Great video. I wish I could give it more than one like. It's a bit ridiculous that Ortlieb themselves don't have a video like this with all the informaton in one place. I have Ortieb bags and they're very good, but it's a pain in the ass trying to figure out exactly what the difference is between the products, and whether each model is sold as a single or double.
I agree.. this was very informative and found it hard to get this information from the Ortlieb website. I recently had my Ortlieb back roller classic bags stolen off of my bicycle and need to replace them. I use the bag daily for hauling lots of cargo and for shopping. I was devastated to go to my locked-up bicycle, which was locked in a carport away from the general public and a bit hard to get to, and it was even covered by a tarp. Those bags were incredible and durable. they did get some cuts near the bottom from abrasions. I got mine through an REI used gear sale.. I think these were bought and returned to REI for a refund. And REI sold them to me a a discount off the normal price because they were essentially like an "open box" item.
It would be nice! We make these because we want our customers to have the most seamless experience possible. Let us know if there are other accessory lines you're interested in learning more about too.
Thanks, I didn't realize I was closing the back roller bags incorrectly after using them for many years. You explain the products better than Ortlieb does.
This video nailed all the information I wanted and more. Great presentation with the use of demonstrations and a light hearted touch. One of the best instructional videos on RU-vid.
Not a bike rider here but this was FANTASTIC! Makes me want to get out my bike and start riding again! Thanks for such thorough and clear explanations. 🚴♀️☮️
This may be one of the best product line explainer videos I’ve ever seen, either by a manufacturer or 3rd party reviewer. Before this video I was equally clueless about all bike panniers and overwhelmed by all the manufacturers, naming conventions, design tradeoffs, use and care considerations, etc. This explainer video made Ortlieb so easy to understand I am not even going to bother looking into other brands.
Love my 70L canary yellow ortlieb panniers.For the most part they are half way empty most of the time,but I like the option of being able to haul items home if I need to.I thrift shop and grocery shop on impulse when out bicycling.Hauled home 50lbs of groceries a few times.Rack and they have held up to to the trip
THANK YOU SO MUCH for this video. So many of their products seem so similar it has been hard to figure out what the differences are. This was super helpful! Thank you!!!
I am also an advocate for Ortleib backroller classic bags, mine are the charcoal ones and have back and front sport rollers that sit on my Tubus Racks. I'm in Australia and own a Touring bike but haven't done any touring but use it mostly for commuting to work and doing the odd day ride, I've had my Ortleib backroll classics now for 19 years and still going well with no holes. Mine have the original clip system and the permanent fixed hook at the back. These are before the fully adjustable systems. Love Ortleib and Tubus.
Thank you so much for this video. I am going to do a tour across Europe next year and was struggling to set up my panniers. Thank you so much for taking me through that. My panniers are mounted! Safely!
love this video full of in depth information on the bags and the racks. i live in the IK and intend to get an E bike in the spring and i will be able to make an informed choice on the type of bags i need,
One thing I'd love to see Ortlieb improve about the back rollers is the thin shoulder strap supplied with the panniers. Makes them uncomfortable to carry when they're off the bike, especially when you've got some weight in them.
well you are in luck! Ortlieb makes an upgrade for the straps and we stock them! you can buy them here > www.ucycle.com/ortlieb-shoulder-pad-removable.html They also make a harness system that you can add to make your pannier into a backpack if you are doing any extended carrying > www.ucycle.com/ortlieb-foldable-carrying-system-for-bike-pannier.html
I’m blown away by how much I didn’t know about these, thank you! FYI another unauthorized hack….QL 2.1 fits nicely on the lip of a milk crate. At least the milk crate I have
Usually just running no shims in the hooks should work! We sell Tern bikes and that's all that's been required in my experience- it should be 14mm without any shims.
G'day. Top video covering the Ortlieb pannier system. I have a pair of the 70L Classic Roll-over bags which I've had for over ten years now. However, I was wondering if you have a video covering the best technique for changing the clip inserts when changing racks? My bag pair appears to have come with what appears to be 8mm and 11mm clips inserts.
Thanks for the comment! If you go to 7:37 in the video, Owen goes through how to size the clip inserts and subsequently goes over a couple different techniques for changing them out. You can experiment and see which one works best for you! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-SIKZmvE5nkE.html
Thank you so much for this helpful video! Do you possibly have a rack in mind for the Canyon Grizl that supports the QL3.1 system? I got a recommendation of the Racktime Light-it, but am not sure about it supportwise as it misses a metal stick in the middle downwards.
