This Bikepacking Trend is a Gamechanger!

Overview of awesome alt front rack options.

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[tonypowers]

This post is incredible! For anyone who has gone thru the research of trying to find out “options” for handlebar carrying of gear and bags, OMG, there are hardly any good viable offerings from the “big” manufacturers. Thank God, there are these small corky offerings, that actually are game changers, as you state in your video. I have already purchased one of them thru your channel. Please don’t stop your style! Literally ❤

[kruizr]

I have used 7r bags for a number of years now. All there gear is hand made to order, and you just cant beat the quality and craftmanship, and there prices are very reasonable.

[matthewguenther]

It is pretty interesting to see the evolution of handlebar/stem mounted racks. The newest batch seems quite a lot more stable/solid than the quill stem mounted ones we had in the 70s and early 80s. The (Eclipse) one I had back in the 80s would get pretty bouncy on rough roads and trails.

[Quevallyn]

I have the Restrap bumper bar. It works excellently and the design means you can attach other stuff to like lights etc if not using a bag. My only issue is that if you aren’t using a bag then the bumper bar is not the prettiest of additions.

[mollygarner]

I bought two of the Swood light mounts and use those as a support for my bag. Added bonus of being highly adjustable and could, if needed, put TWO lights on the bike at the perfect height.

[williambrennan]

I have multiple products from TimTas. 3 handlebar bags, 2 stracks, 2 fork bags. All well made. He made me a custom handlebar bag that fits in between my bars perfectly, and included tabs to work with the swood T-bar. Plus, I got to customize everything on the bag: pocket style, buckle type, stitching, and of course color scheme. He will make you what you want.

[walcottav]

I love my Tim Tas & Rek rack. Truly functional and light weight, yet sturdy. I also have their modified 'race bag' which has a velcro sleeve that slides over the rack, so no movement, rattling etc. It's a great setup, cavernous interior with internal pockets, fidlock closure for convenience & access from the saddle. They were delightful to work with.

[abhparsons]

For a budget friendly option I just got the Topeak BarXtender. Mounted it to my stem and it holds my handlebar bag (Restrap Bar Pack), away from my head tube AND stops the bag bouncing on my cables. Plenty of adjustment on it too, to tweak your preferred angle of dangle. It's been a great solution and it's always there to mount other stuff on when I'm not using the bag.

[RuderalisFPV]

The Jack Bike Rack is awesome! Highly recommended. Works well with a huge Inside Line bag. I wouldn’t consider it alternative, it’s a main thaing!

[barriobarranco]

I bought a Topeak bar bag and just went to the local B&Q (Home Depot in the states?) and bought a 1m length of 8mm mild steel rod, and some soft silicone tubing to match then made a stand off starting with bending it in the middle so it has it's support on the underside of the stem and up and over the tops of the bars then down the front of the bars... just cut it to equal length from there...really simple just needs some straps/bungees to the forks/frame if going off road, and easy to remove when not in use. I could see from the off that without it the frame would be in contact with the bag (paint ruined etc) and it was fouling the cables/hoses. Now it doesn't and has been thoroughly tested... (I tried another in 6mm rod but it's not really strong enough if you put a tent in the bag etc)

[alex_n]

Interesting, I've been using an aerobar mounted underneath my handlebar to support my roll bag for quite a few years! 😂

[no_Ray_bang]

I have a second stem/handlebar. perfect for lashing stuff to it, great for mounting lights, rearview mirrors, holds my handlebar cradle out of the way and there's space up there to stash my tent (poles and all) not a weight weenie solution at all.

[sean]

Over the winter I was using a caradice style bag in the front with a super cheap cantilever mounted front mini rack and a handlebar extender to get the weight a bit lower. For front lighting I bolted a gopro style mount to the front of the rack (came with a garmin style outfront mount to run a gopro under your bike computer) and used a headlight with a gopro style adapter attached to it.

[mattrhoades]

Brompton really got this right the first time around. Would love to see steering independent options for normal bikes.

[bruce.KAY-bike-drifter]

Truly informative. Thanks Russ. One of your BEST videos. I liked the pace. There were some cool ideas there.

[sylv_ain]

Got myself a Salsa anything cradle, never looked back. It’s a bit heavy but well worth it. When I don’t need to carry lots of weight, I simply use a cheap Amazon accessories mounting extender. Works fine for light loads. Got the tip from the DirtyTeethMtb channel.

[chagasz]

This is useful, thanks Russ! I’ve experimented with trad front racks for mounting a carradice, but eventually found 2x voile straps plus an old Raleigh light mount on the stem (much like the restrap bumper bar) works really well. Bonus tip - the light mount is a handy place to zip tie an AirTag wrapped in a bit of old inner tube.

[HistoricalWeapons]

I ziptie a garage hanging rack and pad with leather on headtube. I use beater frames anyways

[daniellarson]

I guess I'll just keep my 30 year old Nashbar bag. It fits the handlebar with simple velcro straps.

[isaactrockman]

This came out literally the day I needed it! Thank you!!