Ortlieb Panniers: Classic vs. Plus

I have been having some back issues this past week, so I have been looking into getting a set of panniers to replace my backpack. I have been looking at the Ortlieb Back-Roller Classic and the Ortlieb Back-Roller Plus panniers. Does anyone have any experience with these? Does the Plus offer any advantage over the Classic or is it not worth the extra price? Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by spencewine on May 21, 2013 at 4:19am

I have a set of the Ortlieb "Bike-Tourer" panniers. They are a bit pricier, but it's an investment. I like them because they're much easier to get into and out of than the other versions. One latch to open, so you can reach back with one hand and throw something in it at a red light without having to pull over. Also, the body is foam formed so it's easier to find stuff, etc. I purchased mine from a bike store in my home town in Indiana, but I'm pretty sure Comrades carries them.

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Permalink Reply by Mark on May 21, 2013 at 4:21am

I have the classic and they are plenty large. Since they open wide from the top, loading and unloading is quick and easy. I used to ride with two panniers and now only use 1 Ortlieb Classic. And they are completely waterproof like no other bag. I can now ride in confidence no matter how heavy the rain, that the inside of the bag will be completely dry. This bag is the best biking accessory I ever bought.

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Permalink Reply by Alex on May 21, 2013 at 4:22am

Here is the info from Wayne at The Touring Store (http://www.thetouringstore.com/ORTLIEB/Ort%20101/ORT%20101%20PAGE.htm):

All Classic panniers are made of the Classic PVC fabric that looks and feels like the slick and shiny fabric on a river raft, or a rafters "dry bag."
All Plus panniers are made of the Plus "Cordura" fabric that has a more cloth-like appearance. It is a laminated fabric with a highly waterproof inner layer that adds strength to the Cordura. The Plus fabric is a bit lighter in weight than the Classic fabric, but easily as waterproof, and equal in durability. Most tourists think it looks a little better than the classic fabric. Hey! Looks are important!
All Classic panniers use the original QL-1 upper mounting system. QL-1 top hooks can be adjusted with an allen wrench. They move from side to side on the top of the panniers to help you find the perfect hook position on your rack's top rails. The top hooks grasp the top rails on your rack, similar to the way you might place your four fingers over -- and opposable thumbs under a chin-up bar.
All Plus panniers use the updated, more adjustable QL-2 upper mounting system. The QL-2 top hooks can be adjusted without using any tools. QL-2 Top Hooks are especially nice if you have racks on more than one bicycle, and are often swapping your bags from one bike to another. You can quickly move the hooks from one set of positions to another. Like the QL-1 hooks, QL-2 top hooks grasp the top rails on your rack, so they will never fall off of your rack while riding.

All in all, kind of a wash to me. I have a set of Front Roller Plus but bought them because they happened to be on sale for super cheap, otherwise would have been perfectly happy with the classics. The super-thin fabric made me a little nervous but holds up fine. They are a pain to carry around off the bike and wouldn't be my first choice for commuting, though - plenty of panniers out there these days that can double as a shoulder bag or backpack, include ones made by Ortlieb.

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Permalink Reply by WillG on May 21, 2013 at 5:00am

I have the classics, they're great, no complaints at all.

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Permalink Reply by David of the North (David606xx) on May 21, 2013 at 7:16am

I've ridden with each, and prefer the classics as they're easier to wipe clean. Salt and grit make the Plus look pretty crappy within a year.

Also--I've recently switched to front pannier only using Axiom's brilliant rack system that puts the weight down low by the hub. I was worried about balance at first, but now I feel more balanced than I ever did with rear pannier. Again--the trick is to get a rack that centers the weight low down, not the platform style that puts the weight up high by the handlebars.

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Permalink Reply by daWillinChi on May 21, 2013 at 7:18am

I have both.

I prefer the classic as it feels sturdier and like David said, it is a lot easier to clean.

The plus is of a thinner material, but still water proof, and more compressible for storage.

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Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on May 21, 2013 at 8:40am

Unless one's commute turns into grocery shopping on occasion. I'm glad my Ortlieb Classics are so huge even though I generally don't use all the space. Part of their beauty is how flexible they are. When not being used to capacity they roll up (uh, down I guess) into fairly compact bags.

Evan said:

I love my Axiom monsoon aero panniers and I think a nice alternative to Ortliebs and 100% waterproof as well. They are smaller than real touring panniers which is fine for commuting.

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Permalink Reply by Will on May 21, 2013 at 8:48am

I have Plus panniers, but unless you carry a large backpack, I think Ortlieb rear panniers are overkill, in terms of carrying capacity. I simply don't need to carry that much stuff to work.

I did get the Ortlieb Vario backpack/pannier, and I think it's great. Perfect size, and though it's slightly cumbersome to convert it into a backpack (more so than say, something Batman might use) it does turn into a very comfortable backpack. The QL3 system, while lacking bike to bike flexibility, it extremely solid. I'd recommend it without hesitation. Just a thought.

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Permalink Reply by Tricolor on May 21, 2013 at 9:35am

I bought a pair of the classics when I bought the LHT and used one for commuting and sometimes two for shopping. One is plenty for a full set of work clothes and plenty of tools with space to spare. Before that I commuted four years with a bag (see avatar) and couldn't believe how much nicer riding is without the weight and sweat on your back. Rear racks are pretty cheap and the Ortleib Classics have inserts for the clips to fit most rack tube diameters. If you plan to expand your biking to do shopping they're a good idea.

That said I am going on a trip next weekend so I've been expanding lately:

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Permalink Reply by Josh L. on May 21, 2013 at 3:32pm

I have no comment on those.

I am a huge fan of the Banjo market pannier...http://banjobrothers.com/products/current/panniers/market-pannier/.

I commute to the loop everyday using this with a 14" inch laptop. they carry gym clothes and a full grocery bag. Quick on and off and a shoulder strap so I can stop at multiple locations and shop/do stuff. I take it to business meetings and people think it's a big commuter bag...that's the advantage over what you are looking at. Probably not as completely waterproof but my computer has made it through fine using it.