Please help find a handlebar bag capable of carrying a standard size camera

Stefan Mikes

Stefan Mikes

Gravel e-biker
Region
Europe
City
Mazovia, PL
I own three e-bikes. Two of them sport 680 x 31.8 mm handlebars, while the third one is equipped with a 780 x 35 mm one. I need a handlebar bag that would fit any of my e-bikes and wouldn't get in conflict with their displays; all displays are mounted centrally over the stem, and the widest of them is Giant RideControl EVO (94 mm or 3.7"). The only item I would like to carry in the bag would be a standard camera of size (WxHxD) 137 x 99 x 131 mm (5.4 x 3.9 x 5.2 in).

Please advise.
 
@Timpo, I admit I've posted the thread too hastily. It turned out that my Vado has a huge headlight attached to the handlebar, too, and the lamp has to stay there for various reasons. Therefore, no handlebar bag could be used. Pity that a thread cannot be deleted!

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Last edited:
Timpo said:
So the display is attached on the stem?

Will this work?
www.topeak.com

TOURGUIDE HANDLEBAR BAG DX

Our largest capacity handlebar bag features a QuickClick® mount and shoulder strap that makes it easy to take it with you. One large, fully padded, divided main compartment with zippered front and top pockets help keep gear organized. Perfect for extended touring, day trips and commuting. Rain...
www.topeak.com www.topeak.com


TT3022B2_mnt-back.jpg


www.topeak.com

Prepare to Ride

PREPARE TO RIDE
www.topeak.com www.topeak.com
TT3025B2_mnt-open-2.jpg
Click to expand...
We've used Topeak Tourguide bags for maybe 15 years on our mech and DIY ebikes. Wonderful product. The quick release mounting bracket makes it easy to transfer bikes or take the bag with you.

Unfortunately, like @Stefan Mikes , our Vados have stem mounted head lights making the Topeak bags impractical. I have remounted my light on an extension that puts it above the handlebar but the bracket for the display controller now interferes with the Topeak bracket. Maybe it's not meant to be...😕
 
If you can fit a proper front rack on your bike a Rando Bag might be just the thing. Even a small Rando Bag is easily twice the size of the above handlebar bags, and depending on the geometry of your front wheel and handlebars you can easily still have clearance for the light.

 
Sierratim said:
Unfortunately, like @Stefan Mikes , our Vados have stem mounted head lights making the Topeak bags impractical. I have remounted my light on an extension that puts it above the handlebar but the bracket for the display controller now interferes with the Topeak bracket. Maybe it's not meant to be...😕
Click to expand...
(I've bought a premium camera that only weighs 300 g instead...) :D
 
PDoz said:
Then you can probably justify a custom frame bag?
Click to expand...
Nay, the camera is so lightweight I intend to carry it on my neck for whole rides. It was the whole point of buying this specific camera. I also ordered a jacket case, which is somewhat "old school" and will protect the camera against bumps and scratches. My other choice was Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 or 2500 but these cameras are just too heavy.

It is fantastic to ride with a camera ready to shoot. I typically set the shutter to something such as 1/500 or 1/1000 s to be able to shoot while riding. If I see an attractive scene, it is necessary to shoot there and now because after just a couple of seconds the scene is different.
 
Stefan Mikes said:
Nay, the camera is so lightweight I intend to carry it on my neck for whole rides. It was the whole point of buying this specific camera. I also ordered a jacket case, which is somewhat "old school" and will protect the camera against bumps and scratches. My other choice was Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 or 2500 but these cameras are just too heavy.

It is fantastic to ride with a camera ready to shoot. I typically set the shutter to something such as 1/500 or 1/1000 s to be able to shoot while riding. If I see an attractive scene, it is necessary to shoot there and now because after just a couple of seconds the scene is different.
Click to expand...

Custom frame top padded bag?

Just imagine when the wait a while tree decides it likes that camera you have around your neck.....
 
