a weekend tour can probably make do for a weekend if they embrace credit card camping i.e. Get ONE Handlebar Bag in the color of your choice (you'll get to pick later) with a 31.8mm bike mount. How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc? True to the motto Handlebars are for your hands. US company Route Works wants to keep your bike tidy with the Handlebar Bag. With the bag being offset in front of the bars, it stays perfectly out of the way. compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price. He was easily in phlegm shot. Get ONE Handlebar Bag in the color of your choice (you'll get to pick later) with TWO 31.8mm bike mounts so you can seamlessly switch your setup. Get ONE Handlebar Bag in the color of your choice (you'll get to pick later) with a 31.8mm bike mount and TWO accessory Handlebar Stubs to free up even more space! This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. While not particularly secure in high winds or on bumpy roads, this shock cord setup provides the ability to greatly expand storage on the fly. Other brands do similar things, but when you look at what's missing unique external mounts, internal organisation, very clean lines when off the bike the Route Werks bag stands alone. During our extended testing, the unit performed well in a variety of environments and road surfaces, transferring between several road, gravel, and touring bikes. Sorry to the gnar-shredders out there! Note: no modifications are pictured in this article. While the Cordura material isnt 100% waterproof, in practice the hardtop lid keeps the contents of the bag dry during short showers. Think your definition of 'cool' needs looking at Knee-jerk reactions are kind of the job description of a pundit. Unsubscribe at any time. It didnt compromise even a single hand position. Additionally, the front-end weight of this particular bag is probably more than gram-conscious riders are willing to take on. After its triumphant success on Kickstarter, its now time for the results of our long-term test. All you have to do is move the orange aluminium lever on the bottom from left to right. Riding with the Route Werks bag, I found it to be secure and hassle-free. in: Car crashes into building - please post your Local news stories, in: Police officer borrows bike to chase after fleeing suspect, in: Hoy: Safety screens could have prevented Matt Wallscrash, in: Shimano Ultegra R8170 Di2 Disc Groupset, in: NMotD 807: Maniacal laugh after driver pulls out. Get ONE Handlebar Bag in the color of your choice (you'll get to pick later) with TWO 31.8mm bike mounts so you can seamlessly switch your setup. Is this the best handlebar bag for your bike? Become a supporter now! Like this site? The Route Werks Handlebar Bag has made it its business to keep your most important ride essentials close to hand and to keep your cockpit tidy. If you dont want to use the bag on a particular ride, a replacement mount attaches to the bracket with just an out-front computer mount and a GoPro style accessory mount underneath. This review was written by Brian Joseph; avid cyclist and manager of your favorite local bike shop. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Inside the bag, there is room for all the essentials, be it a snack for the road, rain jacket, tools or compact camera. While journey interruptions are part of the fun of travel (anyone for a side quest?) The internal zipper pouch provides significant added water protection for small objects a good place to stash your wireless earbuds or other small electronics. Touring cyclists can appreciate a stable and well-organized platform for their navigation units, lights, and other small tools of the trade. In shying away from everything aero, minimised, hidden, 'The Rules' etc, Route Werks seems to be saying 'enjoy cycling more'. Route Werks provides the following details for their Handlebar Bag, which were measured and found to be quite accurate. Bag makers have made admirable stabs at addressing this style of bags inherent flaws over the years check out Gino Romanos excellentOrucase review. How does that compare to your own feelings about it? And that's what The Handlebar Bag lets you do. You should also make sure to check any additional costs due to shipping and customs before ordering the bag. For a future revision of the Handlebar Bag, a front-mounted handle would be a welcome addition. By subscribing you agree to the storage of your email address, the use of our email service provider ConvertKit and its analytics features, the logging of your registration and your rights to revoke. Reuse and rebuild! Depending on gear selection 0.5L 1.5L ultralight drybags are ideal pairings to achieve full protection. It's a way to bring creative projects to life. Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. Clever integration of accessories such as lights and computers. Get ONE Handlebar Bag and ONE Kickstarter exclusive Seat Bag in the color(s) of your choice (you'll get to pick later). Larger touring and commuting products on the market have advantages in cost, weight, and volume but few have the it factor of the Handlebar Bag. Super Early Bird! Save $54 off planned MSRP. It is machined from a thick stock of anodized aluminum. Our best articles, exclusive content and regular giveaways, directly to your inbox once a month. Get ONE Handlebar Bag in the color of your choice (you'll get to pick later) with a 31.8mm bike mount. Includes a 31.8mm bike mount and TWO accessory Handlebar Stubs. Thats an indispensable feature, given that the design of the handlebar bag prevents the use of conventional, out-front mounts. My thoughts exactly, on the tv etc you always see the cop jumping off the bike to rugby tackle the perp to the floor and I doubt that the bike >800 for a helmet, a pair of shades and some bibs!?!? 145mm x 235mm x 153mm / 5.8in x 9.3in x 6in. The combination of materials and layout allows riders to confidently cram gear into the bags otherwise small bucket. The above illustrates the veritable plethora of setup and carrying options afforded by The Handlebar Bag, and clearly there's a use case in there for pretty much everyone from urbanite caf-sifter to backcountry explorer to harried school-run parent to office commuter. We consider this in greater detail below. Brilliant! The shoulder strap isnt removable but proves to be really practical for carrying the bag off the bike. By becoming a supporter of GRAN FONDO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality cycling journalism. Weighing 677g without accessory mounts fitted, it doesn't add much to your bike and at 235mm wide tucks in nicely between the hoods on the narrowest of drop bars. It comes stock with a flush cover if a no tech clean look is preferred. Top of the list is the centre-of-lid attachment point for either a $29.95 Quadlock phone mount (case not included) or a mount for either a Garmin or Wahoo GPS using the $4.95 Barfly Tech adapter plates. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Every bit of this bag was thought-out in great detail. 2008present unless otherwise stated. It can be opened to the front and thus allows easy access to the bags contents in any situation.