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There seem to be a lot of bar extensions like this one
around on amazon/ebay, but I'm looking for one that can have a decent-sized bar bag strapped to it for bikepacking, rather than just garmins/lights. I suspect these cheap ones will either not be able to be clamped tight enough to prevent rotation, or will disintegrate pretty quickly in use.
Ideally to recreate this kind of harness set-up.
https://rockgeist.com/product/barjam/
Anyone got any ideas for something which will be robust enough?
I've got one very similar to the Amazon one. I've only trial fitted it but it seems like it would be strong enough to strap a dry bag to but I don't know how long the clamps would last.
These look strong https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/accessory-fitting-brackets/?brand=thorn
I've got/used a couple of different ones off ebay/amazon/wish, no problems with durability but I don't think they would take the weight of a bike packing bag. There's one on my OH's e-bike to hold a small bar bag as there's no bar space but that's only got things like a lock, camera, purse, tube, tools, etc in it.
Get one that doesn't need shims for whatever bar diameter you have, the shimmed one always slipped.
I got the idea from here http://coastkid.blogspot.com/2010/07/packed-to-go.html
Sadly I don't have the steerer room to mount the SJS ones. The ones on that Barjam harness don't look that much more sturdy than the amazon ones, but it's hard to see from their photos.
They do look the same, as does the one I got from Ebay for £6.49, I won't be hanging more than a couple of Kgs off mine so I'm willing to give it a try.
Depending on the bag you could use this https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Rixen-Kaul-KLICKfix-Multi-Clip-Plus_44103.htm which offers extra bar space when used with a bar bar that uses the klick fix mount (I have one and use an Altura bar bag) - the above link is only the bar bar extender bit not bar bag mount (this normally comes with the bar bag)
I have found the Klick Fix system works very well when correctly installed. Depends on what your needs are but it might be an option for you.
Cheers everyone - will probably give a cheapo one a spin to see how strong it is.
The Klick Fix system works well. I've used it to make an improved mount for a Decathlon bar bag which only had velcro straps. You can buy the bag plates separately and attach them to your luggage. You do need some rigidity in the bag you are attaching, so it wouldn't work too well for a soft bag.
The other option would be a cheap set of clip on tri bars. I've seen a lot of people hanging bags off those.
There's also various loop bars (risers, drops and swept Jones style ) which actually weigh less than a lot of luggage options, then just strap a ~7l on top and underneath.
There’s also various loop bars
This is my preferred solution. Bought Jones loops to try the hand position - didn't really like it, but loved the ability to strap a dry bag to it with just some straps, so replaced it with an Alpkit Confucius looped flat bar.
Following this thread because I'm interested in something like this to raise a pair of aerobars for comfort rather than aero gainz. Would obviously need to be pretty strong though. Those Thorn things look interesting, if you've got enough steerer.
The widget in the page you link to is the Acor bar extension. I've got a couple, they're sturdy enough, though I've not used them for hanging significant weight.
I've used the Klickfix solution above, attaching a dedicated plate to a dry bag. Works nicely enough but as noted above you probably want some sort of stiffener in the bag if you want it to be durable. You could probably fashion one from some sort of large plastic bottle or suchlike.
On the stoker stem on the tandem I've used an old-design Minoura Space Grip hanging down from the stem to help support a bag. So the bag attaches to the bar as normal but the Minoura stops it swinging backwards and allows it to be anchored more firmly.
i've done the same as Bez, using a bar-extension positioned straight down to help support a handlebar bag and stop it flapping about against cables and stuff, seems to work well although i had to immediately replace the bolts as they were made of the softest cheese
salsa anything cradle...
Well, cheapy Amazon job was a straight fail.
Looked promising, and claimed to be rated to carry 5K, but the hinge at the back of bar clamp was just a machined slot, and it popped open before the bar was tightened enough not to move under weight. Might just about manage lights and a phone holder.
Sorry, but I have to ask... why do (you think) you need one of these anyway?
I tend to run a decent-sized drybag on the bars and it's hard to stop the cables rubbing each other. I have a bit of a rats nest out front because I have a fork/shock remote and dropper as well. Plus it means I can mount light/phone on the actual bar.