We made it through another week in the land of excessive flashing lights and smoky yet air conditioned desert that is Las Vegas. Don’t get us wrong we enjoy meeting our retailers, catching up with old industry friends and making new ones (quick shout out to Faraday-they make rad e-bikes!). But the only thing sweeter than returning to our fresh, clean PNW home is reading all the awesome reviews! Here are links to what the top magazines are saying about our new 2016 products:
Thanks for all the Ortlieb love and see you next year!
E Bikes+Ortlieb = the Perfect Match
When stripped down the main purpose of Ortlieb bags is to carry your possessions from point A to point B and keep the contents dry while doing so. No bike on the market allows you to travel from point A to point B faster and further between distinations than e-bikes. The integration of Ortlieb bags and e-bikes seems like a no brainer and the “Bag Man” agrees! Read his review of Ortlieb products below:
The Velocity waterproof backpack is a versatile bag for urban outdoor & cycling environments. Thanks to our friends at Triptent New York who created this video.
Duffle RS
140 liter standing
Wheel details
Black Duffle RS
Handle detail
There are several light-weight roller duffle bags in the outdoor market today. They attempt to achieve the goal of easy travel when heading on an adventure, but all fall a little short. We can proudly (and perhaps biasedly) say that Ortlieb has made the ultimate adventure-travel roller duffle- the Duffle RS. This bag was the winner of the 2014 European Outdoor Industry Award and soon we expect it to be top choice for retailers and consumers alike.
One of the features that makes the Duffle RS stand out among its competitors is that, like all Ortlieb products, the bag is 100% waterproof. It utilizes 3-d welding (pioneered by Ortlieb) and a combination of PVC-coated polyester and cordura fabric to ensure its water-tight nature. The zipper, which runs the length of the bag, is a TIZIP waterproof zipper. The zipper can also be locked using the integrated wire loop and small cable lock.
The designers paid special attention to the roller function of the bag. They opted for an adjustable grip handle that has plenty of leg clearance for comfortable towing instead of a heaving telescopic towing frame. The bottom is reinforced with foam padding to enhance stability when fully loaded. The industrial grade wheels are 90mm and set in a rigid floor plate made of contoured aluminum for increased floor clearance. It is ideal for both airport terminals and rugged outdoor terrain.
Reading over this, it sounds like a bunch of marketing gobbledygook, but this bag is the real deal. See the chart below for how the Duffle RS compares to other brands. As employees of Ortlieb we are stoked to offer this bag to the outdoor community. Basically, there is no other word but “cool” for the Duffle RS.
Winter Bike Riding Is…
Winter Bike Riding is…
…a drag. That is the first word that comes to my mind and I have a feeling that it is a sentiment that is shared by many people. We all have our reasons: it is cold, it is rainy, it gets dark too early and it goes on and on. There is just something about the winter months that make you hang up your helmet, happily grab your keys and enjoy the toasty seat warmer on your drive to work.
This fall I bought and put together my first commuter bike and only rode it to work once before daylight savings ended. I keep thinking once it is spring I will start riding again. Lately though I have really missed riding and have begun questioning if all the excuses I have come up with to avoid the commute are valid. Here are the results of my internal argument to ride (weather or not).
Excuse: It is too cold. Well this one works for the Northeastern and north Midwestern states (links to snow storm news). Here in the Pacific Northwest the climate is mild. The winter months are actually quite pleasant and though the sky is perpetually grey the temperature averages 45 degrees. Last Monday it was 62 degrees a record high for this time of year!
Verdict: Invalid
Excuse: It is rainy. I played youth soccer growing up and spent countless hours running around a muddy field (without a raincoat!) chasing a soccer ball with a big smile on my face. So what makes the rain such a deterrent to ride now? It may be annoying to arrive at work wet but that’s why they make raincoats. Furthermore that’s why we make waterproof panniers to hold dry clothes to change into upon arrival at work. If I am not riding because of the rain then I probably shouldn’t represent a company that makes waterproof bike accessories.
Verdict: Invalid
Excuse: It gets dark too early. This is the true excuse that stops me from riding into work. My route to work involves roads, skinny shoulders and a trail known to be home to a few coyotes. Riding solo in the dark could be potentially dangerous. Though you can buy bright headlights, taillights and dress in reflective clothing (and put some high-vis panniers on your bike!) as a new commuter, I am not comfortable riding in the dark with cars zooming by.
Verdict: Valid
So maybe bike commuting isn’t the best idea in winter when the sunsets at 4 p.m. but I still have the plenty of other opportunities to ride. There are actually events all over the country that were created to celebrate the “joys” of winter riding. Winter riding is what you make it, so why not make it fun?
Here are some fun winter events going on around the country:
