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Dirt Rag Articles
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In 1981 Hartmut Ortlieb began making waterproof sacks out of red truck tarps and in 1982 the company Ortlieb was founded. In 1998 Ortlieb USA, a subsidiary of Ortlieb Sportartikel GmbH, began distributing these fine sacks and Tubus Carrier Systems. And in December of 2007, I began testing the Ortlieb Bike-Packer Plus panniers, Tubus Locc rack and a Carrying System that converts a pannier into a backpack.
The Locc rack is made of steel tubes, has a max load of 88lbs. and retails for $130. There are two mounting points for the panniers, flush with the top or 2¾" lower. The lower position provides more heel clearance and clears the top of the rack for strapping an additional load to it. Installing the rack was fairly simple. Choose between two lengths of bolts and thread them into place. The rack stay tubes are adjustable for easy connection to the seatstay of the bicycle. The Locc also has a side mount for storing an Abus U-lock (not included) and isn't compatible with any other brand.
The panniers attached to the rack via Ortlieb's QL2 mounting system. The two adjustable, quick releasing top clamps will fit any rack with an outside diameter of 8-16mm by exchanging the plastic inserts. I spread the clamps out as far as the rack would allow, so the bags didn't slide fore or aft while in transit. A lower hook kept the pannier from banging against the rails.
Removal and attachment was a breeze: just grab the handle and pull up to release the top clamps while slightly twisting the bag to dislodge the lower hook. The bags came off so easily that I worried about them being stolen, so I looped a thin cable through the rack and the handles, then secured them together with a small padlock. (Ortlieb offers a similar anti-theft device for $12). Remounting the bags was just as easy: position the lower hook against the rack and press down firmly between the two top clamps. With an audible "click" you know you're ready to ride. Note that both panniers are symmetrical. I marked mine so that the mounting pieces didn't need to be altered after the initial set up.
The mellow-looking graphite-black panniers are constructed of Cordura and treated with a thermoplastic waterproof coating on the inside. Two pull cords cinch the top opening together, and a hood keeps rain and snow from invading the bag. Double buckles joined to compression straps keep the hood in place and secure the load from shifting. The backside and bottom exteriors are protected with abrasion plates. A zippered mesh pocket runs the width of the pannier on the inside with storage room behind it as well. This pocket was handy for keeping small items, like flat repair tools, from becoming lost in a black hole. My mini U-lock fit in the storage compartment and kept the lock weight close to the bike. There's also a mesh pocket on the outside of the bag and both front and rear facing panels are emblazoned with a 3M Scotchlite reflector.
On the panniers' maiden voyage I packed a large shoebox containing a pair of hiking boots in one side, and to counterbalance the weight I loaded 4 bottles of beer, two tubes and my multi-tool in the other. My beer and boots load only became noticeable when I stood to climb. The rear end teetered-and-tottered so far over when I pumped the bars that I thought I was going down. Once I reduced the pumping distance the sway eased and I regained control. Sitting down and spinning gears became the way to climb.
Although I've not toured with these panniers yet, shopping and grocery runs have become more pleasant and my contents have always arrived dry. The QL2 mounting system works great, and I never got to the checkout line only to realize that I bought too much food for their volume (40 liters per pair). Controlling my body temperature also became easier without a bag on my back. I've really come to appreciate their convenience and don't plan on errand running in the city without them again. I used the Carrying System ($39) pannier converter to transport my laptop, but the load hung too far from my back and the absence of a waist strap allowed for pack sway and movement.
Ortlieb offers a 5-year warranty on their panniers. They're sold in pairs for $220 and available in plenty of other colors and sizes. There are also many accessories for customization. Both the Bike-Packer Plus panniers and Locc rack are made in Germany. Carrying System made in China.
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