At a glance Expedition quality panniers that offer a rugged, dependable performance, solid attachment points and a fully waterproof design
Tested by
Jon Adams, tester for The Bike List
Performance
Watch any cycling expedition documentary on the TV, and chances are, you'll see four Ortlieb panniers hanging off the bike. They're easy to spot with their distinctive reflective panels and uncluttered designs, and though the company offers a number of different pannier types, the models of choice seems to be the Back Rollers and Front Rollers - named after their roll-top closure system. This system is very smart, as the action seals the bags completely, making them totally waterproof and impervious to dust.
Both Front and Back Rollers are sold in pairs and give a combined volume of 25 litres for the front (12.5 litres per pannier) and 40 litres for the back (20 litres per pannier). You can actually pack in a bit more by rolling the closure less times, but the stated volume is handy as a comparison with other makes. There are two models in the Roller range - 'Classic' and 'Plus'- and the former are the ones we're looking at, as they're the most popular and a bit cheaper. They're a touch heavier and require a 3mm Allen key to adjust the rack hooks (the 'Plus' versions are tool-free) but essentially they're the same overall design.
The Rollers come ready assembled and all you have to do is clip in the appropriate inserts for the hanging hooks. These decrease the size of the hooks to suit your rack's tubing, so racks made from anything between 8mm and 16mm diameter tubing are covered. Once this is done, you simply loosen the Allen keys on the top hooks and the bottom clip, and then hang them in position, and slide the various bits about to get a firm, movement-free attachment. Once this is done, tighten up the Allen keys and you're all set. With a bit of fine-tuning, it only takes ten or fifteen minutes to precisely fit four panniers, and because the top hooks automatically lock in place when you release the carrying handle, everything is really secure on the bike.
Removing the panniers is incredibly swift. Pulling the handle upwards unlocks the retaining bar under the hooks, so you simply lift the pannier off the rack with no resistance and no hassle. Because of the ease of removal, some wily bike tourists use zip ties or security cables as an added measure to safeguard their panniers, but regular load haulers and commuters will love the one-handed, fuss-free ease of removal.
A shoulder strap clips into the two Fastex buckles on either end of the roller closure, and to close the panniers the idea is to first fasten the top strap so the rolled closure can't move, and then tension the shoulder strap through the clip at the bottom so it's in a V shape. In practice though, it's quicker and easier (and just as waterproof) to roll up, fasten the top strap and then simply clip the two ends of the rolled closure together above it. It doesn't look quite as neat, but it increases the versatility as you can securely close a half-filled pannier in this way.
Because, rolling up, clipping the top strap and then clipping the two ends together needs both hands and takes longer than clipping a rucksack-style lid in place, the closure system is the only thing on the Rollers that you could call a downside. Having said that, considering it's this roller closure that gives the fully waterproof seal, it's actually daft to complain about it! With a bit of familiarity, it's as easy to use as any other system and it really doesn't take long for it to become second nature.
On the stowage side, you get a sleeve with a zipped mesh pocket inside each pannier, but other than that, you've got one main compartment, so if you like dividing up your gear, you'll need to buy some Eagle Creek Pack-It cubes or similar to separate the bits from the bobs. You can buy Ortlieb external pockets as accessories (along with an incredibly comprehensive array of spare parts), but provided you pack carefully and ensure the pannier's fabric is protected from any sharp tools, most people tend to put everything inside. This keeps things smooth and clutter-free, which is better for most cycling, as there's nothing to snag. The only thing I really would like to see are mounting clips for LED lights - there's nowhere to attach them on the Rollers, and though the retro-reflective patches are exceptionally bright, it would be nice to be able to clip a couple of front and rear flashers in place, too.
Across the world, the Ortlieb Front and Back Rollers are generally judged as the best panniers you can get your hands on, and you'll find it a proper challenge to unearth a negative review. Yes, they're expensive, but divide the years of use you'll get out of them by the asking price and they start to look pretty good value. They're rugged and dependable, and attach so securely that even proper off-road jaunts won't shake them off. If you're desperate, you can use them as a bucket to carry water or wash clothes, and if you need to carry a huge volume of groceries from the shops, you can even leave the tops open for a short haul.
In a word, these are exceptional, and though it's tempting to mark the Rollers down on value because of their high price, it's not really appropriate. Considering how good they are and how well they perform, they're actually quite cheap. To boil everything down - if you need panniers for commuting or general use, just go and buy a pair of Back Rollers. If you're carrying a lot on a tour or expedition, then get the Front Rollers, too. It's that simple.
Buy back from www.wiggle.co.uk Buy front from www.wiggle.co.uk
Ortlieb says:
A no-compromise panniers with roller closures and QL1 mounting system.
The most popular bike pannier model, although numerous and diverse efforts have been made to copy this pannier, but original is original!
Made from a tear resistant polyester fabric, with large 3M reflectors and a padded shoulder carrying strap, and like the Back-Roller Plus it can be combined with the Rack-Pack S and M.
From Oslo to Cape Town, ORTLIEB Back and Front-Rollers have long since been classics among waterproof bike panniers. Outdoor specialists swear by the functional and strong system of front and rear bag loading on both sides. And since every ounce is crucial for long distance bike touring, the Rollers' main advantage is their little net weight. No matter whether you bike forest tracks or desert roads, cross canyons or rivers, the extremely durable outer fabric has proven its strength in numerous real tests. These are not the only reasons why the all-weather solution was awarded several times by the bicycle press: hermetical roll closures, shoulder straps and the ORTLIEB Quick-Lock System ensure that food and equipment are not only protected 100% but also accessible at any time.
- Release handle for mounting and releasing the QL1 system
- Lateral 3M Scotchlite reflector
- Buckles for closing the rolling closure at the top or for attaching the shoulder strap
- Additional closure with buckle and D-ring (when the bag is carried with the shoulder strap)
- QL1 bar for quick fastening and release
- Edge protector with slots for mounting the ORTLIEB carrying system
- Adjustable anchoring hook for providing lateral movement of the bag
- Shoulder strap with padding for comfortable carrying or for fixing to the hook
- Possibility to attach an additional fastening strap
- Comes as a pair
- Waterproof
- Colours: Black, Red, Blue, Yellow, Grey, White.
- Back Roller size: 42 x 32 x 17cm, capacity: 40l (per pair), weight: 1900g (per pair)
- Front Roller size: 30 x 25 x 14cm, capacity: 25l (per pair), weight: 1590g (per pair)
Find out more: www.ortlieb.com / 015396 25493
