eric von zipper

Which do you prefer and why? Advantages or disadvantages? Any other general thoughts on the Packer series vs. the Roller series. Thanks.

https://www.ortliebusa.com/cartgenie/...asp?category=2

Edit: This is in terms of an extended tour. Say, TransAm or Alaska to S. America or Southeast Asia.

twodeadpoets

I vote for both. I have the rear packers and front rollers.

I like the little bit of extra space and the mesh outer and inner pockets the packers have and the portage capabilities of the rollers (ie shoulder straps and easy access). On our trips the shoulder strap on the rollers comes in very handy when off the bike. It would be nice if the packers came with a shoulder strap too, that way when jumping on a bus after mounting the bike on the bus rack, it would be much easier to shoulder all your gear and get on the bus.

Have had a couple of rushed boardings in which I worried over the bikes security a little because I was juggling four panniers, a sleeping bag, a pad and a handlebar bag while boarding buses. Shouldering all of the bags would have helped in the transfer.

FlowerBlossom

Packer.

No PVC.

Extremely waterproof + strong + lightweight.

twodeadpoets

BTW the rollers also come in a non PVC version called the Ortlieb Plus

cyccommute 

Neither of the roller bags are made of PVC coated fabric. They are both made of a polyester coated fabric. The difference between the normal and plus version is the mounting hardware.

I prefer the Rollers. Simpler closure and can be rolled tighter if you aren't carrying as much of a load.

Cave

Rollers are very simple, waterproof, rugged BUT I like the outside pocket and the flap closure on the packers. I'm definitely not an Arkel kind of guy, but it is nice having somewhere to put wet gear or something from the shops.

I'd probably go two and two; prob. packer at the back and rollers at the front. Although front rollers are a bit too small for shopping or carrying a laptop when back at home.

Meh, you can't go wrong either way. They're good gear.

spinnaker

I really haven't seen the rollers. I figured the packers would be easier to get in and out of, so that is what I bought.


The rollers seem like they would be pretty much 100% waterproof but I am not planning on crossing any streams.

twodeadpoets

With all due respect you are right about the mounting hardware. The classics (normal) have the QL-1 clip system while the Plus versions have the QL-2 clips. However the difference between the two versions also has to do with the fabric used.

From TheTouringStore.com

All Classic panniers are made of the Classic PVC fabric that looks and feels like the fabric you will find 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.

rmac

The Rollers are fairly inexpensive (especially compared to Arkels). They were cheaper a couple of weeks ago but are still only about $124 now.

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Or...rs/5360007501/

John Nelson

Sorry, but there are serveral inaccuracies in the posts above. The "Classics" are indeed polyester fabric, but they also contain PVC. And the difference between "Packer" and "Roller" has nothing to do with fabric, since there are versions of both made of each. The main difference between the two has to do with the closure mechanism. The packer plus also come with an outside pocket (which is just one of the reasons why it is heavier).

Each series (packer and roller) comes in Classic and Plus versions, and the two versions are very different, so you really need to know which version you are comparing for it to make any sense.

If taking about the Classic versions: The packer is 10% heavier and easier to get into. The roller is more waterproof (it's rated to float whereas the packer is not), lighter, and 10% less expensive. Both use QL1, have the same volume and size, and are made of the same material.

If talking about the Plus versions: the packer is 25% heavier and easier to get into. The roller is more waterproof, lighter and 10% less expensive. Both use QL2, have the same volume and size, and are made of the same material.

The Plus versions are lighter and more expensive than the comparable Classic versions, but are the same size and volume. The CLassic versions come in more colors. Both Plus versions have no PVC, and both Classic versions do. The difference between the QL1 and QL2 is practically nothing--the mounting positions on the QL2 can be changed without any tools (but how often do you need to do that anyway, unless you routinely move the panniers between bikes). The QL2 has a place to attach a security cable.

LeeG

the rollers carry a bit less, the packers a bit more.

cyccommute 

My mistake. Ortlieb lists the fabric as a polyester fabric but you have to really dig around to find out what the coating is. The Plus is coated with polyurethane, according to this while the Classic is PVC.

Bekologist

I like packers on the back, rollers on the front.

the front packers are a bit tight to use compared to the front rollers in my experience. The opening is too restricted with the narrower opening of the front packer style but a non issue with the front rollers.

The packer style in and of itself gives you sundry advantages over the rollers. It's difficult to attach clothing to dry on top of a roller. The packer style also allows much easier use of a diamond hitch for gear atop them, so i use the packers on the back.

eric von zipper

I was trying to keep the poll simple, but probably should have had more options such as Classic, Plus and a combo of both. Anywho, thanks for the input.

Speedo

^^^

+1 Very useful responses.

Speedo

xilios

We both have the Roller Classics with QL2. Very easy to clip on and off, 100% water tight and to sort out our stuff we use very large plastic zip-loc bags.

John Nelson

I didn't think that was possible. All the Roller Classics come with QL1.

robmcl

I have the rollers too and with the straps they double nicely as sea bags. I used them on a canoe camping trip in the Boundary Waters last summer and the straps were very useful during portages. I originally bought the back rollers because I multi-modal commute by train and needed the shoulder strap for getting on and off of the train.

xilios

I think they started with the QL2 system on the Classics in 2007/2008 check out their site https://www.ortlieb.de/_prod.php?lang...ontrollerclass click on additional information than 360 view.

Al Downie

I also have packers on the back and rollers on the front. Works fine. BUT... I do remember being a bit annoyed on the last tour by the PVC/whatever surface on the inside of the bags, which made shoving things into tight spaces very difficult.