Madison handlebar bag

[peetee]

Does anyone own one of these and can comment on the quality/practicality/durability/ whatever.

Thanks

[Paul Smith SRCC]

It doesn't look like it is instock at the moment; 'click' for link to 'Freewheel', who are effectively the retail division of the distributor 'Madison' and as such the stock is linked, if 'Freewheel' show it is not being instock that simply means 'Madison' do not have it either; although a LBS may have existing stock of course. As for the quality they do state "supplied with quick release handlebar bracket" but do not list the brand, if it's something like a Rixen call klick fix system that would be ideal, as for the bag itself most 'Madison' branded items are pretty good.

An alternative similar price point brand potentially worth considering that would be available from a LBS would be Altura, their Heritage bags are slightly bigger at 5L versus the 4.3 litre capacity of the Madison bag and do have the Rixen & Kaul Klickfix fitting that I referenced plus they are made of durable "12oz water-resistant waxed canvas". Altura are distributed by ZyroFisher, like Madison they are a very popular UK distributor and most quality local bike stores will have an account with them.

Two other popular bike bag brands would be from Carradice and Ortlieb ; although neither would be as readily available from a LBS. The Carradice CarraDry is of a similar price with the Rixen call klick fix system although it's quite a bit bigger at 9l, note Carradice have quite a large range of handlebar bags that are more of an investment, I have personally used their Super C Bar bag for years and have been very happy with it. Starting at a slightly higher price point would be Ortlieb, their 5L Ultimate Six Classic is £65.00 and uses their own mounting set. There are many others on the market although worth checking to see the type of fixing to the bars, quite a few no longer use a klickfix or similar system.

[Nigel]

..... would be Ortlieb, their 5L Ultimate Six Classic is £65.00 and uses their own mounting set. .....

My experience is that the Ortlieb mount is mechanically the same as the Rixon&Kaul mount - I have both on different bikes, and various bags are interchangeable between the mounts. Including an ancient Karrimore bag with rigid wire mount which wraps around the R&K block, engaging with the catch at the bottom.

- Nigel

[Paul Smith SRCC]

..... would be Ortlieb, their 5L Ultimate Six Classic is £65.00 and uses their own mounting set. .....

My experience is that the Ortlieb mount is mechanically the same as the Rixon&Kaul mount - I have both on different bikes, and various bags are interchangeable between the mounts. Including an ancient Karrimore bag with rigid wire mount which wraps around the R&K block, engaging with the catch at the bottom.

- Nigel

I would concur, the Ortlieb and more universally used Rixen & Kaul Klickfix fittings are on a par with each other.

[Mick F]

I can't comment on the bag or its quality etc, but I can comment on 'bar bags.

Some years ago, I was cycling Up North with my Carry Freedom trailer behind.
Long story, but a wheel and axle came away going into Taunton. There's a long thread on here regarding why the wheel came off, and including my conversations with Carry Freedom. Since sorted.

However, I managed to get me and the bike and trailer to Bridgwater and eventually cycled home leaving my trailer behind whilst buying a 'bar bag and mount from SJS there. My tour Up North was cancelled.
I rode the 90miles home with some basics in the 'bar bag.
Me and Mrs Mick F drove to Bridgwater to collect my stuff and trailer a day or two later and spent a happy weekend there together.

I hated riding with the 'bar bag. It was horrible to have a "thing" clamped on the front so high up and "in the way" of everything.
There is no way on God's Earth that I would even consider using a 'bar bag again. I sold it within a few days of getting home.

Front panniers are fine, but 'bar bags are HORRIBLE.

[Paul Smith SRCC]

...I hated riding with the 'bar bag. It was horrible to have a "thing" clamped on the front so high up and "in the way" of everything...

That's a valid point, they are not for everyone; low rider front panniers were my preference when I needed to carry more.

These days I use a bar bag on holiday to carry light items only, my wallet (definitely light that is ), passport, snacks, small camera, phone and Kindle; I like that I can take it into a café and I have all my valuables with me. Being high up I do find they affect the steering and why I carry lightweight items only, plus if you do try and take heavy items even with the 'retaining wire' the bracket is inclined to gradually slip around under the bar, weight wise a DSLR camera is about as heavy as I would consider

[Mick F]

Yes, mine was a KilckFix thingy.
Actually quite good .............. but not for me.

