The Handlebar Bag from Route Werks solves many issues, however creates new ones too

The greatest bike bar baggage all observe the identical type of formulation. A barrel-shaped bag, typically one other form, however often hooked up to the bars by a pair of straps. Most of the time this formulation works properly, but it surely creates some challenges. 

If you run an out-front pc mount then it may well intrude with entry to the bag, and for those who run something slung beneath the pc this solely compounds the issue. If you run lights mounted to your bars then you need to navigate the straps, which may typically be a ache. Finally, for those who experience on the tops so much, having the bar bag sit proper in opposition to the bars can depart your fingers with nowhere to go.

The Handlebar Bag from Route Werks goals, fairly efficiently, to handle many of those issues. It’s a particularly well-thought-out little bit of package, however whereas it makes an excellent account of itself, it additionally has some drawbacks that ‘regular’ bar baggage do not. 

Having put a good few miles in with it strapped to my bars I’m right here to inform you what works, what doesn’t, and whether or not this bag is for you.

Design and aesthetics

The bag itself takes the type of a canvas tub slung beneath a strong rim, with, unusually, a strong lid. It’s a novel design and in contrast to the rest on the market. The most important factor that catches the attention is the strong lid, inside which a recessed port lets you mount your bike pc of selection, thus negating the problems arising from utilizing an out-of-front mount. The lid can also be crossed by webbing, enabling you to stow comfortable gadgets underneath it for straightforward entry. 

The lid hinges away from you, with a bit of clip on the stem, revealing a 3.2 litre cavity. Under the lid is a small organisation pouch, and the primary cavity itself has a pair of small popper’d pockets for popping your possessions into, and one bigger one too, which all sit flat in opposition to the perimeters when empty. On the surface, there are one other pair of pockets, webbed with wire beneath the bag for stuffing bigger comfortable gadgets.

The mount is a strong unit that bolts on to the bars. Here’s challenge one; you’re going to want spherical bars. The mount although does imply that the bag sits just a few cm away from the bars themselves, which means you possibly can maintain the bars correctly in all positions, which addresses one other challenge.

The bag may be eliminated by swinging a purple lever throughout that unlocks the bag from the mount, carry up and away you go. It’s very fast and easy. There’s even a spring shoulder wire so you possibly can simply carry it off-bike, which you’ll wish to do for those who’ve squirrelled all of your valuables away inside it.

The closing element that units this bag aside from the remainder is the flexibility to screw surrogate bar studs into the aspect of it, offered your bars aren’t too slim. Onto these bar stubs, you possibly can mount bike lights or another equipment you’d usually mount to your bars.

Considering it mounts to the bars by a clamp, Route Werks has additionally thoughtfully created an out-front pc mount that clips into the bar mount rather than the bag for these days once you don’t use the bag. It works, however it’s definitely a much less aesthetic look than a normal out-front mount.

Performance

In an excellent many respects, it is a great bar bag. Having the pc on prime, not having to fumble with a zipper to get in, is a dream. The hinged lid means you possibly can entry the contents on the transfer with out having to overlook a pedal stroke, and it may well simply accommodate just a few layers, snacks, and spares. 

While it’s not waterproof, the strong lid will do a good job of retaining the contents dry. The gentle mounts are nice and actually make for a neat, uncluttered cockpit. The mounts themselves can twist a bit of even when tight, however provided that you find yourself tugging on the sunshine. I need to admit, the aspect pockets I by no means discovered overly helpful for common using, however the pocket on the underside of the lid is ideal for stowing your pockets and keys. 

The construct high quality is great too. All of the supplies really feel premium, the stitching is safe, and the steel {hardware} lends a bombproof really feel to proceedings. The mount too is extraordinarily sturdy and by no means slipped even when the bag was full. It does rattle a bit of bit on tough tarmac, however nothing to trigger concern.

This bombproof nature although is the place it creates an issue for itself. This is a hefty bag. Even with out the mount it clocks in at 644g, which is about thrice as a lot because the equally sized Wizard Works Lil’ Presto. A 450g or so distinction may be onerous to tell apart as a system weight, however when it’s strapped to your bars it does have dealing with implications and can make issues really feel a bit of extra sluggish when the going will get twisty

I did take pleasure in utilizing The Handlebar Bag, however my most important takeaway feeling was that I want it was larger. The strong mount and straightforward launch make it excellent for gentle touring, but when I’m strapping one thing hefty to my bars and am going for multi-day rides I’d need a bit extra capability, one thing within the area of the Swift Paloma that additionally options in my information. 

Value

To get the bag, plus a pc mount for the lid and a light-weight mount for the aspect (which you really want each of to take advantage of issues) you’re taking a look at simply shy of £170, which is a considerable upcharge in comparison with different bar baggage. 

The construct high quality and added options do go some method to justify the worth, however for the same worth, you will get the Paloma with the Klickfix mount and be sorted for longer jaunts. 

If neatness and a spotlight to element are your factor then grand, however in opposition to the backdrop of a panorama of less expensive baggage it’s going to be a purchase order you make as a result of, to a point at the least, you simply need it. 

Verdict

An awesome bag with well-thought-out and well-executed design thrives. It’ll definitely unclutter your cockpit and convey a deluxe look to proceedings. You’ll be capable to entry your stuff on the transfer, and the lid-mounted pc port is great. The draw back is that it’s costly, heavy sufficient to have an effect on your dealing with, and never fairly massive sufficient for touring duties, the place the added options would actually shine.