The Ortlieb QL3.1 mounting system can be adapted to fit onto many different rear rack systems by changing the angle at which you are affixing it to the rack. It should still be able to work fine with your Racktime Light-it. Ortlieb does a great job in their QL3.1 quick-start video of how you can change the angle to best work with your rack. Check it out here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-tdez2QcmWxo.htmlsi=f62OaAHoPQOydsTU&t=57
I have a rear rack on my ebike but I’m not sure these will work bc my battery is right there too. I just bought the roller free version. It seems like they only work with skinny bar racks. Mine has a thicker rear rack. Plus the battery caring seems to get in the way so it won’t clip on well. I guess I have to send them back. 😢
We go over the rail sizing in detail in this video. @07:37 But yes unfortunately some ebike manufacturers are not using standard shapes and sizes for their racks now which is unfortunate! But the good news is Ortlieb makes an adapter to solve this issue- if your rack uses up to a 20mm round rail you can use this adapter that we also stock and sell www.ucycle.com/ortlieb-part-pannier-2-ql21-hooks-with-larger-20mm.html
have you figured out some ways to lock the bag or a theft deterrent when keeping the bag on the bicycle? I am thinking of some kind of hardened steel bolt and nut to replace one of the hardware attachment bolts and nuts on it. and a metal plate and a large washer layered on both sides of that. and then a hole in the outer metal plate to string a cable lock through and perhaps to two along the top mount system to give it two points of securement? and also using a lock tight on the bolt and perhaps covering both sides of the bolt and nut with a liquid metal to prevent the bolt and nut from being removed. and also pating both sides with a layer of rubberized black paint to give it a nice stealth finish?
There is no need to create complicated hacks with dangerous components like liquid metal! Ortlieb has designed their own anti-theft device, to be used with QL 2.1 systems. It works in conjunction with a lock to keep your bags on your rack. This way, you can still remove the bag when you need to, while also being reassured that they will not be stolen in the event you have to leave the bike unattended. Here's a link with more details, and where you can pick it up for yourself: www.ucycle.com/ortlieb-anti-theft-device-for-ql21-bags.html
Great in-depth video! Really appreciate the model-specific info and technical breakdowns. One question I had that might take some niche knowledge: How come the White back-roller classic (SKU: F5300) don't say "Classic" on Ortlieb's website like the rest of the lineup? Is there a material or size difference specific to the White classic back-rollers? On Ortlieb's website, the white rollers claim to be .6'' larger in upper width measurement than the rest, but only in inches, the difference is not reflected in their metric measurement. They're also harder to find at third party retailers. Are they being discontinued? At any rate, I ordered a pair from Ortlieb directly and am interested to compare side-by-side with a different color if I see another rider with this pannier. :D
They should be the same size and material. These are available as Classic, Free, Plus variations on this bag which are all the same size. Likely just metric vs silly imperial shenanigans. Plus is obviously different and free says FREE right on it so as far as I know it is likely just a CLASSIC but perhaps their naming convention may have changed to not reflect this?
@@urbane-cyclist Wow! Thanks so much for the detailed reply. So check this out: the white panniers arrived today and what you've said seems correct. Material and size appears to be the same as all the other back-roller classics, and so I couldn't be happier. Why it doesn't have the "classic" printed on the bag? Could be anyone's guess. Overall, I'm very pleased with my purchase. This video was a great guide for a first time buyer. Lots of good and niche info about the product lineups - very cool & thanks again.
This was a great video! I love my Ortlieb panniers. I wish I could relay to them to start using Fidlock magnetic buckles, it would really improve the buckle systems for use inclement weather. I also wish they they under saddle bags in Black Reflex instead of just Neon Yellow. Likewise, I wish they made a Neon Yellow Vario PS convertible. Finally, I really wish they made under saddle seats that are compatible with Brooks saddles! Is there any way you can relay these to the designers and decision makers there please?
The Axiom Streamliner Disc DLX is a great choice but rack don't tend to fail without cause. You should watch out to make sure you are not exceeding the load limit and additionally checking to make sure all mounting points are tight regularly to reduce any additional unnecessary fatigue. If you are breaking aluminum racks I might recommend something a little more premium like a Tubus Logo Evo or Cargo rear rack. www.ucycle.com/brands/tubus/
Thank you for this video. I just got some panniers and it was very helpful. I have a question about the Ebike trunk bag and if it is possible to use it with the panniers on the same rack
Those trunk bags would be intended for a rack with a double upper rail, similar to a Tubus logo rack like this -> www.ucycle.com/tubus-logo-classic-rear-rack.html
Will the Axiom Disc DLX rack work on a bike with hydraulic brakes? Just picked up a Devinci Milano for work commuting and am looking for a rack that is compatible. Is the Axiom a good fit? Thanks.
I'm not super familiar with that bike but looking at the bike in a photo - if it is a smaller size there is a possibility you might need a axiom rack collar adapter for the upper stays but the Axiom Disc DLX is about as close as you can get to a "sure thing" when it comes to racks fitting!
