Lightweight and waterproof, the Topeak BarLoader is easy to fit, has an impressively rugged build and keeps all your valuable gadgets/dry clothes/best biscuits safe yet easily accessible.
Usefully, this 6.5 litre bar bag is designed to work either on its own, or alongside the Topeak's 8L FrontLoader bag. Consequently it either straps to the bar directly with simple Velcro straps, or onto the larger bag with longer straps.
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It's made from a super-tough, sonically-welded and waterproof TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane to its friends), with a roll-top closure for maximum weather protection. Inside, there's a simple main compartment with front and rear zipped mesh pockets.
You also get a removable shoulder strap, which proves very handy for longer stops. In fact this, coupled with how easy it is to get on and off the bar, swiftly made it a favourite option.
Incredibly easy to fit and remove, the bag will fit most frame sizes – even those with little clearance between bars and front wheel. It's also easy to adjust so it's stable and secure, with no bumping around, while the zipped mesh pockets are handy for keys, phones and the like.
It's light and tough, and holds just the right amount of stuff (jacket, warm gloves, snacks and so on) to be genuinely useful for winter rides, both solo or as part of a broader touring set-up.
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With its soft and pared-down build, the BarLoader stands out in a crowded field of rugged box-type bags such as the BTR Water Resistant Handlebar Bike Bag with Phone Navigation Pocket, though at only 3L it barely has room inside for its own name. Then again little does, and the BTR WRHBBWPHP is only £14.99 (it's pronounced Warhub-wuhfoop. Yes it is).
At £54.99 the BarLoader is cheaper than the similarly-sized and also weatherproof Ortlieb Ultimate6 S Plus Waterproof Handlebar Bag (£75), though, but also less structured than the standalone Ortlieb. The BarLoader is lighter and more versatile, however, and arguably better value for money.
Overall
The Topeak is simple, light, well made, reassuringly waterproof and rugged, and very versatile. It also doesn't block bar space for your other stuff, such as GPS or lights, provided you don't overstuff it.
It's a well-built, rugged, light and versatile bit of kit, with a build that promises to last years.
Verdict
Well made, well designed and versatile bag that's lovely to use
Make and model: Topeak BarLoader
Tell us what the product is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
Topeak says: "A quick mount handlebar drybag that can be used alone or mounted as an accessory bag atop our FrontLoader bag system."
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
CAPACITY
6.5 L / 395 ci
MATERIAL
TPU
BAG ATTACHMENT
Quick release buckles and hook and loop fastener
MAX LOAD CAPACITY
3 kg / 6.61 lb
ADDED FEATURES
Inner bag, Reflective printing, Shoulder strap
SIZE
31 x 25.8 x 8.9 cm / 12.2' x 10.2' x 3.5'
WEIGHT
325 g / 11.46 oz (w/ inner bag)
Rate the product for quality of construction:
9/10
Rate the product for performance:
9/10
Did just what it was supposed to do, and did it well.
Rate the product for durability:
10/10
Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
8/10
Very light thanks to a simple design.
Rate the product for value:
5/10
Well-made, rugged and versatile enough to earn its price.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Very well. Easy and fast to fit and remove, and very practical.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Easy to fit and remove, rugged waterproof build, versatility as a stand alone bag or together with a larger bag.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Nothing really.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
With its soft and pared-down build, the BarLoader stands out in a crowded field of rugged box-type bags such as the BTR Water Resistant Handlebar Bike Bag with Phone Navigation Pocket, though at 3L it barely has room for its own name. Then again little does.
At £54.99 the BarLoader is cheaper than the similarly-sized and also weatherproof Ortlieb Ultimate6 S Plus Waterproof Handlebar Bag (£75), but also less structured than the standalone Ortlieb. The BarLoader is lighter and more versatile, however, and arguably better value for money.
Did you enjoy using the product? It swiftly became a favourite
Would you consider buying the product? Definitely
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
This well made, tough and waterproof bag is easy to use, a great size and is super versatile. The shoulder strap makes it spot on for cafe stops, too – it's an easy nine.
Age: 48 Height: 1.65m Weight: 77kg
I usually ride: Liv Invite My best bike is: Specialized Ruby Elite
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, sportives, general fitness riding, mtb,
The greatest TV theme tune of all time, Channel 4 TdF highlights in 1980s. Composed by Pete Shelley, of Buzzcocks
Not in some dialects of English, eg Scottish. But it's a glide in most forms of English
It's the little round thing on the side of the shears, it has a prong in the middle.
Probably had 35s also but the combination of 28 M+ (with tube) and the random wheels on the old tourer was often tear-inducing - and I (had) fairly...
BMW 1-Series crashes in Bournemouth town centre pub https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/24554262.bmw-1-series-crashes-bou...
Have a good night, Andy. Two nights at Street? Plans for Sunday?
Cybertruck
It's not like the BBC don't know what term to use when they think it matters not to imply that there's nobody to blame.
Is this with the same wheels etc? 3mph seems wild to me when manufacturers are talking about a handful of watts at best.
Brought to you by Logan's Run? Or Brave New World (for a few extra years)?