We tested twelve bags and found the following: A sturdy fastening mechanism, a sufficiently large and easy-to-fill map pocket and customised features make a handlebar bag the ideal travel companion.
The various manufacturers seem to agree on the fastening mechanism for their handlebar bags. 10 of our 12 test objects are lashed to the handlebars with the tried and tested Klickfix adapter. Ortlieb's system passes the kerb/gravel road test just as well as an original Klickfix mount.
At Extreme, the system is called "easy2click". Unfortunately, the bag not only clicks in easily, but also clicks out again without any major knocks. There is a clear difference in quality compared to the Klickfix original.
But beware: what sounds like a perfect fastening system also has flaws. If you go shopping for handlebar bags without your bike, you may be in for a rude awakening when you get home. "The adapter cannot be fitted to bikes with Syntace VRO stems or the oversized handlebars that are now fitted to many bikes because the diameter of the handlebars is too large. Dual-control shifters/brake levers can also get in the way of handlebar bag mounting. Or the bag does not fit through the curved comfort handlebars.
To avoid such mounting problems from the outset, make sure you take your bike with you when you buy handlebar bags and try them out on site," advises Dirk Erlenkämper from the "Meilenweit" bike shop in Bochum.
The handlebar bags in the test:
Abus STW 2350 KF
Abus ST 450 Traveller
Black Creek Waterproof
Deuter Trail
Extreme Easy Bag LTS1
Haberland Touring 6000
Norco Kansas
Ortlieb Ultimate 4 plus
Rixen & Kaul Allrounder Touring
Tatonka Ruler Box
Vaude Komet II
Vaude Road II
The full-length article from issue 2/2006 is available as a free PDF download.
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Barbara Merz-Weigandt
Editor-in-Chief
