Long term reviews are great, your content always inspires me. Thank you for all your hard work Russ!

Getting some long term use out of a bag and then giving your honest thoughts on it is super helpful! We need more videos like this in the bike world rather than surface level "I unboxed this two seconds ago" reviews

I got one because of your OG review but it's a bit big as a front bag on my small frames. I found the more compact Piccolo (in Large) a better front bag for my bikes, holds plenty for my riding, and I don't have to worry about front tire rub or running a front rack. I use the Goldback with a small Mark's rack on the rear, and as a combo with the Piccolo is a great option for uber bike carry especially offroad. BxB bags are excellent quality - worth the money and the wait - and would also be the last bags I'd ever give up. Glad to hear yours has held up well.

I thought you were going to pick the Swift Industries Zeitgeist as the smaller (12 liter) option. I’m pleased with mine, very similar of course to the big bird.

My favourite bag is an Arkel seatpack. No wiggles or limp bag when empty since the bag slides over a slim rack attached to the seat rails. Even overstuffed the bag will NOT move an inch! Using now for about 6-7 years.

I used to use the bike packing bags and even custome frame bags. I switched to a carradice style bag a few months ago. It is so much more versatile and convenient to use

100% agree on this. I have a Goldback and a Picolo, the smaller version. The Picolo must have some of the Goldback upgrades. It's much easier to mount with the external dowel. It lives on a drop bar bike with less clearance. It's pretty big on it's own. The Goldback is just massive. Organizing cubes would be a smart tool to use. Things can move around on the slick plastic liner and I've found myself digging for things that should be easy to grab. I wouldn't get rid of either though. Jay has nailed these bags. Coupled with a Swood Bar they are near perfect.

I have been rolling with the Jandd Touring Handlebar bag - Guide edition since about 1998. It's spacious and, after I replaced the mounting system, bombproof.

It would be nice to see more of your paintings. Was nice to see you painting trail side with the bike.

It reminds me of the "old school" touring handlebar bags that were around through the late 80's (they even usually came with a quill stem rack for the bag). 100% on the flap top/lid. super nice to be able to just set stuff in that might be too delicate for stuffing (loaf of bread, eggs, plants...). Mine even had D-rings for a shoulder strap :) (it survived 25 years until mildew and incompatible stems killed it) Nice review!

I got a Ron’s bike Fabio’s chest and it’s prolly one of my favorite pieces of equipment now

My favorite is my custom Rogue Panda frame bag. Hawaiian-print of course (homage to you, Russ!). Almost a full frame bag but designed to allow an external water bottle on seat tube, hybrid mount that bolts to the downtube bottle bolts and straps to the top/head/seat tube, designed to accommodate my WalkyDog mast under the top tube upon reaching the trail, dog-poop bag dispenser at the nose of the bag, daisy-chain looping around the internal perimeter for strapping tool roll/WalkyDog, etc. (prevents chafing), internal pockets, easy zippers, and plenty of space for any day trip.

I went on a week long tour in Washington with two of those bags and had enough room to live comfortably. This bag works great for me.

The Goldback Niño (older "small" model) is easily my most used bag, in part b/c it fits my smaller frame bikes (46 - 49cm). I use it for everything from around-town errands to non-technical off-pavement riding, and coupled with full-sized Goldback, it makes for a perfect bikepacking setup. Really, a super versatile bag.

Swift Kestrel. It’s on one of my bikes at all times. Love being able to add additional attachments like the caddie in a matter of seconds.

I ride with one of Ron's Bikes bags, the Fabio Fanny. I can open it with one hand, keep my camera safe and it has a couple of interior pockets. What I really love about it is that the interior is a bright color so my stuff doesn't disappear into the black.

I've been using a Medium Goldback for almost the same amount of time and love it for all the reasons you've mentioned. As an aside, it also looks rad. I use it on the front of my MTB for adventure on rough terrain and use it on the rear of my steel tourer in conjunction with a Carradice Bagman for gravel or road adventures. \When used in the rear I use my other most used back in the front, which is my Wizard Works Basket Bag. It's been amazing at keeping water out and stays put really well - it's the most stable bag I've ever used, with zero wobble or sway or anything like that. Later this year I'm considering picking up a second Goldback in a custom fit for my bike.

My most-used bag is a tie between the Revelate Designs Tangle frame bag and the Tailfin 20 liter trunk bag that fits their rack. Both of them live on my main gravel/commuter bike. The trunk bag is a great tool for all weather commuting and the frame bag keeps all the stuff I need for repairs or weather in one place plus my phone. I also really like the Revelate Designs Mag Tank top tube bag but I ride a 52 and it hit my knees when I climbed while out of the saddle and made it awkward to sit on the top tube at lights. However, I putv the Mag tank on my mountain bike and it's great.

