tarwheel 

I'm shopping for a new trunk or rack-top bag. Tell me what you like.

I've been using a Banjo Brothers bag, which was an excellent value at $35 and about the right size for commuting. However, I'm looking for a bag that keeps its shape better without flopping and looks a bit more stylish.

https://banjobrothers.com/products/cu...-rack-top-bag/

One bag I'm considering is the Timbuk2 Hunchback, which appears to be a little larger and has an insulated lining that should help keep its shape better. I also like the way it looks and have found Timbuk2 products to be high quality. Priced at $55-80.

Hunchback Rack Trunk

Another bag that interests me is the Louis Garneau Profiler R-16, which looks very different than the Timbuk2 but has some nice features -- including a pump holder, extra pockets and expandability. Not quite as stylish but seems very functional and well priced. However, I'm not sure if the quality of construction is as good as the Timbuk2 based on reviews. Priced at $40.

PROFILE R-16 BAG :: Louis Garneau

The Thule Trunk bag also interests me. It's very functional and bare bones in appearance, but is supposed to be waterproof. Price is $80.

Thule Pack ?n Pedal Trunk Bag - Thule

I am not interested in bags that are designed to fit a particular brand of rack (eg, Topeak) or are overly heavy. Water resistance or waterproofness is a big plus, preferably without the need for a separate bag cover. At least some outside pockets are nice to hold tools, tube repair equipment, lock, etc. Very important is the ability to maintain its shape without flopping, which I've found is a big problem with many trunk racks. Method and quality of attachment is also important, as some trunk racks have cheap velcro straps that easily wear out.

ret3

I've had good luck with my Avenir bag, but I'm not sure it's spiffy-looking enough: Avenir Parts and Accessories - Avenir Excursion Rack-Top Bag

It also secures with velcro, but it's proven pretty durable over the past 3 years, possibly due to its use with a top rack that has a spring platform which allows me to just slip it on and off instead of undoing the straps.

alan s 

Topeak with drop down panniers.Topeak® Cycling Accessories ? Products - MTX TrunkBag DXP

Rick@OCRR

I use a Topeak rack trunk, what they call a "Strap MTS mount" type (i.e. Velcro straps) and contrary to the OP's post it is not made to fit a specific rack. I've used it on a Blackburn rack on my touring bike and a Delta (seatpost mount) rack on my commute bike.
It has an interior pocket, two zippered side pockets (good for keys, my transit pass, gate opener, etc.) and on top, both a vented pocket and string ties w/pull barrel.

Works for me!

Rick / OCRR

cyccommute 

I like the look of the Topeak bag but one of the things that has always put me off is their attachment system. I like the idea of not using velcro attachment but I'd rather use different racks but you can't use the MTX on them. I wish they would sell an adapter.

Personally, I use a Racktime Trunkit. It suffers from the same problem as the Topeak MTX but it can be adapted to an Ortlieb system. The Ortlieb trunk bag is a little too small for commuting purposes but their attachment is superb. To make the Racktime Trunkit work, you need to replace the Racktime attachment system with an Ortlieb basket adapter.

All this seems like a kludge job and it is to some extent but I've used my Trunkit in extremely harsh mountain bike conditions without having bag come off even when I crashed. I can't say the same about velcro based systems.

tarwheel 

Altho Velcro mounting systems have drawbacks, the bags made to fit specific racks tend to be heavy. I also already have a nice rack, Tubus Cargo, that I want to keep using. The Velcro straps on my Banjo Bros bag are very secure even if they make the bag harder to install than bags with quicker mounting systems. I wish someone would make a bag with a quick mount that would fit multiple brands of racks and wasn't heavy.

Jim from Boston

Just this morning I posted to this General Cycling thread, What's something you've been meaning to add on to your bike for months?”

By falling apart I mean sagging (attached with Velcro loops).

tarwheel 

The Ortlieb Classic Rollers are great if you are planning to get panniers. That is what I use, but they are overkill for commuting most of the time. I only use them for commuting on rare occasions when I have a lot of extra gear to carry, and even then the Front Rollers are sufficient. If you have a Tubus rack, they snap right on and off. I wish Ortlieb made an attachment similar to their pannier mounts that you could use on a rack bag; that would be ideal in terms of convenience and weight.

bikemig 

I've never been too excited by rack bags. The more formed they are, the harder it is to stuff different size things into them. I suspect I'm in a minority here as a lot of people really like their rack bags. What about a carradice bag? Proven design and the long flap lets you shove clothes under the flap.

tarwheel 

I've got Carradice Pendle and Barley bags, which I use much of the time. However, one of my bikes has a rear rack, and a racktop bags would work better on it.

Squeeze

I'm very pleased with my $40 rack trunk from Performance Bike. The exact name is TransIt Epic DX Rack Trunk.

Link to product and 43 reviews: TransIt Epic DX Rack Trunk

Jim from Boston

Thanks for the reply. On my beater bike I carry beside a few tools and tubes, some lightweight, but relatively voluminous shoe covers, rainpants, a cap, and additional waterproof gloves, Often I may also have an extra pair of shoes. The panniers look like a convenient and accessible pack for such items.

