Ortlieb vs dhb panniers

mostly harmless

I thought I'd try this here as well as I'm sure there's a great depth of knowledge on this board.

Due to a change in circumstances the commute has got longer and a rack and pannier will be in order.

Two panniers have are currently under consideration, the dhb Marstens (for ~£44) and the Ortlieb Rolltop Classics (for ~£74). Price is not really an issue but in saying that I'll happily save £30 if I was sure that I was buying an equivalent product. Does anyone have any opinions on either or both. In particular how do the fixing mounts compare? Are spares availble for the dhb as I'd hope to get 10+ years out of a setup. Having said that I've been impressed with the dhb stuff (mostly clothing) that I've got.

In addition, are there any panniers that would give similar performance that I may have overlooked?

Thanks in advance for you help.

Dave

alfablue

I would only buy the DHB's if my budget was strict. The Ortlieb's have a 5 year warranty, and they are proven on world wide tours. Parts availability is excellent. The fitting system is brilliant.

I don't expect you could get any dhb spares, I was unable to get a spare bracket for my DHB bar bag - I have to buy another complete bag to get a bracket for another bike. At the price of DHB stuff I guess that's okay, but if you can afford it, get the best!!!

Spa Cycles have the Ortliebs for £70 delivered. Great shop.

alfablue

The Ortlieb fitting system has top hooks that can be slid along to the ideal position, the dhb's seem to have only 4 positions. The Ortleib lower hook can be infinitely adjusted for height, lateral position and orientation of the hook, the dhb just slides for and aft. The Ortliebs are attached and removed with a simple 1 handed pull of the handle, the dhb's will be a more fiddly 2 handed operation.

mostly harmless

That's great thanks. It looks like I'll be getting the Ortliebs, buy the best and only cry once. And SPA are local too. Bonus.

mtbhenry888

Ortieb, ortlieb, ortlieb, i thought about the same question, cheaper DHB or ortlieb, i am soooo please i went with the ortleib, they just hook over the rack, then you just pull them up to release, so easy and quick, much better than the rixen and kual fitings on the DHB panniers.

edeverett

I have both and the Ortliebs are in a different league. Much thicker material, much better made and easier to use.

The DHBs are fine for 'normal' use but I wouldn't want to rely on them.

Groke

I've got Ortlieb Back Roller Classics and DHB Marsden panniers. Both are waterproof and of a similar size (20L), but the Back Rollers are more robust and I prefer them for touring. When it comes to commuting, I am very happy with the DHBs as they represent good value for money (half the cost of the Orliebs).

mostly harmless

Just to add a conclusion to this thread, I opted for the back roller classics from SPA cycles for £70 and I'm very impressed with the build quality and the promise of a five year guarantee.

alfablue

mostly harmless wrote:

Just to add a conclusion to this thread, I opted for the back roller classics from SPA cycles for £70 and I'm very impressed with the build quality and the promise of a five year guarantee.

Good choice, well worth the £26 more than the DHB IMHO

Groke

mostly harmless wrote:

Just to add a conclusion to this thread, I opted for the back roller classics from SPA cycles for £70 and I'm very impressed with the build quality and the promise of a five year guarantee.

Good choice. I've had mine for years and they still are in very good nick. I'm sure you'll get lots of trouble free miles out of them.