Review: ORTLIEB Back-Roller Urban Rear Bicycle Pannier

Danny MacAskill can probably do as many tricks as there are version of ORTLIEB’s classic Back-Roller. The 33 year old Scot and the southern German hydrophile are also roughly the same age. In 1987, the Back-Roller went to series in Nurnberg and quickly took over the world. To call it the VW Golf of panniers would be an understatement. If you meet a Touring cyclist on gravel road in Patagonia, Scotland or Laos, the chances that they have a Back-Roller on their rack are somewhere between 98 and 99 percent. It isn’t boring or mainstream, instead it’s the result of an unrivalled product that is simple, reliable and robust. I’m sure that if Danny MacAskill gave up his professional carrier and pursued a “serious” profession, e.g. banker, he would use the Back-Roller to commute to work. Fittingly, ORTLIEB introduced a version that gets full style points: the Back-Roller Urban.

Those who have already put some cash into a stylish City bike should have a look at this version. Why not use a stylish accessory to complete the whole package? Oh yeah, and the Back-Roller Urban’s outer surface is also sealed up too. The sealant ensures that the fabric doesn't soak up the water and leaves rain drops rolling off. Just to be clear: this has nothing to do with the 100 % waterproofness of the material. That is taken care of by the PU-coating mentioned above. It is only there to ensure the pannier doesn't soak up water through the cotton fabric and get heavier.

Packing and mounting made easy

Closing up the Back-Roller is child’s play and can be done in two ways. Either like a classic dry bag, roll down and clip. Or by clipping the included strap on one side, rolling then clipping it again on the other side and hooking the strap on the bottom end of the pannier, tightening or loosening the strap depending on how filled it is. Note: One roll down will keep things in the bag, but to meet the IP64 protection standard (6x = dustproof, 4x = protected from water in every direction), the pannier needs to be rolled down four times. ORTLIEB says that only 9 milk bags (= 9 kg) should be loaded in each bag.

A rack, that doesn’t fit the Back-Roller really doesn't exist. ORTLIEB offers two mounting options: the QL2.1 and QL3.1. QL stands for “Quick-Lock” and is the most uncomplicated, fast and still secure ways to attach a Back-Roller. QL2.1 works with hooks that open and close when lifting the grip strap. 16 mm rail diameter is standard, but reduces for 8, 10, and 12 mm rails are included. For really thick rails, e.g. on some E-bikes, switching to 20 mm hooks with handle is also an option.

When the Back-Roller isn’t on the rack, the tightening strap can be used as a shoulder strap. Those who walk alot when going to work or shopping will find the QL3.1 system interesting. The advantage: unlike the QL2.1 the QL3.1 doesn’t have hooks, which are great on the hips and for those around you. A special QL3.1 mounting set a type of adapter, is installed on the rack. To attach, the bag is hooked first on the lower mount and then clipped to the upper mounts by sliding the pannier from left to right

The complete package

The inside of the Back-Roller Urban is the same as its Classic sibling: a pocket and mesh zip compartment store things like keys, wallets or files. To be honest, you don’t need anything else either.

The ingenious Hartmut Ortlieb was right on the money with the accessories when he invented the Back-Roller 30 years ago. Those who aren't into the shoulder strap can also convert the Back-Roller, and almost every ORTLIEB pannier, into a waterproof backpack with the optional back harness system To secure the QL2.1 mount from thieves there also a QL2/Ql2.1 theft protection. Super practical if you leave your panniers on your bike for a longer period of time.

Maybe Danny MacAskill will reshoot his  "Way back home" video – this time as a banker, with the Back-Roller Urban.