Junk in the Trunk
10-26-09, 01:45 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2009
Location: North Georgia
Posts: 307
Bikes: Cervelo Soloist, Giant TCR Advanced, Co-Motion Americano Co-Pilot
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
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.
Last edited by bobframe; 10-26-09 at 01:50 PM.
10-26-09, 01:53 PM
#2
It's true, man.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: North Texas
Posts: 2,726
Bikes: Cannondale T1000, Inbred SS 29er, Supercaliber 29er, Crescent Mark XX, Burley Rumba Tandem
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
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.
10-26-09, 02:40 PM
#3
Crazyguyonabike
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Lebanon, OR
Posts: 697
Bikes: Co-Motion Divide
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 35 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
2 Posts
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
10-26-09, 02:47 PM
#4
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,362
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 152 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6219 Post(s)
Liked 4,218 Times
in
2,365 Posts
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.
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.
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.
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
10-26-09, 02:50 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: NE Tx
Posts: 2,766
Bikes: Tour Easy, Linear USS, Lightening Thunderbolt, custom DF, Raleigh hybrid, Felt time trial
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
10-26-09, 03:12 PM
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2009
Location: North Georgia
Posts: 307
Bikes: Cervelo Soloist, Giant TCR Advanced, Co-Motion Americano Co-Pilot
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
10-26-09, 03:14 PM
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2009
Location: North Georgia
Posts: 307
Bikes: Cervelo Soloist, Giant TCR Advanced, Co-Motion Americano Co-Pilot
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
What "dry bag" do you use?
10-26-09, 03:38 PM
#8
Crazyguyonabike
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Lebanon, OR
Posts: 697
Bikes: Co-Motion Divide
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 35 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
2 Posts
Neil
10-26-09, 03:46 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: NE Tx
Posts: 2,766
Bikes: Tour Easy, Linear USS, Lightening Thunderbolt, custom DF, Raleigh hybrid, Felt time trial
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
Outdoor Research dry bags. Soft, yet waterproof. Easy to stuff. Subtract 3 inches to get effective length as they use roll down closures.
10-26-09, 05:51 PM
#10
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.
10-27-09, 01:27 AM
#12
Senior Member
>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.
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.
