Author Topic: Ortlieb Pannier Shoulder Straps???  (Read 15573 times)

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Offline LongTallEandM

Ortlieb Pannier Shoulder Straps???
« on: January 24, 2014, 05:42:33 pm »
Gang,  We'll be traveling the Transamerica Route this summer with 2 bikes, each loaded with four Ortlieb Classic panniers.  So far I've used the panniers only for commuting.  Each pannier comes with a detachable shoulder strap in addition to the integral hand loop carrying strap.  It seems that the shoulder straps just add weight and complexity to otherwise simple and functional panniers.  It seems easy enough to carry two loaded panniers in each hand with the integral hand loop strap.

So: Is there any reason to haul shoulder straps across the country?  We have handlebar bags with shoulder straps for off-bike use.  Am I missing something? Please respond only if you have experience based on using Ortliebs for extended touring.  Thanks in advance. 

P.S.  received our set of Transamerica maps in today's mail.  This is all becoming more real and exciting with each passing day.  WOOHOO! 

Offline John Nelson

Re: Ortlieb Pannier Shoulder Straps???
« Reply #1 on: January 24, 2014, 08:04:04 pm »
Many, perhaps most, people leave the shoulder straps at home for exactly the reasons you cited. I, however, take them along. Why? First of all, the Ortlieb instructions tell you to use the shoulder strap to pull the ends of the roll down after rolling and clipping. Many people instead clip the two sides to each other, thus pulling the ends of the roll up. But I believe that the bags are more waterproof, especially from rain, when used as instructed. I've heard several people complain that Ortlieb panniers are not as waterproof as promised, but most of those people are clipping the ends together rather than using the shoulder strap to pull them down.

Next, I find the straps useful in a few situations. These situations don't come up that often, but they are very handy when they do. I've only done this once, but a pannier can be used to haul water and the shoulder strap is pretty important for that. More often, however, I've gone on a hike or another foot excursion where my handlebar bag wasn't big enough to carry what I needed. In that case, I take one or more of my panniers slung across my shoulders. It's a pretty comfortable way of carrying your stuff over long distances.

If you clip the ends of the roll to each other, you have to frequently clip and unclip the clips. If you use the shoulder strap, clipping and unclipping is much less frequent. I did have one clip break and I'd prefer to minimize the risk of that happening again.

Note that I don't think the handles are really designed for carrying, although I use them often for that if I don't have to go far. The main purpose of the handles is to attach and detach the pannier from the rack.

Offline Pat Lamb

Re: Ortlieb Pannier Shoulder Straps???
« Reply #2 on: January 24, 2014, 09:32:07 pm »
So: Is there any reason to haul shoulder straps across the country?  We have handlebar bags with shoulder straps for off-bike use.  Am I missing something? Please respond only if you have experience based on using Ortliebs for extended touring.  Thanks in advance. 

My Ortliebs are the 'packer series instead of the classics, so I can't answer the specifics of the closures John addressed.  For my use, I carried four panniers by the loops in two hands as you suggest.  Ortlieb contributed four more to the various unused nylon carrying straps with various attachments cluttering my house.

Offline dkoloko

Re: Ortlieb Pannier Shoulder Straps???
« Reply #3 on: January 25, 2014, 03:42:23 pm »
John Nelson apperentely has Classic series; I have BikePacker Plus. I have no use for the shoulder straps, nor for compresion straps. I would like the flap straps longer.

Offline LongTallEandM

Re: Ortlieb Pannier Shoulder Straps???
« Reply #4 on: January 25, 2014, 07:57:31 pm »
Thanks all, I appreciate the input.  Using the pannier as a water bucket is a good idea.  I tried adding a shoulder strap and closing a pannier according to Ortlieb instructions.  In short, it was fumblier (a pain in the butt actually) AND the shoulder strap wanted to come out of its "guide" at the bottom of the pannier.  After a bit more online research, I found that Wayne ("The Touring Store," a U.S. Ortlieb dealer-expert) says the Classic Ortlieb panniers can be closed using either method.  And Ortlieb indicates that the key to waterproofness is rolling the top a minimum of 3-4X before closing.   The upshot:  I'll probably take one uninstalled shoulder strap just in case, but leave the others at home.

indyfabz

  • Guest
Re: Ortlieb Pannier Shoulder Straps???
« Reply #5 on: January 28, 2014, 10:45:22 am »
I would like the flap straps longer.

Amen! My biggest complaint about the Packer Plus collection.

As for the shoulder straps, they are in my basement among the various backpacks and other bags that I seldom, if ever, use.

Offline LongTallEandM

Re: Ortlieb Pannier Shoulder Straps???
« Reply #6 on: May 31, 2014, 12:18:19 am »
After two weeks on the transamerica I can report that a) we're glad we brought the straps because it's not necessary to clip and unclip each time we open the panniers. And b) I'm glad I cut off the plastic rectangular handles from the straps first; this makes it much easier to secure the looped straps into the holder at the bottom of the pannier.   Having a blast on the tour so far by the way!

Offline dkoloko

Re: Ortlieb Pannier Shoulder Straps???
« Reply #7 on: May 31, 2014, 10:17:55 am »
After two weeks on the transamerica I can report that a) we're glad we brought the straps because it's not necessary to clip and unclip each time we open the panniers.

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