Swift Industries calls their latest version of the Paloma Handlebar Bag the “one front bag to rule them all” – a mix of classic randonneur style & function, with more modern materials and a convenient German quick release mount. The updated Paloma is something of a perfect mix of old and new tech, delivering classic bar bag convenience that will fit on any road, gravel, or touring bike.
Swift Industries quick release, rackless Paloma Handlebar Bag
Most contemporary road & gravel bikepacking riders have moved away from traditional touring & rando packs, both because of their heavier weight and the lack of full rack mounts on most modern bikes. But the Swift Paloma bag solves both of those issues in a 6L US-made randonneur-style bar bag that mounts to almost any handlebar with a KLICKfix quick release adapter.
So you get classy rando-styling in modern waterproof materials, plus the convenience of a forward opening top flap (secured with bungees – no zips or buckles to fuss with while riding), organized roomy interior storage, and a large waterproof map pocket on top.
Paloma bar bag – Tech details & pricing
The new 6L Paloma Handlebar Bag is available standard sewn from lightweight coyote tan or black VX21 X-Pac fabric or more classic 500D Cordura on old navy blue. Or you can have Swift custom make one in the colors & fabric of your choice with their Custom Color Picker for an extra $32 (which will delay it a bit, due to pandemic-driven production delays.)
The $175 rackless Paloma bag (10×5.75×6.25″ or 25.4×14.6×15.9cm) Paloma has a rigid internal HDPE plastic structure to give it form, then a couple of CoverLite side loop sheathes where you insert the included aluminum KlickFix fork/frame support to hang the bag. Inside there are organizer pockets, plus an external front-facing flap pocket as well.
That removable alloy fork then clicks into the quick release KlickFix Handlebar Adapter mounted to your bar. (There’s even an optional shoulder strap to carry it off the bike.)
The $27 German-made glass fibre reinforced polyamide KlickFix bar mount comes in versions to fit 22-26mm or 31.8mm bars (available separately from Swift). The KlickFix mount uses a patented braided cable looped over the bar & under your stem to prevent rotation while riding, but the whole setup is limited to a 15lb/7kg bag load.
The Paloma is designed for road and gravel touring – take it on an adventure, but don’t mount it from your trail bike’s bar. Swift says the Paloma. is in stock now in standard colors, but act fast as their current production delays mean the next batch will be a while once they sell out.
