Entire bag reflected
All Ortlieb, or what? When researching this buying guide, you could almost get the impression. The Ortlieb Back Roller has been a classic among touring cyclists for decades. No reason for the Heilbronn-based manufacturer not to keep developing and improving the product. The latest highlight: the PU-coated Cordura fabric is completely interwoven with a reflective yarn. In the dark, it is not just a small strip that reflects, but the entire bag. A safety advantage that should not be underestimated!
Manufacturers such as Abus and Deuter, who were still involved in the last buyer's guide in 2011, have now given up their efforts to establish themselves in the "pannier" market segment.
In their place, two new representatives have entered the ring. Swedish manufacturer Thule, previously only known for car transport solutions, now also has a bicycle bag series in its portfolio. And the English luxury brand Brooks, a traditional manufacturer of leather saddles, delivered waterproof welded polyester panniers to the editorial office.
But if you take a closer look, you will realise that Ortlieb has a hand in this too. Ortlieb's QuickLock 2 mechanism serves as the fastening system for Brooks. Racktime also uses an Ortlieb QuickLock system to hold the bags on the carrier. Obvious, considering that Ortlieb handles the distribution for Racktime.
However, the biggest differences in this product overview are in the fastening systems. In addition to the Ortlieb system, the Vaude bags are fitted with the company's own QMR system, which, as with Ortlieb, can be adapted to almost any rack without the need for tools. Rixen & Kaul and Norco rely on the Klickfix rails, which can also be easily adjusted in a few simple steps. Arkel and Thule, on the other hand, go their own way with the hook solution, which still seems a little awkward, at least at first. Haberland even completely dispenses with fastening hooks on its double bag; only a third safety hook can be fitted to prevent the bag from swinging sideways. Otherwise, the bags are held in place by a strap, which is fixed by a spring flap or horizontal tensioning strap.
The differences in material and features are far less noticeable. Eight out of ten bag models are made of waterproof welded polyester material. Vaude, Ortlieb and Thule emphasise the PVC-free production. Racktime includes a rain cover in the lid compartment. Haberland buyers would have to pay an additional 12 euros for this.
In conclusion, it can be said that modern panniers are nowadays made from high-quality, lightweight materials. The workmanship is consistently precise and clean. The various fastening systems work reliably with more or less assembly effort. Depending on individual requirements, equipment wishes and budget, the market for back rollers and the like offers the right pannier model for every cyclist.
You can download the full-length article from issue 5/2014 as a PDF.
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Barbara Merz-Weigandt
Editor-in-Chief
