Doug64

I have remounted using the same cable several times without any problems. The key to not squashing the cables is to just snug them up. They do not have to be over tightened to provide the necessary security.

The Ultimate 5 and 6, and the Classic 5 are really waterproof. The material is also very durable. I've been using mine for the last 9 years for a total of about 16 months of actual touring, and it is still in good shape.

I think you've seen this picture before. Our family has had a lot of experience with Ortlieb bar bags.


I keep my camera, and valuables in the bar bag, and never worry about moisture. That is unless I leave it open on a picnic table in a thunderstorm. We had one tour with 35 days of rain.


My camera fits in the orange padded case.


Good solid and quiet mount

AdvXtrm

That's a very impressive testimony to the bag's overall build quality and waterproofness. Am I right in assuming that due to the lack of external zippers and having detachable strap buckles the bags are very quiet as well?

Doug64

Yes! There are short zippers on the mesh side pockets on the Ultimate 5 and 6. My wife and daughters have the Ultimate series bags, and I have the Classic. My wife's bag gets used even more than mine. She also uses it on many day rides to carry her camera, snacks, etc.

This is my Front Roller Classic which uses the same material as my Classic 5 bar bag. It had a high speed encounter with a tall curb. It is still waterproof!

AdvXtrm

OK then, since I want it to be as quite as possible, then the Classic, or one of the Pro bags sounds like my best choice then.

I see the Pro bags have a clear space built into the lids themselves. I wonder if those lids, or at least the clear portion of them, are replaceable in case the clear part gets damaged?

Doug64

Don't rule out the Ultimate 5 or 6. Their short zippers do not rattle. It would be good if you could go someplace where you could check them out in person.

I don't know about the Pro, but call Wayne at The Touring Store. He is very knowledgeable and helpful.
TheTouringStore.com | Bicycle Touring and Commuting Panniers and Packs, Bicycle Racks and Other Touring Gear

fietsbob

l learned, and now wear my valuables, on my Body, under my clothes , in a money belt.. On my International Bike Tours.

AdvXtrm

Will do! Thanks!

Good advice.

Yan 

I find the pockets of the Arkel bag very useful. I understand Ortlieb has a zippered pouch, like they do in their panniers, but this would be inadequate for my needs. I keep my chargers, batteries, headlamp, and various small items in the lid inner pocket; the guidebook, a multi tool, and snacks in the front pocket. I do use Ortlieb rear panniers and keep thing organized with garbage bags. I wouldn't want to do that with my bar bag. On the other hand I have to stop and pull a rain cover over the bag for anything above a drizzle. Trade offs.

AdvXtrm

Right now I'm leaning towards getting the Ultimate6 Classic (Large). I like the capacity of it; seems just right. What size do you have Doug?

Doug64

We all use the medium size. You might check the dimensions of the large. We use the medium because they fit neatly between the STI levers, and do not extend forward enough to interfere with cable routing. This may not be as much of an issue if you are using bar-end shifters.

I took this picture for a different reason, but you can see how the rear derailleur cable fits neatly in front of the bar bag. You can also see how much space it takes up in my wife's narrow bars. Her bag is an Ultimate 5, medium.

AdvXtrm

Since I have trekking bars, the bag itself will always be out past my cables and won't be an issue for me. That being the case I'll go for the large bag. It's only 1.2" added front to back, not much, but I'll take all the space I can use.

I can't find the dimensions of the mount itself. I'm trying to determine what the distance between the bar and bag will be. Can you help me out with that?

fietsbob

Ortlieb bag mount extenders https://www.bikebagshop.com/mounting...uxpRoCmlrw_wcB move the whole mount ahead for more clearance..

Doug64

The distance from the front edge of the bars to the front edge of the mount is
2 7/16".

AdvXtrm

Great, that should be prefect, thanks.

robert schlatte

I just received my Arkel bag as well. Yes, it is surprisingly noisy. I did add some weight to it and that helped some. Not entirely certain where the noise is coming from but I did not get the impression it was coming from the zipper pulls and shoulder strap attachments. I think the interface between the mounting brackets and the brackets attached to the bag causes the rattling noise. I am going to see if I can't figure out a solution.

canklecat

To quiet rattling zippers and metal to metal bits on various bags, including camera bags, I use cloth covered ponytail elastic, or short lengths of paracord. Works on rattling metal clips on cameras too. Besides making zipper pulls quieter it gives me something to grab while wearing winter gloves.

Doug64

I screwed up. The measurement should have been 2 9/16. Hopefully, it is not an issue. While riding back from the gym this morning, I was looking at my bag, and got to thinking about the measurement.

AdvXtrm

That's still well within the range I need, thanks.

Chuck Naill

The noise on my bag come from the play in the metal attachment points.

robert schlatte

Yes, that is what I think too. However, after having used the bag for a while now, the bit of noise does not bother me. Compared to my old Topeak tourguide bag, the Arkel is much higher quality bag.

djb

re short bits of cord or whatever, I certainly appreciate having this sort of thing on some of my jackets for making it easier to quickly grab a zipper end with gloves or just without looking directly at the zipper.
For decades I have used camera bags and specifically waist style equipment that holds lenses and whatnot and being able to just feel quickly and grab a zipper with added cord on it really makes a difference when working in a fast changing environment and you can easily unzip a bag without taking your eye off a situation--I equate this very much to opening a bar bag while riding to grab a camera or whatever.
I would add that not having zippers to easily open with one hand when riding is the one thing I don't like about the Ortliebs, more specifically MY ortlieb which is the previous generation with snaps, the present ones with magnets are easier to open (but in my mind have other safety issues off bike compared to snaps)

If paracord or whatever reduces any annoying sounds then this is an obvioius benefit to you given that it was the whole reason of your question here.

and yes, the Arkel stuff is very very well made, my joke about the weight was just that, for me the weight of them was something that I wasn't keen on.

AdvXtrm

I've since returned the bag to Arkel, who were great about the return and refund, so props to them for being so good about it all. I will do business with this company again. As a matter of fact, when the time comes to purchase a set of panniers, I will be purchasing Arkel's without a doubt. Now as for a handlebar bag, Ortlieb it will be. I'll report back with my observations when I've had some time with it.

Chuck Naill

Nice to hear Arkel has good customer service. I hope you enjoy the Ortlieb.

Chuck Naill

Just an update on the noise with the Arkel. I have ridden several times and several miles since attaching the bag. I have pretty good hearing I think, but I don't find the occasional metallic vibratory sound emitted a concern.

AdvXtrm

My mounts didn't rattle on my Arkel, but all of the zippers and something about the bag itself creates such a constant racket that I couldn't stand it; it had to go. I've got the Ortlieb now, and I just took it out for a short test ride last night. What I found was that in the "unlocked" setting the lock mechanism itself rattles up a storm, but when locked it is dead quite, as is the entire mount and bag, so in the end I've got the peace and quiet I expect.