The only bike I know how to build is an adventure bike.

The humble basket is making a big comeback. Once a staple of kit on any bike used for more than just the occasional pleasure ride, the basket seems to have fallen out of favor, replaced by panniers and backpacks. But like all trends that reach a critical level of “uncool,” things have a way of cycling back around again. The hipsters are migrating right back to these little wired havens of cargo management in droves.

The Grant Petersen crowd, riding Rivendell bikes and sporting enough domestic merchandise to single-handedly keep a local economy afloat, never really left the basket behind, and they do about as much camping as anyone. I think it’s about time I learned a thing or two.

I’m using the classic Wald basket, zip-tied to an Ortlieb-manufactured Racktime rack. The bar bag is special…. scroll down for the full story.

The flat bars was a conversion I have actually been thinking about for a while. I was very close to going with something swept-back like the Soma Sparrow or Clarence bar, but at the last minute, I went with a flat bar for more leverage. It was an economical switch- I reused all my old housing, the Shimano short-pull brake levers were $18, and my local shop had the flat bar laying around for $15. It’s indescribably fun to ride- I didn’t anticipate enjoying it as much as I am. I think I’ll leave these on for a while.

Since I don’t have a bar-end shifter anymore, I threw on the other downtube shifter. I think I actually prefer downtube shifting to bar-ends, since I have a tendency to hit my shifter with my knee. Yes, even after some 15,000 miles of riding with that original shifter off my first bike, it too has been replaced. Goodbye, old friend!

The shifters are friction-shifting an “ol’ reliable” 9-speed double. I just replaced my Sram GXP bottom bracket, which barely made it a year. Hopefully this one from Wheels Mfg. will hold up better. I wish every BB worked like a Shimano XT English-threaded…

Tires are new, too. I’m going with the Surly Knard for this do-everything bike. The double cross frame clears it with room to spare!

With tires like these, I’m not starved for anything fatter like the Soma Wolverine can run. These are wide enough for singletrack and super-comfortable street riding, and the bike still feels snappy and quick when I put down some watts. I’m using the 27 tpi version of the Knard for a little extra sidewall strength, since I’ll be commuting all winter on this bike.

Ok, let’s get to it; the real innovation of this new rig is that bar bag!

My New Handlebar Bag: The Arcteryx Haku Rope Bag

First things first, the Arcteryx Haku is the perfect size. It’s weather-resistant and roll-top, and the dimensions fill the Wald basket neatly. It’s expandable, too, since it closes with a roll-top. If you need to stuff it, it’ll accommodate. There’s no structure to it at all, so if you need to flatten it out completely to put in a case of beer, it disappears.

What makes this bag special is the rope-management system. Here, we’ll skip the rope and try some typical handlebar basket fare.

Yes, that’s the same bag! The Haku has an integrated tarp on the inside that lays out flat, with the dark-green shell underneath. You can lay it out at camp for a nice place to sit, cook, or nap. It’s also a cheery color, which makes it easy to keep from losing your spork.

When it’s time to pack up, just grab all four corners…

And all of your stuff tips right inside the bag, neat and tidy! It’s a beautiful, satisfying feature that works well. It’s impossible to lose anything and the formless nature of the bag’s green shell lets everything settle into the perfect Wald basket shape.

Once your stuff is inside, you can brush any dirt off the bottom of the tarp before you tuck it all into the green shell. Then, just roll it closed and you’re good to go! The Haku buckles nicely with the Wald, so you don’t need a cargo net, and those straps can also be tensioned to keep things from moving around. Does it get any better?

It all rolls up neat and tidy, and looks good, too. I’ve always appreciated Arcteryx’s penchant for minimalism.

I don’t want to call myself an innovator, but this thing is really cool. It’s gonna be fun breaking out the Haku on campus for a mid-lawn study session. It’s the perfect basket bag for me, and I’m looking forward to getting out for some camping with it!

Alright, it’s official- I’m ready for the semester. My commuter rig is ready to rip!

Keep Riding,

Max