In 2023, I spent over 8 months tenting and using my bike across the U.S. and Canada. I’d determined to freelance alongside the best way, so I introduced my BV500 BearVault canister as a writing desk. (The most effective writing desks are those that additionally maintain your snacks!)
The bear canister was a really helpful however cumbersome desk to stash on my bike. First, I attempted stuffing it in a pannier. This labored, however awkwardly. Then I attempted tying it to my handlebars with random straps. This labored much less effectively and was much more awkward.
Lastly, after months of experimentation, I obtained my fingers on a Revelate Designs Handlebar Harness. This harness was the proper packing resolution for the bear canister and different objects I later hooked up. The harness was rugged, safe, and straightforward to make use of. It withstood me and my shenanigans for over 3,000 miles alongside the Nice Divide Mountain Bike Route.
Briefly: The Revelate Designs Handlebar Harness is a dependable, versatile harness that may haul numerous gear throughout demanding terrain. It’s additionally the proper resolution for bikepacking with a bear canister. Whether or not pedaling for a number of hours or months, that is the one handlebar harness you’ll want.
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Harness width
12″ -
Weight
15 oz. -
Quantity
Max drybag capability is 1220 in³ / 20 L -
Supplies
EVA composite -
Weight restrict
15 lbs.
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Can be utilized with flat or drop bars -
Tremendous versatile -
Sturdy and dependable -
Easy accessibility to carried objects -
Weight restrict s larger than many different harnesses
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Not appropriate with cantilever or street model entrance brakes with a vertical uncovered cables -
Doesn’t include a dry sack -
Low using place is not going to work for all bike setups. (It hangs 1.5″ under the handlebars.)
Revelate Designs Overview
Revelate Designs is a legendary bikepacking model primarily based in Alaska. Its five-person staff designs luggage to resist lengthy, rugged, international routes.
The model’s ambassadors embody epic bikepacking racers like Kaitlyn Boyle and Lael Wilcox. Whereas using final yr, I reviewed Boyle’s e-book, “The Bikepacker’s Information,” from my bear canister writing desk. And I had the pleasure of cheering Wilcox on as she raced by me to win the Tour Divide.
Revelate Designs makes luggage that work effectively for racers and leisure riders. Its specific emphasis is on long-lasting luggage.
Attaching the Revelate Designs Handlebar Harness
The Revelate Designs Handlebar Harness arrives in a number of items: the harness, pocket attachment straps, and two mounting blocks.
The video under exhibits easy methods to connect the blocks and straps to the harness after which safe the harness to your bike. I did this on a roadside in New Mexico. I believed that the Revelate Designs Harness was simple to arrange.
As soon as the harness was hooked up to my bike, all I needed to do was put my gear in it and cinch three straps down. The harness’s sturdy, grippy texture naturally prevented objects from sliding out laterally.
The harness buckles include cam locks that maintain the straps firmly secured. Revelate Designs sells a buckle restore equipment to exchange any buckles or locks that break over time.
What Suits within the Revelate Designs Handlebar Harness?
The Revelate Designs Handlebar Harness was preferrred for securing cylindrical objects. I believe most individuals will use it to hold their tent, sleeping bag, or a dry sack full of garments. In response to Revelate Designs, you should utilize this harness to hold fishing gear, a packraft, or perhaps a mini keg. And, in fact, I went with the bear canister.
One vital benefit of this harness was its 15-pound weight capability. That is greater than many different harnesses in the marketplace. I additionally discovered the harness clips to be helpful and safe. As soon as I tightened them, they didn’t loosen, even on rocky terrain. These are two important qualities for carrying cumbersome hundreds.
The straps on the harness will also be cinched down to hold smaller objects. Based mostly on the position of the straps, the gear should be at the very least 12 inches lengthy. The utmost appropriate dry sack capability is 20 L.
I’m a reckless packer, so my gear must be simple to stow and entry. I appreciated how simple it was to take my gear out and in of the harness. Accessing my meals from contained in the bear canister was additionally simple with out taking the harness or canister off my bike.
Bag Compatibility
You’ll be able to connect nearly any cylindrical bag to this harness. I’d suggest one thing sturdy and waterproof. Revelate Designs sells a 12L dry sack known as the Saltyroll, which inserts the harness properly.
My bear canister was a champion on this journey, however sadly, a bear ultimately mauled it. (You recognize your writing life is thwarted when a bear eats your desk at evening!) The canister prevented the bear from getting my snacks, however it was crushed.
So, for the final week of my journey, I saved my meals in a dry sack, which I hung in bushes at evening. Fortunately, the harness labored equally effectively with my new gear setup. Hopefully, the bear discovered different snacks.
Revelate Designs Egress Pocket
Towards the top of my journey, I additionally obtained to check the Revelate Designs Egress Pocket — a water-proof, roll-top handlebar bag designed to work with the harness. I hooked up the Egress Pocket to my bear canister and later to my dry sack. The Egress Pocket was simple to put in, open, or shut, and a helpful companion to the harness.
Revelate Designs additionally sells Mountain Feedbags, that are designed to combine with the harness.
Revelate Designs Handlebar Harness: Last Ideas
The Revelate Designs Handlebar Harness was a really perfect packing resolution for journey biking carrying cylindrical objects like tents.
Its versatility was significantly helpful in adapting gear decisions for various routes, seasons, or private preferences. The 15-pound weight capability and safe strapping system made it an important selection for using with cumbersome hundreds. The harness paired seamlessly with the Revelate Designs Egress Pocket and Mountain Feedbags, offering much more cupboard space and choices.
This nice high quality, sturdy merchandise dealt with variable and distinctive packing chores. This was a “purchase as soon as, use it perpetually” product.