My fav is the swift industry zeitgeist (that I won on your channel/haiku contest) which replaced the smaller swift catalyst I used before. Zeitgeist carries my laptop/lunch/iPad/etc. for work commutes and is great for loading up for camping. I’ve never had any problems in the rain. It is a bit too big for my small frame so I’ve had some wear due to tire rub at the bottom. I use the swood bar, too.

Salsa Anything Cradle Top Load Kit is still the one for me. I find it's the perfect balance of functionality and waterproofness between lightweight sausage bag and heavier saddle bags. It's also narrow enough to fit both my drop and flat bar bikes, height adjustable to never rub on the front tire, won't crush your cables and hoses, and won't wear a hole in your headtube.

Framebag by Restrap - the large version. I keep it on my rando bike at all times. Plenty of space for "shorter (

Love the bag reviews. I use my Velo Orange Biggish bag by Road Runner the most. I run with a stabilizer and an etzy jack the bike rack knock off. Very similar to your BxB but no side pockets or dowls and probably 12L capacity instead of 18. Comes with a carry strap. Light colored interior. Gets regular use and is really holding up.

My most used bag is the Two Wheel Gear Garment Pannier Classic 2.1. Stores work clothes well without wrinkles when I commute to the office. Only thing I replaced is the locking system that latches on to the top rack. The ratchet system can get fidgety. Another jerry-rigged add-on was to add LED light strips along the side for better visibility during early morning and late night commutes.

I so appreciate your reviews on stuff like bags. I figure you’ve tried about all of them.

The Swift Paloma handlebar bag is my goto. Excellent construction and just the right size for nearly all my rides (it does need a Klickfix adapter but that's not a dealbreaker for me because it stays on just one bike).

Awesome long term review, this was very helpful. Great content as always, thank you!

Here, here! I had a similar bag made in Australia and it has been a complete success.

My favorite bag? Bagsxbird Goldback V1 Large. I have two of them and love them. So much more versatile than the stuffed sausage approach.

I love my Jack Supply Slugger and lil’ Slugger. But honestly my most used bags are Swift Zeitgeist (as saddlebags - I have 3 on 3 different bikes) and my Outershell Basket Bag.

dont like to add weight to my handle bars so my favorite bag is a stuff sack held by my 7R seat pack cradle. holds all my layers of clothing and water proof gear for random weather changes and long rides into the evening coldness

Another great vid. My favorite bag is any bag that Ortlieb makes. Thanks from Seattle

LOL an Okie Noodler. I just bit on a small Fabio's Chest (in waxed Cordura). It seems to have evolved a lot since you last reviewed it. I'm sure I'd be at least as happy with this one. However, the new magnetic flap-release was one thing that appealed to me. Having experienced plenty of polyurethane-backed tech fabrics that eventually disintegrated/delaminated, I'm attracted to newer and older technologies like ... wax. And whatever it is that Ortlieb uses now in their non-PVC bags. For the past few years, I've mostly enjoyed the totally unstructured 17 liters of a Fifth Season squall sack in a basket, which is super convenient if not quite as water resistant as I'd like. I think their canvas might be a bit on the thin side -- or I'm too rough on it in my commutes. There are new pinholes each season. Also, the roll-top design doesn't do as well unless it's full, as water will easily pool on the top and, I presume, more quickly soak through.

My only bag is a Swift Catalyst and I like it. Another bag I use is a cheap Walmart fanny pack, works for me

I love my BxB, BUT if it incorporated an easy access area for snacks and other things you need while on the bike, using a rando-type or mag lock closure, I think it would the the “one-bag-to-rule-them-all.” I tried using one of the side pockets to serve that purpose, but I find I have to keep the clip unlatched and getting in the pocket can be difficult, especially if you have full finger gloves on.

I use the similar Swift Zeitgeist and a couple years in very happy. Pro-tip to Zeitgeist users - I duct tapped a paint stir stick to the stiffener where the second dowel is on a bag like the one in the video. Hasn’t broke - served the same purpose!

I rock Swifts front Rando bag on the Velo Orange front rando rack with decalleur (for me) its ideal for commutes, advenrures, etc.

Tribulus Endover bag. Super light weight, holds a ton of stuff, and super stable, even without any support or rack.

Thanks for the shout Russ!

