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review

Ortlieb Handlebar-Pack QR

8
£150.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Unique and fast way to add or remove 11L of bar storage to and from almost any bike
Highly weatherproof
Light
Simple opening and closing
External storage
Fits most bars (solidly)
Space for fingers on tops and hands on hoods
Silent
Fixing mechanism takes some getting used to – and then some remembering
Can mark bar or stem
Could rub tyre on bikes with low clearance
Pricey
Weight: 
570g
Contact: 

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The Ortlieb Handlebar-Pack QR is a lightweight 11-litre bar bag that can be quickly fitted to and removed from many types of bike. Featuring a unique cord fixing mechanism that takes a bit of getting used to, this could be your go-to quick on-off handlebar luggage.

For more load-lugging options, check out our guide to the best bikepacking bags.

The Handlebar-Pack QR is Ortlieb's take on an age-old idea – a roll-top bag, hanging off your bar. The key innovation here is the Bar-Lock system, a new quick-release mount that holds the bag solid and proud of your cables, preventing cable rub against your frame.

Buy Now: Ortlieb Handlebar-Pack QR from Ortlieb for £150 / $165

2024 Ortlieb Handlebar-Pack QR - back.jpg

The mount fits either side of your stem faceplates, with a maximum clearance of about 60mm. The mount is made of a hard plastic, and in the box are two slightly pliant plastic feet for use on carbon bars (also sold separately in case you lose them, for £5.50). Ortlieb isn't clear on whether the feet should be used on alloy bars, but definitely yes for carbon. It does warn that 'cosmetic blemishes' may occur, and to remove any dirt or grit before installing. If you're overly precious about your bike's looks, this may not be the pack for you.

Installation faff

There are no fewer than 11 steps to install the Handlebar-Pack QR, where you loop first one then a second cord under and over the stem, ending up with a cord on the top and bottom, each pulling against the tension of the other. The second cord has a clip at the end that is inserted into a plastic hook, and then as the pack is pushed down the clip is rotated further forward on the hook, adding the final tension to the cord.

2024 Ortlieb Handlebar-Pack QR - bars attachment.jpg

The cords are different colours to help you understand the order, but it's definitely not something so intuitive you could hand it to someone and expect it to attach the first, second or even third time. There's a QR code on the instruction sheet linking to a video that you'd be well advised to bookmark. That won't help you if you forget how to attach the bag in an area with no coverage, so practise, practise, practise.

The net result is that, done right, the mount is held solid, to the point that you can pick up the front of your bike with it.

Once the cords are at the correct length the installation process is quicker, as you don't need to make adjustments. As we are talking about cords here, over time they will stretch and settle in – so Ortlieb recommends checking at 10, 50, 100 and then every 100km after that. I found that once a decent installation was achieved, movement was negligible and so didn't faff further.

2024 Ortlieb Handlebar-Pack QR - side.jpg

Removal is easier, in that you flip the little plastic clip down, remove it from the hook, and unhook the first cord; that's it.

Once the cords are pulled really tight, should you need to install the pack on a different bike you'll need to loosen them off. They can be pulled so tight that the cam levers holding them in place can't be moved by fingers alone. In that case Ortlieb has provided a channel on each lever that accepts a 4mm hex key lengthways, for additional leverage to disengage the cam.

Pack it in

Once you've mastered the installation and removal of the pack, you can fill it full of 11 litres (or 5kg) of stuff. Inside there's a pair of compression straps to help hold the lower three-quarters of the pack in place and squished down. Then you can add a bit more – think lightweight jacket – and still be able to fold the top over a couple of times to keep things waterproof.

2024 Ortlieb Handlebar-Pack QR - open.jpg

As with the Back-Roller panniers Simon reviewed recently, the Handlebar-Pack QR has an IP64 rating which means it isn't exactly waterproof, again likely down to the roll-top closure. That said, unless you've actually fallen over in a river and stuck around to check out the waterlife, your stuff is going to stay dry from any rain – even the torrential bounce-up-in-your-face kind. Ortlieb is a world leader in Keeping Stuff Dry On Bikes, and the new fabrics and designs on show here live up to the legacy.

The top flap is held in place with a strap secured with an alloy hook and tensioned with a friction clasp, hooked into one of two loops on the front of the pack. The edge of the pack mouth is reinforced with a stiff plastic panel to aid folding.

