Road Runner Bags Jammer Handlebar Bag 7L vs Topeak FrontLoader Handlebar Bag

Two handlebar bags, measured against each other on the figures that decide whether they work on a bike.

The short answer

The Jammer Handlebar Bag 7L takes bar width; the FrontLoader Handlebar Bag takes capacity, weight, price and value per litre. Which of those you care about depends on the frame you are fitting it to.

Assembled from the differences below rather than written over them. Every figure is a published measurement or computed from one — nobody here has used either one.

Where they differ

5 of the 5 things we can measure come out differently.

Capacity

1L more in the FrontLoader Handlebar Bag
Road Runner Bags Jammer Handlebar Bag 7L
7L
Topeak FrontLoader Handlebar Bag
8L

The maker's own figure. Worth reading alongside the dimensions below rather than on its own — two bags of the same litreage can want very different frames.

Width across the ends

18.6cm narrower on the Jammer Handlebar Bag 7L
Road Runner Bags Jammer Handlebar Bag 7L
25.4cm — needs a 31.4cm bar
Topeak FrontLoader Handlebar Bag
44cm — needs a 50cm bar

Bar bags are sold on litres and fitted on width. The figure beside each is the narrowest bar it clears with usable room either side for cables and levers — on drop bars that is what rules a bag in or out.

Weight

174g lighter on the FrontLoader Handlebar Bag
Road Runner Bags Jammer Handlebar Bag 7L
454g
Topeak FrontLoader Handlebar Bag
280g

Empty weight as published. Worth holding against capacity rather than alone — the lighter bag is not the better one if it carries a third less.

Price

$120 between them
Road Runner Bags Jammer Handlebar Bag 7L
$180
Topeak FrontLoader Handlebar Bag
$60

Manufacturer's price as we hold it.

Per litre

$18.21 per litre between them
Road Runner Bags Jammer Handlebar Bag 7L
$25.71
Topeak FrontLoader Handlebar Bag
$7.50

Price divided by the maker's capacity. A crude measure that still catches the case where the dearer bag is also the bigger one, which the price alone hides.

Side by side

Including the rows where they are level.

Road Runner Bags Jammer Handlebar Bag 7LTopeak FrontLoader Handlebar Bag
Capacity7L8L
Width across the ends25.4cm — needs a 31.4cm bar44cm — needs a 50cm bar
Weight454g280g
Price$180$60
Per litre$25.71$7.50
Road Runner Bags
Jammer Handlebar Bag 7L
$180 · 454g
Topeak
FrontLoader Handlebar Bag
$60 · 280g

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