The opposite night time I acquired an electronic mail from Bicycle Touring Professional reader, Linda Imle. Her message learn:
Darren, may you deal with handlebar baggage. I’m nonetheless unsure if I actually need one that’s clipped or if one thing smaller will do. Simply questioning what you assume and why. Thanks – Linda
From what I can inform, Linda is actually asking two questions. Her first query is 1) “Do I actually need a handlebar bag?”… and a pair of) “In that case, what dimension handlebar bag ought to I get?”
To provide you my ideas of the matter, I’ve produced the next video the place I discuss concerning the two main causes I consider utilizing a handlebar bag is useful.
What’s essential to notice right here is that utilizing a handlebar bag, like many issues with bicycle touring, is a private alternative. There isn’t any rule that claims you have to or should not use a handlebar bag. Ultimately it comes all the way down to 1) what sort of tour you’re going on and a pair of) your individual private preferences.
Initially, the size of your tour performs a small half in deciding whether or not or not you want a handlebar bag just because these taking a visit only a couple days in size can get away with out one. For these individuals, reaching again into their panniers (or down into their trailer) every time they should entry their issues gained’t be that large of a deal.
However for somebody who’s planning to spend weeks, months, or years on the street, having a handlebar bag can actually turn out to be useful.
The distinction right here is that these on shorter excursions can normally put up with stopping every time they should entry their issues. This small aggravation gained’t be that large of a deal when performed for only a couple days. However for these planning to be on the street for an prolonged time period, stopping and bending over (or getting off the bike) every time they want to take an image or test the map can develop into extraordinarily draining as time goes on.
The second large a part of deciding whether or not or to not use a handlebar bag is figuring out precisely what objects you want to carry within the bag so you possibly can entry them simply whereas out on the street. Within the video above, I discuss largely about the advantages of utilizing your handlebar bag to entry two essential objects – your digicam and your map.
Nevertheless, not each bicycle traveler will deem their digicam and map as essential as I do. However for these of you who really feel your digicam and map are simply as essential to you as they’re to me, then I strongly suggest using a handlebar bag.
So Linda, and anybody else who could be asking themselves, “Do I actually need a handlebar bag?”, right here is my recommendation to you:
The reality is, you don’t want a handlebar bag for bicycle touring. Using a handlebar bag is a private alternative. However if you’re like me and also you worth your digicam and the photographs you are taking with it… and also you hate to cease each single time you want to take a look at your map, then utilizing a handlebar bag makes life on the street a complete lot simpler.
Regarding the dimension of handlebar bag it’s best to use, that once more is as much as you. For me at the least, any good handlebar bag that’s for use for lengthy distance touring ought to be large enough to hold your digicam (and another objects you want to simply entry while you’re on the street) and it ought to have a map case of some form constructed into the highest of the bag so you possibly can view your maps with out having to cease your bike each time you want to search for instructions.
For many who have traveled with a handlebar bag previously, what do you concentrate on my recommendation right here? Do you might have another ideas for Linda or those that may additionally be asking themselves in the event that they actually need a handlebar bag? Why do you want your handlebar bag? Or why do you hate it? Weigh in by leaving a remark under.
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