"Fred" wrote ...
Quoted message said:My current pannier bags are not waterproof but otherwise fine. I might
just shout myself a new set before my next tour. It gets a bit tiring
packing everything in plastic bags first. I am thinking in particular of
the handlebar bag, and would like one that quickly clips on and off for
use as a shoulder bag, so camera and other goodies do not need to be left
if leaving the bike for short periods; and also the rear panniers, where I
carry clothing, food etc. My front lo-riders, will do for long enough as I
carry a tent, sleeping bag and nothing I have to rummage around for in
front. All easy enough to slip into plastic.
I was thinking of Ortlieb until I read this review.
http://www.cyclingscholar.com/ortlieb.html
So I would like to know of anyone's experiences with different brands, or
should I just stick with my current gear, plastic bags et al.
Unfortunately local bike shops stock a very limited range, but will get
whatever you want in. If I can't have a good examination first, I might as
well buy them online.
Comments appreciated.
I'm quite happy with my Ortliebs, I have no intention of ever getting
anything else. I have the Bikepacker Light version, not the roll-top /
river-bag closure system, so my bags are a little easier to open and close
than the version owned by the reviewer. These also allow a little bit of
breathability so that damp clothes, etc. can dry. I've always been able to
dry things out in a hostel or inside my tent, so I haven't had the problems
that the reviewer describes with things getting moldy, etc. I suspect that
the totally waterproof construction of the Ortliebs would be a little
counterproductive in a hot desert climate (like where the reviewer
encountered difficulties), but it would be just the ticket in cooler, damper
areas like the UK, Germany, or the Pacific Northwest, where nothing would
dry out quickly even in a breathable pannier.
The dispute over "one big compartment" versus "lots of separately accessible
compartments" seems to come down to personal taste, whether one is looking
at backpacks or panniers. I try to organize my belongings with different
groups of items in different panniers (cooking stuff in one, clothing in
another, etc.), and that seems to provide me with enough separation to let
me pick things out with a minimum of frantic rummaging. I would forget which
compartment I put something in with a pannier that had a lot of separate
compartments.
My touring bike has long chainstays, my feet aren't that big (US men's 10
1/2), and I tour in cycling shoes that are cut to minimize chainstay or
pannier interference, so I haven't encountered the problems the reviewer
describes with my heels hitting the panniers. The mounting system on my
Ortlieb panniers allows me to easily adjust the fore and aft position of the
pannier on the rack, so I could probably set them up to minimize this issue
on a different bike.
I quite like the mounting system on my Ortliebs, I think it's extremely well
thought out and very convenient.
I just acquired an Ortlieb handlebar bag for my next tour, with a map case
and the camera insert. I haven't used it yet but it seems very well
constructed and the mounting system appears to be very well thought out and
easy to use. It comes with a shoulder strap for off bike use. I plan on
carrying my camera, maps, documents and a few snacks in this bag. I would
not want anything but a totally waterproof bag for these items.
The reviewer makes some valid points about Ortlieb bags, but he seems to
overlook the fact that different people have different touring styles and
travel in different corners of the world with different climates.
HTH,
--
mark
