DownTheRoad.org
The continuous bicycle touring story since 2002
no plans to stop

file:///D:/4DTR%20Australia/images/DSC09687.JPG

HOME : Blog : Plan : Finances : Videos : Pictures : Journals : MP3
Gear : Our Books : Media : Shopping : Twitter : About Us : Contact

Blog RSS 
Video PodCast 

Email Newsletter
 

search DownTheRoad.org

Custom Search


The story of how we saved money, quit our jobs, sold our possessions, and set off to bicycle tour and travel around the world

HOME
Latest News Blog
Videos
Picture Gallery
Journals
Travel Plan

Finances
Shopping
Equipment
Our Books
About Us
Media/Press Room

Photo Use Info
Contact Us

Subscribe to Email Newsletter
Read Sample

Print Me (1 page)
Continue our Travels

Alaska / Canada / USA
5-3-08 to present
Index to all pages

New Zealand
9-16-07 to 5-2-08
Index to all pages

Australia
9-15-06 to 9 -16 - 07
Index to all pages

SE Asia / China
11-22-04 to 9-15-06
Index to all pages

South America
6-3-03 to 6-17-04
Index to all pages

North & Central America
3-30-02 to 4-17-03
Index to all Pages


*Help Support this Web Site and Continue Our Travels.


Sign up for our RoadNews Newslette.r Written on the road as we travel around the world on our bicycles including free downloadable video links  MORE INFO HERE


Equipment Pages Index

Introduction
How Much to Bring and Weight
Some Advise About Advise
A Note to Perspective Sponsors and Gear Suppliers

START HERE for Touring Bikes and Commuting Bicycles
Bicycle Touring Frames 
The Steel Repair Myth.
Steel and Aluminum Derailleur Hanger Repair.
Bicycle Touring Wheels
Phil Wood: The Best Bicycle Hubs

Panniers / Bike Bags
Cargo Trailers Vs Panniers
Tires for Bike Tours..
Bicycle Touring Saddles.
Cindie's Women's Specific Bike Touring Saddles
Brooks Leather Touring Bicycle Saddle Care and Conditioning
Bike Computer
Touring Handlebars, Bar Ends, Adjustable Stems, and Padded Grips.
Sealed Cartridge Headsets

Camping
Buying Camping Equipment
Tent and Ground Cloth
Sleeping Bag
Sleeping Pad
Camp Stove
Pots and Pans
Water Filter

Clothing
Bike Touring Shorts

Health and First Aide

Electrical
Short-wave Radio
Computer
Internet
mp3

Books
Packing list
Pictures of Equipment Failures
Shopping

We have bicycle toured in Central/South America, Asia, Australia, and Canada

1:39 Min. VIDEO


Bicycle Touring Laos in South East Asia

5:15 min. VIDEO


Where do you work and write as you bicycle tour abroad or travel overseas?

1:17 Min. VIDEO


Australian Radio (ABC) Interview with Cindie Travis
DSC00009.JPG (597482 bytes)
5:01 min. VIDEO


See All Videos Here

Ortlieb Bicycle Touring Panniers sold in the USA and Canada. The Best Waterproof Bicycle Touring Panniers and Bags see also  Front and Rear Bike Touring Racks

Shop and Compare Ortlieb at REI

Ortlieb at CycloCamping

Bike Pannier Bags that had Superior Performance

Only one brand of bags exceeded our needs and performed beyond our expectations: Ortlieb Bicycle Panniers.  I am much harder on equipment than Cindie.  I am larger and just less delicate or careful then she is.  Usually my equipment suffers more from damage than hers but the opposite was true with our panniers.  My Ortlieb panniers were the only set of bags that did not fail at some point.  I am still using them years later and believe that they may last for many more years to come. Thank You Ortlieb for making something that I never have to worry about as we bike around the world.

It not surprising that these bags are made in Germany.  The Germans are at the forefront of international travel and the bicycle touring equipment industry.  It must be a very popular sport among it's citizens.  More than half of all the international traveling cyclists we meet are from Germany.  Below are the bags that Cindie and I own, use, and depend on for the remainder of our tour which includes some of the more rugged places on earth.

Cycle touring panniers are some of the most important pieces of gear we own.  These saddle bags need to remain securely on our bikes while keeping our expensive gear safe and dry on the roughest of roads and in the most extreme weather conditions.  If a pannier fails it endangers all of the contents in the bag and can even cause a dangerous crash.  In addition to the average camping gear, personal items, and clothing most other bike tourists carry with them but we also have additional delicate electronic equipment required to produce our web site and write our series of books.  This high tech gear includes a notebook computer and digital video and still camera.  This fragile gear requires exceptional performance from our panniers to keep it dry and off the pavement.  If our panniers fail our equipment can be damaged and our trip would end.

