I really like these panniers, though I'm glad that I found a quicker way of managing the shoulder carry strap than the rather daft built-in things #BikeTooter@fedibikes@cycling
@kim@achadwick@cycling I keep it closed using the strap that comes over the top from the back, and have also used the drybag method. The front hook is just there to add tension to the longer strap -- in all my years, I've never had a problem with the strap getting particularly muddy, unless I'm also getting muddy anyway. But different use cases, maybe?
@ravenbait@achadwick@cycling Recumbent low-rider racks put the front panniers in splatter range of the front wheel, while the rider stays high and dry. Of course, the great thing about Ortliebs is you can just run them under the tap.
The over-the-top strap is incredibly useful for overloading the pannier gracefully, dangling random things from, or crossing over with the pannier on the other side for additional security, and I do miss it on my flap-closure Altura panniers (which got relegated to shopping duty when I discovered they were being eaten by the disc brake on my tourer).
Considering handlebar covers/mittens for doing #OpenStreetMap updates in cold weather. They're quite pricey though. Would they help?
It's fairly slow travel, with frequent stops near the footway=sidewalk to record data on the phone. Are they any good for that sort of thing, if I use them with a pair of insulated fingerless gloves underneath? #BikeTooter@bikes@mastobikes@cycling