I'm going to buy a pair of panniers for some short credit card touring (starting at 2 days, maybe soon expanding to 4) for two people. I've heeded the advice of many that small is better, as one will expand their stuff to meet the available space. To that end, I was considering buying the Ortlieb Front Roller Classic panniers for our upcoming trip. At 25L, it seems much more reasonable than the 40L Back Rollers. But I'm unsure about the mounting system... is it any different? Will it work on a rear rack? If I instead downgrade to Nashbar front panniers, will those work, too? To be specific, my wife & I have Blackburn EX-1s.

Thanks!

Both of the Ortlieb panniers have the same QL-1 hardware. They will attach to just about any rack with rails less than 14mm. The will definately attach to an EX-1

I run my Ortlieb Classic rollers front pannier on the front or the back depending on what I am doing. In my case once the hardware is adjusted it works on both racks.

Aaron

Thanks for the quick replies. Yay for smaller panniers.

The Plus type2s Hooks have tool free adjustment , so You can move them back and forth
even if the top hooks need to be shifted. bottom hook has a knob on it to change it, Now.

Type 1 you need your pocket multi-tool to loosen the bolt.

I use their 8mm insert in the top hooks on Blackburn racks.

I use my Ortlieb "front" panniers on my rear rack all the time. No problem!

+1

My wife used two Ortlieb Front Packers to ride across the U. S. Her camping gear was carried on top of the rear rack.


We just did a short CC trip, 2 weeks ago, to test out a new bike. I used 2 Ortlieb frontrollers, and they were more than adequate for a complete change of street clothes, underwear, a couple of pairs of socks, running shoes, shaving kit, rain jacket and pants, long tights, helmet cover, extra gloves (the temps dropped to 48 F in the rain),and a warm fleece pullover. I had room to spare. I probably could have fit every thing in one pannier.

The last day, 50 miles, was a great day to have Orlieb panniers. However, even though I knew rain and cooler weather was in the forecast, I did not put fenders on the bike. I was not sure that I was going to keep the bike, and thought a little rain wouldn't be too bad. That was a mistake! I have been wetter and I have been colder, but not at the same time.

There is no comparison between the Ortlieb and the Nashbar front panniers. I have a pair of each, and only use the Nashbar's to go to the store.

This is the mounting system on the Nashbar front panniers. It really leaves a lot to be desired. I'm getting ready to do major surgery on them!
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Compared to Ortlieb's mounting system.


I also have a Blackburn EX-1 on my old touring bike, and used it with my Ortlieb Front Rollers to go to the Gym this morning. Like foks said it will work well.

Different strokes. I find that mounting system quite adequate. Light, simple, easy to use.

I have used my Ortleib front roller panniers on the rear rack a number of times. It fits just like the rear rollers and works great. The front panniers are actually more useful for short trips, commuting, etc. I have used mine for commuting, on days when I need to carry more gear than will fit in the Carradice Barley that I normally use for commuting.

+1. In fact, the GF and I will likely be doing an overnighter to her parent's shore house next weekend. We did the dame last year. I carried both our clothes in my Ortlieb Sport Packers (with the QL-2 mounting system) on my rear rack.

Did you notice this thread?

Bushwhacker Moab panniers fit your needs, only $55.

Easy to switch Ortliebs from front to rear, but those front rollers are small in comparison to the rear.

I desired to "Buy American" this time and went with a full set of Lone Peaks (the LP-10 set; panniers for both ends with rain covers, rack pack, and Hbar Bag with carry strap and extra mount). Like them a lot. Lone Peak had some production problems for a while but are now coming back on line fully.

The Lone Peaks are a bit less perfectly water-proof than my sets of Orties, but are fully USA sourced/sewn/owned/sold, and a good bit better looking than the Orties (imho). Price is about the same for either brand.

With regard to mounting. Either the huge rear set or the smaller model 150 front set mount just fine on either end. The mounts for both are exactly the same so not surprised. The LP mounts are outstanding, very strong, mount and unmount in seconds, and stay where you put them. The Ortie mounting system is a bit more complex, but migrate just about as well also and have no known issues afaik.

BTW; if you have big feet, I noted that the Lone Peaks seem to have better heel clearance (such as for my US Size 16's on a touring bike than the Orties. A bit of work in configuring the Orties mount will make them work fine also, but the LP's were fine right out of the box.

BTW/2; I went with standard LP-10 set which has the somewhat smaller mod 150 front panniers. If planning to go really heavy touring or plan to pick up a lot of roadside suveniers, then get the same big bags for the front also. They fit fine there and are really big. The new Yellow/Black color is great for visibility in heavy rain...I think more so than the almost yellow Orties.

/K

Thanks for all the replies. I went with the Nashbar panniers, mostly because we don't have any future tours planned at this time. I also ordered them before I saw the link about the Moab ones. Oh well.

If we do anything serious, I got permission from the wife to upgrade to Ortlieb.

Looking at Doug's (and now your's) gnashbar bags..
the minor surgery would be replacing or augmenting the elastic Y
with a strap and buckle scheme soas to take the bounce off vulnerability away,
by pulling the hook up solidly.

Exactly! They have bounced off. The velcro security straps are a PITA, and not all that secure.

I have some new shock cord and hooks. Now all I need to do is come up with a webbing and fastex buckle interface. I'll post some pics when I come up with a fix.

Fietsbob, I used one of your suggestions from a prior thread@ using the shrink electrical insulation when cutting the ends of the shock cord. It worked great! Thanks.

Kallinan, The Nashbars will work. While I don't like the Nashbar's mounting system, I did use them to ride across the U.S., and on several other tours. They are waterproof and did hold up relatively well. I have had the OrtliebBack Roller Classics panniers for about 6 years, but did not get the Ortlieb Front Rollers until a couple of years ago. Everytime I needed to replace something, I replaced it with an Ortlieb product.

My Beckman/ Needleworks.. stays solid as a rock because their mounting is a 3/4" webbing and buckles ..
Strap is sewn in the end to form a loop, to pull the strap through the buckle, with your finger,
and there is velcro sewn on the side of the loop to stick the loop to the back of the pannier,
to keep the straps out of the spokes..

Yea Ortlieb has the simpler to use mousetrap.. the Beckman setup is secure on the bike
because its fitting scheme is not easy to remove, for the unfamiliar 90%+ of the population.

My one-off rain covers also had the PIA security system..