Saw this in my email this morning...

Bike Tires Direct is having a sale on some Ortleib stuff

https://www.biketiresdirect.com/sear...9d632-73568973

I know some of you swear by Ortleib bags. Here's a chance to save a buck on some new ones. It's one of those annoying sale ads though where you know know what's on sale or how much it's on sale until you add the item to your cart. I hate that....but a sale is a sale.

Thanks for the heads-up. Ortlieb is outstanding stuff, worth the money. Great customer service, too.

But you spelled it wrong. In Germanic names, "ie" is pronounced "ee" and "ei" is pronounced "eye." With my name, I have to remind people often.

I've never had an Ortleib bag, mainly because I'm cheap. I've got Axiom panniers that I love and I keep an Ibera rain cover in each one for emergencies. Since I don't do 3 day treks through constant rain, this cheaper set up is working for me.

But I fully understand the value in a higher prices Ortleib bag if you're in a rainy climate and constantly riding in the wet for any reason. They seem like very well made bags.

woah, sweet deal on the backroller plus!

I got a pair of Sport-Packer Plus panniers from Sierra Trading Post for just over $100, which are now my daily commuting bags (well, I usually use just one). You have to keep an eye on them and get lucky, but they often have bike stuff you wouldn't expect. I've gotten bike gloves, jerseys, shoes, etc. from them too. Pro tip: sign up for their email and wait for a 20% or 25% off coupon. They come frequently.

https://www.sierratradingpost.com/s~ortlieb/

And Ortlieb customer service is indeed excellent. I managed to break the bar on the back that holds the attachments, and had a few other issues with broken clips, a broken strap, etc. I called customer service, and they sent me replacements parts for everything that needed it, no questions asked.

It isn't just they're waterproof...the attachment system is cleverly convenient. No annoying clips/bungies to undo, pull the handle up and off comes your bag. Great when you're spent after a ride and want to just get your bags off and camp.

Honestly the regular USA prices are nuts....a matter even more nuts, because Tubus/Ortlieb are one company and are their own distributor....they intentionally price the product higher over here than elsewhere.

I didn't realize their prices are higher here. Why is that?

The usual answer is "because they can".

Kinda like pharmaceuticals.