Handlebar Bag/Harness

Handle Bar Harness

• The harness is constructed from durable materials in Shark Grey and Black. Stitching is reinforced at high stress points and the weight is a respectable 340 gram (harness & head tube protector). The harness is rated to carry up to 2.5kg of luggage.
• The harness is supplied with a head tube protector. This is an industry first since 2020. The protector is constructed from an abrasion resistant Nylon and the inner is a grippy material. Some bikes have head tube badges which can wreck havoc on bags. And vice versa; bags abrade paintwork on the head tube. The protector panel is attached by 2x bungee cords.
• Two 25mm straps (150mm apart centre-centre) and high density foam spacers secure the harness to the handle bar. The spacers create an offset for cable routing and hand position on the bar near the bicycle stem. An aluminium tubing strut is incorporated into the design for added stability.
• An adjustable bungee cord looped around the head tube keeps the system from swaying forward over bumpy terrain.
• Two 25mm straps secure the luggage in the harness. These straps are of a stocky material, there is no slippage once the correct tension has been set.
• Field replaceable hardware on the harness should anything go wrong. The side release buckles, bungee cords and straps are easily replaced without sewing.

Dry Bag 12L

• We make a 12L dual closure dry bag which weighs 210 gram.
• Our dry bags are constructed in a mid weight black waterproof fabric with a single-fold closure on either end. The seam along the length of the bag is water proof (taped on the inside).
• Inside is a brightly coloured liner (orange or yellow as per stock). The liner protects the waterproof coating and seam which would otherwise be exposed on the bag’s inside.
• The dry bag’s shape is cylindrical which is ideal for the handlebar harness. Big brand dry bags are often oval in cross-section and dimensions may be unsuitable.
• The bag’s interior will remain dry in wet weather when correctly closed.
• Dimensions fully packed are approximately 18cm diameter x 50cm length. The bag’s length is adjustable to less than the stated 50cm.

Note

• Bags fitted to a bicycle:
  • will rub at the contact points and dirt will exaggerate potential damage. You can use purpose made clear film to protect the frame and components. Quality electrical tape (Nitto brand) or self-adhesive silicone tapes are also good options.
  • may affect handling, controls and cable routing. We recommend you ask a professional bicycle mechanic to check that your bicycle’s operation has not been compromised. He or she may suggest adjustments.

Minimum Front Tyre Clearance

• See illustration. All dimensions are approximate (given the nature of bags).
• A minimum 5cm tyre clearance (T) is required to prevent tyre rub on the harness and bag. On suspension bikes the tyre clearance must be checked in the fork’s bottomed-out position.
• The harness fitted with the Texrex 12L Dry Bag (18cm diameter) takes up 23cm (S) of space measured from the handlebar’s centre down to the tyre.
• Please check and do the math for your bike’s setup before ordering. There are a number of fixes for small frame sizes which we’d be happy to chat about.

Designer Notes & Tips

• About the centre of gravity and bike handling. The best position for a handlebar mounted bag is directly below the bar and as far back as possible. I’m not a huge fan of rigid harness systems that tilt the bag up and move the weight forward.
• Hand positions. I like that our harness makes a minimal intrusion on precious handlebar space.
• A loosely packed dry bag won’t be stable. Pack the dry bag tight and stick to soft compressible items. It’s okay to pack 1 – 2 odd items padded between clothing but don’t overdo it. Keep the load balanced with weightier items toward the middle. Pack the dry bag from the top with one closed end resting on the floor.
• I like that the dry bag is quick to remove and refit. Take it into your tent or the B&B. The routine at the start and end of the day is so much easier.
• Dual closure – I pack clothing layers for the day’s ride at bag ends. For example; warm gloves, a beanie and leg warmers on the left. And a mid layer on the right. I prefer to keep rain gear elsewhere.