We tested 19 of the best handlebar bags available to help you find the right one to suit your storage needs and meet your budget.
Click to email a link to a friend Handlebar bags are a simple and effective way to add storage to your bike while keeping your essentials within arm’s reach.
Whether you’re searching for something small, medium, or large, or are interested in finding the best value, our top handlebar bag recommendations are listed below, followed by the best of the rest, which, quite frankly, are all great options in their own right. To see the specs of all 19 models we tested at a glance, check out our handyis one of the best all-around handlebar bags we’ve ever tested, combining brilliant function and beautiful design into an astonishingly light 260-gram 3.
The Mini Handlebar bag holds 1.3 liters and measures 8” x 3.5”. These figures mean that you’ll be able to stuff the essentials inside and have plenty of space to move and position your hands around the entire handlebar. The tidy strap system helps here, too. Low-profile quick-release cam buckles keep the straps secure and elastic bands contain the tips of the straps so they don’t flap around and impede the top section of the handlebar.
The dark gray fabric of the Mini Bar Czar is subtly decorated with a matte black Arundel badge, giving this bag a humble but business-oriented look. Its flattened oval shape not only helps the magnetic closure system to operate more easily but also keeps the weight of the contents closer to the handlebar, which minimizes bouncing on rough sections and fits a surprising amount of gear for its capacity.
YKK water-resistant zippers are used throughout the West Coast Burrito, as well as the entire Roadrunner bar bag lineup. The only limitations of the West Coast Burrito are that it will likely not suit bikes 50cm and below, or handlebars less than 42cm in width. In the former case, because it’s 6” tall, the bottom of the bag could conflict with the front tire.
Wizard Works also offers the Lil Presto in a “small” version at 1.8 liters in volume, which, like its big sibling, is still fairly spacious in the context of barrel bags. So, if weight is a concern and 3.5 liters sounds like too much, then the small Lil Presto is worth a look.is a super-classy bar bag that prioritizes high quality, durability, and easy operation while signaling to the world that its users have great taste.
In addition to the 2-liter main compartment, the Kestrel features a smaller exterior zipper pocket on the lower face of the bag, and a third zippered pocket on the interior for securing valuables. On the rear face of the bag is where things get interesting. Molle webbing allows the Kestrel to integrate with two styles of modular storage accessories, called the Rando Pocket and the Sidekick Stem Pouch, available separately from Swift.
With a 2.4-liter capacity and 7.5″ x 5″ dimensions, the Signature Bar Bag falls into that “just-right” size range that avoids being too large or too small and it doesn’t dominate the front of the bike. In the main compartment, a mesh pocket helps secure heavier items like a camera lens or smartphone. On the user-right side of the Signature Bar Bag sits a large zippered compartment for small, less frequently accessed items like keys or a credit card.
The Grid uses tidy D-ring velcro straps that rest flush against the handlebar and leave plenty of space for fingers on the top section of the handlebar. The zipper track is stable and stiff, with a smooth-gliding zipper for easy one-handed opening and closing while riding. Keeping the Grid ultra stable is a lower bungee cable with a secure cinch hook which ensures it will never come loose and fall off on the road.
On the road, the Handlebar Czar worked flawlessly, staying quiet and accommodating all kinds of things easily, from food to clothes, to a compact 4:3 camera and two lenses. Everything stayed quiet and dry, even on rough roads.is priced close to some stiff competition, but competes admirably and is worth a hard look by riders who want something a bit different and and appreciate its elegant look.
The straps are one of the best features of the Lowland Crafts Handlebar Bag. While their narrow width and small buckles require a bit of touch to position and adjust, the benefit is that they are super-low bulk and don’t interfere at all with riding, and the super soft surface won’t affect the frame paint on the head tube.
Two zippered compartments help keep items organized and quiet. Large elastic loops on both zippers allow you to easily hook a finger into the loop, to gain better leverage. The back of the Explore bar bag is covered in protective Hypalon, to prevent brake hoses and gear cables from damaging the bag as they rub against it. Integrated velcro straps make attaching the Explore Bar Bag simple and quick. The straps are decorated in a geometric pattern that gives the Explore Bar Bag a little extra pop.
The shape of the main compartment bag is better suited to carrying than proper road cycling for a couple of reasons. First, its boxy shape rests comfortably against your back but creates a significant amount of aerodynamic drag when mounted to the handlebars. Of course, all bar bags are going to cost a few watts of drag at speed, but with the Helix, it’s noticeable in real-time.
For our handlebar bags buyer’s guide, we called on the expertise of Bennett Shane to test and compare a diverse selection of the best handlebar bags on the market. Bennett has been cycling seriously for over two decades and spends an inordinate amount of time on the bike while riding for fitness, fun, and lots of product testing. He lives just outside of Portland, Oregon, and enjoys both long and short rides throughout the countryside and mountains of the Pacific Northwest .
For riders with low storage demands, the smaller, 1.15 to 1.3-liter, options may be ideal for stashing ride essentials like a phone, keys, nutrition,, or other small items while incurring the lowest weight and aerodynamic penalty. We tested six bags in this size range including the Arundel Mini Bar Czar,Though just slightly larger at 1.7 liters, the Mission Workshop Toro holds significantly more than the “mini” or “compact” models.
It is important to consider the dimensions of a handlebar bag as it may impact how well it fits on your handlebar and whether or not it conflicts with your hand positions. Depending on the shape and width of your handlebars, some bags might be too wide/long. The models we tested range between 7 and 11 inches in length, with most of them falling between 7.5 and 9.5 inches.
Depending on whether you have accessories like lights or a computer mounted on your bars, or where you place your hands on the bar tops, having the option to adjust the position of the attachment straps may be worthwhile. If, for example, the space immediately next to your stem is already cluttered with computer and/or light mounts, it’s nice to be able to move the straps out and have them over your.
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