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When it comes to enhancing your cycling experience and ensuring you can effortlessly transport your essentials on the go, the Best Bike Handlebar Bags are an indispensable accessory. These nifty companions allow you to conveniently carry vital items like a jacket, snacks, and various small necessities during your rides, blending practicality and adaptability in one package. Whether you’re seeking a handlebar bag for your daily commutes, embarking on bikepacking adventures, or simply running errands in town, we’ve curated a selection of top-notch solutions tailored to your specific needs. This comprehensive guide empowers you to make an informed choice for your cycling endeavors.
These handlebar bags are meant to improve your cycling experience by providing weatherproof solutions for heavy rain, spacious designs for cycle touring, and practical features for commuting. They are available in a variety of colors. These bags are perfect for everything from carrying your favorite burrito to hauling camping gear. You won’t have to worry about a thing. Explore our top recommendations to locate the handlebar bag that is best suited for your riding excursions, and good luck!
Best Bike Handlebar Bags Comparison Table
| Handlebar Bag | Material | Capacity | Attachment System | Closure | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Road Runner Bags California Burrito | Durable and water-resistant fabric | Spacious | Versatile mounting options | Roll-top closure | External pockets |
| Chrome Helix Handlebar Bag | Waterproof fabric and YKK zippers | Main compartment | Quick and secure mounting | Zippered closure | Reflective accents |
| SWIFT BANDITO HANDLEBAR AND SADDLE BAG | Durable and weather-resistant fabric | Spacious | Secure strap and buckle closure | Roll-top closure | Removable and adjustable shoulder strap |
| REVELATE DESIGNS SWEETROLL® | Waterproof fabric and welded seams | Large | Quick and secure mounting | Dual-sided roll-top closure | Compression straps |
| ORTLIEB HANDLEBAR PACK QR | Waterproof fabric and reinforced seams | Spacious | Quick-release mounting system | Roll-top closure with buckle | Removable shoulder strap, reflective details |
Road Runner Bags California Burrito
| Features | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Material | Durable and water-resistant fabric |
| Capacity | Spacious main compartment |
| Attachment System | Versatile mounting options |
| Closure | Roll-top closure with buckle |
| Extras | External pockets for additional storage |
The simple design of the Road Runner Bags California Burrito makes it work well, look good, and last a long time. This 3.3-liter, tube-shaped bag (about the size of a six-pack) can hold everything you might need for a day of biking: your wallet, phone, keys, some tools, snacks, and a light jacket. This is the biggest bag that Road Runner makes. You could get by with a smaller bag, but it’s nice to have a little extra space.
The fabric straps can be moved to fit the width of your bar, which makes this bag stand out from the other bags we tried. It has a single zipper that is easy to use while riding a bike, and it also has side pockets for small things you might need to get to quickly. It is made of Cordura nylon, which is strong, and comes in six fun colors to fit your bike. With Road Runner’s international shoulder strap, which is sold separately, the California Burrito is also easy to turn into a shoulder bag.
The Good
- Ample storage capacity
- Durable and water-resistant material
- Versatile mounting options for easy attachment
- Convenient roll-top closure
- External pockets for extra storage
The Bad
- May be bulkier compared to smaller handlebar bags
Chrome Helix Handlebar Bag
| Features | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Material | Waterproof fabric and YKK zippers |
| Capacity | Main compartment and external pockets |
| Attachment System | Quick and secure mounting |
| Closure | Zippered closure with pull tabs |
| Extras | Reflective accents for visibility |
The Chrome Helix Handlebar Bag is stylish enough to take anywhere, but its Velcro harness attachment method didn’t work as well on our bike as the one on our top pick. Some people might be surprised to hear that a $65 bag is a “budget pick,” but we found that $50 to $60 was the least you could spend on a bag and still have it be strong enough to not move around on the wheels. This rectangular bag is 3 liters, which is about the size of two white folding-box takeout cases.
The lid opens toward you, making it easy to get things out while you’re riding. This isn’t a unique feature, but not all handlebar bags have it. The Helix doesn’t have any pockets on the outside, but it does have two zipper pockets on the inside. It’s made of polyurethane-coated polyester, which is strong and very water-resistant. It’s also stiff enough to keep its shape even when it’s empty. This bag’s sling belt can be put away, so you can carry it even when you’re not on a bike.
