Are you after a handlebar harness to house a dry bag? They are a trendy solution for handlebar bar bag storage. In an earlier blog post, I wrote about some of the best bikepacking handlebar bags. Some of the options did include a complete system, including some of the handlebar harnesses included in this article. If you are looking for a complete handlebar bar system for bikepacking I would suggest starting there.
These harnesses are just a part of a fully functional bikepacking handlebar bag system. It may work out more cost-effective to buy the complete system that these handlebar harnesses and mounts are a part of. I have not broken down the costs to see if it would be cheaper but worth looking into first.
You will also need something like a dry bag. And some of the better complete systems have accessory packs that sit on top. If you are after a budget solution there are some cheaper harness options in the list below. Combined that with something like a Sea To Summit dry bag and you have yourself a reasonable handlebar bag option for your bikepacking adventures.
If you are still looking for gear for your first bikepacking trip and still looking for a tent. You could even ditch the idea of handlebar harnesses completely. And opt for a bikepacking tent that includes a dry pack designed to mount directly to the handlebars.
However, there are many benefits to choosing a handlebar harness for your bikepacking setup. As it broadens the carrying utility of your setup. With my handlebar harness for example that comes with a dry bag, I can also use the harness to carry a rolled-up sleeping pad and tripod, thanks to the harness’s adjustability.
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Handlebar Harness Drop Bars?
Yes, most harness and dry bag systems are compatible with drop bars. The only thing to keep in mind is that you are limited to the size of the dry bag. The length of the bag is limited to fit within the space of your handlebar hoods. If you are running flat bars you can have a huge dry bag if you wish, there is no limit.
Also, most handlebar harness mounts are only really compatible with disk or V brakes only. And are generally not compatible with cantilever or road-style front brakes with a vertical exposed cable.
How Do They Mount To The Handlebars?
Generally, they have two tightening straps that fix to even positions on the flat part of drop bars or the flat handlebars directly. Along with a stabilizing strap that often will fix around the front of the head tube or under the crown of the fork. Some harnesses offer extra pads for mounting the harness off the bike to prevent the weight from the bags rubbing or bending cables.
Some handlebar harnesses don’t come with rubber spacer blocks to distance the mount from your handlebars to prevent rubbing against cables. You could get around this by getting a handlebar extender, which attaches to the handlebars directly and gives you a flat platform extended from your handlebars to attach the harness to.
This system for handlebar storage while bikepacking is very cost-effective. You can pick up some quality handlebar harnesses for reasonable prices, when combined with a good value dry bag you have yourself a decent handlebar bag. You can also use these harnesses as a way to carry a packraft if you are going bikerafting
But let’s dive into some of the best bikepacking handlebar harnesses. At least one bikepacker I know uses a harness on this list and personally recommends them to others. While there are a couple and one popular harness, the Revelate Designs Handlebar Harness that is a top choice for many bikepackers. I also share my favorite handlebar harness.
- Oveja Negra Front End Loader Bag Mount
- Restrap Handlebar Holister
- Revelate Designs Handlebar Harness
- Rockgeist Barjam Harness
- Alpkit Joey
- Alpkit Kanga Harness
- Salsa Anything Cradle
- Outpost Elite Handlebar Roll
- Wildcat Lion Harness
- Topeak Frontloader
- Specialized Burra Burra Handlebar Stabiliser Harness
- Bike Bag Dude Harness
- Choike Bags Handlebar Harness
- XTOURING Handlebar Harness
Oveja Negra Front End Loader Bag Mount
This handlebar mount allows for many option for you to run what ever dry bag you wish. While also working with Oveja Negra’s ‘Lunchbox’ handlebar bag. Fitting 8 to 20 L dry bags. Simple attachment points offset from bars. The weight is 6.8 oz or 193 grams. And is 11 inches or 28 cm wide. Priced at $50.00
Restrap Handlebar Holister
This is my personal Handlebar Harness of choice. It comes with 17L dry bag and pouch bag. Which is great for storing easy to access small items. It has served me very well, been on multi across country adventures and never had any issues.
The 2 foam spacers provided for either side of the attachment point to the handlebars provides enough room for your to ride the drops without any issues. Huge volume of up to 17L is amazing for those longer adventures. However I have occasionally had some issues with the dry bag slipping out of place if not properly secured.
