http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Ortleib v. Thule v ? en Sun, 28 Jun 2026 06:54:39 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17132#post-236029 Wed, 09 Nov 2016 16:55:46 +0000 Arellcat 236029@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I was in Biketrax earlier because one of my Brompton's Panaracer tyres suffered a catastrophic failure at the weekend. I bought good old Schwalbe Marathons this time.</p> <p>The Thule panniers look a lot like Ortleibs, but more translucent, like comparing a Wild Country tent with a Terra Nova. They have a remarkable feel, sort of waxy, rubbery and plasticky all at once. I liked them, but I don't need more bike bags. No idea what the rack fixings are like as the display bags didn't have them fitted. Expensive though.</p> <p>I'd probably buy the red waterproof EBC panniers if I needed welded construction. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17132#post-236024 Wed, 09 Nov 2016 16:09:18 +0000 steveo 236024@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>If it were me I'd have a non-bike smart bag I could toss inside the fixed pannier, if it'll take a bag for life it'll take a smart shoulder bag. </p> <p>But as you say complexity and handover is just introducing extra risk of failure. </p> <p>Totally academic of course since you're going to fix your panniers. I just have a weird fascination with bicycle luggage. :) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17132#post-236023 Wed, 09 Nov 2016 16:02:18 +0000 crowriver 236023@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>As ever, it's "whatever works". </p> <p>My partner's bike has fixed double panniers, as does my 'utility' Pronto bike. Kids' bikes we use removable panniers as most of the time they're not actually carrying anything. Only other bike with fixed panniers is the tagalong 'tractor' hybrid - tagalong also has a rack and mini fixed panniers, very handy for daughter's gloves, hats, snacks, etc.</p> <p>You can dump any old bag in the large fixed panniers, or none. Carrier bags, satchels, other single panniers, work bags, handbags, just about anything. I find the advantage is you just become a normal pedestrian after parking your bike, rather than carrying special pannier bags around you're just carrying the same stuff as most other folk. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17132#post-236022 Wed, 09 Nov 2016 15:45:51 +0000 SRD 236022@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@steveo mmm.... but I need a work bag I can take places, not a bag for life/liner. amongst other things, need shoulder straps - especially as I am often carrying bike upstairs too. </p> <p>I could i could put purse, computer bag etc inside pannier, but my current pannier does that already. I just need an extra one for 'stuff' to go on the other side.</p> <p>Also think trying to swap inner bags into outer bags while doing child handovers would would be a recipe for disaster. </p> <p>I can see how these systems work for some, especially if you can park your bike outside (or inside) your front door, but not right now. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17132#post-236017 Wed, 09 Nov 2016 15:25:11 +0000 steveo 236017@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The fixed bags would still work, you'd just put your work bag in the fixed pannier. On the other-hand if you've got a system the results of changing it are likely to be catastrophic! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17132#post-236015 Wed, 09 Nov 2016 15:14:11 +0000 SRD 236015@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Does the other parental unit in your household also cycle and use panniers? I suspect that having two cycling parents leads to a different dynamic in how bags used. </p> <p>so we each have panniers that contain work or personal materials, but often swap the second pannier of kids stuff or groceries between our bikes. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17132#post-236010 Wed, 09 Nov 2016 14:38:55 +0000 crowriver 236010@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It's a different philosophy I suppose. The ones I got were only £20, so two sets is entirely feasible for less than the cost of one set of Ortliebs...</p> <p> I also have removable panniers that I swap between other bikes (usually used just as a single pannier). But for shopping/child towing I prefer fixed panniers: you can just chuck stuff in them. Basil do some nice Dutch style panniers too in various sizes/stylesL I've a pair on a hybrid which I use to pull a tagalong. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17132#post-236009 Wed, 09 Nov 2016 14:34:23 +0000 SRD 236009@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>thanks Crowriver. I've ofen looked at that style of panniers, but don't think they'd work well for us. we too often need to swap panniers between bikes, as we hand off children and errands. i suppose we could get 2 sets, but the ease with which we can hand off the ortleibs and swap them around - or event put them on the kids bikes - really works for us. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17132#post-236004 Wed, 09 Nov 2016 14:01:50 +0000 crowriver 236004@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Repair/reuse is good. When the Ortliebs eventually reach end of life, I can recommend Dutch/continental style panniers that just stay on the bike.</p> <p>I have a large pair of bisonyl* panniers on the Pashley Pronto. No hooks or shoulder straps to tear, and as they stay fixed to the rack the stresses of taking off/putting on are non-existent. Instead of doing that, you just pop existing bags inside them: and they take masses of shopping: a jumbo sized bag for life full will fit in each one.</p> <p>* - the very strong waterproof material used by road hauliers for the tarpaulins on the sides/tops of lorries </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17132#post-236000 Wed, 09 Nov 2016 13:29:07 +0000 kaputnik 236000@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>agree with you on ortleibs as ideal family transport</em></p> <p>Young Kaputnik was carried around part of Leith Custom House in an Ortlieb before he could walk and was getting in the way by crawling everywhere. