Touring - Junk in the Trunk

I am setting up my T-bike now and am down to the "short strokes". I think I'd like to add a "trunk bag" for tent poles, tools, and assorted whatever. I have a Tubus Cargo rear rack that I'd like it to sit atop and either strap it or bungy it down to the rack. I am using Ortlieb rear panniers.

Unfortunately, the Tubus rack has an odd "turn up" in the tubing shown below that reduces the potential length of any bag that might sit atop the rack. In order to fit inside the upward curls and the end of the rack the most a bag could be is 12-13". Wondering if anyone has ever bent these down to flow straight? Or hacked them off? If I could eliminate these bends, I could use a longer bag (btw, tent poles are ~16.5")...which would be ideal. Would love to straighten these bends out.

The Ortlieb trunk bags are huge and seem to be made to position across the tops of the rear panniers. The Arkel bag looks more like it, but may be too long at 16".

Any suggsetions? BTW, waterproof cover gets bonus points.

You could cut the curved-up loadstops off.

You also need not be concerned if your load extends over one end of the rack or another, as long as it doesn't cause any actual problems.

I have an Arkel Tailrider which I use on my Tubus Cosmo rack without any problems. The new Cosmo has the same turnups at the front as the Cargo.

Neil

I am setting up my T-bike now and am down to the "short strokes". I think I'd like to add a "trunk bag" for tent poles, tools, and assorted whatever. I have a Tubus Cargo rear rack that I'd like it to sit atop and either strap it or bungy it down to the rack. I am using Ortlieb rear panniers.

Unfortunately, the Tubus rack has an odd "turn up" in the tubing shown below that reduces the potential length of any bag that might sit atop the rack. In order to fit inside the upward curls and the end of the rack the most a bag could be is 12-13". Wondering if anyone has ever bent these down to flow straight? Or hacked them off? If I could eliminate these bends, I could use a longer bag (btw, tent poles are ~16.5")...which would be ideal. Would love to straighten these bends out.

The Ortlieb trunk bags are huge and seem to be made to position across the tops of the rear panniers. The Arkel bag looks more like it, but may be too long at 16".

Any suggsetions? BTW, waterproof cover gets bonus points.


The Tubus Cargo is a pretty long rack. I use a trunk bag on mine for commuting and never have a problem with it fitting. If you want a rack without the bag stops, look at a Vega. Slightly narrower on top but the deck is flat.

http://www.thetouringstore.com/TUBUS/Vega/Vega-5.jpg

The trunk bag on a tour is kind of overkill. I carry my tent and sleeping bag on the rear rack. Pannier space is too valuable and a trunk bag constrains your space on the rack. I cover my sleeping bag with a plastic garbage bag when it rains.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r181/cyccommute/Mybike12_1.jpg

Have never understood why they put those obstructions on racks. I cut them off. The dry bag goes all the way to the seat post and my pole sack fits snugly beside the bag, both tied to the seat post for extra security. No worry about the bag sagging and obstructing the taillight.

I have an Arkel Tailrider which I use on my Tubus Cosmo rack without any problems. The new Cosmo has the same turnups at the front as the Cargo.

Neil

Neil, Does the Arkel bag sit on top of the "up turns"? Or does it fit between them?

Have never understood why they put those obstructions on racks. I cut them off. The dry bag goes all the way to the seat post and my pole sack fits snugly beside the bag, both tied to the seat post for extra security. No worry about the bag sagging and obstructing the taillight.

This makes sense to me... I see no value in these "obstructions" either. Just a hacksaw? Did you finish the ends off or just live with the sawn off ends?

What "dry bag" do you use?

Neil, Does the Arkel bag sit on top of the "up turns"? Or does it fit between them?

The Tailrider is too wide to fit between the struts, it just kind of butts up against them. The pics below should give you some idea (sorry for the quality - it's raining hard outside right now and I didn't feel like opening the garage door). The bike is on the double stand with the front wheel down, so that accounts for the downward slant in the photos. Also, the bag is not strapped onto the rack here, it's just sitting on top.

Neil

Hacksawed them off and smoothed the ends with a grinder.

Outdoor Research dry bags. Soft, yet waterproof. Easy to stuff. Subtract 3 inches to get effective length as they use roll down closures.

Break the tent (et al) into two small, foot long, waterproof stuff sacks. Strap poles the longways through the rack's upturned ends. Strap the stuff sacks crossways on the rack. Trunks are pretty heavy (at least a pound) and unless you REALLY need the pockets I'd forget the trunk.

The purpose of the turnups is supposedly to keep (wide) items that are on top of the rack back far enough and out of the way.

>The trunk bag on a tour is kind of overkill. I carry my tent and sleeping bag on the rear rack. Pannier space is too valuable and a trunk bag constrains your space on the rack.

Looking at your massive load, you're probably right. I use a rack bag just for sheer convenience - I've developed a strong preference for bags that can be attached and removed easily, rather than strapping endless items on. The Topeak MTX system is good for combining a rack bag with panniers.