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ortlieb bike packer question.

Old 02-05-21, 04:38 PM
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jpjuggler
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ortlieb bike packer question.

https://www.lacordee.com/en/ortlieb-...xoCguoQAvD_BwE

Hi,
I like the ortlieb bike packer bags as it looks like its quicker to open on the top than the roller bags. I realize they might not be as waterproof as a roller bag.
Question: is 20 Liters per bag a usual size for touring? Beside the waterproof issue, are there any other drawbacks that people could bring to my attention that I might not know about?
Thanks,
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Old 02-05-21, 05:31 PM
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My packers+ are >10 years and very faded but still as waterproof as ever... love 'em. My sister has had both (rollers 20 years) and thinks the rollers are easier to access. Much has been said in previous threads, both are great.
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Old 02-05-21, 05:54 PM
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Originally Posted by jpjuggler
...
I like the ortlieb bike packer bags as it looks like its quicker to open on the top than the roller bags. I realize they might not be as waterproof as a roller bag.
Question: is 20 Liters per bag a usual size for touring? Beside the waterproof issue, are there any other drawbacks that people could bring to my attention that I might not know about?
Thanks,
I have the Ortlieb Backroller ones that you roll the top. I have a pair of panniers similar to the Ortliebs that you referenced, and the roller ones probably are a little slower to open, but not by much.

20 liters for each, or 40 for the pair is about average, there are bigger and smaller panniers.

I often have another bag on top of the rear and that gets in the way of opening the rear panniers when I have it. When I have that other bag on top, I try to put stuff in that top bag that I might want during the day so that I do not need to open the panniers underneath it. I usually put my rain gear on top of the front panniers, that is the only thing that I might have to get at really fast. I also use a handlebar bag with small items that I might want frequently, granola bars or snacks, sunscreen, camera, chain lube, phone, etc.

In this photo I have a dry bag on top of the rear rack oriented fore and aft, that would have to come off first to access a rear pannier.



But for trips where I might need to carry more I use the Ortlieb Rack Pack (31 liters) that is designed to clip onto the Backroller panniers quite easily, the Backroller panners have a strap that goes across the top of the pannier, that strap can be used to attach the Rack Pack. In this photo you can see my rain gear strapped on top of the front panners.



The City version of the roller panniers lack the strap that goes over the top. It is cheaper and a little lighter but has a few less accessories.

Both kinds would be quite waterproof, more than adequate for most touring.
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Old 02-05-21, 06:28 PM
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Originally Posted by jpjuggler
https://www.lacordee.com/en/ortlieb-...xoCguoQAvD_BwE


Question: is 20 Liters per bag a usual size for touring?
Thanks,
20 liters is perfect for a six pack and ice from the bait shop/beer store after you set up camp.
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Old 02-05-21, 09:39 PM
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My wife swears by her Packer Plus panniers, and I really like my Back and Front Rollers. There are advantages to both, and both models work very well; it is a matter of personal preference. You cannot float across rivers with the Packer Plus series bags, but during a total of 2 years actually touring with her Ortliebs my wife's gear has never been wet because of the panniers. They have faded but are still waterproof. However, she has not tried swimming across any rivers with them.

She also has a pair of Sport Packer front panniers but she did not use them on this trip.




Last edited by Doug64; 02-05-21 at 10:27 PM.
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Old 02-06-21, 05:03 AM
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Closed properly, they are fine. Just don’t submerge them in a lake or something. I like the ease of opening and closing. And sometimes you need extra space for food for a couple of days. One dinner (I don’t eat Ramen), snacks and two breakfasts are in there. That day’s lunch was in there an hour earlier My compressed down sleeping bag also fit along with cold/wet weather clothing suitable for potential conditions.

The tops of the rears are faded from 9 years of sun but still waterproof.


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Old 02-06-21, 07:30 AM
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I use both.
for decades only used rollers and did, and still do, appreciate how you can stick a plant or something really tall sticking out and clip the clips together around it.
but now having used the packer types for commuting etc, you can over stuff them and improvise tall stuff to an extent with one clip undone.
packers are a little faster opening and closing, but like mentioned, this certainly ain't a life saving time here.

So like others, my view is that unless you really plan to float your bags across a river, which I ain't planning on, both types are great.

