Ortlieb sports roller 2.1 question

[in4]

I’m putting my Ortlieb sports rollers on a Thorn front rack. I wanted to ask if it is better to have the sliding bars facing forward or backwards. Other than which is best, in terms of limiting lateral movement and, in my case not interfering with my dynamo wiring, is there anything else that I might consider? Other than writing less complicated sentences!
Thanks 🙏

[Danneaux]

Ian, you asked...

...is better to have the sliding bars facing forward or backwards.

Do you mean the lower retention fins?

I have not found any orientation to be "better" because I run two sets of lower retention fins  on each of my front SportPackers and rear BikePackers (see attached pic) for better retention, increased theft prevention (it takes a bit of an extra twist to remove) and as a handy place to carry spares (I've had some fracture in bitter cold).

Generally, I adjust my upper hooks to prevent sliding and pre-adjust the lower fin(s) to aid retention and also prevent the upper hooks from sliding on the rack rails. I have noticed Thorn tends to set their front racks angled very slightly down in the front. This allows the bags to rattle/vibrate forward naturally so they hit a crossbar as a stop and that can be a handy way to then set the lower fin to maintain that position if the rails are longer than what the bag hooks can span at their widest settings. This slight nose-down posture bothered my aesthetic sense, so I leveled the racks and found settings where my bags don't move. Mostly, I just set things up so the bags don't slide and so they clear my heels (in the rear).

You may notice I also run double hooks on the rear bags for the same reason as the double fins...handy storage in case a spare is needed due to breakage and a little more theft-resistance. In the case of rear bags, the double hooks do a good job of preventing movement on the rack rails because I can put one set on each side of a crossbar.

As for forward or back being a factor in brush or very tall grass, I haven't noticed any practical difference, thought I suppose facing rearward could prevent snagging.

Best, Dan (...who hopes this answered the question)

[in4]

Many thanks Dan. I like the idea of the dual retention fins.

https://www.alpinetrek.co.uk/ortlieb-sport-roller-classic-panniers/

The QL 2.1 is different to yours but the point is still relevant and received with appreciation.
🙏

[PH]

The newer Ortliebs intended for off road, the Gravel branded ones, come with two lower retaining hooks so I hope Dan patented the idea!  It doesn't always work, some racks need you to hook the bottom on then slide it down at an angle before attaching the top hooks, that wouldn't always work with two pointing in different directions.
Ortliebs promotional stuff shows single retainers pointing either way, so they obviously aren't stipulating which is right.  I've always faced mine forwards, I'm using the bottom fitting to stop the pannier sliding forwards, heavy braking will push the hook onto the strut, rather than away from it.  I think that possibly takes some rotational force off the top hooks, though seemingly not enough for Ortlieb to be bothered about, so I'm not claiming it's necessary. 
With the rear top hook stopping the pannier sliding back, and the bottom hook doing the same forwards, I'm less fussed where I set the top front hook, that leaves me to do so in a way that suits the rack, and by happy coincidence allows me to use my panniers on all three of my racks without adjustment.

[martinf]

I have not found any orientation to be "better" because I run two sets of lower retention fins on each of my front SportPackers and rear BikePackers (see attached pic) for better retention, increased theft prevention (it takes a bit of an extra twist to remove) and as a handy place to carry spares (I've had some fracture in bitter cold).

On receiving my first Thorn with Ortleib bags in 2012 I copied Dan's setup and ordered extra fins, mainly for the last reason. Though I haven't yet had any breakages.

[mickeg]

I also put a small square of green tape on the side of the panier that faces the rack for the right side, red tape for the left side.

[PH]

I also put a small square of green tape on the side of the panier that faces the rack for the right side, red tape for the left side.

Very nautical of you!
I just write L & R with a permanent marker.  I always pack stuff back in the same pannier, I know not everyone is as particular. 

[mickeg]

...
I just write L & R with a permanent marker.  I always pack stuff back in the same pannier, I know not everyone is as particular.

Front panniers, I am very good at packing the same way every day.  That keeps the weight balance better.  And I use a kickstand on my steel touring bikes, I can remove the front right pannier and the bike is still stable on the side stand.  So, the front right pannier has the tent in it, as that is the first thing I setup when I arrive at a campsite.  (My Thorns are past the warranty stage, so the side stand is at my own risk.)

Rear panniers, I am not careful at all to pack the same stuff in them each day.  They might not match in weight, however I try to pack both rear panniers to be the same height as I often have a bag on top of the rear panniers.  The bag on top sits better on panniers that are the same height.

[martinf]

I just write L & R with a permanent marker.  I always pack stuff back in the same pannier, I know not everyone is as particular.

Copied Dan again for the marking, with my name on the back of each bag written with an acrylic marker.

And added "starboard front", "port rear", etc. for bags used only on my own bikes and "AR gauche", "AR droite" for bags used on my wife's bike or the visitor bikes (none of these have front racks).

[Pavel]

In a heroic effort to save the worlds ink supply, I've resorted to using my red Sportpacker plus on the front left, and my Carradice super C front panier on the right.  The advantage for me in that is that I can dry yesterdays shirt, or the just laundered shirt on the Carradice because of their long straps on top.  I intertwine the shirt inbetween the straps - and if it's a long cycling day, they are ready eventually. 

On the rear, the back round parts of the carradice Super C rears let me know which is for which side.  And I can keep my glasses in their case more often.  I like the Ortlieb sports packers plus a lot because it has an inside pocket that perfectly fit my iPad in it's soft fuzzy case.  Now that I have the 12.9" pro version, I may have to upgrade somehow.