Tandem Cycling - Rack Trunk Bag input

Hey all - thought I'd get some insight from you guys...also posted this over on the commuter forum as well, but I know many tandem teams use this type of bag for carrying tools etc...

Looking for a trunk bag for the rack on our Santana that I'll also likely be switching over onto my commuter bike during the week to get to/from work. Going to see if I can get away with using that instead of investing in a pannier, so I *think* the following are key considerations:

- ease of removal from the rack
- handles/shoulder strap for carrying when not on bike
- "weatherproofness" - don't know that I've seen any that come with a rain cover like some panniers do...is that because many of them are already waterproof?
- space to accommodate my work clothing (typically just a towel, pair of dress slacks and a dress shirt...I can keep shoes and other stuff at work)
- space to accommodate a small amount of tools for commuting, a larger amount of tools for tandeming
- durability/quality of construction (are the inexpensive Performance/Nashbar bags built well?)

What are you using?

I have a small trunk bag on our tandem, but nothing big enough for commuting. My wife's single has a Novarra trunk bag from REI which has a built in pullover rain cover, but it hasn't really been weather tested. I've never seen a trunk bag that would be adequate to carry dress slacks and shirt without wrinking the heck out of them. What is it you have against panniers?

Milk crate. ;)

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d133/MarrockV/bikes/02.jpg

Topeak makes bag/rack combinations that will fit your needs to a T. Tried a cuple of other brands before coming upon the Topeak a couple of years ago, I use it on the tandem, commuting and credit card touring.

We carry a Performance trunk for most of our rides. It probably would not have enough room for what you're planning on using it for. It never rains here, so I can't comment on its weatherproofness (that's probably not a word).

We have Jannd panniers that are way too big for the majority of our needs, so I was thinking of picking up an expandable trunk like this one: http://www.rei.com/product/710404 . Topeak trunks are made to fit with Topeak racks; if you have an Old Man Mountain (Santana V Brake) rack, it might not be compatible. REI has several other expandable trunks, including this Novara with a built in rain cover: http://www.rei.com/product/764699 .

I have a small trunk bag on our tandem, but nothing big enough for commuting. My wife's single has a Novarra trunk bag from REI which has a built in pullover rain cover, but it hasn't really been weather tested. I've never seen a trunk bag that would be adequate to carry dress slacks and shirt without wrinking the heck out of them. What is it you have against panniers?

Don't have anything against panniers and if I think that I'll need to take my laptop to/from home often I'll likely go that route eventually (I was looking at the Arkel Bug, but will need to save up a bit of $$ for it). Since I'm not making that a major factor in my decision at the moment and because I know I need a trunk bag for the tandem anyway, I thought I'd just start with a trunk bag and go from there.

I suppose I should have clarified the clothing issue a bit further. I have plenty of space at work to store clothes for an entire week and normally drive the cage into work once a week to "stock" my office, so the need to carry clothing isn't a daily occurence. I also make it a point to purchase wrinkle free dress shirts/pants as often as possible so I don't look too crumpled. Also, we go business casual in the summer, so I can get away with polo shirts that don't wrinkle as easily...

That said, it appears that if your wife has the basic Novarra trunk bag, it is only 400 cu in. There are some Nashbar bags that expand to up to 900 cu in, so I think I would be able to minimize the wrinkles. :)

I hadn't really looked at the REI site before, but they have a nice selection...

Am wondering about something like this that would give me the best of both worlds...

http://www.rei.com/product/710473

As mentioned before, this Topeak trunk only fits on Topeak racks. We had this one but went to the Arkel trunk when we put a full rack on.

The Arkel trunk has a lot of room (If anything it is too large.), has a carrying strap, removable rain cover, and is expandable. Arkel quality is very high. I use the Bug for commuting.

As mentioned before, this Topeak trunk only fits on Topeak racks. We had this one but went to the Arkel trunk when we put a full rack on.


I think I was able to stick one on a Blackburn rack (though the fit was probably not as good as intended). I did not do any real riding with it, so maybe I'm wrong, and it would fall off after a decent bump.

Anyway: Sale at Performance! http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=19014&subcategory_ID=2312

I got this one from REI (novara brand):
http://www.rei.com/product/733834

Works great:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3039/2553297383_16788dda20.jpg?v=0

Awww, no love for the humble milk crate. :( ;)

How about a messenger bag. Not bad for short commuting.

I think I was able to stick one on a Blackburn rack (though the fit was probably not as good as intended). I did not do any real riding with it, so maybe I'm wrong, and it would fall off after a decent bump.

Anyway: Sale at Performance! http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=19014&subcategory_ID=2312

It's no wonder it fell off. There are no straps to attach it to a rack. I only has a special track that only fits the MTX seatpost rack. It won't even fit the Topeak EX type seatpost rack. I like the trunk though, maybe I'll see about sewing on some straps.

It's no wonder it fell off. There are no straps to attach it to a rack. I only has a special track that only fits the MTX seatpost rack. It won't even fit the Topeak EX type seatpost rack. I like the trunk though, maybe I'll see about sewing on some straps.

It's been a while since I've seen one, but I'm pretty sure they have straps. I see what looks like a velcro strap just to the left of the gray section. I thought the attachment(s) to the Topeak rack was more of a gripping thing. Maybe someone who owns one can chime in...

It's been a while since I've seen one, but I'm pretty sure they have straps. I see what looks like a velcro strap just to the left of the gray section. I thought the attachment(s) to the Topeak rack was more of a gripping thing. Maybe someone who owns one can chime in...

Sure looks like this one does have straps. I wish our's did.

I have a Topeak expandable that slides on rails and snaps into place. I have their rack on several bikes so it is easy to move it from bike to bike.

Topeak also has a disc mount rack that works well on our Cannonball tandem.

We use a BikePro expandable trunk bag on rear rack on our tandem.

Trek makes a nice bag/rack system which has a bag that snaplocks onto the rack. They now have a rack that fits bikes with rear discs. They have several different size bags for the rack. I'm definitely going to look into this system - so that we can take the bag with us easily when we leave the bike.