Detours Handlebar Bicycle Bag

I'm a randonneur. I bought this in preparation for a 600km 40 hour ride last weekend. The unit was stable and useful to me.The handlebar mount is quite good. It doesn't sag. It provides quick-release convenience, e.g., for removing the bag when locking up. It moves the rearward edge of the bag far enough forward that a computer and bell easily fit behind it. A large computer (GPS with onscreen map?) would be too big.For my purpose the lack of sag, not only in the mount, but in the bag material itself, was very important: I use a B&M Lumotec IQ Fly (dynamo headlight). The bag mustn't sag into the headlight beam, and this one doesn't, even loaded moderately.The plastic map sleeve is just fine. I haven't tried it in really wet weather yet, but I think it will do well.Overall I think the materials are fine. It's all rot-resistant synthetic. It has some nice reflective accents which I appreciate.A surprising negative: the bag opens in front. This is stupid. I didn't even notice when I ordered it. It makes the bag a lot less useful while riding. Basically I have to stop to open the main compartment. In a group ride setting stopping is not an option; I have to plan what goes in the little side pockets (or jersey pockets) with greater care.Another surprising negative: the side pocket closures are too busy. The little elastic cord ends and the plastic cord locks get tangled up with my thumbs when riding on the hoods. I have a fairly wide road handlebar (420mm c-c) and it is tedious. A narrower bar and it would be worse. With flat bars it would not be a problem.

Having owned the predecessor version, I can't overstate how disappointing this one is in comparison. Detours changed from an easy to zip oval shape to a rectangle; it is difficult to get the zipper around the corners and then to make matters worse, they covered the zipper with an unnecessary flap. They also got rid of the easy-to-see and easy-to-pull orange zipper pulls and replaced them with useless nylon tabs that are hard to see and almost too small to grip. Even the key fob is harder to use. The water bottle holders on the side are almost unusable because they are too small for all but the teensiest bottles and the floppy material and the poorly-placed buckles make it almost impossible to put the bottle back in. The bag's interior capacity is also smaller than its predecessor. Plan on using a knapsack, too, because you can carry very little in this. The release mechanism works smoother than in the old version, but replacing the bag is trickier (especially in dim light), so that's a wash. I beg Detours to start making the old version again, but make it even better with usable bottle holders!

This is a big bag and holds quite a bit of stuff but that is probably also its downfall. The bag sags pretty bad when loaded. I returned it.

Light weight, well made stable bracket connection that hasn't vibrated loose like many other bike accessories and easy quick disconnect.