Ortlieb

I'd been using the old style Ortlieb mini handlebar bag. While it's satisfactory for most of my purposes, it had several drawbacks, chiefest of which was that by using the front of the handlebar, you have to find alternative locations for your front light. When you add up the bag, the bag mount, and the additional accoutements to mount the front light, it's actually substantial weight. On the tandem it doesn't matter, but on my single bike I really would prefer as light a setup as possible, while still making it possible to mount a radar tail light.

The only model I could find that fit all those requirements was the Ortlieb Saddlebag 4L. I ordered one and discovered to my dismay that the mount didn't fit the Ritchey WCS saddle! Fortunately, Pamela Bayley had sold/given me a smaller Ortlieb seatbag and that one came with a mount that worked. (I would later replace the screws that came with the newer bag with ones that work) Since all Ortlieb saddlebag mounts are cross compatible it was no issue to use them. My complaint about this design is that it's unnecessary --- I would much rather have had velcro wings which would have been less finicky.

The saddlebag slides onto the mount, and ties to the seatpost using a velcro strap. I was worried that I would feel the saddlebag with my thighs while riding, but to my surprise this turned out to be a non-issue. The drybag style flap clips off to the side and by tightening the straps it becomes narrow enough that thighs clear the saddlebag with no problems. One disturbing thing about the bag is that invariably there's sufficient air in the saddlebag to make it bulge a little, so sometimes it takes a couple of tries to get the air out. A valve would have been useful though that would have increased the weight. As a result of this air, sometimes that bag will rattle especially if it's not completely full.

When I go on a really lightweight ride, I replace this saddlebag with a mini bag that uses the same mount and has much less volume. It's little enough effort to switch that I do it as a matter of course. But for bay area riding the 4L bag is what you want: you can put in a windshell, arm and leg warmers, and snacks and tools for an extended ride while still having room for your radar. If you pack really light it might even suffice for an overnighter, though that's not in the cards for me as I would need to pack a CPAP machine and this bag just doesn't have sufficient volume for that.

For commuting, this bag will NOT fit any laptops. But bikepacking style saddlebags won't fit any laptop anyway. For carrying a laptop you still want the traverse style saddlebag.

The bag is a little expensive but it did everything I wanted it to do. Recommended.

It's a good product, but.. The attachment process to the handlbar is a bit fiddly, dealing with the strap when using it as a bar bag is exceedingly fiddly, and the extra straps to secure it are annoying and I can't see the need so I don't even use them.

The magnetic closure is very well designed, the bag has a good amount of storage space, it's lightweight, and not ugly. All in all, despite my comments above, I do recommend it, as it appears to be the best solution for a moderately sized, lightweight bar bag (I looked at a bunch of alternatives).

I already had several non-Ortlieb top tube bags, and I wanted the convenience and added security of a quick-release system that would allow me to bring my valuables into a market with me and didn't require me to fiddle with rethreading and adjusting straps each time I got back on.

The Ortlieb Fuel bag and Top tube bag use the same mounting system. Ortlieb offers the Ortlieb Mounting-Set to support the use of the same bag across multiple bikes. But if you are handy with an awl or hot nail, you can modify the bags you already own.

This system works very well in retrofitting other top tube bags. All the hardware you need to attach the quick release to your bike is included. I converted a Timbuk2 bag to take advantage of the M5 frame bosses. The included internal bag fasteners provide enough rigidity to remove the four frame and stem straps from the bag and rely solely on the bosses.

I no longer have to worry about:

1. straps wearing down the bike frame and stem finishes

2. a top tube bag flopping from side to side

3. leaving valuables or an expensive frame bag on the bike when I head into a store or overnight accommodations

Finally, if you pick up a couple of these, you can quickly move one bag between bikes and swap bags on your bikes depending on the ride's needs.

I have both the 4.1L and the 1.6L sizes. There isn't much point to the 1.6L since the 4.1L can fold down to almost the same size.

The 4.1L can hold all the tubes and layers for a multi-day ride/brevet.

The sturdy seat rail clamp stops any swaying of the bag.

The clamp doesn't work well with some seats/seat-rails, especially if the seat is pushed all the way forward on the seatpost. It works fine on my Pro Stealth seat.