Author Topic: Panniers - Carradice or Ortlieb? (Read 24102 times)

Cudzoziemiec · « **Reply #50 on:** 24 June, 2011, 12:26:15 pm »

Am I the only one here with Agu panniers? Mine are not particularly big, 35 litres IIRC, but I presume they do bigger ones as well. They have two pockets each - a small back one with velcro tab, in which I like to keep a few tools and tubes on one side and snacks on the other, and a large, flat zipped pocket on the outer side, presumably intended for maps. Or maybe not, but it is flat. The material is something woven but synthetic - not cotton duck, despite vaguely resembling it. They are reasonably well made but I very much doubt if they match the quality of Carradice or Ortlieb (or even Vaude). They are not only a Dutch company but made in the Netherlands, if you care about that, though I cannot confirm the names of their seamstresses!

However, I would not recommend them to the OP because they have not proved totally waterproof. The outer 'map' pocket in particular lets in a lot of water (rendering it totally unsuitable for holding maps).

Cudzoziemiec · « **Reply #51 on:** 24 June, 2011, 12:27:19 pm »

Quote from: clarion on 24 June, 2011, 12:10:08 pm

There is a definite hierarchy of prejudice oop north. And we will unite in our hatred of savvernaaaaaz.

That's ok - I'm from the West not the South!

hatler · « **Reply #52 on:** 24 June, 2011, 12:30:12 pm »

Quote from: Polar Bear on 24 June, 2011, 12:25:29 pm

Naturally when bog snorkelling one places ones valuables in one of one's wonderfully-waterproof Ortlieb panners and ensures that one closes it correctly

I imagine that bike bog-snorkelling when sporting an all-round set of Ortlieb roll top panniers would probably defeat the purpose of the exercise, ie you'd float.

Kim · « **Reply #53 on:** 24 June, 2011, 12:36:48 pm »

Quote from: clarion on 24 June, 2011, 11:02:00 am

Aye, but I can reach behind me to my (admittedly Altura) pannier that I have packed for the weekend, and put my hand on either knife, lighter, etc etc because they are in a different pocket. If they were in with the stove, gas, pans, plumbers mat, windshield, packets of soup etc, it'd be harder. Some things are small, and can make their way underneath other stuff. It's just a fact of motion. And the smaller things are hte ones you are most likely to need quickly.

I solve this one with Alpkit Apollo stuff-sacks, but carrier bags or ziplocks would do. They come in an assortment of sizes and colours, so for example my front-left pannier contains different coloured stuff sacks for: clothing I'll need on the road, bike tools, drugs, electrical gubbins, wallet/phone (this one's actually a proper drybag, for use in the Carradice). Cable lock lives loose at the bottom of the pannier along with spare tubes and pump.

So I can get small items by quickly and easily pulling out the appropriate stuff-sack. Only marginally more faff than pockets, and pays off in the evening, when you can put the sacks directly in the tent and fold the panniers out of the way, rather than having to manoeuvre round a pannier, or unpack/repack a load of small pockets.

The Apollo bags don't seal, but are waterproof enough to stop things getting damp in a Halfords-grade (or presumably Carradice) pannier, unless it actually fills with water.

Also - something I didn't realise until I got them - Ortliebs do in fact have a couple of internal pockets for managing smaller items and things that need to be kept flat.

LEE · « **Reply #54 on:** 24 June, 2011, 12:57:25 pm »

Here's my Bike Packer Plus. You can see it's a Mk1 because the side pockets are mesh. I'm not sure if this version is still available.

What I like about them.

1 - The mesh side pockets (where I keep puncture repair stuff).
2 - The amount of stuff you can cram under the lid AND on top of the lid, using adjustable straps.
3 - The lift on-lift off mounts/clamps.
4 - That you can lay them on wet grass without needing to worry about internal dry-bags.
5 - They don't rely on absorbing water to achieve water-resistance like Carradice Cotton Duck.

I think they have got it just about perfect. If I were globe-trotting then I'd get roll-tops, for river crossings, boat trips and so on.

I consider them to be the best pannier you can buy and don't think it's unreasonable to pay £125 for something that's "Best of Breed" when lesser equivalents are still in the £90 bracket.

Nothing looks better than Black Super C panniers though.

I do have issues with Carradice quality, and have seen enough threads on this forum to know that others have as well. I like both my saddlebags but, if Ortleib made an equivalent, I'd probably have bought the Ortleibs.

It wouldn't look as nice as the Barley though.

Andrij · « **Reply #55 on:** 24 June, 2011, 01:03:39 pm »

outdoorgb.com has good prices on Ortliebs at the moment — Ortlieb Back Roller Plus (pair) for £94.96.

Kim · « **Reply #56 on:** 24 June, 2011, 01:07:51 pm »

Is it wrong that I actually *like* the look of the classic Ortliebs?

LEE · « **Reply #57 on:** 24 June, 2011, 04:07:27 pm »

Quote from: Kim on 24 June, 2011, 01:07:51 pm

Is it wrong that I actually *like* the look of the classic Ortliebs?

No, I think there's a utilitarian beauty to them (Swiss Army Knives, Apache Longbow Helicopter, Landrovers...etc)

BrianI · « **Reply #58 on:** 24 June, 2011, 06:55:42 pm »

Quote from: Kim on 24 June, 2011, 01:07:51 pm

Is it wrong that I actually *like* the look of the classic Ortliebs?

I like my classic rear roller panniers. Quite a few years old now, looking kind of scruffy, but they are still waterproof!

If they get muddy / dirty, simply wipe down with a cloth and they look nice and shiny and clean again!

