Product news / Gravel / Accessories: Ortlieb is expanding its successful bikepacking range for the 2021 season. The frame pack bags for the fork are completely new in two versions. There are also updates for the frame bags - these are now also available with a robust roll closure.
Ortlieb Fork-Pack: luggage on the fork!
Ortlieb expands its bikepacking portfolio for 2021 with a completely new product - the Fork Pack (and the Fork Pack Plus). As the name suggests, this is a small bag that attaches to the side of the fork. Many current gravel bikes have eyelets designed for this - but even if these are not available, the fork packs can be attached using a special adapter system - although Ortlieb only approves this for aluminum forks. This allows the approx. 3 liter bags to be easily attached to suspension forks. Ortlieb also emphasizes that although the Fork Pack was designed for fork mounting, it can of course be attached to any horizontal tube.
The two variants Fork Pack and Fork Pack Plus differ only in the material: While the standard model is made of PU-coated nylon fabric, the Plus variant uses the visually more pleasing Cordura fabric. Of course, both of the pockets, which can be closed with a roll-top closure, are watertight – as you are used to from Ortlieb. At approx. 270 g, the bags themselves are extremely light and yet have a maximum load of 3 kg each.
The bag itself is assembled using the new Quick-Lock S system, which, like the well-known Ortlieb Quick Locks, allows the bags to be quickly attached or removed. There is a small lever on the top of the frame pack that has to be pushed to the side and the bag can be removed. When re-attaching, a short clip is sufficient and the counterpart to the QLS system snaps into place with a clear click.
Frame-Pack RC and Frame-Pack RC Toptube: frame bags with roll closure
The frame bags - or frame packs - were or are an integral part of Ortlieb's original bikepacking portfolio and will of course remain so in 2021. However, the traditional manufacturer is expanding the selection with two new variants, which now bring the feature for the Ortlieb is well-known around the globe: roll-top closures! While the previous two frame packs relied on robust zip fasteners, the Frame Pack RC and Frame Pack RC Toptube now also have corresponding variants for roll fans.
But why roll closure at all? The zips of the previous frame bags have proven themselves, were they waterproof and almost indestructible? Well, a roll-top closure has two major advantages in addition to the slightly improved weather resistance: it is not only almost, but completely indestructible. The bag can be rolled up over and over again. So especially for real bikepacking adventures far away from civilization - a real advantage. Because even if it is unlikely: If the zipper quits its service in the jungle or in the desert, you have a big problem. Another advantage is the better overview due to the slightly larger opening. Yes, the zippers were nice and big, but the bag cannot be opened completely with them.
Incidentally, the roll closure is attached with three silicone loops, so that nothing opens unintentionally while driving. Apart from the closure, the bags have not changed much compared to the well-known models. The large model holds 6 liters, the compact version 4 liters. They are still made of the proven PU-coated nylon fabric and can be attached to the frame with strong Velcro straps.