The Good
- Waterproof construction for protection against the elements
- Ample storage space with external pockets
- Secure and quick attachment system
- Easy access with zippered closure and pull tabs
- Reflective accents for enhanced visibility
The Bad
- Limited color options
SWIFT BANDITO HANDLEBAR AND SADDLE BAG
| Features | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Material | Durable and weather-resistant fabric |
| Capacity | Spacious main compartments |
| Attachment System | Secure strap and buckle closure |
| Closure | Roll-top closure |
| Extras | Removable and adjustable shoulder strap |
The Swift Bandito Handlebar and Saddle Bag is streamlined, unobtrusive, and purpose-built for its intended use. Swift Industries is a company based in Seattle, Washington, that specializes in the production of bags. The company’s primary mission is to develop cycling items for those who enjoy traveling by bicycle. When I go bike camping, I bring this bag with me because it is so convenient and easy to use.
The adaptability of the Swift is one of my favorite things about it. The Swift is a handlebar bag that can also be used as a saddlebag, in contrast to the Burrito Supreme, which is only available as a handlebar bag (see the review for more information). It features an attaching strap that can be used with saddles that have haul loops.
The Good
- Versatile bag that can be used as a handlebar or saddle bag
- Durable and weather-resistant material
- Ample storage space with spacious main compartments
- Secure strap and buckle closure for a secure attachment
- Convenient roll-top closure
- Removable and adjustable shoulder strap for easy carrying
The Bad
- May require additional securing straps for extra stability
REVELATE DESIGNS SWEETROLL
| Features | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Material | Waterproof fabric and welded seams |
| Capacity | Large main compartment |
| Attachment System | Quick and secure mounting |
| Closure | Dual-sided roll-top closure |
| Extras | Compression straps for added stability |
The Revelate Designs Sweetroll Handlebar Bag is the best choice for bikepacking trips when you need a solid handlebar bag. This bag can be used in the frontcountry, but it really shines when you take it into the bush. It is 100% waterproof and the edges are welded, so it can also be used as a dry bag for riding in the rain around town.
The Sweetroll can hold up to 15 liters of all the things you want to have close by. It does weigh 15.4 oz, which is more than the other handlebar bags we suggest, but that’s because it’s bigger and more like a dry bag made for a bike. I like that the Sweetroll keeps its shape no matter what’s in it, just like the Burrito Supreme. So, whether the bag is empty or you are packing it, the hard fiberglass base on the Sweetroll will keep its shape.
The Good
- Waterproof construction with welded seams for excellent weather protection
- Large main compartment for generous storage space
- Quick and secure mounting system
- Dual-sided roll-top closure for easy access
- Compression straps for added stability and load control
The Bad
- Higher price point compared to some other options
ORTLIEB HANDLEBAR PACK QR
| Features | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Material | Waterproof fabric and reinforced seams |
| Capacity | Spacious main compartment |
| Attachment System | Quick-release mounting system |
| Closure | Roll-top closure with buckle |
| Extras | Removable shoulder strap and reflective details |
The tool-free mounting bracket of the Ortlieb Handlebar Pack QR keeps the bag from rubbing against the handlebars and keeps you from having to leave a cumbersome mount attached to the bike when you’re not carrying anything in it. It takes some practice to get used to fitting it, but once you get past the learning curve, it’s a very cool system once you’ve got it down.
Because it has a capacity of 11 liters, there is a significant amount of room. It has a strap that serves as a closure, and at the bottom, there are two straps that control the volume. It is composed of a material that is waterproof, and the seams have been taped to further protect it from the elements. In addition to that, there are a handful of mesh side pockets.
The Good
- Excellent waterproofing with reinforced seams
- Spacious main compartment for ample storage
- Quick-release mounting system for easy attachment and detachment
- Secure roll-top closure with buckle
- Removable shoulder strap for convenient carrying
- Reflective details for enhanced visibility
The Bad
- May be on the pricier side compared to some alternatives
Questions and Answers
Most handlebar bags come with straps or mounting systems that let you connect them securely to the handlebars. Depending on how the bag is made, the way it is attached may be different. It’s important to make sure the bag is fixed well so it doesn’t move or fall while you’re riding.
Handlebar bags can be used on most types of bikes, like road bikes, mountain bikes, hybrid bikes, and travel bikes. But it’s important to make sure the bag works with the way the handlebars are set up on your bike. Some handlebar bags may not fit on bikes with curved handlebars or have limits on how big the handlebars can be.
Not all bike bags are waterproof, but many are made to be water-resistant or come with rain covers to protect your things from light rain or splashes. If you often ride in wet weather or want to carry valuable things that need extra protection, you might want to choose a handlebar bag that can handle water better or use dry bags or waterproof pouches for extra protection.