2024 Ortlieb Handlebar-Pack QR - top.jpg

On the outside front you then have two long compression straps that come up from underneath, ostensibly to reduce the volume of the bag to secure its contents. But with care, you could use them to secure external items so long as they were well clear of your front wheel. The same alloy hook and loop arrangement is used, and the strap ends are nicely retained in elastic loops.

On the sides are two elasticated mesh pockets for the stashing of small, light items like gels, bars or rubbish. The pockets are just large enough to hold a phone, but with no securing mechanism I wouldn't risk it. There's an optional zipped mesh bag (£11) that can be attached inside to hold small items.

2024 Ortlieb Handlebar-Pack QR - side pocket.jpg

At 556g on the road.cc Scales Of Doom, the Handlebar-Pack QR is a lightweight option for an all-inclusive mount and waterproof-bordering-full-immersion 11L bag, with the ability to not foul your cables or head tube while being quickly removable.

Battering about gravel tracks and 4X4 roads with a full load, the pack stayed put for mile after dozens of miles. If you pack carefully, paying attention to Things That Might Rattle, and tuck away the cord and strap ends, the experience is also completely silent.

> 15 easy ways to carry stuff on your bike

At 32cm wide there's lots of space even on narrow bars for hands on hoods and fingers wrapped around the tops – a common issue with packs that strap to bars leaving no space for fingers in a narrower grip.

Value

Ortlieb is pretty much in a class of one here, with a lightweight bar pack that's both quick to fit and remove (once you learn) and not leaving any mount behind at all, critically while staying proud of the bar, cables and head tube.

There are a hundred lightweight variations on a harness that holds a drybag, but all of them rely on securely strapping the harness close to the bar and then filling and securing a drybag – both taking far longer than the Ortlieb option here. I'm discounting every comparison with anything needing strapping to bars, and/or a side-loading drybag because no way is that at all a convenient option to fetch stuff quickly and easily without a lot of repacking.

Probably the strongest competition to the Pack QR is Ortlieb's own £120 Handlebar-Pack Plus, which has all the same features minus the QR bit. It's also 50g lighter. Pair this with Ortlieb's £38 Handlebar Mounting-Set QR and for £158 (less if you shop around) you now have an even quicker, faff-free, push-button-releasable 11L bag. This would be great if you frequently want to take your bar bag with you.

Conclusion

The main limitation of the Handlebar-Pack QR is the distance between the bottom of the pack and your tyre. If that's OK, then for £150 you're getting a unique and lightweight solution to quickly (once mastered) fitting and removing 11L of easily-accessible waterproof storage to and from your bar.

Buy Now: Ortlieb Handlebar-Pack QR from Ortlieb for £150 / $165

Verdict

Unique and fast way to add or remove 11L of bar storage to and from almost any bike

road.cc test report

Make and model: Ortlieb Handlebar-Pack QR

Size tested: 11L

Tell us what the product is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

It's for people wanting to add or remove 11L of bar luggage easily and quickly without fouling their bar cables or frame.

Ortlieb says:

"A new fastening system, the Bar-Lock, enables the waterproof Handlebar-Pack QR (Quick Release) to be attached and removed in no time at all. This means that you can quickly and easily take off the bag and carry it with you when you reach your destination. Thanks to the bar-lock cord attachment, this bikepacking bag remains stable and secure on the handlebars, even on rougher terrain. Internal compressions and the roll closure adjustable height ensures the safe storing of gear or equipment. Two further hooks with CamLock fasteners on the front create further compression options.

The handlebar pack QR has an 11-liter volume, weighs only 530 grams and is loaded from above. In addition to bikepacking, this pack would be a great asset for long gravel rides or races thanks to its narrow 32 centimeter design. Lateral outer pockets allow small accessories or snacks to be stowed away yet accessible while riding. The PVC-free bag is made of abrasion-resistant nylon fabric and is, of course, sustainably produced in Germany. The maximum load is five kilograms.

Pair the bag with the extra Handlebar-Pack QR Inner Pocket to keep things tidy, and conveniently store and access your cash, cards or a mobile phone."

