Revelate Handlebar Bag Shootout: Harness vs Sweet Roll

Revelate Designs makes a couple of excellent solutions for toting gear on the handlebars. As I was weighing out which one would be functionally perfect for Gin on our upcoming trip, I jotted down a few notes…

Revelate Sweet Roll – for Bike Touring?

I had seen the Revelate Sweet Roll in action before, but didn’t really get much hands-on. The first thing I noticed when putting it together, in comparison with the Harness which I’ve used for a while now, is that it is much simpler, cleaner and lightweight. It weighs about 115 grams (4 oz) less than the 15oz Harness. At the same time it also seems slightly less rugged. But that may be because it’s a soft bag where the Harness has a semi-rigid backing. I’m sure that it’s as tough as a two-dollar steak; all of the Revelate stuff I have used is extremely well crafted and very durable. Here is a list of strengths as well as photos and notes:

Strengths

  • Waterproof – the Sweet Roll is essentially a tough drybag with elegantly designed and placed hardware, and reinforced fabrics to prevent abrasion.
  • The design makes it easy to add tubular shaped or rolled items to the outside with the accessory straps.
  • The bag is also designed to work with the accessory pocket.
  • The Sweet Roll is slightly less complicated than the Harness.
  • Integrated clips on the straps that go around the handlebar make it easier to attach and detach.
  • The spacers on the handlebar straps work very well and by design, don’t shift around.
  • The cinch cord add on is great for carrying maps, or letting something dry in the sun.
Bikepacking gear: Revelate Handlebar bag - Sweet Roll
The Sweet Roll packs anywhere from 16″ wide to around 24″ wide.
Bikepacking gear: Revelate Handlebar bag - Sweet Roll
Rohloff cables barely slide over the Sweet Roll when packed wider.
Bikepacking gear: Revelate Handlebar bag - Sweet Roll
For display sake, I strapped on the Big Agnes Q-core Sleeping pad. Ultimately I will need to put it in a drybag to prevent abrasion with the straps, but all in all, the bag contains a sleeping bag, rain pants, a rain jacket, and on the outside the sleeping pad. A pretty good load on the bars at 2,500 gram (5.5 lbs).
Bikepacking gear: Revelate Handlebar bag - Sweet Roll
There are 2 straps where it mounts to the bars. The first is a velcro loop that binds the foam spacers which hold the bag away from the bars. Works like a charm.
Bikepacking gear: Revelate Handlebar bag - Sweet Roll
Revelate is very good about reinforcing the areas that may take a lot of abrasion with more burly fabrics and materials.
Bikepacking gear: Revelate Handlebar bag - Sweet Roll
Each end works just like a dry bag, and like the harness, the Sweet Roll can be left on the bike and unpacked from the sides.
Bikepacking gear: Revelate Handlebar bag - Harness
Ultimately I will move the headtube strap down on the daisy chain in order to make it wrap below the down tube.
Bikepacking gear: Revelate Handlebar bag - Sweet Roll
Here it is packed longer with the same contents as listed above, only all inside.
Bikepacking gear: Revelate Handlebar bag - Sweet Roll - Rohloff
This configuration leaves the cinch cord available for a map or other such items for quick access.
Bikepacking gear: Revelate Handlebar bag - Sweet Roll - Rohloff
It may pose a problem stressing the Rohloff cables. This could be avoided if the pack is loaded under the cables (if they are long enough).

Ideal Uses for the Sweet Roll

  • Carrying clothes, or other things that need to stay dry; perfect for lightweight bike touring.
  • I think it will be perfect for Gin on our upcoming trip packed with all her sleeping gear and rain gear – 5.5lbs total.
  • Great for tentless bikepacking. Or for use in combination with another method to store a small sleeping shelter; Dustin used his to tote a sleeping bag, tarp and a couple other items on our last bikepacking trip.

Revelate Handlebar Harness – Bikepacking loaded

I have put quite a few rough miles on the Handlebar Harness over a few trips. My initial decision to get the Harness over the Sweet Roll was based on using it with a full-suspension bike, not to mention the need to load a gigantic three person tent. Here is where I think it shines (also see notes in the photo captions):

Strengths

  • Perfect for stacking two large cylindrical items; in this case a tent and sleeping bag.
  • The Harness also works with the accessory pocket.
  • When items are stacked it moves the weight lower and provides a slightly better center of gravity than the Sweet Roll.
  • Very easy to load and unload while the Harness remains attached to the bike.
  • You can tell that Eric at Revelate spent a great deal of time perfecting the design of the harness; lots of intricacies and rugged hardware.
  • UPDATE: Eric, from Revelate, let me know that they added the quick releas clips to the current iteration of the harness.
Bikepacking gear: Revelate Handlebar bag - Harness
Perfect for a sleeping bag and a two person tent, or a very light three person tent.
Bikepacking gear: Revelate Handlebar bag - Harness
I like the grip of the formed rubber spacers for the bar mounts. However, they do shift during rough riding and require the occasional adjustment. Not a big deal though.
Bikepacking gear: Revelate Handlebar bag - Harness
The harness works well for packing a more narrow and vertical load.
Bikepacking gear: Revelate Handlebar bag - Harness
A view from the cockpit.
Bikepacking gear: Revelate Handlebar bag - Harness

A slightly lower center of gravity.
Bikepacking gear: Revelate Handlebar bag - Harness
The burly clips on the harness allow you to cinch the straps down, then lock them into place. Nice details.
Revelate Pocket
Using the harness with a larger three person tent.
Revelate Pocket
Map and snacks!

Ideal Uses for the Revelate Handlebar Harness

  • Perfect for use on a full suspension bike with no room in the triangle.
  • I have beat this thing up on some downhills carrying hefty loads and it seems very sturdy. This configuration weighs about 2,950 grams (6.5 lbs) without loading the pocket… on the last trip I had it bursting with a pound of trail mix, maps, a knife, etc.
  • Great if you are planning on carrying a tent up front, or stacking narrower cylinders for a more vertical configuration.

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