[jb]

I used a smallish carradice bar bag and thought it was great. Keep all your valuables in it, easily removed, shoulder strap for easy carrying and a good platform for the map.

Some of the advantages have been negated by tech. And it did make light placement challenging but I thought it was great to not to have to think about where you'd stashed all the important bits when wandering away from the bike.

[Jdsk]

I used a smallish carradice bar bag and thought it was great. Keep all your valuables in it, easily removed, shoulder strap for easy carrying and a good platform for the map.

Some of the advantages have been negated by tech. And it did make light placement challenging but I thought it was great to not to have to think about where you'd stashed all the important bits when wandering away from the bike.

SNAP!

The bar bags always come with us when we leave the bikes. Ours are Ortlieb Classics.

Happy Christmas

Jonathan

[PH]

My experience is that the Ortlieb mount is mechanically the same as the Rixon&Kaul mount
- Nigel

I don''t think they are the same, well I know mine aren't. The interchangeability is only one way - Orlieb bags fit on a R&K bracket, but bar bags with a R&K plate do not fit on Ortlieb brackets. Also note Ortlieb bags no longer come with any bracket, so that needs factoring in when comparing prices.
Back to the Madison bag, it looks quite similar to a Vaude bag I had, it also has the same feature of needing a rainproof cover. My advice would be to buy want that didn't need that. Any of the quality brands already mentioned would IMO be better, Ortlieb suit me and I've just replaced the one I've had for 20+ years, so the bit extra they cost has been worth it.

[freiston]

My experience is that the Ortlieb mount is mechanically the same as the Rixon&Kaul mount
- Nigel

I don''t think they are the same, well I know mine aren't. The interchangeability is only one way - Orlieb bags fit on a R&K bracket, but bar bags with a R&K plate do not fit on Ortlieb brackets. Also note Ortlieb bags no longer come with any bracket, so that needs factoring in when comparing prices.
Back to the Madison bag, it looks quite similar to a Vaude bag I had, it also has the same feature of needing a rainproof cover. My advice would be to buy want that didn't need that. Any of the quality brands already mentioned would IMO be better, Ortlieb suit me and I've just replaced the one I've had for 20+ years, so the bit extra they cost has been worth it.

I have am Ortlieb bar bag with the Ortlieb mounting bracket on my touring bike handlebars. I also have an Axiom bar bag that I replaced the back-plate of with a Rixen Kaul plate and now use a Rixen Kaul mounting bracket on my folding bike. Both bags mount on either bike without issue - so for me the Ortlieb and R+K systems are fully interchangeable.

When you replaced your Ortlieb bag, did you keep the original bracket? I do recall hearing that the older Ortlieb fixings are not compatible with R+K but that the "modern" ones are. My Ortlieb and R+K fixings all bought in 2018.

[PH]

The interchangeability is only one way - Orlieb bags fit on a R&K bracket, but bar bags with a R&K plate do not fit on Ortlieb brackets.

Both bags mount on either bike without issue - so for me the Ortlieb and R+K systems are fully interchangeable.

That's odd, maybe it's changed in recent years.

When you replaced your Ortlieb bag, did you keep the original bracket?

No, the original Ortlieb bracket was replaced with a R&K at least ten years ago precisely because the Vaude bag with the R&K plate didn't fit and I wanted that and the Ortlieb bag to be interchangeable. My new Ortlieb bag didn't come with a bracket.

[jb]

I used a smallish carradice bar bag and thought it was great. Keep all your valuables in it, easily removed, shoulder strap for easy carrying and a good platform for the map.

Some of the advantages have been negated by tech. And it did make light placement challenging but I thought it was great to not to have to think about where you'd stashed all the important bits when wandering away from the bike.

SNAP!

The bar bags always come with us when we leave the bikes. Ours are Ortlieb Classics.

Happy Christmas

Jonathan

Also, the straps on the lid could easily hold onto a rolled up waterproof jacket when away from the bike. You wouldn't want it there when cycling but if the worst came to the worst and the bike had gone you at least had everything important still with you.