Test: Ortlieb Seat-Pack M and Handlebar-Pack S - the compact plus in storage space

Bikepacking has evolved from a secret trend to a mainstream activity in recent years. In the past, mountain bikers used to carry bulky panniers on their touring bikes, but nowadays they strap functional and lightweight panniers to their bikes and set off on multi-day tours. Such bags are available from Ortlieb, among others, and we strapped the Seat Pack and Handlebar Pack to our bikes for testing.

Impeccable function

With the waterproof Ortlieb bags "Seat-Pack M" with eleven liters and "Handlebar-Pack S" with nine liters packing volume, we were able to undertake various tours last summer. They survived sun, rain, dirt and even falls without damage and always got the contents to their destination dry and safe.

Mounting on the mountain bike is particularly easy with the "Seat-Pack". The "Handlebar-Pack" can be attached to the handlebars with the spacers and Velcro fasteners around the cables. Both bags can also be mounted very securely so that they hardly "dance around" off-road.

High-quality material

The Seat-Pack bag is quickly and easily attached to the saddle frame and seat post. A strong Velcro fastener and robust snap fasteners keep the bag securely in place, also thanks to the reinforced bag base. The original packing volume of eleven liters is compressed to a very small size thanks to the practical vent valve and compression straps. Thanks to its compact dimensions, the saddle bag is also suitable for use on long-stroke fullys. A practical feature of the placement is that there is no need for an additional mudguard.

The "Handlebar-Pack" is slightly smaller with a packing volume of nine liters. Thanks to its compact design, however, it can also be installed on gravel bikes. The manufacturer's product description states that you can stow your sleeping bag here. However, the bag is then quite full. However, the silk sleeping bag was also sufficient for the Hüttentour. Thanks to the roll closures on both sides, the pack can be sealed watertight, but we included a lot of air and therefore unnecessary volume. A venting valve would be practical here.

Conclusion

Both bags fulfill their purpose perfectly. They impress with their solid workmanship and keep their promise of being waterproof and hold firmly to the handlebars and saddle. With reflectors and straps for flashing lights, visibility in the dark is also guaranteed. The "Handlebar-Pack" turned out to be a little fiddly to mount. However, the problem is more the many cables on the cockpit. A vent valve like the one on the "Seat-Pack" would also be desirable here. Tip for loading the "Seat-Pack": Stow heavy things close to the saddle and lighter things at the end. If the center of gravity is closer to the center, the bike rides much better.

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