Ortlieb Barista Urban Line bar bag

I'm not really a 'handbag' kind of girl, but if a bag can be attached to my handlebars, it's a different matter... The Barista handlebar bag, from Ortlieb's Urban Line range, promises to be 'admired in cafes, offices and boutiques'. I don't especially care whether people admire my bag or not, but I was excited to see if it could eliminate my current commuting choices: a half-empty pannier or sweat-inducing rucksack. I'm happy to report it can, superbly. Shocking my friends by having a stylish bag has just been a bonus...

The Barista is supplied with the Ultimate 6 mounting system, Ortlieb's standard bar bag bracket, making life simple for owners of more than one Ortlieb bar bag. If you're not familiar with such things, the bracket is installed on the handlebar with a cable which, in turn, becomes a means of tightening and adjusting the bracket (with an Allen key).

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The bracket isn't too bulky – I never remove the ones I have on my touring and commuting bikes. A word of warning though: don't cut the cable too short (thread it back through one of the holes in the bracket); cutting it short will make life very difficult if you decide to remove and then reattach the bracket.

The mounting system allows the bag to click in place easily, and pressing the lock avoids forcing the mechanism to click. There is a key to then lock the bag to the mount. I've rarely used this – the bag goes with me when I stop, and when in motion it's a hundred per cent secure without locking it. If you do use the key, I suggest you keep one in a 'safe place' as they are easy to lose.

I did think that, given its size, the Barista might not sit in a stable position, but I was proved wrong. The rear of the bag, incorporating the flat handlebar mount, contains a board of stiff material. This helps support the bag's position on the bike as well as keeping any documents inside it flat.

With the bag's 6 litre capacity I was never short of space. It is possible to pack in a phone, wallet, sandwiches, snacks, paperwork (A4 isn't really possible, but anything just slightly smaller is), a tablet, plus a book or two, and have space left over. I've frequently crammed a lightweight jacket in as well, to go to a fitness class.

The interior is designed so that you can easily access the smaller items; there are pockets against the rigid back specifically cut for things like pens, wallet, phone.

The leather strip incorporating the two magnetic fasteners adds enough weight to help reclose the bag when you're moving. There were occasions when the magnets came apart, primarily when the bag wasn't particularly well filled, but thanks to the weight of the leather strip the top flap stayed in a closed position, and there was never any danger of anything falling out.

Other interior features include a key chain and a zip opening to access the space between the lining and outer waterproof shell, ideal for storing valuable documents that you don't want spoiling. And the bag is completely waterproof – I used it in the rain, although not torrential, and it was very effective, keeping the contents bone dry.

> Beginner's guide to carrying stuff on your bike

Ortlieb encourages you to remove the shoulder strap when cycling, which makes sense; it is possible to stuff it in the bag without detaching it but it will jump free if you try to access the bag while riding. Best to detach it and stow it away as recommended.

Removing the bag from the bike is as easy as putting it on: simply press the mounting system button and you're away (after unlocking, if you've chosen to lock it). You can then sling the bag over your shoulder and enjoy not having to unclip a pannier or remove a backpack to reveal a sweaty back.

> Read our guide to the 10 best cycling rucksacks

Alternate threading of the strap on either side of the bag ensures that it hangs comfortably from your shoulder without swinging round to the front, or by extending the strap a little the bag sits equally well on your back after pulling it over your head, courier style. Being right-handed, I checked to see if these features adapted to use on the left side, and they do.

You can see from the pictures that the bag on test is a neutral colour. This is 'pepper' and is great for not showing up dirt, although cleaning it was a simple cloth and soapy water job. It's also available in 'coffee'.

My summer test meant that I didn't have to use it with a light. This is the only drawback I can think of, as it would conceal a bar-mounted front light. Not an insurmountable problem though: you'd just need to use a helmet light or mount your light on the fork – or use one of those extensions for bar-mounted gadgets.

Verdict

Durable, stylish, practical and versatile – thanks Ortlieb!