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Ortlieb Downtown Pannier

$112.49
$150.00^*

REDUCED PRICE You Save 25%

(5)

Item # 815181

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The Ortlieb Downtown pannier carries your downtown wares, including your laptop, with ease, style and excellent protection against the elements.

Briefcase-style design with a top flap closure offers plenty of space for files, books, tunes and lunch; there's room for documents up to A4 size and laptops up to 15.4 in.
Internal 4-pocket organizer helps keep small items easily accessible
Made of tough, long-lasting PVC-coated polyester fabric for excellent protection from rain and splashes; "feet" at base of pannier supply stability and enhanced protection
Compatible with standard bike racks up to 16mm diameter; bag can be carried on either side of the bike
Includes a removable, padded shoulder strap and carry handle for easy transport off the bike
Quick-Lock2 hook rail allows quick and single-handed placement and removal of the pannier from bike rack (rack sold separately); hooks are removable
Reflective highlights improve nighttime visibility
Protects against water spray (maximum 60° to vertical) and may allow slight penetration of dust

Imported.

Item 815181

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Ortlieb Downtown Pannier Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Ortlieb Downtown Pannier

4.6

(based on 5 reviews)

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Durable (5)
Easy to use (5)
Versatile (4)

Cons

Best Uses

Commuting (5)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Avid cyclist (4)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (5)

Reviewed by 5 customers

Sort by

Displaying reviews 1-5

Feb

2013

5.0

solid

By t-

from BOISE

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Easy to Use

Cons

Heavy

Best Uses

Commuting

Comments about Ortlieb Downtown Pannier:

Solid as a rock and very water proof. The flip sides are that it is heavy and not a ton of internal space for the weight/bulk. It holds my (admittedly large) thermos and lunch, but can't get much else in at the same time. Part of this is becasuse of the foldover waterproof closure, like you have on a dry bag. Living in a desert climate, I might have been better off with something less waterproof/bulletproof, but a good product. Shouldstrap really works too when using as a briefcase--comfortable and stays on your shoulder.

Comment on this review

May

2012

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Great Bag

By cuchanu

from Seattle

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Easy to Use
Versatile

Cons

Expensive

Best Uses

Commuting

Comments about Ortlieb Downtown Pannier:

I've had my eyes on this but couldn't stomach the price. I got lucky while at the flagship store and found it in the garage sale for a great deal.

This bag is ideal for students and work commuters. There are a few extra pockets on the inside and even a laptop sleeve. If you want it for groceries or bulky items, you may find that there isn't as much space as it looks.

The mounting system is probably the best in the world. The little buckles in the front are innovative but not perfect, however, they will undoubtedly last forever unlike the slightly easier to use plastic clips. Another great idea, is that the bag will stand up on it's own, it's got feet on the bottom and can actually sit on the ground in the rain without getting wet.

Overall, I really like this back and couldn't be happier with it. The only complaint I really have is that it's so good looking that I hate the idea of it looking used.

I should add that if I could, I'd give the bag 4.5 stars because I think it's a little too expensive. If the price doesn't bother you, you are getting a top quality bag.

Comment on this review

Dec

2011

(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Almost perfect commuter bag

By Alan the cyclist

from chapel hill, nc

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Easy to Use
Versatile
Waterproof

Cons

Tough to close

Best Uses

Commuting
Touring

Comments about Ortlieb Downtown Pannier:

I use this bag on a daily basis to commute to and from work. It's waterproof enough for my uses (though I haven't tested this thoroughly), easy to install and remove from the bike, and secure when installed. I have tried about half-a-dozen different brands of panniers and the Ortleib rack attachment/detachment system is the best I've tried by a long shot.

Off the bike, the handle and shoulder strap are comfortably padded and convenient to use. The shoulder strap stores under the flap for biking, out of the way, but available when you need it. It also has a semi-rigid base, which allows it stand on its own without tipping over.

