I can't use the shifters, the cables get in the way and because this one's got canti brakes I can't tie on to the steerer and the whole pack wants to drop onto the front wheel. Fail.
Haven't flat bars got the same cabling problems? And newer brifters rite everything out the back but you're still stuck with the width.
Just wanted to let up the front of the bike like I see in a lot of posts on here.
by Ok-Bank2365
13 Comments
Yes it often gets complex. And to make them work, sometimes the bar bag needs a mounted holder, which is weight and busyness on the bars.
Your shifters are pretty unusual in how the cables come out. Most drop bar shifters allow the cables to be run under the bar tape so this isn’t an issue.
You can get a small rack that goes under the bag to keep it off your wheel, etc. Such as [this.](https://builtbyswift.com/products/carradice-bagman-universal-bar-rack)
Most drop bar bikepacking bikes are modern gravel bikes with much wider bars which also have more flared drops
My shifters are internally routed through the headset so there is no visible cables up front.
On my flatbar bike I left all the cables long and just push them in towards the frame
I solved my cable issue with this slick rack (link below) that keeps the bag from interfering in cables and rubbing the wheel by pushing it up and out. It’s a brilliant solution that looks good too. It won’t solve the problem with width of the bag interfering with shifters though. The only solution for that I think would be either wider bars or a smaller bag.
https://haute.bike/products/twisted-t-bar-2-0
Edit: thought I’d add that I’m using Salsa Cowchipper bars that come in widths ranging from normal to absurd. I went middle of the road and find they’re incredibly comfortable on and off road.
Yeah, the cantis make it pretty hard to have a bag attached to handlebar/headtube
I can’t even figure out how you’re trying to do this.
You either have things upside down or the foam spacers are on the wrong straps.
The top straps should be secured to the handlebar, one each side of the stem, using the foam pads as standoffs to provide some space between the bag and the bars so the cables have some room. Not quite sure how this is going to work with those old side-exit levers.
You’ll also have to reduce the length of the bag so it doesn’t fill all the space between the drops and there’s room to operate the brifters.
Bags like this really aren’t designed to work with such old controls/cables, so you’ll have to get very creative.
Maybe find some slightly more modern brifters that route all of the cables under the bar tape? That tape looks like it’s ready to be replaced anyway.
I have seen people use V brake 90deg bends to run these shifter cables in a tight angle and then under the bar tape.
When I had a canti lever brake i put one of the foam spacers between the exposed brake cable and the head tube and a second foam piece on the handle bar bag webbing.
Get shifters that have integrated cables
I bought the ortilieb QR bc I had the same problem with the first bag I bought just like yours. The ortilieb QR is a tad bit narrower so I can shift much easier. I found that the style you bought is better suited for flat bars, so I put it on the mountain bike.
I used a large compression bag and pulled it skinny with a big diameter. Not perfect, but I managed to carry a tent and sleeping bag between 40cm randonneering drops.
yeah it’s tough … i have unusual long brake and shifter tubes too… not a nice look but i need handlebar space haha
My cables aren’t quite routed the same but this is how I mount my handlebar bag with front canti brake. You’ll probably need to roll the edges extra to make it fit between the bars without rubbing. I DIY’d a decaleur for $5 with a thin steel rod and thin vinyl tubbing to prevent damage to the bag or other components. Works great.
Edit: not sure why my pic isn’t attaching but can DM if u wanna see how it works
I would mount the bag as tight under the stem as possible. Then the cables can still run where they are over the top of the bag. Still you may end up with problems shifting or tight brakes if the bag causes the cables to stretch.
I had a similar problem as i had ultegra shifters from 2003 on my first setup. Ultimately, i purchased new brifters that clean up the cable routing. The next generation has them routed along the handlebar, so you can find them for a good price as NOS at this point.