During our fist two years of our trip we used three different brands of bicycle panniers: Arkel, DeTour (formally Vaude) and Ortlieb.  They seemed like top of the line bike panniers and are all well recognized in at the professional international bicycle touring circles.  At first all three brands of bicycle touring bags looked to be of equal quality and clever design but time, sun, dust, rain, accidental drops, and tragic crashes exposed the differences in the bags and produced a clear superior product line.  The Ortlieb bike bags are all below



waterproof, rugged, light weight, and durable bicycle touring panniers.


Cindie's front Panniers: Ortlieb Front Roller

Waterproof panniers with a unique roll-top closure. Symmetrical shape allows more leg room. Not only ideal for use on long cycle tours; they are also suitable for everyday use as a shopping bag or shoulder bag. Can be used with the carrying system as a daypack.

Ortlieb Front Roller Panniers

Absolutely waterproof, special 3D welding constructed bicycle panniers--for front rack mounting, small bag rear rack mounting or children's bikes

  • 3D welding is a special overlapping technique that uses no thread or adhesives

  • Roll-over style closures keep water out and are able to expand with your load

  • Attaches with the Ortlieb QLR-System: a strong, fast, quick-releasing system that locks tightly into place; easy unlocked by lifting up on the handle

  • QLR-hooks are replaceable and adjustable; will fit racks with tube diameter of up to 10 mm; 14 mm hooks available separately; will fit low-rider racks

  • Made of heavy-duty, double polyurethane coated polyester

Made of heavy-duty, double polyurethane coated polyester.. Imported.

Click to Purchase Ortlieb Front Roller Panniers


Tim's Rear Panniers:  Ortlieb Bike Packer Plus

High specification design rear pannier made of Cordura fabric with spacious lid closure and QL2 mounting system. Even fully loaded; the pannier can be closed and is therefore particularly suited for extended tours. Outer mesh pocket with zipper (not waterproof) increases packing volume.

Ortlieb Bike Packer Plus Pannier

These spacious bags are some of the largest around for extended trips.

  • Polyurethane-coated Cordura® nylon makes panniers durable and waterproof

  • Zippered outside mesh pockets hold wet gear or allow easy-access to essential gear

  • Large reflectors make you visible to motorists in poor light

  • Contents are held secure with two buckle closures and compression straps

  • Convenient handle on top for easy carrying

  • QL2 mounting system makes mounting and un-mounting panniers a snap

Click to Purchase Ortlieb Bike Packer Plus Pannier


Tim's front and Cindie's rear Panniers:  Ortlieb Backroller (we have two sets with different colors)

Waterproof panniers with a unique roll-top closure and constructed of an exclusive Cordura material that is completely watertight and welded. Utilizes Ortlieb's QL 2 Mounting System. Its symmetrical shape allows more leg room. Not only ideal for use on long cycle tours; they are also suitable for everyday use as a shopping bag or shoulder bag. Can be used with the carrying system as a daypack.

Ortlieb Backroller Panniers

Made of durable Cordura(R) nylon with polyester; coated with PVC for water resistance

With 3D welded seams, these panniers will keep your gear dry on rainy rides. Constructed with welded seams for strength. Designed with an easy access, roll-top closure. Replaceable, adjustable, quick-release security catches mount panniers quickly and easily on racks--also removed easily. Lifting on pannier carrying strap automatically releases the QL1 system security catches, while releasing the strap causes latches to lock in place. Please note: This item is sold as a pair.

  • Constructed with welded seams for strength

  • Designed with an easy access, roll-top closure

  • Replaceable, adjustable, quick-release security catches mount panniers quickly and easily on racks--also removed easily

  • Lifting on pannier carrying strap automatically releases the QLR-system security catches, while releasing the strap causes latches to lock in place

Click to Purchase Ortlieb Backroller Panniers


Tim and Cindie's waterproof Seat Bag: Ortlieb Saddle-Bag Micro Saddle Bag

After a couple years of bike travel we realized that our waterproof panniers were great but the stuff in our regular seat bags got wet, stayed wet, my tools rusted, and mold grew.  The mounting system is very high quality and detaches from the seat easily and quickly.

Ortlieb Seat-Bag Micro

The Saddle-Bag Micro from Ortleib is an ultra lightweight, waterproof seat bag with a roll-up closure. This size is an excellent fit for road or mountain racing applications.

* Roll-up closure with elastic bands lets you cinch down the bag, and offers a tight hold * Polyurethane-coated nylon waterproof fabric * Simple click mount attaches with 2 screws to seat rails; mount remains on bike and allows 1-handed removal of saddle bag * Reflective highlight improves nighttime profile * Protects against dust penetration and water splash from all directions

Click to Purchase Ortlieb Seat-Bag Micro


Cindie's Handlebar bag: Ortlieb Ultimate 4 Compact

Cindie likes this bag because it is small enough when mounted on her handlebar she can see her front wheel for better steering and drafting.  She also likes how it quickly detaches and turns into a purse with the included shoulder strap.

