Customer Reviews

Schwinn Bicycle Handlebar Bag

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Wonderfully roomy bag (Schwinn doesn't give dimensions but I'm guessing 600-700 cubic inches or more ?) MUCH roomier & thus more usefully designed than most higher-priced bags, but alas, cheaply stitched & made. Made- in- China build quality; doesn't look like it will support a lot of weight; stitching at key points probably won't last for long if you try. So this won't hold up as a long-haul bicycle-camping/touring bag or heavy duty grocery-hauling accessory. But for Sunday daytripping around the 'burbs or park bike paths, this should accommodate bulky but lightweight items( rainjacket, gloves, and some LIGHTWEIGHT snacks,etc) & you might be pleased with this high-volume bargain bag. Fabric looks mildly water resistant but looks like it would get pretty soggy in any prolonged downpour. Detaches from handlebars to serve as (usefully roomy, again) shoulder bag with included clip-on strap. Nicely designed slide-in clear map case insert on top (sewn in, not detachable).

Problem is with the ill-designed three velcro attachment straps: they are badly mis-positioned so that the bag sags forward and down, unsupported and surprisingly low-- and because there's no integral frame, the bag comes to rest with its weight resting directly on the front tire itself in the case of both my two bikes (both my standard mountain bike with horizontal handlebars and my standard 'road' 10-speed bike with standard dropdown handlebars). The only style handlebars that this bag might hang correctly with as-is might be an older style 3-speed, what is now being marketed as a 'suburban cruiser', with VERY HIGH, curved-horizontal wide handlebars (high being key). Odd design, don't know why Schwinn OK'ed this strap placement, or maybe it fits some type common in China, where it's made and, for all I know, designed as well. Another American company that seems to have become just a nostalgia-marketing-brand for Chinese products.
If you want to adapt this bag to fit the handlebars found on 90% of American bikes today, you'll probably have to detach and re-sew the straps to the correct height for your bike. You may also want to reinforce them (they're sewn onto the one-layer-thin outer bag fabric only) with do-it-yourself rivets. And if you have (or are willing to add) a front rack for your front wheel, the bag can rest on that & problem solved. If not....
For the low price, and the outstanding roominess, and if you crave a little project, you might adapt this bag to work fine for you. But don't expect it to fit most normal USA bike handlebars right out of the Amazon box without alterations. And without a front wheel rack to take the load, don't expect that large capacity to translate into carrying much weight.

To be honest, I didn't expect the bag to be so huge. The good thing is that one may fit almost everything in - the cell phones, tools, wallets, a couple of bottles, what have you. The not-so-good thing is that it hangs quite awkwardly if placed on the frontal rail, where it's supposed to hang, and may obstruct reflectors and/or lights installed on your bike.

The bag is nicely sealed from the weather, and has a transparent pocket on top (for maps, I presume?) which you are unlikely to use on the go anyway.

They should add some kind of straps or an outline zipper to be able to collapse the bag into a tighter shape if necessary and to expand it to full capacity when needed.

This handlebar bag is the perfect size to supplement my mountain rack bag when I don't want to expand to a full panier. Unfortunately, the zipper on the bag is of very poor quality. It has broken twice in a few weeks - in two different ways. Immediately the zipper started opening up at the reverse end, and now recently the zipper pull-tab snapped off. Too bad - it would have been a nice sized handlebar bag.

This is the ideal paid for my Trek Lime bike, which could be considered a cruiser bike. The Velcro straps make it easy to remove when I put my bike on my car bike rack. It lasted 3 years before the bag ripped, probably because I commonly carry several heavy library books once a week. I'm now ordering a replacement.

The first one I received had a broken zipper. But Amazon quickly replaced it and paid for the original to be shipped back. This is perfect for me to carry any purse type items when I ride my bike. It also has a clear upper pocket for a map or in my case a gps ride tracker that tells me how fast and far I am going as well as providing Google maps. This was well worth the price!

I was really looking forward to getting this bag, but it is too large for my needs. It would be good if I wanted to stuff a couple of bottles, full lunch, books, or a fleece jacket inside, but I ride on bike trails for exercise and was only looking for something to hold my phone, keys, and maybe a snack. I read the reviews that it hangs low and I can see why, it is too large. I was so interested in the clear flap on top so I could use my bike app on my smart phone and track my miles, etc., but it is really meant for a folded map. If it was half the size I would be using it right now, but instead I am going to return it. bummer.

This bag is a great bag for carrying most of what you mmight need for a bike trip. There is plenty of space in it and it is well constructed. The bag sits well on the handle bars without drooping downward like so many other bags do.