Previously I had purchased the small Ortlieb bag which was ok for a tube and multi-tool but not much else. Now with the medium size red bag, I switch it back and forth between two bikes. The mounting bracket is the same for each size. A great value!
Pro Capacity
Cons
- While the twist closure may be unique it flat out doesn't work in practice. One twist isn't enough and two twists (if you can make two) just reduces the capacity by 1/3. And whether twisting up or down only one side wants to twist a second time.
- With closure twisted up it holds rain water.
- With closure twisted down things fall out while opening.
- Open cavern with nothing to secure keys to, which I see as a requirement with the ridiculous twist closure.
- Not a totally one-click removal like the 12-year old pack I was about to replace.
C'mon Ortlieb!! Do your engineers actually ride a bike?
This product would be 1,000% more useful if you provided a zipper instead of the two plastic Popsicle sticks!
Perfectly watertight for well more than my needs, and the Medium has plenty of space for tube, multi tool, tire levers, patch kit, a blood sugar test kit and glucose tablets for this diabetic. If you arent carrying the diabetes stuff, a packable jacket can be crammed in there.
This is a great product - well made, easy to install, easy to remove, nice wide opening. The smallest one fits all the stuff one should have while on the bike (tire lever, tube, CO2,multi tool), the largest will carry that plus a lot more. The opening is quite wide, making it easy to access the items inside. Unfortunately I had to return both sizes as my saddle is pretty low and there wasn't enough clearance to accommodate even the smallest bag. I am probably an extreme case (really short legs) but I was bummed because it seems like a bag that would perform well.
I used the Giant Scout saddle bag before I bought this product. Scout saddle bag is not bad. But too big for my intended purpose and it wasn't completely waterproof.
I ordered Ortlieb Saddle Bag, size is L. It's 2.7 Liter and very impressive waterproof performance. I ridden in the rain all day, but clothes in the bag didn't get wet at all. Awesome!
The only regret is that this product does not include Fastening Straps. So you need to purchase separately if necessary. Of course Fastening Straps is not needed for general riding, except when your contents are heavy.
Anyway, I'm very satisfied with Ortlieb Saddle Bag. I recommend this saddleback to all my friends.
I can get a bit more into this bag than in more traditional design. The simple closure is nice. The strap and D-rings permit additional items to be tied onto the outside which has helped in taking rolled papers or other commuter things to work.
Great bag. Expands to hold my jacket and cold weather gloves, but rolls up small when I don't need the space.
A quick and easy to remove pack for carrying moderate amounts of stuff - I use it on my weekend bike in the summer when I want to incorporate an extended post-work ride.
Stable dry bag. Easy to mount. Grea for all day rides where a backpack would be a fashion faux pas.
I commute 9 miles each way and have been using this bag for about a month. It's large enough for a complete change of clothes (I roll my clothes, rather than folding) OR a lunch in a container, plus phone, keys, wallet. Unfortunately it's not big enough for a change of clothes AND lunch. It's easy and quick for me to drive to work on the weekends so I usually drive in on the weekend and drop off clothes for the week. This allows me to just carry lunch and my personal items each day.
The bag fits very snug on the seatpost and saddle rails and has absolutely zero movement, even when standing and pedaling hard. I've also taken it on a five mile ride on rough gravel roads and it did fine. With it being winter, I have not yet commuted in the rain, but I've used Ortlieb products in the past and I have zero concern over its waterproof-ness.
I was debating between this bag and a larger bikepacking bag such as the Revelate Terrapin or Porcelain Rocket Mr. Fusion, but I was worried they would be overkill for my application. I kind of regret not going with a bikepacking bag but this will work just fine for my needs. Ideally I'd have something with a capacity a little larger than this, and slightly smaller than a bikepacking saddle bag.
On weeks when I cannot make time to drive into the office, I use a large backpack (Osprey Radial 34) and carry my clothes and lunch.
The large pack is huge and can hold lots of stuff. The closure works perfectly even when fully loaded. Not a chance of anything falling out. Proper closure is essential. Best pack I ever had. Looks great and fits tight.
I use this bag in both medium and small on my Honey All Roads for longer road rides, off road and mixed terrain rides in all weather. I used it in the Rasputitsa this year and was pleased to find that the Large bag also served to keep the mud off my backside - like a short fender. I love the simplicity of this bag and the price is great for the quality and functionality. There is room for 3 tubes, tools, a few extra snacks and a windbreaker and change of gloves.
Some folks complain that when you open this bag, all your stuff falls out. I haven't had that problem as long as I don't over stuff it. I put smaller items that would tend to fall out in the narrow part nearer the seatpost and only put the clothing at the back.
Other folks complain that there are no outside quick access pockets. I use my jersey pockets and a stealth bag on my top tube for that and save this bag for stuff I would stop to get at anyway.
Somewhat big but rolls up tight and does not move. No chance of coming undone or unzipped and losing your stuff.
First of all, this seat bag is typical Ortlieb quality, meaning it is top notch German engineering at it's finest. It is waterproof and relatively light.Ortlieb are the 1 selling panniers in the world for a reason. Their stuff 'just works', is durable, and well designed. I've got Ortlieb products that are still going strong after tens of thousands of miles of commuting and touring.
Specific to my experience with the seat bag, I ordered a medium size anticipating that it would be large enough to fit rain gear. But it turns out it is barely larger than a small and will fit just a few essentials like wallet and phone. Small or med will probably work out fine for most riders but if you want a bit of extra carrying capacity, like being able to carry rain gear without mounting a rack, than go for the large. I ended up returning the medium and they were all out of large at the time so didn't re-order. I wouldn't hesitate to buy anything Ortlieb again in the future.
Water proof - Reasonably lightweight, easy to install and to use
Very good color match with my panniers
expandable and good place for quickly needed items
no complaints
havent tried in the rain yet but not worried
I wanted something waterproof, that could hold a decent amount (tube, gu, money, mini tool) where i could get what i needed out, without having to squish my fingers trying to find it. This is nice since its bright (for passing cars), and allows for plenty of room to fit what i needed.
I was looking for a replacement bag for my gravel bike, after the zipper broke, and wanted one without a zipper, that was also waterproof, the Ortlieb bag fit the bill perfectly, and was a great buy!
I bought the medium. Plenty of room for tubes, CO2s, a generous tool kit, and even a snack. The mounting is very secure, and dry bag design allows for expansion or compression as needed.
I have a bigger waterproof bag (from another manufacturer) that works great for bike packing, wanted something for day rides and this fits the bill perfectly. Big enough for tools and tube, even a vest and snack. Exactly what I was looking for.