Polar Bear · « **Reply #59 on:** 24 June, 2011, 08:19:34 pm »

Quote from: Kim on 24 June, 2011, 12:36:48 pm

Also - something I didn't realise until I got them - Ortliebs do in fact have a couple of internal pockets for managing smaller items and things that need to be kept flat.

Really? None of mine do as far as I am aware. Where are your internal pockets?

andygates · « **Reply #60 on:** 24 June, 2011, 08:29:14 pm »

Down the rack-facing hard side. Good for papers and suncream.

At least, they are in my 2011 front rollers.

Doosh · « **Reply #61 on:** 24 June, 2011, 08:29:47 pm »

Quote from: Polar Bear on 24 June, 2011, 08:19:34 pm

Where are your internal pockets?

Easy, sailor!

dasmoth · « **Reply #62 on:** 24 June, 2011, 08:31:14 pm »

Quote from: andygates on 24 June, 2011, 08:29:14 pm

Down the rack-facing hard side. Good for papers and suncream.

At least, they are in my 2011 front rollers.

Likewise in our ~2007 Bikepacker Pluses.

Polar Bear · « **Reply #63 on:** 24 June, 2011, 08:34:40 pm »

Hmmm. I'm feeling like I've missed out now. None of our four rear roller plus or two front roller plus or four classic roller panniers have an internal pocket.

I wonder why?

Polar Bear · « **Reply #64 on:** 24 June, 2011, 08:37:15 pm »

I'm quite liking the idea of the add on external pockets for Ortliebs and wondering if I can justify, or in fact actually need some for the existing panniers. Might be useful: Will have to cogitate...

Jord · « **Reply #65 on:** 24 June, 2011, 08:49:46 pm »

Has anyone used Deuter Panniers? Wiggle | Deuter Rack Pack Uni Panniers Panniers

Doosh · « **Reply #66 on:** 24 June, 2011, 10:59:48 pm »

I was looking at them, but they're never in stock $:-\$

Deano · « **Reply #67 on:** 24 June, 2011, 11:03:33 pm »

Nice piece on Carradice here:

Carradice saddlebags

Redway1 · « **Reply #68 on:** 25 June, 2011, 05:08:02 pm »

Hi, I have Carradice, bought the ex Ortleib. Both superb but the on-carrier locking catch is better with Ortlieb. Tough plasticised material too. The carradice are slightly heavier, the cotton duck full waterproof. The reason I prefer them is when carrying using a shoulder strap (which I sewed on) the mini pocket is useful to carry cash, phone and pocket camera. If you like the idea of the Ortlieb, it may be worth waiting for the Aldi release which appears a near copy - my daughter uses it and a 5th the price.

Hope this helps.

Simon

Jord · « **Reply #69 on:** 25 June, 2011, 05:23:55 pm »

Quote

I was looking at them, but they're never in stock Undecided

The Deuter? They are saying 10+. I've just ordered some to have a look.

Doosh · « **Reply #70 on:** 25 June, 2011, 05:51:38 pm »

Quote from: Jord on 25 June, 2011, 05:23:55 pm

Quote
I was looking at them, but they're never in stock Undecided

The Deuter? They are saying 10+. I've just ordered some to have a look.

Ahhh sods law. I didn't actually click the link

I was looking earlier last year and they were never in stock, I kept coming back but eventually gave in and stumped up for the Altura drylines.

I'm just on the lookout for a cheap pair now so as I don't knacker the Alturas when just generally carting things around. Probably go for the cheap ones that SJS are knocking out.

Jord · « **Reply #71 on:** 28 June, 2011, 11:25:10 am »

I've just had the Deuter panniers delivered and must say they are very well made and an absolute bargain. Not sure about the waterproof ability ability but like packing a rucksack I'll place everything in a plastic bag anyway.

LEE · « **Reply #72 on:** 28 June, 2011, 11:43:29 am »

The Ortliebs have a well designed Rucksack adapter, although I've never tried it, it seems very useful.

I can feel my credit card flexing.

Has anyone got one? I'd be interested to know how comfy it was

hatler · « **Reply #73 on:** 28 June, 2011, 11:56:39 am »

Quote from: LEE on 28 June, 2011, 11:43:29 am

The Ortliebs have a well designed Rucksack adapter, although I've never tried it, it seems very useful.

I can feel my credit card flexing.

Has anyone got one? I'd be interested to know how comfy it was

We've got one of these. Never really used beyond wandering round the shops, but it is quite well padded and distinctly preferable to lugging the panniers round in your hand. One slight downside is that I really struggle getting the bottom clips out of the panniers when we're finished with it but Mrs hatler has the knack.

LEE · « **Reply #74 on:** 28 June, 2011, 12:02:32 pm »

Quote from: hatler on 28 June, 2011, 11:56:39 am

Quote from: LEE on 28 June, 2011, 11:43:29 am
The Ortliebs have a well designed Rucksack adapter, although I've never tried it, it seems very useful.

I can feel my credit card flexing.

Has anyone got one? I'd be interested to know how comfy it was

We've got one of these. Never really used beyond wandering round the shops, but it is quite well padded and distinctly preferable to lugging the panniers round in your hand. One slight downside is that I really struggle getting the bottom clips out of the panniers when we're finished with it but Mrs hatler has the knack.

Does it have a hip-belt? I can't tell from the photo.

Edit. Looking at other photos it appears it doesn't have a hip-belt. Shame, but then again it's not designed to replace a specialist rucksack I suppose, just a convenient day-pack when off the bike.