hippy said:Quoted message said:These box shape ones are good and you can fit all sorts of junk into
them (probably unfortunately), but eventually either the supporting
bracket sags or something breaks.
How long do you generally get out of them before a failure occurs?
--woops, kind of long. ---
I think it is more useful to talk about modes of failure {:-(. How do
they fail and where does that leave you when they do.
Actually, apart from the last, I really have no idea. I only know the
last because it went on the same time as my current odometer.
Since I now have a full set (front and rear), I usually carry the
regular heavy stuff in my front pair anyway (tools, tubes3x{inc trailer}
oil, bog roll, shovel, etc in left and right is chains, cables and
padlocks).
My current "Campro" lasted about 2,000kms. It has ~3mm coated wire
support (basically C shaped) that pops into platic blocks that clamp on
the handlebars. The plastic blocks are a problem because they tend to
rotate when the bag is loaded. What broke were the two pins that go into
the plastic blocks. Admitted they did it when I grabbed the bag and
dragged it back level for the umpteeth time. If it had broken when on
the road, it would have swung around and caused a bit of wobble for a
while. No real problem as long as the headstem strap was fasten to my
bundle of 16 wires for lighting. It occassionally bounced out of the
plastic blocks {:-(. It does that right about when your teeth start
chattering and your think "who was the fool that decided this was
rideable"
When the support broke, I started carrying it strapped to the top of my
front rack, so I still had use from it. I have just been rather slack in
taking the broken bits to my TAFE welding class and repairing/rebuilding
the support. In the long run, I want to source some 5mm spring steel rod
and bend it to wrap around the Y shape MTB handlebars.
No one seems to use real spring steel in these supports, or else they
don't re-temper them after bending them.
For $50, I am happy with it. None of the threads have broken. It doesn't
have any scuffing despite bouncing off the plastic blocks a few times
(didn't fully strap it in).
You get copious space inside, with a nice body (toolkit, tube, astma,
water bottles, camera, towel, etc being crammed in at one stage - now
you know why the blocks rotate), plus a top pocket (cash, notebook,
clock, glassesx3, keys, etc), then a A4 double sided clear map pocket
that is on top. The A4 folds in three and is held down by a 1" elastic
strip which is RS now. You also get a front pocket (eye wash and eye
cup, glovesx2, allen key for handlebar blocks, fuses, ,etc)
Main body capacity is 2x3L plastic milk containers with top& neck (1"😉
off top). Say 6L max.
The carry strap on this bag is attached in the middle of the top of the
main body, so you have to have the main body zipped up to carry it
safely and it carries well front side in. It was easier to just leave
the support arms attached, then undo extra straps.
Before that I had something in Red. Sorry, I covered the brand label
when I put a BAin88 over it. It is the only handlebar bag that came with
a full white reglector in front. Internal label says 100% nylon, made in
Taiwan. I believe it was a good brand. That probably lasted me through
the late 80s ( I didn't do much in the 90s).
Same construction, main body, top pocket, front pocket, plus mesh side
pockets (gloves?) (point of failure) and one internal flat pocket in
main body.
The top map pocket is a A5 plastic sleeve with zip lock seal and it
attaches to the top of the bag with three press studs. It has ripped
down one side and fixed with duct tape. The map pocket isn't really
great, i.e. you can not easily put a folded Nat Map map in it and it is
fiddly to get maps in and out. If you were in the habit of photocopying
maps onto A4 paper and only position one sheet at a time in it, then no
problems.
The support for this one was ~4mm rod that came up from under headstem
and over bars, then went parrallel to bars before turning forward. It
was a really good support system as I often carried a full 35mm SLR
camera, lenses and bits and peaces in the bag. Eventually the rod
started to sag and I needed to unsag it, which becomes more frequent as
it ages.
I stopped using this bag because it is actually supported on the arms by
the mesh pockets and they started to rip out of the bag. Unfortunately
at the time, I din't have access to an old sewing machine to repair it.
Other than the mesh panels and internall fraying (gets in zips), it is
actually in good nick (except support rod really needs replacement)
And the carry strap attached to the front corners of the bag, which
means it doesn't carry comfortably on the strap.
The main attachment for this was a single loop of velcro at the middle
back. Unless you sat the bag properly back, it didn't have enough
contact area to hold it on. so if it bounced ( tension straps down to
front rack not fitted), you could sometimes fidn your self doing the one
hand fumble trying to brake the bicycle and keep this from the road.
Before that I made my own, 8oz super dux, simple pocket and two internal
flat pockets. The top was just a flap closed with velcro. Stiffening was
thin ply. It doesn't have the capacity of even the Karromor, but it
carries the wife's 7AmpHr SLA, and stuff when we go night riding still.
The bracket for this is similar to the Karrimor and was one I purchased.
Before that I used something off a damaged emergency lamp (shush)
Before that I had a Bell. Similar support to the red one. Product of the
70's. Basically, it tore apart at the seams. The nylon cloth basically
shredded and the support rod sagged. I don't think I even kept it as it
was so baddly shagged about and that prompted my to make my own.
And my first was a Karrimor. Main body and slim front pocket, with two
rear pockets. The map pocket was the fold over flap, The top was clear
and you opened the flap and inserted the map upside down. Over time the
plastic went brittle and I still haven't replaced it. The other bug bear
was the nylon fabric unravels and is continuously jamming the zippers.
It actually had the best support bracket. 1/2" rod; Under the headstem,
over the bars and down, then a couple of loops underneath. You had
buckles and strap to attach the bag. It flapped around sometimes, but
never came off.
The Karrimor probably lasted me through my time at NCM (5 years+?) and
so was probably on the road every weekend. It looks grotty and smells
awful still. Yellow just picks up all the gunk.
Tips:
1) When zip tabs break (they do), I now replace them with very large
snap swivels. Actually, I do it anyway. So easy to grab when you are
riding along, especially when you have the cold and wet gloves on. Just
do it gently otherwise you can end up holding a dead rabbit (handlebar
bag swinging on swivel).
2) You will end up with nylon threads blocking the zip because no-one
seals the cut fabric before they sew it. Just snip the threads away from
time to time. and this is why I have never machine washed any of my
bags. Gentle hand wash at best.
3) Try to keep weight out of them as best you can. Apart from affecting
steering, the modern side arm support system just sag after a while.
Quoted message said:
Hmm.. crafts and I don't generally mix. Spotted some:
http://www.cheekymonkey.com.au/ortlieb.htm
http://www.bicyclestore.com.au/catalog/71/1/general-accessories/bags/
I reckon I'd need to throw the camera in one to see how much room I had
left.
Yes. It is the only way.
Look closely at how it is supported and attached. You have to deal with
the attachment system each and every time you stop.
Look close at how it carries (take a wrapped brick to test this).
Seriously, it is your hip that has to wear it.