I love using this harness without the dry bag and like I previously mentioned use it to store a rolled up sleeping pad and tripod.
Revelate Designs Handlebar Harness
Okay so this handlebar harness from Revelate is the most popular option I was talking about. When it comes to other bikepackers the majority of the people I asked said they used this harness and highly recommend it for others. This harness is a semi-rigid mount designed to carry drybags, packrafts, stuff sacks and other cylindrical shaped objects. The mount features molded rubber spacer blocks provide offset from handlebars reducing lever & cable interference. It is 15 oz or 425 grams and can hold up to 20L dry bags.
Rockgeist Barjam Harness
The Barjam is a different style of system, in terms of what the harness includes and how it is attached to the bike. Instead of using rubber blocks to distance the harness from the handlebars. You get a bolt-on bar (for 31.8 mm) handlebar extender, Voile straps, helicopter tape and of course the harness. This system is claimed to be the lightest, most secure bikepacking harness system that protects your brake, shifter, and dropper lines. At 7.8 oz (220 g) with 25″ Voile straps. Now this is not lighter then the Oveja but certainly looks more secure. Priced from $75.00
Alpkit Joey
Alpkit offer a couple handlebar harness options. This Joey is a much cheaper option thus not the better out of the two. However it is a lightweight handlebar harness at only 65 grams. Adding some stability it is ideal for weekender adventures. Priced at only $11.99
Alpkit Kanga Harness
If you are ofter something a bit more secure and more suited to longer adventures that are more demanding. This Kanga harness offers greater security with tough flexible fibreglass stays. Weighing in at 230 grams and $59.99
Salsa Anything Cradle
The Anything Cradle is another uniquely designed mounting system for handlebar storage. Salsa claim this design to be a superior bikepacking solution to the dry bag and strap or handlebar rolls that folks have been accepting for years. The design allows for the Cradle to sit away from your handlebars allowing room for cables. Weighing 420 grams with hardware, maximum load weight is 8 lb (3.7 kg).
Outpost Elite Handlebar Roll (Harness & Dry Bag)
This Outpost Elite system is only available from what I could find in the complete set. You cannot buy the harness separately. But it is another option that some bikepackers use. Weighing in at 795 grams and a max 14L storage capacity. Priced at $175 (for the complete system) which includes harness and dry bag.
Wildcat Lion Harness
Back in 2011 Wildcat launched their handlebar harness, designed to secure your dry bag to the front of the bike. They brand owners took a step back after raising their family. And are making a relaunch into a v2.0 of their gear. The new product range is being developed through the Summer with a view to relaunch with new products and website in the second half of 2019. So watch this space!
Topeak Frontloader
Another complete system like the Blackburn handlebar bag. Again not sure if the harness is sold separately. This system is ideal for carrying, light and bulky items like sleeping bags, camping gear and spare clothing. Easily installed and removed with its straps and quick release buckles while the supplied external strap holds additional gear for convenient access. 8 liter waterproof bag is included to keep contents completely dry and the bulit-in air release button draws air out from the bag to keep it compact. Priced at $84.95 and weighs in at a total 386 g / 13.61 oz
Specialized Burra Burra Handlebar Stabiliser Harness
Another unique handlebar harness design. Built to carry the Burra Burra Drypack, or other gear, up front on the bars without the threat of it bouncing, sagging, or coming loose when you’re miles from anywhere. Featuring a durable bar-mounted aluminum bracket for secure mounting. Weighing in at 318 grams and is 27 cm in length. Priced at $109.99
Bike Bag Dude Handlebar Sling
A handmade solution in Australia, Bike Bag Dude offers handlebar slings which are designed to hold your bar roll or dry bag on your handlebars with ease. Made with Closed-cell foam and VX21 with VELCRO Brand One-Wrap adjustable attachments. Can add Jones Bars or Baryak attachments if needed. Priced at $80.00
Choike Bags Handlebar Harness
If you are in Chile Choike Bags also make a handlebar bag option, that is popular with some bikepackers. Which is worth a look, prices I believe are very reasonable.
Woho X-TOURING Handlebar Harness
Lastly is the X Touring Handlebar Harness by Woho Bikes. In a really stylish black Camo design. It is also very affordable at only $28.91. weigh in at only 180 grams / 0.4 lb.
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