Review: ORTLIEB Ultimate, the ultimate handleba...
A handlebar bag is pretty much the handbag for biking. "Ultimate" is Ortlieb's solution. Is it true?
Tested: ORTLIEB E-Glow - The Illuminated Handlebar Bag
Till now, lights and handlebar bags were separate accessories. ORTLIEB combined them both. Now, urban biking is that much safer.
The Franconian bike bag specialist ORTLIEB, known for countless innovations and patents around biking, has developed the E-Glow handlebar bag, which brings light into darkness, or rather the dark, in every respect. And thus provides a tremendous increase in safety. At first glance, the E-Glow looks quite similar to its sister models in the ORTLIEB Ultimate series. But on closer inspection, the E-Glow handlebar bag reveals itself as a high-tech helper with many innovative features, especially for e-bike riders.
The ORTLIEB E-Glow handlebar bag is the first bike handlebar bag with integrated lighting
For greater visibility in dark conditions
The inside LED bar can be detached and used as a torch
The LED bar can be charged using the e-bike battery or a powerbank via USB port
Glow bands on the horizon – and on the road
The most distinctive feature of the E-Glow is its LED light strip, which runs in a U-shape around the front and sides of the handlebar bag. A transparent yellow film transforms the originally white light of the internal LEDs into a striking and highly visible yellow glow band. Whether you're approaching from the left, right, or front, you can hardly miss an "E-Glow rider". The LED strip also eliminates the annoying fumbling for a wallet, keys, and so on inside the bag in the dark, as it illuminates the interior when opened.
The light of the E-Glow is powered by a cable with a USB plug integrated into the LED strip, optionally via a connection to the display of an e-bike or simply via a power bank. The LEDs consume very little power, so the battery life is correspondingly long. If the "light chain" actually needs to be removed for a moment of light during camping, replacement, or any reason, it can easily be taken out thanks to the clip mount.
Quick access to your most important items
The interior layout of the E-Glow is rather minimalist – and that's a good thing. Because with a volume of seven liters, one large main compartment and a small zippered pocket plus a key clip are perfectly sufficient to keep things organized and still keep small items separate. Especially when touring through unknown terrain, the transparent lid compartment is extremely helpful. Most smartphones can be inserted from the inside, only very large models with bulky protective cases might struggle with the opening. The protective film of the lid compartment is suitable for touch displays: they can be operated absolutely smoothly through the material.
All essentials are quickly accessible and neatly stored in the E-Glow handlebar bag
Smartphone mount included: the E-Glow’s touchscreen-friendly cover lets you keep an eye on your route
Easy smartphone access through the bag’s front cover
Robust and practical in the city and on tours
The stable and self-standing body of the bag is made of PVC-free nylon fabric with PU coating. In practice, this means: very robust and abrasion-resistant and – as always with ORTLIEB – waterproof. The E-Glow is closed with a clearly audible double magnet closure, and it only takes a short, vigorous tug on the tab to open it. The seam at the top edge of the handlebar bag is raised and prefolded, thereby additionally protecting against water ingress. However, since neither a Tizip zipper nor a roll-top close upwards, the E-Glow "only" gets a protection class of IP54, which means: pretty dust-tight and waterproof against moisture from all directions. In other words: perfectly suitable for tour and city biking. Additional storage space is provided by a small mesh pocket on the front side, beneath the reflective ORTLIEB logo. A shoulder strap included in the delivery can simply be clicked into the side mounts.
With practical bottle holder on the sides
The fact that E-Glow was truly designed with e-bikers in mind is shown by a special feature: Attachment rails for bottle holders are integrated on both sides of the handlebar bag. This is sensible, since many e-bikes have batteries on the inside of the frame that take up so much space that there's no room left for water bottles. So, it's great if you can store your refreshments on the left and right sides of the handlebar bag. Just bear in mind the maximum load: The mount can't handle more than five kilograms, according to the manufacturer ORTLIEB.
Magnetic snap closures hold your bag securely in place
The bag opens quickly and easily with just a pull on the loop
The front mesh pocket offers additional storage
Convenient carrying straps convert the handlebar bag into a shoulder bag
Not enough space on your frame? Drink bottles can be mounted on either side of the bag
Drinks are always ready to go
The right mount
Speaking of mounts: ORTLIEB has reconsidered its stance on mounts for the 2020 model year. Until last year, every handlebar bag came with a mount included. New this year is that it now has to be purchased separately. What initially sounds like a "loss" actually makes perfect sense in practice. Indeed, the Franconian waterproof specialist has significantly expanded its handlebar-suitable lineup. In addition to various handlebar bags, there's also the (naturally also waterproof) shopping basket Up-Town in different variants. The philosophy and logic: one bike, one handlebar, one mount - and possibly different handlebar transport solutions. Now, customers have a choice between a mount without lock, a mount with a lock, a mount for e-bikes without a lock, and a mount for e-bikes with a lock. The difference between "normal" and e-bike versions? A wider angle of acceptance and a greater distance between the mount and handlebar leave space for an e-bike's display. So, there's the right anchor for every bike and security need available – and the transport container can be switched as desired for those with multiple sets.
Conclusion:
ORTLIEB has done it again with the E-Glow, making an already existing product even better with innovative solutions. This innovative handlebar bag is not only extremely practical to use, but also a real plus for safety on the road.
ORTLIEB E-Glow Fact-Check:
- Material: PVC-free nylon fabric, PU-coated, "PS33"
- Water and dustproof according to IP 54
- Lid closure with magnetic buttons
- Volume: 7 liters
- Weight: 580 g
- Dimensions (Size M): Height 22 cm, Width 26 cm, Depth 14 cm
- LED strips attached with clips and detachable
- Side mounts for standard bottle holders
- Rigid bag body, stable due to flat bottom and internal stiffening
- Interior pocket with zipper and key clip
- Front mesh pocket plus reflector
- Shoulder carrying strap
- Maximum load capacity of 5 kg
- Handlebar mounting available in four versions as separate accessories
- Made in Germany
- 5 years manufacturer warranty
The ORTLIEB E-Glow Handlebar Bag and its TrunkBag counterpart, the Ortlieb E-Mate
A sturdy duo: Ortlieb E-Mate TrunkBag and ORTLIEB E-Glow Handlebar Bag
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