Handlebar Bag Hack
In the midst of hurriedly packing for my bike trip two weeks ago, I had a sudden urge for a handlebar bag. Previously I had looked at options, but hadn't really seen anything that made me really want to purchase it. Plus, since I use my top mounted break levers a lot, most handlebar bags don't fit my needs.
It was 6 am and I was packing my bike stuff before heading to work and I realized that I have dozens of bags of all shapes and sizes. Canvas bags for groceries, vinyl bags for toiletries, random totes from conferences and many purses that I just don't use because I ride a bike every where.
Then I spotted this beauty:
I had picked up this snappy number almost two years ago on a weekend trip to Milwaukee. While browsing a vintage store, I heard a little voice, and looked around to discover it calling my name. I loved the shape and the color is that lusious brick red. The size is great, and the whole thing expands; it carries my essentials...plus a book, and a jacket and even will hold my netbook.
Sadly, I rarely carry a purse. When I'm on my bike it just doesn't seem practical and I find that more often it's easier to strap my NPR Messenger bag over my shoulder. This handbag had been neglected for far too long.
Aha! With a ready supply of balloons and some velcro straps, a handlebar bag was born:
Here you can kind of see how it is attached. There are two attachment points, the handlebar stem and then the top tube of the bike.
I really love it. I have easy access to my camera, phone, cue sheet and various snacks while riding and I can still use my brake levers. I haven't found that it effects the handling.
For the past two weeks, I've used the bag often. It's fantastic for when I get to my destination and don't have to lug around my cumbersome panniers. Plus I think that I actually look like a girl and perhaps a little stylish.
Thank goodness for this 6 am revelation!
It was 6 am and I was packing my bike stuff before heading to work and I realized that I have dozens of bags of all shapes and sizes. Canvas bags for groceries, vinyl bags for toiletries, random totes from conferences and many purses that I just don't use because I ride a bike every where.
Then I spotted this beauty:
I had picked up this snappy number almost two years ago on a weekend trip to Milwaukee. While browsing a vintage store, I heard a little voice, and looked around to discover it calling my name. I loved the shape and the color is that lusious brick red. The size is great, and the whole thing expands; it carries my essentials...plus a book, and a jacket and even will hold my netbook.
Sadly, I rarely carry a purse. When I'm on my bike it just doesn't seem practical and I find that more often it's easier to strap my NPR Messenger bag over my shoulder. This handbag had been neglected for far too long.
Aha! With a ready supply of balloons and some velcro straps, a handlebar bag was born:
Here you can kind of see how it is attached. There are two attachment points, the handlebar stem and then the top tube of the bike.
I really love it. I have easy access to my camera, phone, cue sheet and various snacks while riding and I can still use my brake levers. I haven't found that it effects the handling.
For the past two weeks, I've used the bag often. It's fantastic for when I get to my destination and don't have to lug around my cumbersome panniers. Plus I think that I actually look like a girl and perhaps a little stylish.
Thank goodness for this 6 am revelation!
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