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Novara Deluxe Handlebar Bag

Novara Deluxe Handlebar Bag

Item # 733832
!
This item is currently sold out or unavailable online.

For your reference, this page contains historical product information.

This highly water-resistant handlebar bag is topped with a clear window to keep your route map in view and features an easy clip-on mounting system.

  • Waterproof zipper on main compartment and front pocket combined with sturdy, treated nylon fabric help keep contents dry
  • Sturdy, clip-on mounting system makes the bag easy to attach/remove from handlebars
  • Pleated mesh side pockets hold energy snacks and other small items within easy reach
  • Internal mesh pocket separates items in main compartment for easy access; outer pocket holds small items
  • Fits all standard handlebars from 22-26mm
  • For handlebars that are 31.8mm diameter, you'll need two of the retrofit clamps for the handlebar adapter, sold separately

Imported.

Item 733832

Novara Deluxe Handlebar Bag Specs

Specification

Description

Dimensions9.5 x 8.5 x 5 inches
Volume350 cubic inches
Average weight21 ounces
MaterialBallistic nylon

Novara Deluxe Handlebar Bag Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Novara Deluxe Handlebar Bag
 
1.8

(based on 8 reviews)

25%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

    Cons

      Best Uses

        • Reviewer Profile:
        • Avid cyclist (4)
        • Primary use:
        • Personal (4)

        Reviewed by 8 customers

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        Displaying reviews 1-8

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        May

        9

        2008

        (5 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

         
        1.0

        Doesn't fit larger bars

        By SkiBikePaddle

        from Layton, UT

        About Me Avid cyclist

        Site Member

        Pros

        • None

        Cons

        • Doesn't fit handlebar

        Best Uses

        • Commuting

        Comments about Novara Deluxe Handlebar Bag:

        Doesn't fit larger diameter handlebars without the very expensive ([$]/pair) adapters making it one of the more expensive packs. I returned it instead of spending the extra money. They need to list the sizes it fits.

        • Primary use:
        • Personal

        Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

        (5 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

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        May

        2

        2008

        (5 of 6 customers found this review helpful)

         
        1.0

        They should be ashamed of themselves

        By mislead

        from san jose

        About Me Office Professional

        Pros

        • Adjustable

        Cons

        • needs extras

        Best Uses

        • NONE

        Comments about Novara Deluxe Handlebar Bag:

        doesnt come with clips that you need to mount - need to buy two clips that are very expensive (about 25% of the cost of the non-sale amount)

        • Primary use:
        • Personal

        Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

        (5 of 6 customers found this review helpful)

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        Mar

        4

        2008

        (5 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

         
        1.0

        Not a good product

        By Jonnysny

        from Fremont, CA

        About Me Student

        Site Member

        Pros

        • Adjustable

        Cons

        • Too Small
        • Wears Easily

        Best Uses

        • Touring

        Comments about Novara Deluxe Handlebar Bag:

        I used this for a bike trip across Europe and was disappointed. This bag is definitely not waterproof, especially the front compartment. The map window is also not waterproof, as water will soak in from the other parts of the bag. Spend the extra money and get a better bag.

        • Primary use:
        • Personal

        Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

        (5 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

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        Oct

        9

        2008

        (4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

         
        1.0

        Prime example of how newer isn't better!

        By Cyclocross

        from Seattle, WA

        Pros

          Cons

          • Too Small
          • Unstable

          Best Uses

            Comments about Novara Deluxe Handlebar Bag:

            This is a prime example of how a newer product is wildly inferior to an older product. Some background: I bought this bag for us in brevets. Brevets are long distance (usually 100+ miles) rides against the clock. They're not races since you're not competing against other people but rather against a predetermined cut-off time. Think of it as speed touring.

            Since time is of the essence you don't want to have to stop every time you want a snack or need to add/remove a layer of clothing. You also need to have a place to keep a map handy since the courses are not marked and you're only provided a cue sheet to follow. Bottom line: you really do need a good front bag.

            The standard bag for decades was made a French company and is more or less still made by a different company in France and a couple of companies in Japan. They're not easy to find in the US. They're made from canvas and rely on simply closures that use a metal hook and an elastic loop. Compared to the REI bag they look distinctly old school - right up there with non-aero brake levers, down tube shift levers, and clip and strap pedals.

            I couldn't afford a French or Japanese bag so I got the REI bag which was less than half the price. Installation was a snap. That's about the only good thing I can say.

