kbrown

I was using a back pack to carry all of my stuff but it's getting over filled and moves around to much on my back. I'm not exactly sure if I want a rack trunk or panniers. I'll need to be able to carry my work shoes, a cap (for my head), tire levers, spare tube, folding razor knife, water bottle, a few other tools,and I want to have a little bit more room to carry other things like my mp3 player, food, extra water, when the need arises. I'm looking to spend about $100, I could spend more but $125 is my limit.

I searched but couldn't find a lot of topics comparing rack trunks and panniers. It'll be going on my 2005 langster fixed gear. Also, what's a good rack. I don't want a rack that attaches to the seatpost, and I want one that will last for a long time. Does anyone have any advice or some reviews of good rack trunks or panniers if you think that's a better choice.

harvestmoon

I really like my Topeak rack and Topeak rack trunk (MTX). I've had my bike for a while now so I've forgotten what model the rack is. The trunk slides into the rack on a track and clips in at the end. One fluid movement to attach or remove the trunk. Works well for me.

nashcommguy

Hi kbrown,
Try a Delta Universal Megarack and Sunlite trunk bag. The bag has 2 side and a rear pocket perfect for tools, tube etc. The bag's about 25.00 and the rack's around 30.00 @ bikepartsusa.com. My gf has this combo on her hybrid and loves it. There's usually some combo deals on nashbar.com, too.

Allen

Ortlieb's Bike Box series rocks.

Bike Box I
~$80


Bike Box II
$100


And the soon to come Bike Box III

I have the #1 & #2 versions and both are waterproof. The hardshell version can be locked.
All three connect to the rack with a quick-release plate.

I can fit my helmet, lock, and lunch in the #2 version, which is smaller than the #1.

ax0n

$14 plastic toolbox from a hardware store, some nuts, some bolts, and a drill bit. Problem solved.

Doesn't look as cool, but you can't beat it for the price.

Frankenbiker

I use a motorcycle-style trunk from JCWhitney. It holds lots of stuff, is lockable and can be removed from its plate when necessary. I'm very pleased with it.

newbojeff

I'm liking the Trek Interchange system. I've had the panniers for about 8 months and just got the small trunk. I use the panniers for work (carry lunch, clothes, a few papers, and repair equipment; shoes stay at work) and am going to use the trunk for group rides to keep my fredness level up.

DataJunkie

I am cheap. Performance's $20 rack trunk works great.
I have a set of Novara panniers with around 2000 sq inches of storage. Those are nice for hauling items.

BigBlueToe

I bought one of these.

Since squirrels attacked my old Nashbar rack trunk, I've had a series of rack trunks, none of which was suitable. They all had soft sides and sagged when I put my tools, etc. in them. I'm going to try this. I just installed it. I'll report after I've lived with it for a few months. On my tour this summer I'm going to tow a BOB trailer, put panniers on the front, and use this to carry jackets, rain gear, sandwiches, etc.

You can find it here.

Fuzzydave

I second the Topeak MTX series. I've been using the big one (approx $100) since June and love it. I routinely carry a spare tube in its box, patch kit, tire levers, Power Bar, multi-tool, wallet, watch, cellphone, pair of socks, underpants, pair of jeans, undershirt, regular shirt, and a few other small things. I've never had to use both panniers and expand the main compartment all at once. I have fit a 13x9" brownie tray in one pannier and gotten it closed, too. The material is very sturdy and has a reflective stripe on each side. I love that I don't have to mess with velcro to attach it to the rack.
The only drawback I've found is that I can't use it with a grocery pannier (or maybe I just haven't tried hard enough)
It is pricey, but I don't see why I can't use it for years to come. I just need to figure out what to do with the bungee cord setup on top.

Old_Fart

I have a Topeak MTX also and like it a lot. The mount system is great, more solid and easier to secure than the velcro straps on the cheaper bags. There are three different bag sizes and a few different racks in the series. I have a solid rack on my cross check and a seatpost rack for my mountain bike so I can use the bag on either bike. I tried a less expensive rack trunk from Performance and it didn't work well for me. It was a pain to take on and off and wasn't stiff enough for my uses.

kbrown

I like the Topeak with the quick release. I have to park my bike outside and put my bag in my locker at work. Is this the bag you have fuzzydave? That's probably what I'm going to go with. This is what I'm spending my tax return on. So it's ok for me to spend a little since this will be the one time of year I can afford it. I can get this rack and the bag in link for $109 shipped from performance bike. Does anyone know where I can get a better deal or is that a pretty fair price right now? Also, where can I find a regular mount rack for it like old fart has?

cooperwx

I have the Interchange rack trunk as well. I love it, too, but you can't carry shoes in it unless you have nothing else in the main storage area. I have panniers for the shoe days, or those cold AM/warm PM days where I'll be carrying a lot of clothes home.

Bottom line: if you're wanting to carry shoes most days, you'll need either a giant rack trunk or panniers...