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Ortlieb lists these details:

FEATURES

Reflective Logo and Reflector increase safety

Color dark sand

weight 530 g | 18.7 oz

height 22 cm | 8.7 inch

depth 18 cm | 7.1 inch

volume 11 L | 671 cu.inch

load 5 kg | 11 lbs

Properties no pvc, ip64

lower width 26 cm | 10.2 inch

upper width 32 cm | 12.6 inch

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
10/10

It's beautifully and solidly built.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

If it wasn't for the fitting and removing, this would get full marks.

Rate the product for durability:
 
10/10

It's Ortlieb. It's tough.

Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
7/10

For what it does, 556g is pretty good going.

Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Very well – solid, quiet and stable.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The super-solid fit once in place.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Remembering the process.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

It's a premium, for sure. You can pay a lot less, but you'll be giving up function and adding cable/frame faff.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes-ish

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes, but with caveats.

Use this box to explain your overall score

It's very good, and would score better but for the fitting faff – and it ain't cheap. Not sure if the faff is avoidable without a lot of practice, but I bet Ortlieb is working on it.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 47  Height: 183cm  Weight: 77kg

I usually ride: Sonder Camino Gravelaxe  My best bike is: Nah bro that's it

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: A few times a week  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, general fitness riding, mtb, G-R-A-V-E-L

Living in the Highlands, Mike is constantly finding innovative and usually cold/wet ways to accelerate the degradation of cycling kit. At his happiest in a warm workshop holding an anodised tool of high repute, Mike's been taking bikes apart and (mostly) putting them back together for forty years. With a day job in global IT (he's not completely sure what that means either) and having run a boutique cycle service business on the side for a decade, bikes are his escape into the practical and life-changing for his customers.

Add new comment

7 comments

Avatar
james-o | 4 weeks ago
0 likes

Has anyone seen any alternative bar clip/adapter pieces for these, something that fits it closer or right up ahainst the bars? 

I assume it's an Ortlieb part and not Klickfix compatible. I have an Ortlieb accessory pocket that I use as a bar bag and would like something similar but larger, but I don't really want it mounted any further from the bar than necessary. 

Avatar
RillettesCamembert replied to james-o | 3 weeks ago
0 likes

I have a similar bag from Vaude: https://www.bicyclesquilicot.com/fr/sac-de-guidon-vaude-comyou-box-9l-ls...

It uses klickfix, so when I bought another bicycle I could get a mount easily - but the bag still is a bit far from the handlebar.

Since my bicycle doesn't have rack mounts, I'm using it for my daily commute to office, stashing my 15" laptop, a pair of jeans, a shirt and underwear. Fortunately I have a locker at the office so some things like towel, toiletry, shoes stay there.

It does block the light, so I had to buy several extenders to position it higher... still waiting to find a sturdy-enough one...

Avatar
Creakingcrank replied to james-o | 3 weeks ago
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Regular Ortlieb bar bags (not this one) fit onto Klickfix brackets, but I'm not sure there is much difference in length between Ortlieb's bracket and a standard Klickfix. If you have some spacers under the stem, and enough room above the front wheel,  you could use a dedicated accessory bar to hold the bag bracket, like this one from SJS. They do different lengths and angles of these. I have that setup on one bike and it works well: keeps the bag low so you can still have light/computer on your bar.

Avatar
bensynnock | 4 weeks ago
1 like

Where do you put your lights?

Avatar
Sriracha | 4 weeks ago
0 likes

I could find a use for this when I cycle on holiday, on a hire bike. At home I use my trusty Karrimor Bardale on a KlickFix bracket.

I got fed unscrewing the bracket from my own bike every year to take it on holiday, screw it onto the hire bike, unscrew it a week later and then screw it back onto my own bike again.

So I halved the travail by lashing out on a spare KlickFix bracket.

But even that is a pain, and this bag would relieve me of even that effort. However, into the balance must go the instantaneous KlickFix ease of removing and reattaching the bag at every café stop, which are numerous on holiday! Would I lose more minutes doing ropework at each halt than I would gain through not having to screw/unscrew the klickfix bracket for the week?

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HalfDanHalfBiscuit | 4 weeks ago
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How are you meant to carry this off the bike? Unlike the Ortlieb Handlebar-Pack Plus, it doesn't appear to have a shoulder strap or any loops to attach one.

Avatar
james-o replied to HalfDanHalfBiscuit | 4 weeks ago
0 likes

Good point, there's loops on the sides of the other 11l bag I saw but not sure about this one?

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