I too use a rack pack, so the added clip on the rollers are made to attach the pack, which works great, so that's a real advantage.

but I also do like the simple, fast method of the packer system.

main thing is that both are well made and will give years of service.
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Old 02-06-21, 02:41 PM
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I have a pair of each (rollers for the front, packers for the back. I like the packers better, due to the ease of access. No issues with my stuff ever getting wet. Their size is good... I wouldn't want them to be any larger.
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Old 02-06-21, 06:20 PM
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thanks for the input everybody!
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Old 02-06-21, 06:22 PM
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Originally Posted by indyfabz
Closed properly, they are fine. Just don’t submerge them in a lake or something. I like the ease of opening and closing. And sometimes you need extra space for food for a couple of days. One dinner (I don’t eat Ramen), snacks and two breakfasts are in there. That day’s lunch was in there an hour earlier My compressed down sleeping bag also fit along with cold/wet weather clothing suitable for potential conditions.

The tops of the rears are faded from 9 years of sun but still waterproof.


thanks for the info! by the way can I ask what rack that is on the front,it looks nice? I just bought a black surly disc trucker.
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Old 02-07-21, 09:22 AM
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hi everybody,
i now have a rack question: i understand that tubus is the gold standard? But my LBS carries axiom instead and I would like to support them. Any reason why I should n't by the axiom https://www.axiomgear.com/products/r...ner-disc-dlx/?

I'm not going around the world or anything, maybe a 7 day trip once in a while. so I don't think I need a rack that's absolutely bulletproof, but i don't want to buy something that isn't up to snuff either. any advice would be appreciated for this novice here. thanks!!!
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Old 02-07-21, 09:27 AM
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Even though I got some tubus racks for some long trips, I have used and do use well made aluminum racks like the axiom ones for decades and they work perfectly fine.
heck on one of my bikes the rear rack has been used for 20+ years, is scuffed and all but still works.

An axiom rack will be a good choice.
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Old 02-07-21, 12:35 PM
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Originally Posted by djb
Even though I got some tubus racks for some long trips, I have used and do use well made aluminum racks like the axiom ones for decades and they work perfectly fine.
heck on one of my bikes the rear rack has been used for 20+ years, is scuffed and all but still works.

An axiom rack will be a good choice.
thanks
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Old 02-07-21, 02:20 PM
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juggler, just be aware that the axiom model you put up is made for road bikes using road bike caliper brakes. I put the non disc version of this on a bike in our family some years ago, its strongly built, but the qr thing works well but is fiddly a bit for rear wheel removal and putting back on--but its made for road bikes--hence the single arm horizontally going to the brake bolt area, not 2 like on regular rear racks.
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Old 02-07-21, 02:30 PM
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Originally Posted by djb
juggler, just be aware that the axiom model you put up is made for road bikes using road bike caliper brakes. I put the non disc version of this on a bike in our family some years ago, its strongly built, but the qr thing works well but is fiddly a bit for rear wheel removal and putting back on--but its made for road bikes--hence the single arm horizontally going to the brake bolt area, not 2 like on regular rear racks.
oh!!!! Good info. I just got a surly disc trucker. May I ask what u recommend?
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Old 02-07-21, 03:00 PM
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I'd recommend doing some web searches for DT and what racks folks put on. I don't own one so can't answer without guessing. It should be easy to find images and accounts of what racks work and what spacers etc are needed to maybe clear the disc calipers etc.
Depending on where you are, you might be able to contact a bike store that sells surlys and ask them too.
You'll find one, I just dont know if stock is low, probably is, but only way to find out is to research and call places.
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Old 02-07-21, 03:45 PM
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Originally Posted by djb
I'd recommend doing some web searches for DT and what racks folks put on. I don't own one so can't answer without guessing. It should be easy to find images and accounts of what racks work and what spacers etc are needed to maybe clear the disc calipers etc.
Depending on where you are, you might be able to contact a bike store that sells surlys and ask them too.
You'll find one, I just dont know if stock is low, probably is, but only way to find out is to research and call places.
ok, thanks very much!
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Old 02-07-21, 04:23 PM
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Originally Posted by jpjuggler
ok, thanks very much!
Is this on the newly re-designed disc trucker? Does it have through axles? If so, past problems might not apply.
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Old 02-07-21, 09:19 PM
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My only complaint with the Bike Packers is that the top hood does not "float" and allow you to expand capacity on times when you need a bit extra (like after buying food, etc.). There is a big storm-collar sort of extension at the top inside, which lets you expand the capacity, but then there is no way to buckle the actual outside top part back down. Well, complaint #2: the small, flat outside pocket is basically unusable when the main pannier is packed full (hard to get anything but papers or maps in or out of there).