Fuzzydave

https://www.topeak.com/2007/products/...runkbagdxp.php
Kbrown, this is the one I have...I'm pretty sure. I bought two others and had to return them because they all look kinda similar in the pictures. It definitely had the expandable top and fold out panniers and bottle holder on the back wiht a little tap for attaching a tail light.
In the warmer months, I can fit a change of clothes and my lunch in a gladware and my glasses case easily.
I think all the MTX bags come with velcro in case you don't have the rack to slide it on to.

I also got the rain cover which I'ved used no more than 3 times, more for the visibility than for keeping the water out, that hasn't been a problem.

kbrown

I think I'm just going to go with this one. I like the bigger one but I don't need it since I won't be carry all of that stuff every time I go riding most of the time. So that seems pretty good to me and this rack looks like it'll work. That seems like a pretty good price to so I think I'm about to order it unless someone has something to say about the rack or bag?

JanMM

The Delta MegaRack is in use on two of my bikes. Just barely fits the one with disc brakes. The Arkel Tail Rider rack top bag is very nice but not huge. Plus, it doesn't fit the Rans rack on my recumbent. The Delta Compact panniers are functional/inexpensive but required some modification by my wife and her sewing machine.

kokomo61

I just got the MTX EX on Sunday, and have been putting my fenders and rack on my new bike....I got the Freddy Fender hybrid fenders which fit nicely over the 32mm street tires. Only downside is one set of rear eyelets, so I had to get longer bolts.....left side is fine, but I've got to find a mid-length bolt (stock one too short for fender stays + rack, long one is slightly too long). If I can't find that one, I'll use a couple washers or cut it to length.......

I also added a Blackburn Mars 3.0 light to the bag, along with a Redlight to the back of the rack....

kbrown

I got the MTX EX with the side panniers. Everything I carry all the time fits in the rack trunk part, I still have enough room if I need it. Then my shoes fit in one of the panniers and I don't have anything to put in the other one. The only thing I'm not sure about are the elastic drawstrings on the bottom of the panniers? Does anyone know what these are for? Thanks for all the help everybody, I can't wait for my ride to work tommorow, unburdened.

cooperwx

There should be a place to hook those to your rack, down near the hub. They are supposed to keep the load in your panniers from bouncing around. I only really have a problem with that if I have a small, heavy thing (think bike lock) in the bottom of the pannier.

boog

+1 on the Topeak rack/bag combo. It is a very handy system if you want to take the on and off freaquently. No experience with other QR bag systems. I've been using mine for over a year without any problems. Very handy, though if I were to do it again, I would pop for one of the expandable bags to begin with. I commute in normal clothes, so I don't worry about it to much, but I would like something bigger for grocery shopping and other such errands.

Strap in a jacket, or a small umbrella, or some random item you picked up whilst out and about that won't fit inside the bag itself. It isn't the same as real bungee cords, but it is handy at times. I've used mine for a sweatshirt or other clothing layer many times, and even a rolled up newspaper once.

boog

kbrown

Do anyone know what the bungee string hanging off the bottom of the panniers is supposed to be used for? It's really bugging me.

EDIT: Nevermind I figured it haha

kk4df

I like the Detours bags. This is the one I have:
https://detours.us/catalog/product_in...2eb01ebfb8563e
mounted on a Blackburn rack. Or if you like the seatpost mounts, maybe:
https://www.rei.com/product/724934 (they also have an expanded version of this one)

These are really nice bags, water-resistant with a hi-vis yellow waterproof cover if it really rains hard. Plenty of compartments, and very well made.

bbattle

I ordered the interchange grocery bag panniers. I can use them as shopping bags then just slap them on the bike and ride home. They zip up so stuff can't fall out. $100 for a pair.

Prime Directive

I'm having a hard time coming up with a cargo solution for my bike. I went to an LBS and replaced my old Blackburn rack for a Trek Interchange rack they had in stock--in order to give me much greater cantilever brake clearance for panniers--and also purchased a Sunlite grocery pannier. The pannier has a lot of room and seems sturdy enough, but I think I still need more for moderate grocery trips or for commuting with a change of clothes in wet weather. I could just buy some water-resistant pannier and carry both, but I am really fond of the RP-700 from Wayne. If I were to install it, though, it would be off-center to the right and/or tilted to accomodate a pannier (an inelegant option). If I needed even more room than that, then I would need one Wald wire basket pannier for the right side of the rack since it is the only pannier I know of that is no taller than the rack surface (so the trunk can stay on the rack).

Does this seem like a good plan? I'd have to unbuckle (better than velcro) the trunk to carry on my shoulder and carry whatever pannier I have with me with a free hand every time I go in somewhere. On the plus side the pannier (and maybe the trunk) could hold my helmet that I have to carry around with me now anyway.

kbrown

I just got back from my first ride with my topeak. It's so much nicer not having something hanging off of my back and swinging around all the time. I only had the main compartment filled about half way so I didn't get to try the panniers, that'll have to wait until I commute to work again. It's been to dark, cold, and windy for me to make the trip, also I'd have to wake up a half an hour earlier. But the suns almost up enough to where I'd feel a little bit safer. I have to ride on a service road and make the u turn under the highway to get to work, I can't avoid it, so I want to be able to be seen I guess. But next weeks supposed to be in the 50's and I know I can handle that, so I hope to be commuting to work by the end of next week.