swachterOk, took an unsellable tote bag and maybe bodged it into a workable handlebars bag. We’ll see how it goes tonight.
Not a total bodge job, worked pretty well for 15+ miles. I need to adjust some of the strap closure mechanisms. If I were going to make these to sell I would also need to do some serious reconsideration on bag stiffness and where some of the panels and seams sit, but tbh I don’t see that happening; there’s some local makers who have already cornered the technical bag market and who do great work. But it’s nice turning something I can’t really use into something I totally can!
Ok, take 2 on handlebar bag is a go. My focus right now is getting some decent strap rigging set up that’s easy to take off and put on the bike, stable while riding, and allows reasonably quick access to bag contents while still keeping things securely stowed in flight.
What I changed:
- updated the hardware for the handlebars from a strap adjuster to a tri-bar (tri-bar is shorter and so fits more snugly to the bar; also allows for doubling-back the strap and so a really securely locked in strap length)
- added velcro loops under the handlebar strap to hold the bag in place while the straps are being tightened
- swapped out the closure straps across the bag opening from a tri-bar to a side-release buckle with tri-bar backup (as noted, tri-bar offers a really secure closure but is also a PITA to undo, so it takes too long to access the stuff in your bag.)
If I was doing a purpose-built bag I’d probably use a zipper closure to avoid this entirely, and honestly I’m eyeing some of the XL totes that haven’t sold that DO have zipper closures to see how they’d do as handlebar bags. I do like being able to rig things up on my bike and then unstrap it and have a fully functional tote bag - makes running errands much easier. I’d also add a side pocket for a water bottle bc of course I would.
Post-revision photos. The bag body has a print of rainbow watercolor dinosaurs on black canvas, the straps are rainbow webbing, and the hardware is black plastic.
Photo1: a hand showing the side-release buckle and tri-bar stretching across the top of the tote bag body. There’s a flap of black canvas under it that can fold over the bag contents to keep them stowed (which would be unnecessary if the bag had a zip closure).
Photo2: the back of the bag showing the two handlebar straps at the top and a centered loop of webbing with tri-bar at the base of the bag to go around the post of the fork.
Photo3: a closer view of the handlebar straps showing the loop of Velcro. This isn’t intended to be extremely weight-bearing, just to hold things in place so you can have both hands free to lock the straps in place
Photo4: the original tote bag straps that go over your shoulder are still in place. You can absolutely take this off your bike, run errands, and then rig it back up for the ride home.
Ok, initial feedback:
- yeah these need a zipper closure and a lot more structure/stiffening than most of my bags have.
- my civvie ship has a much much shorter fork than the choppers I’ve been riding. This is probably why most handlebar bags are like 8” deep not 12”. Good to know. (It still fits but not by much.)
- Velcro helps a ton in getting it on and off easily, yes to this.
Goddammit I did not intend for this to be a Project
Hrm, it would be nice if the attachment process was faster.
When last I left this project, I had picked up some hella cheap Velcro from Make and Mend (craft supplies thrift shop! So great!) and attached it to the straps to hold the bag onto the handlebars while I fastened the actual buckles. This is a HUGE improvement in the user experience and worth keeping, although I needed to overlap the edges by more so that the grippy side of the hook and loop tape didn’t grip the strap itself, causing fraying, fuzz, and eventually decay.
However, the bag closure was not great. The flap wasn’t really secure, the buckles over it were awkward. Just didn’t feel good.
Soooo today I dug out an old zipper that had previously been sewn into a (failed) pattern trial, ripped it free of the zipper flap, made a new zipper flap, and sewed it into the opening. Also adjusted the Velcro overlap and positioning on the straps, and removed the buckles closing the main compartment.
MAYBE THIS IS BETTER.
Update: took bag to pottery class. With both a water bottle and a Kleen Kanteen, it pulls a little too far forward and tugs on the brake line a bit. Needs to be stiffer, wider, and maybe with bottle pockets.
But the zipper closure is still a huge improvement.