On the inside, it holds a 15" laptop horizontally including a small sleeve and it has convenient pockets to keep keys, cellphone, pens, and other small accessories from falling into the depths.
I upgraded from the Ortleib Shopper bag, and this works much better as a commuter bag: the laptop sleeve, pockets, base, and superior strap and top handle make it much friendlier to use.

I have only a couple of nitpicky complaints about it that keep me from giving it a 5 star review.

I would prefer it to be a couple of inches taller, enough to hold a 15" laptop vertically. It's so close here, that it's not a big deal, but it would be nice. The added height would also give it a bit more capacity, which would be nice. It's not a small bag, but it's just a enough smaller than my old one that I can't just throw my whole laptop bag into it.

Also, the hooks that keep the flap closed are a little bit inconvenient to hook around the straps to secure it. If those hooks were just a little bit beveled, it would be SO much easier. Once it's closed, I'm not afraid they'll come loose. I find that I use the carry handle more often than I'd otherwise expect simply because it's too much trouble to open and reclose the flap to extract the shoulder strap.

All in all though, it's been a great bag so far.

Comment on this review

Oct

2011

5.0

Perfect for the commuter

By hapadaking

from Everett, WA

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Easy to Use
Lightweight
Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

Commuting
Road Bikes

Comments about Ortlieb Downtown Pannier:

I was gonna go with a Timbuk2 double sided pannier, because I thought there was more room for the price. When I got to the store I saw this one and fell in love. I knew the reputation of the brand but thought it would be out of my price range. Compared to other waterproof bags of similar size the little more that this one costs is well worth it. It attaches/detaches with incredible ease, which is perfect for me since I use it to commute daily and need to take it off many times to go into stores or work or whatever. It holds my laptop, notebooks, rain pants, extra clothes, and has smaller pockets for wallet, change, etc. Overall this bag is perfect. When I go on longer trips (over 200 miles) I will purchase a second. Couldn't be happy. And with the strap it wears just like a regular bag on your shoulder.

Comment on this review

Mar

2011

(15 of 15 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Best Commuter Bag I've Seen

By Hawai

from Anchorage, Alaska

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Easy to Use
Lightweight
Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

Commuting

Comments about Ortlieb Downtown Pannier:

Heavy Duty Construction. Not for the ounce counter types, but this bag will last a long time, not only because of the simple design, but also the material used in its manufacture. This is more important than saving a few ounces in weight, if you are using this bag everyday. Though I must mention that the mounting system is very complex. I needed something large, durable, water proof, and easy to take on/off and carry with me. This bag beats everything else I have looked at, for my purpose. I carry a tire pump/patch kit, Alien 2 multi tool, long Kriptonite D-Lock, one small seat lash cable, one thick 7 ft. Kriptonite cable, a huge gourmet lunch, extra socks, garage door opener, sometimes two layers of clothing, top and bottom, for my winter commutes, and water proof pants and jacket. It swallows it all. The lap top compartment, serves as my lock and cable compartment really well. I slip them in and out, with out having to move stuff around, searching for them.The other inside pockets, help to keep your little things organized. The center, main compartment, takes my lunch, and all my rolled up clothing, and jacket. I love that the main opening has no zipper, which is what usually wears out on me, quicker than anything else. The clever fasteners have never opened on me while riding on very rough hard packed icy terrain, or hopping city side walks, so they appear to work well. I think if they designed the top opening to role a couple of times, before closing it, it would have a better seal from the elements. Their system, however, is useful and much quicker to open and close, which I think is an important feature. I tend to forget to put something in , or take something out, all the time. Having a zipper-less opening makes things faster with out worrying about extra wear. The bag has a great shoulder strap, and is comfortable and easy to put on and take off. Simply carrying the bag on your shoulder with the back side out, and the flap side in towards your body, is the most comfortable and secure way to do it. The quick release locking system for attaching/detaching, it from a bike rack is secure and fast. It is super adjustable, to hold its position where you want it to sit on your rack. A very important feature, if you don't like your bag sliding around, or being jostled off from the bumps and vibrations of riding.