1. I absolutely agree that a sausage-shaped thing is no way to carry a bunch of things to which you want ready access. A Goldback or work-alike is obviously THE solution in such a case. 2. That said, if you are touring with a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, set of poles or other items that are themselves sausage-like, I see no need to spend the money and incur the weight of a handlebar bag. Reserve that mounting location for all your "sausages." To cure the stand-off problem, I'd recommend a BarYak rack. 3. While riding, one can access a small camera by keeping it in a cockpit-mounted "feed bag" product. A camera too big to fit in such a small bag is probably too expensive to risk dropping while riding. Instead, come to a stop, safely retrieve your big camera from some OTHER location on the bike and take pictures with your feet planted firmly on the ground. 4. As for being a weight weenie ... I can't see spending a fortune on ultra-light stuff made out of unobtainium. On the other hand, if you are setting out on a 1000-km, you can't afford NOT to pay attention to weight.

I’ve had a medium for about that long. Haven’t taken it off since I got it. It’s my favorite bag. 👍👍(Don’t tell Ron 😬)

Very small Carradice saddle bag on my Brompton xx Stay Safe !

After your review of the Jack Supply Co bag, I bought one and have been very happy with it. Question: what has been your experience with access to this bag and other top flap bags with your Gevenalle shifter cable? I have a Shimano Alfine 11 IGH with a drop bar shifter and the cable just right out of the side like the old Shimano style cable routing. This cable really gets in the way of the top flap. So much so, I'm working on moving over to a Wald Basket setup.

I bought an Acorn rando bag probably five years ago and it's still fantastic. I've had to replace the elastic a couple of times, and the clear top pocket deteriorated so badly I just ended up cutting it's off. That's my only real complaint.

Thanks for that review. Okie noodler was new for me and I had to look it up 😄. I grew up on a farm and using the sausage bag for the handlebar reminded me more of the days when the insemination tecnician came for the anual cow impregnation (Besamungstechniker). On short trips I put Carradice Nelson Bags on my bike and they work flawless for many ages. I put things that have to be protected from water in a lightweight dry sack or plastik bag and everything is safe and secure even if it rains a lot.

I have been using the Ortlieb Handlebar Pack QR on a Salsa Journeyman with drop bars and hate taking it on and off becasue of the pain getting the cord between all the cables so try to just leave it on and it has been OK but it is a tight fit on my standard bars and have wondered about getting wider bars and using a pack like you have. It was a good step up capacity wise from the Ortlieb Ultimate 6. I have been debating getting my bike a checkup at the shop and will ask about wider bars. I would like more capacity on the front.

my most used bag is the topeak mtx dxp. I'm not sure it gets better than that for commuting. slides on and off; easily fits my computer, leather folio, locks, and other accoutrement; and they make a rain cover for it. So yeah. Only downside is you need the special MTX track rear rack

My backpack. I'm considering switching to the Swift Zeitgeist handlebar bag

I have wanted one for eyars and thought i was on the mailing list way back when. I got a Zeitgeist and really like it, but couls use a little more space.

I like the wald basket bags, I think mine is from North St. Hold a lot, not as much as what you have there, not as versatile either. Have me rethinking it now...

What size BXB bag do you love. You have gotten me hooked and wanna get the correct size. I like how yours looks on you bike. Pedal on!

sold!

Even if you did have plenty of clearance, it seems you'd still want some kind of rack or support to keep it from flopping around, rubbing on the head tube, etc.

You should suggest that they do a Brompton bag - but that price is no undercut of Brompton.

my biggest pet peeve with these front bags is when they touch the front tire. I ride a very small frame (a 50-53) and I have yet to find one of these bags that don't need a front rack.

Okie noodler 😂🤣😂

Most used is a Ostrich Canvas Rando bag.

“DON’T BE DUMB” next PLP sticker nomination. With bike wheel graphic. I have been looking for not boxy, not flaccid, bag for my faux rando bike. This may be it. $240-280 is not unreasonable for a MUSA bag with those details and quality. Still 2X my monthly bike budget, but reasonable.

bags by bird gold back bags is a tongue twister

Most used bag? Whatever i have in my Wald basket, or a Porcelain Rocket Nigel on my non basket bikes.

Ever tried a Berthoud? Some similarities to yours, but timeless design, crafted perfection, and a range of sizes for most situations.

The external dow that can be named is not the eternal dow. (Taoist bike joke)

I tried googleing, but....what is an "oaky noodler"??😂

I only eat catfish caught with a hand. lol

Flaccid

One question I have for you is, say you didn't need to switch the bag between multiple bikes and it just lived on one. Would you want a rack to support this kind of bag?

Starting to feel that the minimalist bike packing bags are great for minimalist but watching the trend go to far with some attaching so much weight to outside the bags and weight is all high on bike frame. So weight high and swaying… Wish wisdom of weight low and keeping gear inside bags is supported and not just lashing everything on?????? Panniers are still a good choice for some????

That cap is delish.