Ortlieb Ultimate 5 Handlebar Bag

Highly water-resistant, with durable welded seams. Lid has inner stiffener and is easy to open and close with one hand. Lockable mounting fits up to 31.8mm handlebars. Reflective logo. This versatile handlebar bag features a rigid lid, a removable shoulder strap, and a lockable mounting.

Click to Purchase Ortlieb Ultimate 5 Handlebar Bag


Tim's Ortlieb Ultimate 5 Plus and Classic waterproof Handlebar and Accessaries (M or L)

Shop for Ortlieb Handlebar Bags and Accessories

 Ride in the rain all day and keep your camera dry with these Handlebar bags with lid closures, including lockable mounting set, for handle bars with diameters up to 31,8mm, PU-coated Cordura®, 2 outer mesh pockets (Plus) with zip, inner pocket, internal dividers, shoulder strap, reflector.


Ortlieb Ultimate Map Case

Mapcase for all Ortlieb Ultimate (L or M) Handlebar Bags with removable mapcase feature. New version: won't turn yellow over time.

Shop for Ortlieb Handlebar Bags and Accessories


Ortlieb Camera Insert for Ultimate Handlebar Bag

Padded nylon camera insert for Ultimate models (sizes M + L), with movable dividers for individual adjustment. Also suitable for Hip-Pack. Not waterproof! Height 7.5 in. Depth 4.7 in. Width 9.8 in. Weight 6.7 oz

Ortlieb GPS Cover / Case for Handlebar Bag - Horizontal Model

Details Have your GPS or PDA within the field of vision, and still know it is protected from moisture, dirt and dust. The ORTLIEB GPS cover is also a contemporary transport solution on the bike for your mobile phone or communicator.

See more Ortlieb Handlebar Bags and Accessories

 Our Ortlieb Laptop Insert Bag

We learned early in the trip that carrying a laptop on a bike tour is tricky.  We recommend using this case in a rear bag sitting on a jacket or something soft.

13 in. 13 in. Ortlieb Laptop Insert Bag
17 in 17 in. Ortlieb Laptop Insert Bag

This padded Ortlieb sleeve insert protects laptops with 13 in. and 17 in screens. It provides horizontal storage inside the Ortlieb Sling-it and Office-Bag, and a vertical fit inside backpacks or panniers.

* 2-way zipper runs along 2 sides for convenient packing and unpacking * 2 outer pockets (1 on each side) hold accessories; also includes 2 grab loops for easy removal * Please note: The sleeve insert is not waterproof * Ortleib Sling-it and Office-Bag are sold separately

  • 2-way zipper runs along 2 sides for convenient packing and unpacking

  • 2 outer pockets (1 on each side) hold accessories; also includes 2 grab loops for easy removal

  • Please note: The sleeve insert is not waterproof
  • Ortlieb Sling-it and Office-Bag are sold separately

Click Below to Purchase
13 in. 13 in. Ortlieb Laptop Insert Bag
17 in 17 in. Ortlieb Laptop Insert Bag


Ortlieb Sport Packer Plus Panniers

We have used these in the past when we weren't sure about the roll closure.  A great bag we would have no problem using again.

Sport Packer Plus Bike Plus Bike

Features 3M Scotchlite™ reflectors to increase your visibility in poor light. Made to mount on low-rider front racks or rear racks, these feature snug-fitting lids that allow for higher load capacity. Outer mesh pockets are spacious and feature zippers to hold contents secure. QL2 suspension system holds bags secure and is easy to load and unload. Surrounding compression straps allow size of panniers to be altered. These panniers are the perfect size for your daily commute, or to strap on to children's bikes.

Click to Purchase Sport Packer Plus Bike Plus Bike


See Bicycle Touring panniers - See Bicycle Commuting bags - more about our experience with Ortlieb - All Equipment Index - Touring Bicycle and parts Equipment Index - Bicycle touring Sponsorship - Buy on sale Waterproof Ortlieb Panniers and Bags

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our 3rd Book
Down The Road in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam

A Bicycle Tour Through War, Genocide and Forgiveness

Our 2nd book
Down The Road in South America

A bicycle tour through poverty, paradise, and the places in between.

Our 1st book
The Road That Has No End

How we traded our ordinary lives for a global bicycle touring adventure.

Printed Soft Cover
(Ships Internationally)

mp3 Audio Book
 Download
Hear First Chapter NOW

PDF eBook
 Download


Cycle Touring Racks: Why chromoly steel is best.



Heavy Duty Travel Tested
Sealed Cartridge Hubs.

Take a look at the strongest hubs built specifically for touring


What years on the road have taught us about bikes.

Blog RSS
 Video PodCast
Email Newsletter 

 

 

2002 - 2012 © DownTheRoad.org (TM) All Rights Reserved

© Find out how you can use our pictures on your web site legally and free of charge.