PDoz said:
Custom frame top padded bag?
Click to expand...
No space for that either in my step-through e-bikes or in the e-MTB :D If I were to ride onto a technical trail, I would have closed the hard jacket-case first and placed the camera under my armpit next.

I had an adventure in London. After landing at Stansted and a lengthy trip to Central London by coach during the traffic-jam time, I met my gf and a friend of mine (who became our guide) at the Liverpool Street Station. Piotr took us to Brick Lane, where we started with eating bagels at a renowned shop. Then we walked down the Brick Lane. It started raining but my Pentax DSLRs are water-proof so I didn't care. Suddenly I felt a bang! I thought I was hit by a car. Not. I simply didn't notice I walked with my camera hanging on my stomach into a short steel pole. Guess what. The steel-encased lens survived unscathed; it was the pole that lost some of its paint 🤣 So, I could say I'm experienced with banging cameras!

1591653756061.png

At Beigel Bake, Brick Lane, London UK, April 2016.
 
I do like pdw gear. The install video for this basket suggests that you may need to disconnect some cables to do the install. Are you OK with bleeding the brake lines if they need to be disconnected?
 
Stefan Mikes said:
No space for that either in my step-through e-bikes or in the e-MTB :D If I were to ride onto a technical trail, I would have closed the hard jacket-case first and placed the camera under my armpit next.

At Beigel Bake, Brick Lane, London UK, April 2016.
Click to expand...

I'm confused, you're only talking about storing a 10x5 cm camera?

On the trance you could mount that vertically behind your stem riser, although personally I'd be looking at mounting it inside the frame triangle because that's most protected. Surely one of the custom frame bag designers could whip up a trance sized frame bag that was waterproof and suitably quick access / padded?

I've been procrastinating for a while about getting something made for my full e that has a compartment for basic tools then space for my em1 with the 20 mm lens. Ideally the camera compartment will compress down when not needed.
 
@PDoz, the thread was created too early, and it was not necessary :D When I found out how much trouble it would be to have a handlebar bag on three e-bikes, I bought the tiniest and the most lightweight 1" super-zoom camera available in the market ;) No bag needed at all. Will post a photo later.
 
Stefan Mikes said:
@PDoz, the thread was created too early, and it was not necessary :D When I found out how much trouble it would be to have a handlebar bag on three e-bikes, I bought the tiniest and the most lightweight 1" super-zoom camera available in the market ;) No bag needed at all. Will post a photo later.
Click to expand...

yeah, but......

My wife has one of those topeak baskets with quick release things...and I'm looking at my waterproof camera bag, om1 ...and starting to wonder now.....

Ditch the basket but screw the bracket to the camera bag then onto the top frame of the bike...what could possibly go wrong? ( he says cartwheeling down a rock face....)
 
I use a Vaude Aqua Box. It installs using the Klickfix adapters. You can get an Ebike specific adapter so it is wide enough to go around your display. I just posted a photo of my setup in the cockpit thread if you want to look at it there (#42). The bag is just an open space but you could adapt it to anything you would need it for. Its just big enough without being huge.

Bag: https://www.vaude.com/en-INT/Equipment/Bike-Bags/Handlebar-bags/5344/Aqua-Box?number=124150100

Klickfix Ebike mount: https://www.twowheelgear.com/products/klickfix-handlebar-adapter-ebike
 
pullenj said:
I use a Vaude Aqua Box. It installs using the Klickfix adapters. You can get an Ebike specific adapter so it is wide enough to go around your display. I just posted a photo of my setup in the cockpit thread if you want to look at it there (#42). The bag is just an open space but you could adapt it to anything you would need it for. Its just big enough without being huge.

Bag: https://www.vaude.com/en-INT/Equipment/Bike-Bags/Handlebar-bags/5344/Aqua-Box?number=124150100

Klickfix Ebike mount: https://www.twowheelgear.com/products/klickfix-handlebar-adapter-ebike
Click to expand...
Out of question... No handlebar bag could be used here. I could, however, use such as bag in my e-MTB.
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