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17132#post-235999 Wed, 09 Nov 2016 13:25:10 +0000 SRD 235999@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>hee hee. I did try to think of a better way to put it...</p> <p>thanks all. parts ordered that will fix 3 of 4 issues. 4th will require the repair folks. not sure we'll get there before Christmas, but it is on the list. </p> <p>as always, your useful suggestions much appreciated. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17132#post-235998 Wed, 09 Nov 2016 12:49:20 +0000 fimm 235998@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"<em>...ortleibs as ideal family transport...</em>"<br /> I'm afraid this conjured up an image of small SRDs being folded up and put in said panniers... ;-) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17132#post-235995 Wed, 09 Nov 2016 12:19:26 +0000 SRD 235995@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Thanks all. Roibeard - thanks for the link in particular. i ahd thought ortleibs were repairable, and had had a look at their website, but hadn't found any options for the closures. </p> <p>the shoulder straps have ripped out entirely; may need scottish mountain gear for that. will pursue.</p> <p>@urchaidh agree with you on ortleibs as ideal family transport. don't know what we'd have done without them. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17132#post-235990 Wed, 09 Nov 2016 12:02:03 +0000 urchaidh 235990@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>+1 for repair at Scottish Mountain Gear - they're fairly good at this sort of thing.</p> <p>Before you change, maybe think about how you use them. I've found Ortleibs much more suited to everyday/family use than the more traditional designs - the closure just seems more suited to getting in and out quickly. When you open them, especially on the bike, they tend hold themselves open like a tube, there's no lid or flap getting in the way. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17132#post-235983 Wed, 09 Nov 2016 11:14:28 +0000 wingpig 235983@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Karrimor Iberians? I've been overloading a secondhand one for years, with no problems since I replaced the top hooks with Vaude QMR (after the original hooks threw the pannier off onto Morrison Street) and the bottom book with a Vaude sharkfin (braced with a bit of wood on the inside to keep things out of spokes). The most recent modification is a safety-pin at the end of the strap to stop the buckle sliding off when it's being used as a shoulder strap. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17132#post-235982 Wed, 09 Nov 2016 11:14:16 +0000 kaputnik 235982@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Ortliebs are basically just a big cordura sack with some fastenings sewn/screwed onto them, so should be easily repairable. I ripped a big hole in the bottom of my rackpack and simply patched it over with an Ortlieb repair kit, good as new (well, apart from the fact the patch is in black and the pannier is yellow) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17132#post-235981 Wed, 09 Nov 2016 10:58:35 +0000 Roibeard 235981@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Alternatively, simply repair the existing ones?</p> <p><a href="https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/ortlieb-spares/" rel="nofollow">https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/ortlieb-spares/</a></p> <p>Also includes the ability to add an internal pocket (already present on some models).</p> <p>Robert </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17132#post-235969 Wed, 09 Nov 2016 01:08:28 +0000 Arellcat 235969@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I would've thought so. Ortliebs are pretty big, and they fit your bike. You could visit Biketrax and do a test fit.</p> <p>(I now want an Elephant Bike just so I can put those Elephant panniers on it :-) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17132#post-235963 Tue, 08 Nov 2016 21:52:53 +0000 SRD 235963@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>hmmm....thanls for that arellcat. i love the looks of the elephant bags! but I should have specfied that we need one set of big panniers to carry our market run, and stuff for a day at the beach etc. but these <a href="http://www.carradice.co.uk/bags/panniers/carradura-rear-panniers-pair" rel="nofollow">http://www.carradice.co.uk/bags/panniers/carradura-rear-panniers-pair</a> do have potential. </p> <p>Would they be okay on 20" wheels? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17132#post-235961 Tue, 08 Nov 2016 21:30:24 +0000 Arellcat 235961@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Perhaps Scottish Mountain Gear over at Newhailes could help repair your Ortleibs.</p> <p>As an alternative, you could do worse than have a look at Carradice. Very repairable with a sewing machine and a bit of wax.</p> <p>As an alternative alternative, how about <a href="https://www.oneworldshop.co.uk/bike-panniers-recycled-cement-bag">Elephant Cement bag bike panniers</a>? I saw them in the One World Shop at the weekend. They're the Dutch style in a pair that you sling over your rack, so no fixings other than quick release strap buckles. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17132#post-235954 Tue, 08 Nov 2016 20:47:46 +0000 SRD 235954@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>So, I know everyone loves Ortleibs. as do I. But 'we' seem to have destroyed the straps and fasteners on both of ours after about 5 years usage. Heavy usage, to be fair. </p> <p>So wondering if there's anything more robust, but equally capacious? We've not had any problems with the actual panniers, although like others on here we'd be keen to have an internal pocket or two. </p>