Ortlieb Handlebar-Pack QR vs Topeak FrontLoader 12L

Two handlebar bags, measured against each other on the figures that decide whether they work on a bike.

The short answer

The Topeak FrontLoader 12L is ahead on capacity, weight, price and value per litre. Nothing measured here goes the other way. The biggest single gap is $7.19 per litre between them.

Assembled from the differences below rather than written over them. Every figure is a published measurement or computed from one — nobody here has used either one.

Where they differ

4 of the 5 things we can measure come out differently.

Capacity

1L more in the FrontLoader 12L
Ortlieb Handlebar-Pack QR
11L
Topeak FrontLoader 12L
12L

The maker's own figure. Worth reading alongside the dimensions below rather than on its own — two bags of the same litreage can want very different frames.

Weight

73g lighter on the FrontLoader 12L
Ortlieb Handlebar-Pack QR
530g
Topeak FrontLoader 12L
457g

Empty weight as published. Worth holding against capacity rather than alone — the lighter bag is not the better one if it carries a third less.

Price

$70 between them
Ortlieb Handlebar-Pack QR
$180
Topeak FrontLoader 12L
$110

Manufacturer's price as we hold it.

Per litre

$7.19 per litre between them
Ortlieb Handlebar-Pack QR
$16.36
Topeak FrontLoader 12L
$9.17

Price divided by the maker's capacity. A crude measure that still catches the case where the dearer bag is also the bigger one, which the price alone hides.

Side by side

Including the rows where they are level.

Ortlieb Handlebar-Pack QRTopeak FrontLoader 12L
Capacity11L12L
Width across the ends50cm — needs a 56cm bar50cm — needs a 56cm bar
Weight530g457g
Price$180$110
Per litre$16.36$9.17
Ortlieb
Handlebar-Pack QR
$180 · 530g

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Topeak
FrontLoader 12L
$110 · 457g

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