I am not riding an Azub Ti-Fly etrike. I needed something to carry my rain gear and some tools to repair a flat. I decided on the Ortlieb Sport Roller Classic pannier and am very satisfied with them. I initally wasn[t sure how they attached to the rack that I have on my trike, so I contacted Bike Tire Direct and asked for some help. The person was very helpful and after talking with him I found the instructions in the other pannier.
The instructions were very thorough.
I have then pannier on now and find it holds more than what I expected. They seems to be well made, good heavy material and are very easy to put on and take off. At this point I would say these are a winner for sure.
IFKYK - these are the classic front panniers that are guaranteed to be waterproof and likely will last a lifetime of heavy use.
I used these on a cross-country bike tour - not this exact model, but the Front Roller Plus model with cordura fabric instead of PVC. I can still speak to the utility of these panniers, including closure system, straps, and so on. I paired them with the Bike Packer Plus rear panniers, which have a lid instead of a roll closure.
The roll closure is waterproof and feels very secure. It also has the advantage of being somewhat flexible in terms of carrying capacity - you can roll it down further if you're carrying less, or stuff it totally full (or even leave it open at the top, or just put the securing strap across the top) if you've got a lot of stuff. Another reviewer mentioned that the closure system is annoying, and I agree, to an extent. You have to roll the top, clip both sides to the shoulder strap, and make sure the shoulder strap stays secure in its little clip at the bottom front of the bag. Then you clip the third strap closed over the top. I actually stopped doing this pretty quickly. I did it on one side - I kept the shoulder strap attached to the pannier in which I kept my valuables, so I could grab it and wear it across my body like a purse when I got off my bike at a restaurant or museum or whatever - I really liked that. The other pannier, I took the shoulder strap off and shoved it in the bottom somewhere, and just clipped the two sides of the rolling portion to each other, forming a loop at the top. Worked just fine, and the top was still rolled and waterproof.
I love Ortlieb's attachment system. Once you've got it set up for your rack, it stays put exactly where you put it, and when you need to take the panniers off, all you have to do is pull up on the handle. They've got a nifty system whereby lifting up on the handle pulls back the little plastic tab that wraps around your rack tube, and the pannier lifts right off. Putting it back on is the same thing in reverse. Practically effortless. Easier and more secure than other panniers I've seen that involve hooks and bungees.
THAT SAID... keep on eye on the attachments, and check the screws every once in a while. I lost one of the little lower thingies that holds the pannier against the rack when the screw loosened without me noticing. I checked all my other panniers every couple of days after that, with no further problems. I could replace the part easily enough, but it didn't really cause too many problems -- the top attachment is secure enough that I didn't worry about my pannier falling off at all, and I rarely leaned my bike sharply enough for the pannier to sway away from the rack.
Inside, the pannier is just a bucket you can organize and fill up however you'd like. I think this is more practical than dividers, since what you're carrying and how you want to carry it will vary over the course of a tour. If you like having everything separate, I recommend carrying plastic bags or stuff sacks (maybe color-coded!) and dividing stuff up that way.
It's Ortlieb: Quality, convenience, simplicity. I'm 5ft tall and so have a very small bike. I use these on both the front and rear racks. They mount and remove super-easily, and hold an astonishing amount of stuff. I do 90% of my shopping and errands on my bike, leaving my car at home. One (or two) sets of panniers carries everything I need.
In Florida, with unexpected rain falling at any time of the day all summer long, with sunny skies giving way to sudden cloudburst then 10 minutes later sun shines bright, you need a bag that will keep you gear dry...You can't not ride just because there is a constant 20% of rain every summer day....i ride evryday, and have not used a car for 7 years and I must go out even if it might pour....My old bags failed me miserably one day when caught in a rain so I started researching for a true waterproof bag...hands down all around the world these German made bags are the ultimate purchase...this is was for my wife's bike and the smaller size was perfect for her bike frame...
Already got the Back Roller Classic, got these to complete the ensemble......
About the best one can buy.
I used these on a 650 mile ride on a carbon road bike this summer as the main bags, the beauty is how well they function and attach to a rack, was great to be able to grab them and go into restaurants and such with simplicity. Solid construction will last a lifetime.
Just mounted them on the Tubus Low Rider rack on a Trek Checkpoint. Beautiful fit and finish. Waiting for better weather and open campgrounds (Covid-19 closures) for a chance to try them out. Locals here use them for rear bags, as they are smaller than the the Classic Roller.
They very well may be just that. Size, build quality, materials, fit & finish all superb. I love these bags. Using on a Gazelle with integrated rear rack - they drop on and latch in one smooth motion. Zero negatives thus far.
I enjoy the color and the durability of the panniers.
I wish they were in orange so they would match my back panniers.
Just the right size for me. If I had to carry a full change of clothes as well as food, I'd use both. As it is, it's a little bigger than a backpack. Great price, doesn't wiggle, doesn't lose shape.
These have been so highly recommended by everyone that I had to get them. I have the rear panniers and can't wait to use these.
As expected the quality of these bags are second to none (at least in my experience). These front panniers fit well on my newly installed Thule Pack and Pedal rack installed on the front wheel, which was a concern when I ordered them. Theses are used to carry camping gear when we are touring. Initial use testing them on a long ride leads me to believe they will do exactly what need them to do. We have been very satisfied with the rear Ortlieb bags, so expect we will feel the same about these.
The Ortlieb bags are a great bag for commuting or loading your camping gear in them and taking off. Waterproof gives them all weather capacity.
Hold alot and everthing stays dry
I got a set to put on my Sala Vaya 3 touring bike. They fit well on the Salsa Wanderlust front rack. The fastening system is adjustable and works as advertised. The workmanship and material is top rate. I've not used in rain but seems waterproof. My only gripe about the pack is the closing and opening of the bag It requires dealing with 3 buckles (2 sides, 1 top)and rolling of the top. This convoluted process can get truly maddening esp. when you're in a hurry or type A person. If I can do a do over, I'd get a simple 2 strap over the top closing with a separate compartment on the outside of the bag to minimize going into the main compartment altogether.
Ortlieb is definately my go-to company for any kind of waterproof and durable carrying needs. I am touring the Northern Tier this summer and have all Ortlieb Panniers. They are 100% waterproof and extremely durable. The mounting system by ortlieb is a fantastic design. These panniers fold down from the top so you have a good range of space which is adjustable to your needs.
I use Front Rollers on both front and rear racks on my folding Bike Friday. This is the third pair of Front Rollers purchased between my husband and myself, and replaces a pair of larger Vaude rear panniers. We are attempting to downsize what is carried on loaded tours. I like knowing that these panniers are tough and waterproof. It is not quick or easy to get in and out of roller panniers, but otherwise, everything functions very well. One of these panniers is dedicated to a very bulky synthetic sleeping bag, and I'm always confident it remains dry.
