I'm looking into a trunk bag for those days when my load is light enough to ditch the panniers. My requirements are:

1) Universal. It needs to be able to move from bike to bike on a variety of racks with ease. Which rules out the Topeak bags. That attachment system rattles around on anything but a topeak rack. I know, I borrowed one.

2) Durable. I don't want a flimsy bag that will tear at the first opportunity.

3) Affordable. I'm capping myself to around $60. I know everyone is going to chime in with Arkel recommendations, but the wife will not allow that kind of expenditure on a trunk bag.

4) Good looking. Because my bike is vain.

I'm considering the Delta Metro Trunk Case at present, but I'm having trouble discerning if it requires it's own special rack for a proprietary mounting system. I also can't find any opinions on it on these forums. Other options are Inertia, Axiom, or just saying "hell with it" and ordering a Nashbar trunk bag. Thoughts?

Cheers!

I would argue this point. I have used Topeak bags on several racks and not found the rattling to be a big issue. Of course, lots of non-Topeak racks have a tube in the front that that the clip works with (unlike the rails), and that and the velcro is usually enough.

If you really want universal, just get the Nashbar/Performance/REI or whatever.

I tried the Delta Metro Bag and didn't like it at all. It did not attach to the rack very well. It looked good though.

I have a Sunlite on my commuter that works great for me

I have a Jandd Rear Rack Pack II. I have it on a Jandd Expedition Rack and it fits good. I also have a shoulder strap that I attach and carry the trunk with me. It's very sturdy [not flimsy] and it expands as well. Below is the link to check it out. I'm sure you can find it cheaper elsewhere.

Jandd Rear Rack Pack II

I know you said no Topeak, but I LOVE my Topeak ... and I move it from bike to bike by moving the whole rack. I have a Topeak seat-post mounted rack which just clips on like the adjustment for your seat. Takes less than 1 minute to move the whole rack ... and it looks coool!



I have a Topeak RX Trunk Bag DXP Expandable bag which is fairly large has a zipper for expansion and (small) fold out side panniers ... enough for clothes and lunch (Shoes can sit on top in the webbing if needed) ... I'm not going to carry my laptop (the brick) on it, but its plenty big enough for the usual commute.




Of course ... if the financial controller doesnt want you spending too much on your bike ...

Is there such a thing as a collapsible trunk bag? I'd love to have something soft-sided that folds flat and can be tucked in a backpack. It could be fairly flimsy, I would just need it occasionally if I decide to bring home takeout.

Thanks Bernie, but I have an OMM Sherpa, and two Axiom racks. I'm certainly NOT going to substitute anything for the Sherpa, and the other racks are great as well. So, I need something that can hop from rack to rack.

I borrowed that very trunk bag you have in the photo one ride, and it rattled like crazy, even velcro'd down as tight as I could get it. It was all the plastic Topeak specific quick mount stuff that had nowhere to go on my rack.

This thread has me thinking of hacking all off the aforementioned quick mount stuff off of one of my Topeak bags and seeing how that goes.

I have this bag. Yes, it does use a propietary attatchment systen. It snaps in at the ends and has velcro attatchment on the rack itself. The attatchment system works fairly well. I guess this system might work on any rack, but you will have to screw the attatchement buckles to the rack.The bag itself is nice. it has good size and can open up to around 20L volume. The zippers aren't the highest quality. Mine broke by trying to stuff too much junk in the bag. The people at delta were good and replaced the bag,although I'm now more careful with the zippers. It's not a perfect system but I have been using it for a couple years with good result.

AXIOM brand. They may be a little hard to find, none of the stores in my area carried this brand. I purchased my first one years ago and now put in on my wife's bike rack. A bit worn, but still OK. My new Axiom trunk bag is the Columbus 12 liter. It has fold down panniers (small-ish panniers, bungie straps included) that can be folded up when not needed. I purchased it from Modern Bikes (good online store, "no problems" purchase). It was around 50 bucks and it looks great on my new commuter bike. Axiom makes both Velcro-only and Fast Rack models of all their bags. I purchased the velcro bag.

You may like a larger or smaller one than the Columbus model... they have all kinds. Go to this link and you'll see photos and descriptions of the entire line. (www.axiomgear.com)


- 3bikes, Los Angeles

No personal experience, but I see that The Touring Store has a Lone Peak trunk bag for $58.

+1 It's been very good. There's 3 different sizes. I got the small...which is pretty big. They're around 25.00. They attach w/4 velcro straps. My only complaint is the loop for mounting a blinkie is a little low, but it's a quibble. They're a really nice bag for the money.