That said, I like mine (have two sets), and they have held up well since we first bought them around 20 years ago. I have an older pair and a newer pair. There's plenty of room in them.

Also I agree that the Ortlieb rack duffle is really handy to have.

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Old 02-08-21, 07:03 AM
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Originally Posted by Tourist in MSN
Is this on the newly re-designed disc trucker? Does it have through axles? If so, past problems might not apply.
hello, its not the new one, but thanks!
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Old 02-13-21, 11:44 AM
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I have an Axiom rack on my non-disc bike and like it a lot so I bought the Axiom DLX Disc rack for my disc bike. I don't recommend this rack due to the fact that it is supported by steel tabs that the skewer goes through putting a lot of stress on the tab and skewer. Additionally the skewer that came with the bike was not long enough, so I had to also purchase an extended length skewer.

It I had it to do again, I would purchase the Topeak Explorer Disc Rack.
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Old 02-15-21, 06:59 PM
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You may want to look at the racks that Surly makes. I am took much of a newbie to paste a link, but the navigation on their site is: Menu > Parts > Cargo. You might also see what Rivendell (rivbike.com) and VeloOrange (velo-orange.com) offer. Enjoy your trips.
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Old 02-19-21, 02:20 PM
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Does anyone have any thoughts on waterproof Panniers vs. non-waterproof, aka Breathable? My initial thought is that non waterproof wouldn't actually be that breathable to make a difference. I would think cheaper maybe.More outside pockets which would be a plus..... regardless, I'm speculating as a novice that ortlieb is the gold standard so they are not just waterproof but high quality, very well constructed as well?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?fbclid...ature=youtu.be
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Old 02-19-21, 03:01 PM
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I’ve used the Packers in all weathers available to me and only once had a water intrusion issue. If the pannier is only 1/4 full, you get deep creases running down the sides. These make it hard for the lid/hood to seal properly. Combine this with heavy rain and hard winds, and the wind can actually force water upwards enough to get the insides wet.
My only negative about the Packers is the lack of an ”obvious” off-bike carrying handle.
I worry about lifting them off the rack fully loaded by the clasp strap. And if you do, they don’t balance right to be carried by your side. I’ve tried a short strap attached to the shoulder strap hangers but haven’t been entirely happy with that.
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Old 02-19-21, 04:18 PM
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Originally Posted by jpjuggler
Does anyone have any thoughts on waterproof Panniers vs. non-waterproof, aka Breathable? My initial thought is that non waterproof wouldn't actually be that breathable to make a difference. I would think cheaper maybe.More outside pockets which would be a plus..... regardless, I'm speculating as a novice that ortlieb is the gold standard so they are not just waterproof but high quality, very well constructed as well?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?fbclid...ature=youtu.be
My experience with waterproof and water repellent panniers has shown that there is not such thing as a breathable pannier. What gets damp in a water repellent pannier stays damp as long as it stays in the pannier. They also have a greater chance of getting water inside the bags. Most water repellent bags are coated with polyester urethane or a similar product. These coatings tend to lose their effectiveness during extended exposure to wet conditions. Sewn seams are also a weak point.

IMO Ortieb bags are the gold standard for bike bags, but there are other good waterproof bags made by other manufacturers. I've left my Ortlieb panniers sitting outside our tent on a picnic table in an all night rainstorm without any problems.

If I was on the fence about waterproof vs. water repellent touring panniers before watching the video, I would be more inclined to buy waterproof panniers after watching it. I know that was not his intention, but he actually made a good case for waterproof panniers.

I use his method to clean my full panniers on tour.


On one tour we experienced 35 days of rain. Some showers lasted an hour and other storms lasted for days. Sometime not riding was not a choice.

Like on this day.

Last edited by Doug64; 02-19-21 at 04:54 PM.
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