            Let's start with the issues:
            1) The bag attaches to the handlebar. Traditional front bags mount on small racks. This is done to help keep the weight down low. Putting the bag up high on the bars makes it easier compromises the handling of your bike. I found it almost impossible to ride no-hands at moderate speeds (15-17mph). Putting the bag on the bars also means having to find another place to put your lights (which are required as brevets are so long you're often riding in the dark).

            2) The material. The nylon isn't waterproof. I found this out the hard way during a 125 mile ride in the rain.

            3) Zippers. Despite not being waterproof they decided to include waterproof zippers. These zippers are extremely difficult to open while riding. This pretty much removes the convenience of having a front bag. On the older bags the bag was covered by a simple flap that was held shut by a single loop of elastic material and a hook. Much easier to open and close while riding.

            4) Shape. The front pocket expands into the main compartment so it really doesn't add any room. Also the bottom is round so when it's off the bike it won't sit upright making it harder to get into.

            5) The map case is hard to access. Pulling out a map/cue sheet required stopping the bike. On traditional bags the map case simply a piece of clear plastic stitch on at the front and back but open on the sides. Not as waterproof but MUCH easier to get into while riding.

            Bottom line, this modern design isn't as functional or useful as the 50 year old design it tries to replace. I returned my bag to REI and wound up spending the big bucks for the Japanese bag and rack. Cost more but you do get what you pay for.

            • Gift:
            • No

            Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

            (4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

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            Dec

            30

            2007

            (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

             
            1.0

            Below average bag

            By azphil

            from Arizona

            About Me Avid Cyclist

            Site Member

            Pros

            • Easy onoff

            Cons

            • Front pouch
            • Map window
            • Price

            Best Uses

            • City Bikes
            • Commuting
            • Road Bikes

            Comments about Novara Deluxe Handlebar Bag:

            I shouldn't have wasted my REI dividend on this thing. To replace a map in the window you have to open the bag and then unzip the map window zipper and then hope the map comes out (or in) in one piece. The front pouch doesn't add any room at all. Put something in it and it makes the main compartment smaller as it doesn't expand. And the price.....much too expensive for what you get. The only redeeming quality this bag has is the mounting system. I ordered this online, seeing only the online photo and info. I do use it but could have done a lot better for the money.

            • Primary use:
            • Personal

            Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

            (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

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            Sep

            12

            2007

            (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

             
            3.0

            Maybe for tourers

            By gearjunky

            from Orange County, CA

            About Me Casual/ Recreational

            Site Member

            Pros

            • Durable
            • Versatile

            Cons

            • Bulk

            Best Uses

            • City Biking

            Comments about Novara Deluxe Handlebar Bag:

            It's convenient to be able to pull stuff out from in front of you and it has a deep pocket. But it's a huge air drag and takes up your entire handlebar front and then some.

            You would need to mount a light on your helmet while using this.

            The attachment kit is awkward to mount and doesn't fit all handlebars. Even some standard ones, so make sure you check out mountability too.

            Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

            (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

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            Dec

            6

            2007

            (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

             
            3.0

            Not Waterproof

            By colovelo

            from Denver, CO

            About Me Avid Cyclist

            Site Member

            Pros

            • Lots of Storage

            Cons

            • Not Waterproof

            Best Uses

            • City Bikes
            • Touring

            Comments about Novara Deluxe Handlebar Bag:

            This bag held up pretty well over seven weeks and 3000 miles. However, it is not waterproof and items (especially those in the small front pocket) would get wet in the rain. I'll buy a completely waterproof bag (an Ortlieb, perhaps) for my next tour. The bag also started to sag a little under the weight of its contents, but the mounting hardware and the bag held up fine for the most part.

            If you don't ride in the rain, this bag should work fine for you.

            Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

            (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

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            Sep

            28

            2007

            (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

             
            3.0

            A mixed bag

            By adriennec

            from Beaverton, OR

            About Me Avid Cyclist

            Site Member

            Pros

            • Handy for easy access
            • Lightweight

            Cons

            • Blocks headlights
            • Can be noisy
            • Map holder unhandy

            Best Uses

            • City Biking
            • Road Biking

            Comments about Novara Deluxe Handlebar Bag:

            I like using this to keep items handy on short trips. However, I find the map holder to be a bit small, and getting the map into it is awkward. For a long trip, I attached a home-made map/cue sheet holder to the bag, and that worked better for me.

            Can squeak on rough roads.

            It blocks my bike lights, unfortunately. There's a place on the front where a light could be attached, but while a taillight fits there, I can't find any white lights that do.

            Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

            (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

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