Bag for sale!

Well, I finally got around to doing it....I put a handlebar bag I made up for sale.  It is on Etsy at this address....Canvas "Necessary" Handlebar Bag.

Mom's Mini Bag...

Since I'd been home for a few weeks, I was ready to start making bags again.  

Mom wanted a small handlebar bag that would work on her light speedy road bike.  She only carries a handful of necessities with her, so I designed it to fit just those objects.

At 6 inches wide, 4 inches tall and 4 inches deep, it is a very tiny bag....

It could hold about 11/2 liters....the volume is 96 square inches.

It weighs 0.9lbs...400 grams.

I put pockets in this one...a little one in each side...

There are two inside flaps, closed with elastic, for keeping stray raindrops

To Sum It Up...

It was good to get home, but it sure felt like a big part of the trip had been completely skipped.  Driving in a vehicle rather detracts from the journey...

We got to the house and it felt very strange...it didn't even feel like home!

It took me a couple of days to adjust...but I eventually got somewhat used to normal life again.

My ankles healed quickly, and in a little over a week I took a 30 mile ride with very minimal discomfort.  Thankfully they are healing faster than my knee did!

My bicycle was well worn and desperately needed a thorough going-over before she was taken on the road again.

The rear brakes were completely shot; front brakes, severely worn; chain, filthy.  I replaced the rear brake pads with a pair of new ones my Dad had lying around.  The front brakes still work, so I'll wait on those...

Dad was concerned that my chain could have stretched, but it was just fine!  I cleaned it with a toothbrush and kerosene....then thoroughly lubed it with Tri-Flow chain lube.  That stuff worked great!  We used it when our chains had been rained on every night...it eliminated the developing rust and kept them well lubricated.

I was very happy with my Bontrager Select Invert tires....I had no flats or leaks despite having to ride through broken glass occasionally.  Over 1000 miles...and no flats!!  They probably aren't as fast as smooth road tires, but they do well on both dirt roads and pavement.

My bags worked satisfactorily.  They kept all the pouring rain out, securely held our stuff, and weren't troublesome to access...unless the sleeping bag was strapped on top.

I do wish I had designed pockets into my handlebar bag.  Having my loose change mixed with all the other small junk in the bottom of the bag was extremely messy and inconvenient.  My next bag will definitely feature pockets!

I really enjoyed this trip, and am ready to start planning another!  I'm definitely hooked.  

A Review of the Handlebar Bag

I am very happy with my handlebar bag.

It is easy and simple to fasten to and remove from the bicycle.

The toggles are easy to maneuver, yet hold the lid down securely.

The top is easy to open.

The bag is very spacious and I rarely fill it.

It is strong enough to carry heavy items...even when using the shoulder strap off the bike.

Changing the velcro loops on the bottom to a leather toe strap has increased the difficulty of attachment and removal, but also increases the security of the bag on rough streets. It will not wiggle off the support using this strap fastener.

I recently rode on a very rough street full of pot-holes with the handlebar bag heavily loaded.  It did vibrate partway off the side supports...but couldn't come completely off.  Since that ride I haven't had any more issues with the bag sliding towards the ends of the rod supports.  I've even ridden quickly with heavy loads down very bumpy streets.  I'm not totally sure why...but am happy that it is behaving.

I like the new fastener even though it can be difficult to buckle, down there between the rack and fender.

The top flap is quick and easy to open and close but isn't necessarily secure.  I can access the contents without opening the flap!  So far it has done a great job at keeping everything inside, but I haven't crashed yet....

I haven't ridden in rain with this bag either, so will have to post an update once I do...

All in all, I have found it to be an extremely convenient 'trunk' for my bike and can't imagine everyday errands and short trips without it.

Adjustments...

As a result of using my handlebar bag regularly the velcro loops on the bottom began to wear out...already!

They would no longer reliably stay 'velcroed'.  Once, when the bag was heavily loaded, it started to slip down the supports and towards the end of the rack!  It was time to figure out a more reliable securement.  Dad had wanted leather loops on the bottom of his so he could use a toe strap to tighten his bag to the rack.  I decided that was the way to go!

The velcro was still attached as I sewed the leather patch onto the bottom.

Then I cut the velcro off...

and tried it out on the bike...

It worked well, and I think this will solve any problems with the bag sliding towards the front.

The toe strap is a little long...and it will get cut...

Dad's handlebar bag...

With all naturally-colored leather, D-rings, and lots of tooling Dad's bag is my best so far.  Tuck did all the tooling...it looks great! 

This one is bigger than either of the others - 1 1/2 inches deeper and 1/4 inch wider.  That doesn't sound significant, but it sure feels larger!

Instead of loops and toggles Dad wanted an elastic closure....so I accommodated. 

He also had a custom front rack made, similar to this...

The slab of leather with slots in it slips over the vertical part of the rack.  The slots are for an optional strap with a buckle...in case that worked better...

The two straps just above the leather slab are for securing around the handlebars.

  

These two internal flaps were Dad's great idea for keeping rain out.  I wish I had done this with my bag...oh well...learning curve....

This is the back view...or should I say, front view...this is what will be visible to onlookers as Dad zooms past.

 I am very pleased with the final product!

Still healing and preparing...

I've just about finished Tuck's handlebar bag.  All I need to do is attach the toggles...when they are made.  Last night he tooled a few of the leather pieces I was preparing to attach to the bag.  

Here are some pictures of the (nearly) finished bag...you can see how different it is from mine.

Some close-ups of the detail...

Over the past few days I've been taking short trips on the bike to try to loosen up my knee a little.  It may be working...there is almost no pain or tightness!  I still occasionally ice it; specifically after a ride.  Thankfully, it does seem to be healing quickly, so I think we can leave soon.  I will definitely take it easy and be sure to do as much spinning in low gears as I can. 

 I'm actually glad we weren't able to leave at the beginning of the month...riding and camping in constant cold rain would have been quite miserable!  

Finishing the Handlebar Bag...

Earlier this week I made two loops for the front toggles and covered their unsightly parts with small rectangles of leather.  Yesterday I drilled holes in and put finish on the toggles.  Finally, this morning I attached them with some leather cording knotted at each end.  

 The toggles on the sides of the flap will only be closed if it is stormy.  They just hold the edges down to keep rain from blowing in.