Ortlieb Downtown or Ortlieb office bag
 

Hello,

This is my first actual post so have mercy please.

I am looking at the Ortlieb Downtown or the Ortlieb office bag. The Downtown looks better, it would be sleeker on the bike as far as limiting the width, and also works as a better messenger bag. The cons are of course the size. I am not sure if it would be too small or what the draw backs would be.

The Office bag is larger and better organized, but it is boxier and heavier. I don't want it to mess with my ride.

I travel 16 miles, I take a note book or two, a book or two, a change of clothes, and my small lunch. It fits well in a backpack but I must move on. Also, I need, in the off chance my computer fails at work, to carry a laptop once or twice a month.

Thanks

I can only speak about the Office bag. I have had one for nearly 3 years and during that time used it about 4 days a week, year round.
The quality is outstanding. While looking a little worn, I estimate the bag to last another 2 years before I need a replacement.

The inside is one big partition and cannot really be extended. Carry too little, and it might bounce around, carry too much and you might have trouble closing the roll-top. I would guesstimate that your stuff would fit in the Office bag nicely, although a full-size laptop (I occasionally carry one in a sleeve) will easily fill up half the capacity

Whatever bag you choose, do yourself a favor and order from TheTouringStore.com. Competitive pricing, free shipping and the best service in the industry

Back roller pair is what I use for everything , groceries, laundry runs, Etc, Etc.

Re width, larger, "mess with my ride" --

My Zen was predisposed to be ruined by only one pannier, all freaked out about the lack of symmetry from only one bag. You'd be pretty darn surprised by it not mattering at all. If that's what's freaking you out, move past it and get the bigger bag for those just-in-case times.

I don't know either bag so no other specific comment on them. But I do love my Ortlieb back-rollers.

If you have an REI nearby, you could take your typical stuff and jam it into a real bag to test the fit. The Ortlieb website also lists other dealers where you could do the same. If you're out in northwestern Minnesota, and can't get to a dealer, find out what the cubic inches are for a backpack like what you've been using. The medium Office = 793 cu in, the large Office = 1282 cu in, the downtown = 1098 cu in.

Thanks for the reply. I really need a bag I can throw over my shoulder. If I can do that with the back-rollers with enough ease, that would be great. The only question is would my laptop be more secure in the Office or I could I simply get a case for it and place it tightly in the back-roller?

In other words, how versatile is the Backroller?

I think you would need to use a lap-top case or sleeve with either bag.

I've used the Ortlieb Office Bag for almost 5 months now, and I love it. I typically carry a big old IBM think pad (in a sleeve), lunch, a change of clothes, and a bunch of misc stuff like wallet, cell phone, keys, tools... It's great. I really dig Ortlieb's quick release handles. I probably top 20 lbs of stuff in there, and it doesn't seem to give me any balance issues when riding - I only notice it when walking the bike around.

Also, IIRC, the Office Bag is waterproof, whereas the Downtown Bag is water resistant. Double check that for yourself just to be sure, but I remember looking a two bags at REI and went with the one that was fully waterproof. I've been caught in at least a dozen crazy downpours this season and all my gear stayed perfectly dry.

If I had any complaints at all about the Office Bag, it would be just a couple minor ones:

1. I ended up not wanting to use the shoulder strap because the bag gets dirty en route. It gets your clothes dirty when hanging from your shoulder against your body. Even when I had the shoulder strap attached, I found myself just carrying it like a brief case. Not a problem for me since I have a very short walk after I park my bike, but it could be an issue if you have to carry the bag around all day. Eventually the shoulder strap became dead weight, so I ditched it.

2. There is an organizer panel on the inside which is far too complex with all kinds of little slits and pockets. This to me is a big problem with a lot of new bags on the market - I don't want a zillion individual pockets for every card or piece of paper I might carry. I just want 3 - 4 mesh / elastic pockets.

But, your mileage may vary. Overall, it's been a great bag and some of the best money I've spent on gear. It's like a workhorse that allows me to commute without thinking twice on days when I need to lug my laptop.

I returned the Office bag and switched to Back Roller, and I'm much happier with the back roller.
Maybe it is just me, but the office bag is uncomfortable while you carry it on your shoulder.
Go to REI and try it on.

I have a downtown and love it. Strap is there for your shoulder, or you can just tuck it in the bag to carry it as a briefcase and stow it for riding. Has tons of room, looks good - would definitely recommend it. Build quality second to none.