79pmooney

I am one who doesn't care for loads on rear racks because they seriously affect the way the bike responds when climbing out of the saddle. I put front Low Rider racks on first with Ortleib Front Panniers. My winter fix gear has only Low Riders, no rear rack. And on the two trucks (normal bikes I take shopping, not the long "cargo" bikes) I load the heavy stuff in front. I make exceptions for: items that simply don't fit in front (camp chairs), delicate items that want to see minimum vibration and single heavy items because they skew the steering seriously stowed in front.

I keep my tools in a small seat bag. I don't carry much (tire stuff, one wrench, few allen keys and a small tube of sunscreen. Doesn't weigh a lot.

I am a huge fan of Ortleibs because if how waterproof they are and how well made they are. I bought my first pair '99 and used them year 'round exclusively until three years ago when I replaced them as my "A" bags. The only repairs to them were replacing the mounting hardware which local shops had no problem obtaining for me and to a slit I put in one with a large and very shape kitchen knife. (Company potluck.) A standard rafting repair appears permanent. That pair still gets regular use shopping as my rear bags. I have never had any bag go as long as these have, never mind the use these have seen.

That first pair still hold water. Not just repel water. I could fill those 15 year old bags and cross the Sahara. They do not have outside pockets or any other gadgets or features. They are just simple bags that work. And they come in yellow so the guy using them might also last longer.

Ben

fietsbob

Thule one looks good .. roll closure + tail blinky clear window pocket, not a jumble of external pouches..


I dont use any rack bag, myself, ... have a Carradice saddle bag , in a semi permanent mount.


I have an Ortlieb rack pack , but they clip on crossways , mating with back roller panniers..

a few parts and ingenuity could add rack attachment points.. another roll closed dry bag..

no motor?

I've used the Nashbar version for years, and ordered a second one after the zipper on the first started to fail after being overloaded too many times. It holds it's shape due to an insulating foam that allows it to double as a cooler and is on sale for $30 now.

jdswitters

Seattle sports trunk bag for three years now, waterproof but no external pockets.

On sale now at REI for about 40 bucks, I picked mine up off of chain love for about 25.

Seattle Sports X.U.D. Waterproof Rackbag Duffel - Special Buy

ItsJustMe

I really VERY MUCH like a rack trunk bag that's part of a quick release system with the rack, so it slides on and snaps in place in a second and comes off just as fast.

I went with the Topeak system. I got their rack trunk and matching racks for both of my bikes.

cyccommute 

The Ortlieb is designed to work with the Tubus. Same company. It will also fit on a number of different racks. Nor is the mounting system all that heavy. It's 18 oz with the side rails but I don't use those. The actual weight is closer to 7 or 8 oz.

Medic Zero

I've been very happy with mine, and I'm picky and demanding. Only thing tempting me away from this set-up is possibly going the Klickflix (sp?) route because I've got the velcro attaching one. For now, I just keep what I put in it in a cloth grocery sack and take my clothes/lunch into work in that and leave the bag on the bike, which is probably a better way of doing things anyway, stowage space inside has a limit.

The drop down panniers work quite well, but the rack I use it with (Nitto Big Front, yeah, I run a trunk on the front!) came with little metal posts at the bottom of the rack that act like they were made to attach the MTX's drop down panniers.

Medic Zero

Unless I'm missing something, you should know that the MTX comes in a velcro only version, it's what I use. I don't have an MTX rack, and have used it on at least two non-MTX racks. They make the same bag for folks that don't have that system.

rumrunn6

love my Timbuk2 Hunchback! but it's large and now that I don't commute I only use it for weekend rides with wifey or summer vacation day trips to the beach. if I ever started commuting again, this would be my bag, no question

it is one giant cavernous bag though so you have to pack smartly. I like that I don't have to squeeze things into side pockets etc but you loose that convenience if you are used to knowing where stuff is. pack smart and it will be convenient enough. it has 2 pockets front and rear and that's pretty good. one holds my light battery.

bikemig 

I like this including the commuter fredly color.

cyccommute 

I've never seen a velco version of the MTX. All I've ever seen is the ones that integrate with the Topeak rack. Nor did I know it came in a velcro version until now. They don't make them easy to find on their website.

I really like the attachment mechanism on the Topeak but I just don't like the racks they attach too. I'm not all the enamored with the MTX bag itself either. It's an okay bag but nothing special.

Cyril 

Arkel's Rack bag | Trunk bag

RatMudd

Here's my choices for the rear. All have a different purpose and size:


Ortlieb Travel-Biker:
View the Travel-Biker at https://www.ortliebusa.com


Ortlieb Trunk Bag:
View the TRUNK BAG at https://www.ortliebusa.com


Arkel Tail Rider:
Arkel's Rack bag | Trunk bag




I'm still trying to decide on a front rack-top bag and/or handlebar bag.