Bar roll ‘extras’ bag

[Charliecres]

I’ve been using a small (approx 5l) dry bag, attached by a couple of straps to the top of my main bar bag, to keep a waterproof and sometimes other clothing I may want during the day. It’s a very flexible solution but it could be neater and it can be a Slight fiddle to adjust the straps when I add or remove bulk.

I’ve been considering either making or buying something along the lines of the Acepac accessory bag (www.tradeinn.com/bikeinn/en/acepac-mk-i ... bar-bag-5l) . Does anyone have any experience of that specific bag or recommendations for something else? Ta

[jameso]

I like the Ortlieb accessory pocket roll-top bag, if the straps and slot/sleeves on the back match up with your bar harness it can be really useful.

[Hyppy]

I've got the Salsa EXP Series Front Pouch that marries up with the Anything Cradle dry bag. It came with the cradle set, and I don't actually use it that much as unless full everything in it rattles around too much. Your suggested purchase looks like it'd negate this by being of softer construction, but 5 litres would seem to me to be quite large as add-on storage.

[belugabob]

This would be my recommendation - except that they are sold out (and maybe a bit pricey)

Works really well with the wildcat lion system, or a plain old drybag.

https://wildcat.cc/products/lioness-front-pouch

[Charliecres]

Thanks for the recommendations. The Wildcat one looks nice but I can’t quite tell if it’s big enough and whether it’ll be flappy when less than full. The Ortlieb could be a contender.

[josh]

I’ve been looking at getting an Alpkit Gravel bag (https://alpkit.com/products/gravel-handlebar-bag) for the same use case. I also asked if they could add a second row of horizontal webbing at the bottom to make strapping it around an existing bar bag easier – they quoted RPP + 20% for this.

The downside is that it’s not cheap and it’s not waterproof, so you’d still need a dry bag inside.

[fatbikephil]

The topeak one is quite big and although its buckles match the topeak bar roll, it's possible to swap them to suit another roll - Mine attaches to my Rev sweet roll. You can also use it on its own.

Choices, choices

[Hyppy]

The other thing I've done is to use my Aiguille bum bag's daisy chain loops to attach to the front roll's straps. That's kinda handy as it'll double up as a regular bum bag should the need arise. Maybe fixing a daisy chain to any suitable bag could be an easy win?

[Rapideye]

Charlie, the link isn't working for me but I think I have the same one that clips on to the acepac bar harness. I've also used it in its own strapped to bars. It comes with a strap, so I also used it as a man bag when taking the kids an all day gig where a back pack would be too big.

Handy to have to put in cards, money in etc and then take off the bike when going into shops, toilets etc. It's a good size and comes with a waterproof inner bag. I did use it during Storm Agnes last October, when I was in a downpour for hours and it did leak and nearly wrecked my MP3 player. Soaked it internally. Don't know if it was just because it was so wet for so long or whether it was because the positioning of it laying on the harness, lie-ing more flat on top than to the front of the bar roll meant it was allowing water in somewhere. To be fair, once the water was in, it didn't leak back out. Nice bit of water collected inside.

It does have a roll top to it, so you'd think it was pretty secure in the wet. To that end, I'll be wary about what I keep inside it. Electronics will be kept in another bag inside it.

[Charliecres]

Just seen that Decathlon do one too
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/3-5-l-ipx ... -advt-900/

Looks pretty good but, as with all of these, it’s a question of how well it’ll play with my home-made harness.

I’m sure I can adapt the fastenings to work but I’m wondering if it’s worth it. My current solution pretty much eliminates flapping and bouncing around and I don’t want to compromise on that. Currently I’m leaning towards getting the sewing machine out to make a custom bag but I may try the Acepac and sell it on if I’m not happy.

[Rapideye]

Well, the Acepac is very secure when attached to the Acepac harness. As you'd expect.

[belugabob]

Thanks for the recommendations. The Wildcat one looks nice but I can’t quite tell if it’s big enough and whether it’ll be flappy when less than full. The Ortlieb could be a contender.

The wildcat bag is securely strapped to the bars and the drybag, so no flappage. Loose contents may rattle, but that applies to just about every other type of bag.