Market: For most people, bicycle bags are certainly the products with which the name Ortlieb is initially associated. Guaranteed weatherproof, robust, practical and in countless sizes, colors, designs - these are the main arguments for many when looking for a bicycle bag to fall back on a product from the traditional German manufacturer. If you browse through the extensive range of bags for this season, you will discover some old acquaintances, but also many new products.
On the one hand, there are the classic touring bags for the front or back, for luggage racks or saddles, large or small. On the other hand, with the continuing communting trend, urban bags that can be used universally are becoming more and more popular, which can be transformed from a chic bag for the office into a robust bicycle bag in just a few moments. A third area of application, which is still relatively new, is bike packing: These bags are a case for hardcore cyclists who sometimes spend several days alone on their bikes and, despite their heavy luggage, are not afraid of excursions on one or the other trail.
Ortlieb fastening system QL2.1 and QL3.1
Almost as important as the bag itself is the way it is attached to the bike. Nothing is more uncomfortable, annoying and sometimes even more dangerous than a wildly dangling bicycle bag. Ortlieb relies on its Quick Lock System - QL for short - which has been established for years and is constantly being further developed. QL is probably the most widespread in the 2.1 generation: The major advantages of the attachment are its universality and the wide range of adjustments, which makes the bags compatible with almost every luggage rack on the market. However, a disadvantage that should not be neglected, especially in everyday city life, is the high structure of the attachment: With backpacks and bags, this does not necessarily ensure a high level of carrying comfort.
Ortlieb QL2.1
Ortlieb QL3.1
For this reason, Ortlieb has given some thought and (almost) eliminated the one major disadvantage with the new QL3.1 generation. Although there are still three plastic mounting points on the back of the bags, these are now much more compact and are less bulky. This was achieved by moving most of the mounting structure from the bag to the rack. With QL3.1 compatible luggage carriers such as the Ortlieb Rack 1 and Rack 2 models, three small attachment points are sufficient to attach the counterparts of the bag. But don't worry, even those who don't have a QL3.1 mount on their bike can attach the bags: a plastic connector that is included in the scope of delivery acts as an adapter.
Waterproof – no ifs or buts
Another cornerstone of the excellent reputation of Ortlieb bags, not only in this country, is their unrivaled weather resistance. It is not for nothing that a separate menu item is dedicated to the topic "Waterproof" on their own website. The interplay between the materials used, their processing and, last but not least, the closure used ensures that the contents always remain dry even in the pouring rain.
When it comes to the material, different synthetic fabrics are used, some with a textile feel, some more like a truck tarpaulin, but always waterproof. The individual fabrics are then not glued or even sewn together, as is the case with many other manufacturers, but welded using a special high-frequency process. This not only promotes stability and longevity, but is also the decisive factor that Ortlieb bags are waterproof up to 100.000 mm - a value that no rain jacket, no matter how high-quality, can keep up with.
Last but not least, there is the closure, which of course, like the material itself, should be immune to the unloved water. The roll-top closure has proven its worth here in particular, as it protects the contents from splashing water from all directions and can also do without systems that are prone to defects and errors, such as zippers or Velcro. Its disadvantage: opening and closing the bag takes a few seconds longer than with a conventional lid or zipper. Nevertheless, Ortlieb still uses the established roll-top closure for most of its models.
Production: Sustainable and responsible
Sustainability is one of the big issues of our time, but is still neglected by large parts of the bicycle industry. At Ortlieb, we strive for maximum transparency and count sustainable production as one of the elementary components of our corporate mission statement. Environmental awareness is paramount here and this may sound simple to an outsider, but for a large producer like Ortlieb, which in turn is dependent on many suppliers, this is a major challenge. This is countered, among other things, with a code of conduct for all suppliers.
Ortlieb has been producing in Germany since it was founded in 1982 and nothing has changed to this day. This has become rare even for traditional companies, but even more remarkable is the fact that more than 70% of the material used comes from Germany. This reduces the necessary transport routes and the ecological footprint is many times smaller. In addition, faster delivery times can be guaranteed.
If you want to know more about Ortlieb and sustainability, you can find out more on the official website.
Ortlieb product highlights 2017
Ortlieb Urban Line: Chic and functional
The Urban Line has been around at Ortlieb for quite a while, but still fly a little under the radar of many people. Most of the products are based on the successful models in the portfolio, such as the classic back roller or the commuter daypack, but come in a textile-like Cordura fabric that, thanks to its PU coating, reliably protects the contents from water and dirt. Clever features such as the integrated reflectors point to the field of application in the urban jungle.
Ortlieb Velocity Custom
For some time now, Ortlieb has had a really cool offer on its website for individualists. The extremely popular Velocity messenger bag can be carried with a Online Configurator Design with your own motif and have it delivered to the nearest Ortlieb dealer. The editor couldn't be simpler: simply select the background color you want, upload a photo, logo or lettering and you're done. The self-designed bag costs €129,90, the standard model is available from €89,90.
The Velocity is very popular with many cyclists - on the one hand this is due to its practical form factor and the 24L volume, which is ample for daily use. Thanks to the roll closure, the contents are protected as best as possible from wind and weather, and the stable base with edge protection also forgives rough 'putting down' in the stress of everyday life.
Ortlieb bikepacking bags
It's one of the really big bike trends of the last year or two and it doesn't stop at Ortlieb: bikepacking. Bike tours for the hardened, so to speak: In addition to food, all utensils such as sleeping bags, sleeping mats, tents and much more are often on board – after all, real bikepackers are often on the bike for several days. This type of two-wheeler, somewhere between a mountain bike and an extreme bike tour, not only places high demands on the riders, but also on the equipment.
The luggage doesn't just want to be stowed away on the bike somehow - which is already challenging enough - but also in such a way that the handling of the bike remains manageable on the trail and the bags don't get lost, of course.
Testing: Test: Ortlieb Handlebar Pack – Clever luggage roll for the handlebars
Test: With the Ortlieb Handlebar Pack, we took a close look at the new, off-road-suitable handlebar bag from the traditional manufacturer from Nuremberg. With its 15L volume, it should be an attractive alternative to comfortably transporting a sleeping bag and the like for many bikepacking fans and newcomers. Our test shows whether the handlebar pack lives up to the high expectations. It is one […]
At the start of the bikepacking series, Ortlieb has four bags in its range for 2017: the frame pack, which converts the frame triangle into a "trunk", the seat pack as an oversized saddle bag and the handlebar pack for one or the other on the handlebars to be able to stow away. We were already able to convince ourselves of the latter in the test and it can also be expanded with additional storage space with the optional accessory pack.
If you are now interested in the topic of bikepacking or simply want to know more, you can go to www.bike-packing.com stop by - an information portal with a blog and material tips that was brought to life by Ortlieb himself.
Ortlieb Rack Box - be your own delivery service
At this year's Eurobike, the Franconian manufacturer also presented a completely new product, namely the Rack Box. At first glance, the gray transport box for the luggage rack could hardly be less spectacular, but what is special only becomes apparent on closer inspection. The Ortlieb Rack Box is an insulation box, which means that the contents are protected from heat or cold and remain warm or cold, depending on what you want. In a way, a premium version of the Styrofoam box from the delivery service that is suitable for everyday use.
The applications are diverse: transporting chilled food and drinks to the bathing lake in midsummer is just as possible as picking up a quick portion of pasta from an Italian restaurant on the way home from the office in the freezing cold of winter. The box itself is made of food-safe plastic and is waterproof inside and out. It holds 18L and can be loaded with a maximum of 10kg. It can be attached to almost any luggage rack using Ortlieb's own Rack Lock System. Cost: €99,95