Commuting - Ortlieb Office Bag 2 - potential problem

Ok, so my cheap panniers were fine and all, but with the rack I've got, I have to position them forward, so they don't drag on the spokes (triangular rack support shape - without the extra supports that some have), and a combination of me filling the thing right up, and my heel striking means the one I've been using split yesterday. Guess that's why they were £16.

So, I'm thinking about springing for the Ortlieb Office Bag 2, but here's the rub. I use one bike to ride to the station, and then I'm planning to have another waiting at the station in London for me. So I need 2 sets of quick release doohickeys for the racks. Is that even possible? I can't find anywhere to buy them separately, and if it IS possible, is it expensive?

Sammy,
Yep, it is possible, what you are looking for is THIS (http://www.ortliebusa.com/cartgenie/prodInfo.asp?pid=116&cid=2). It runs $22.50 US, I think that's about £12.

--A

Is that definitely for the Office Bag as well? It says...."Mounting System for the Ortlieb Bike Box ,Travel Biker, and Bike Shuttle". If it is, then that's just dandy. It's just stumping up the £120 that I'd need for the whole rig then..... Time for some extracurriclar work methinks!

It is. All of the rack-top stuff has the same mounting system. The Tri-point thingamabob, will work.
I know what you mean about the cash. Seems every time I find an elegant solution to a great need it cost me an arm and a leg. And it just takes forever to grow those things back.
--A

I guess the corollary is that it costs a lot to create the elegant solution in the first place. I wish it were not so.

So...did any of you characters pull the trigger and buy the office bag 2. It's very EURO. I'm looking for a review....im on the fence and my buy one as well.

Roo,
I have a pelican case (http://www.pelican.com/cases_detail.php?Case=1500) that I was no longer using. I bought a rear basket adaptor (http://www.ortlieb.de/_prod.php?lang=en&produkt=adapter-hinterkorb) and fit it to the bottom of the case. It fits to the rack the same way the office bag does. My brother has it at the moment, next time I'm over there I'll post up a pic.
--A

If you got the Office Bag instead of the Office Bag 2 it would go on and off your bike quickly and easily without having to put quick release doohickeys on any of the bikes. Ditto for the Carradice Bike Bureau, all these do not go on and off quite as easily as the Ortliebs.

The downside to these bags is that they look like bicycle panniers, instead of looking cool and elegant like the Office Bag 2. You also may or may not prefer the rigid construction of the Office Bag 2.

I got one of these (It has a shoulder strap
http://www.topeak.com/2006/products/bags/mtxtrunkbagdxp.php
And two of these
http://www.topeak.com/2006/products/racks/explorer.php
for about 100 USD

After about 6 months of deliberation I've made up my mind and placed my order for a proper device for towing my stuff to and from work. (Lunch, clothes for the day, shoes) Considering I occasionally stopped at the store on my way home I needed something with a little more room than the TimBuk2 Medium messenger I'd been using for years.
I researched and put my hands on the following items:

Ortlieb Roll Top Buckets: These no frills waterproof buckets probably would have done the trick. Nothing can break or wear out on these puppies and they will last a lifetime. I guess I wanted something more geared towards city commuting vice touring. Plus they all come in pairs, and i wanted a single pannier.

Ortlieb Office Bag: The office bag is pretty sweet. I think it's designed more as a briefcase though, with different compartments inside, places for calculators, pens, laptop etc. I don't use a briefcase....I just need something to get my stuff to work.
Ortlieb Office Bag 2: I came real close to buying this baby. It's pretty sweet. I think the top mount is top notch, and the attachment mechanism is of very high quaility. The bag comes off and goes on in an instant. Beautiful design Ortlieb. I guess I didn't want to look like I was carrying a briefcase full of $100s, or the keys to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile.
Arkel Bug: This bag wasa pretty neat with its backpack straps. Lot's of people are very happy with the bug. I think the helmet holder kind of turned me off.
Arkel Commuter: This bag is designed around the fact that it must carry a lap top. The size seemed reasonable but being a new bag I have not read many reviews on it, and some people say its similar to the bug.
Arkel Utility Basket: This is the bag I ended up with. For starters its big. Its rated capacity can be exceeded with the drawstring top. I think I ended up with this bag because with the compression straps tightened down a bit it holds everything I need for work. The bag pops off very easily and can be carried to the office with the shoulder strap. If on the way home I need to pick up some stuff, there is PLENTY of room. Plus it's easy to lug around the store with you on your shoulder. I was nervous about the hooks getting in the way. But they don't.
Roo

This is what I built while bored out of a pelican case.

--A

http://homepage.mac.com/awcg/.Pictures/Bike/Pellican.jpg