Racks/Bags

UD Racks for (almost) every bike

Handlebar bags are one of the best places to carry luggage on your bike. Right in front of you, the contents are easy to reach. A handlebar bag doesn't increase your frontal area, so it's aero, and it doesn't get caught on obstacles when you ride through tight spaces. Handlebar...

Rene Herse Handlebar Bag Stiffener

Small things can make a big difference, especially on long rides. With handlebar bags, it's important that they don't flop around as you ride. That is why they are supported by a rack at the bottom. At the top, keeping the bag from moving from side to side is helpful...

Using Handlebar Bags on Modern Bikepacking Bikes

Bikepacking is popular because it allows you to go places where bikes with panniers face difficulties. Bikepacking bags are inside the outline of the bike, so you can go anywhere an "empty" bike can go. Pushing the bike is easier, too, when there are no bags hanging off the sides. The only problem...

Compass "Hirose Design" Decaleurs

Compass is proud to introduce what we consider the ultimate decaleur. Combining the ideas of René Herse and H. Hirose with Nitto's craftsmanship, the new Compass decaleurs are strong, light, beautiful and reliable. Here is why decaleurs are important: We love handlebar bags. They are a great way to carry the things you...

Compass UD-1 Rack

The new Compass UD-1 front rack is a "universal" rack intended for bikes where our other racks don't fit. It's an especially good choice for bikes with disc brakes. Like all our racks, it is made by Nitto in Japan to Compass specifications. At 221 g, it's remarkably light for an adjustable...

A Better Way to Mount Lights

Small parts often get overlooked, but they can make a big difference in your cycling experience. Take light mounts, for example. Adjusting the angle of your headlight beam is useful: In town, you want to angle the headlight low so it doesn't blind oncoming traffic. Out in the mountains, you need a higher...

Compass Racks: Light Mount Optional

We love handlebar bags. They are easy to access, they don't affect the bike's handling when you ride out of the saddle, and they are more aerodynamic than rear bags. (Yes, we did test that in the wind tunnel!) To take a photo, you stop, put a foot down and get out...

Improving the "Unimprovable"

A few years ago, I called the Gilles Berthoud handlebar bags "unimprovable". After all, they are lightweight, waterproof and last (almost) forever. The elastic closures are easy to operate (unlike buckles), and they allow overstuffing the main compartment and pockets. And being made from canvas and leather, the bags also are...

Unimprovable: Berthoud Handlebar Bag

Berthoud handlebar bags are among the few things in this world that are so well-designed and have proven themselves for so long that they have become unimprovable. These bags first were introduced by Sologne in the 1950s, and they have been made almost unchanged ever since. Handlebar bags have many...

Handlebar Bags: Which Size for Your Bike?

What size handlebar bag is best for you and your bike? Basically, the bag should fill the space between the front rack and the stem. To optimize the bike's handling, the bag should be as low as possible, and well-supported on a rack just above the front wheel/fender. At the...