HiYoSilver

This is a companion to the review I posted on the Topeak bag. What about the rack?

This is what the rack looks like
https://www.rei.com/product/697096

Some other people reviewing it mentioned problems:
1. swinging/shifting with corning
2. rattling when mostly empty bag on rack

What I found:
1. absolutely no movement. It sets right on the seat post and with the rubber connectors, there
is stable support. Maybe the other people were taking on and off and getting lazy and not checking their torque of the connection.

2. Although not described in the owners manual, it is a snap to get a rear light attached. Again some posters had complained about losing their light. Not an engineering problem, but a mechanic problem.

What I like:
1. secure snap in and bag does not move around during riding
2. built in bungee cord is nice to have. {but I could sure use some illustrated examples of how to use it}

Why I got it?
1. wanted faster on/off than using bungee cords. Works well for that need.
2. hoped it would be more aero and thus enable me to go faster. I have just completed my eleventh day of riding with the bag. So I feel I have a good base to compare the results of using a regular rack vs a beam rack.

Bottom line, just this one change allows me to go 3% faster. Definitely worth it. May not seem like much to some, but since I needed a new bag and I can go about 1/2 mph faster, hey why not.

Jtgyk

I got mine as a combined deal on CL for $55 (came with the largest Topeak bag, the one with zip down panniers in the side pockets) and bought the add on pannier frames for support.

As mine was used...It didn't come with the inserts for the clamp so I had to make do with what I had on hand.

I had lateral movement problems both with inner tubes and ductape (wrapped around seatpost).
Then I had the bright idea to place several sections of inner tube parallel to the seatpost and it remained rock steady afterward.

The only thing I didn't like about the seatpost mount is that it placed the bag pretty high behind the seat making things a bit top heavy (that and I have a big butt and felt that I was sitting half way on the bag)

I have Topeak Explorer racks on my other 2 bikes and love the "quick change" mounting system.
It really makes moving the bag back and forth between bikes a snap.

Edit--Oh, yeah...the tail light thing wasn't an issue after I got a Superflash and clipped it to the loop on the bag (nice and secure). One tail light for three bikes! Just move the bag.

El Gigante

+1 on the Topeak DXP bag and rack system.

I have the Topeak Explorer rack and a DXP trunk bag with the quick release mechanism on my bike. I've had the bag for almost a year and have no issues with the zippers breaking, (which seemed to be a common complaint on the REI product reviews web site). Only issue was with the seams starting to give way where the panniers were stitched to the bag, but that was solved with a quick trip to the local tailors. The panniers are actually quite roomy and will hold a change of clothes, (including dress shoes), a lunch, a book or two, plus all the stuff you can fit in the trunk bag itself.

More than anything, I just like the freedom of having the bike carry the load instead of me. Its such a relief to get that damn backpack off your back, especially on a day like today when its 95 F out at 5:00 pm. I'm totally sold on the Topeak rack and bag combo - just surprised I don't seem more commuters sporting them. . . .

HiYoSilver

Oh, forgot to mention what I don't like. 1- sometimes it's hard to align the bag and the seat post. It would be better if either the bag had marking where the mount rail was or the rail extended longer so it would be easy to match up. 2- a little sticky. Only used it for 12 rides so far. REI suggested using triflow. They said the old complaint was too loose, so they tightened up the slider.

MulliganAl

+2 works like a charm for me.

Jtgyk

The rail was a bit sticky (took a while fighting with it a couple of times) with only one of my three racks.
Now it works just as well as the others, with all the use it's seen.
I, personally, wouldn't use any lubricants.
Just use it and it will "break in."

HiYoSilver

Yeah, I decided not to use triflow because it will cause it to stick later. Someone mentioned using graphic as it does not have that issue. If I remember to pick some up, I'll use that route. Otherwise, just grin and bear it.

HiYoSilver

Question-- how do you use the bungee thingy on the rack? I can't figure out how it is supposed to be used and it takes forever to bungee a jacket on top of the bag.

Jtgyk

The bungee is meant to be used separately from the bag.

Unhook the loop (the middle of the bungee) on the back of the rack (under the reflector) and peel the bungee up from the grooves in the rack. Insert your cargo and re-secure by hooking the middle of the bungee back under the reflector.
The three balls on each end of the bungee are for adjusting the amount of tension on the cord.

Alternatively, just use a couple of regular bungees along with your bag and connect them to the rails.

What size trunk bag do you have?

HiYoSilver

Ok, thanks. It just takes sooo looong to remove the ball bungee. I'll think I'll just switch to a normal bungee.

Bag, see other review: MTXp