Is there any way to lock these onto the rack or do you need to take them in any time you park the bike? Also how would you recommend to lock the actual bags? Novice here so forgive the ignorance. Thanks!
Ortlieb have got neat anti-theft cables for when you're taking a short break, but if you're leaving the bike for any extended amount of time, you'll want to take your bags in. You can't exactly lock the bag closure, so if you've got any valuables, it's best to just take the bags inside with you. They've got shoulder straps included, making it easy to take them on the go. Anti-theft device here: www.ucycle.com/ortlieb-anti-theft-device-for-ql21-bags.html
Not sure what you mean by front bar! If you're talking about the logo patch on a handlebar bag, you can use www.thistothat.com to find adhesives that will work to reattach it, but it won't affect the function of the bag. If there is something more significant than the logo patch, and the bag has been purchased within the past 5 years, you can take it to your nearest Ortlieb dealer and pursue a warranty.
We are using the rear rack here in the video for all of our demonstrations! But in the riding footage, we are on our fleet of rental touring bikes, which come kitted out with the Surly CroMoly Front Rack. You can see more details about this rack on our shop here: www.ucycle.com/surly-cromoly-front-rack-v20.html
Super helpful video. Great tip about the commuter insert. I'm planning on getting the Thule Tour Rack (+ side frames) for my fully so that I can commute with it. Any experience with those? I'd love to use a QL 3.1 bag with it. Thank you!
It really depends on the bike you have - I've dealt with the Thule Tour rack years ago shortly after it first came out. I like this as a platform but the bottom portion of this rack isn't as ideal to work with Ortlieb panniers in my opinion (Thule had(has?) some bags designed to work with it featuring magnets in lieu of lower hooks). If you can run a more traditional rack I would suggest something like maybe the Axiom disc DLX - or a QL3 specific rack to keep it as streamlined as possible! I also don't have all the information so I can't say if these are viable options for your specific bike!
@@urbane-cyclist thank you for the full answer! It's a 2021 Specialized turbo levo, so it has rear suspension. I like the (bag side) flatness of the ql3.1 system and the commuter insert looks super useful for my laptop and other gear, rather than just having everything sitting at the bottom of a cavernous hole. Plus being able to take it out for shopping. Shame the two systems don't quite gel.
You should check out something like the Old Man Mountain Divide racks. They work with suspension bikes, just use their fit kit finder to select the appropriate axle configuration to make it work. These will work great with just about any Ortlieb pannier setup you like! Hope that helps! -Owen
The Vario is great! Had a pretty substantial update recently - the old version used to be like a removeable harness type thing to covert to a backpack (a little clumsy back then IMO) but the update got a clever flap design to much more seamlessly switch from pannier to backpack. My personal opinion - backpack convertible panniers are usually a little finicky - BUT this is probably the best I've seen to date, and it's fully waterproof! I do find the Ortlieb office style bags (Downtown/Office/lots in the "Urban" line etc) are also great if you want to convert quickest from walking to biking/ but a little less comfortable for sustained walking! -Owen
Nice video! Which Ortlieb bag for my new speedbike do you recommend for daily commuting (60 km)? Must hold some clothes, small stuff (keys, sunglasses…) and an easy way to daily unlock it and take my gear from parking place in the morning at work to the shower, next to my office…. And back in the evening. Any recommendation? Thx!
This often comes down to personal preference. I would check out the Popular Urban Models chapter at 24:12 - I personally really like the "Downtown" which is 20L - the same as a single back-roller bag. I am also a fan of just any of the back-roller bags since they have an open main storage and various inserts (sold separately) to customize to your usage. A pair of back-rollers is 40L and for overall storage value is pretty much the best bang for your buck!
What set do you recommend for the racks that comes with the Salsa Marrakes on a full-blown tour. Very helpful on this Ortliebs bag tank you, newly subscriber.
Ortlieb Back Rollers would work great on a Salsa Marrakesh! The Alternator Rack it comes with is designed to enhance stability when fully loaded by keeping your gear riding low, and putting a set of Ortlieb Sport Rollers on the Down Under Front Rack will be great for distributing the weight evenly across the bike as well. The Marrakesh is a great choice for a tour, hope you have fun! - Veronica
Do the QL2.1 clips fit on a QL2 pannier bag? Reason for asking is spares are more readily available for the QL2.1 and my recumbent bags have the QL2 system.
I believe the rails are actually different so I don't think they will fit. That being said...I think you might be able to swap to the QL2.1 rails if needed...you would just need to check the hole drilling! I would head over to you local Ortleib dealer and see if they have any QL2.1 rails available to physically compare mounting holes with your current bags!
