I am a noob on commuting. I use a ToPeak rack on the back and usually have some things I need to go with me to work. Not alot, just a small bag with "stuff" in it. I have been using 2, approx 18" straps to wrap around the goods and the rack. What a pain. I could not get the bungee strap hooks caught on more things on the bike as I'm getting it tied down. Gotta be a better way.

What are you folks using?

Thanks

Marlowe
Great Falls, Mt.

I use a pair of surly junk straps. I had the same issues with bungie cords & cargo nets that you experienced. The Junk Straps look like long toe straps. They work very well for my purposes.

Elastic cord and cord locks - there is no hook so it can not disengage unexpectanly over a bump. I throw whatever I need in a shopping bag on a porteur rack and in three seconds and I am ready to go.

Maybe the problem is not with bungee cords but the length of those you tried. I've seen them in all sizes. I even have a few that are only 9" long.

As an alternative, maybe you could get one of those trunk bags that are designed to go atop a rack. I know ToPeak makes them as I have one.

Marlowe,

I see you are from Great Falls, MT. I don't know if you saw the thread I started a couple of weeks ago, but if not, it is here. https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...o-Montana-soon

Any insights you might be able to provide would be helpful and much appreciated, even if not related to winter riding in that area.

Is your rack the MTX rack? Why not buy one of the trunks that go with it?

Scroca,

I cannot send you a private message as I'm a newbie. If you drop me your email address I will give you the lowdown on Great Falls.

Thanks for the responses fellow bikers. Good advice in deed. I like the elastic cord trick idea so far. Will run down to the local outdoor store and get some cord.

Marlowe

In my touring gear I have some Fastex buckles that are double ended.
so a length of nylon webbing is adjustable from both ends.. and no sewing is needed.

On my Hardrock I have the Topeak pannier rack, sadly at the time that I bought it neither the shop that I purchased it from nor any other shop in the area that I went to had the top bags for it. So I used one that I purchased from another shop. On it, and my Giant Seek 2, one which I have a Sunlight pannier rack and a matching QRS Shopping Trunk Bag as well as a set of Sunlite pannier bags. I have a smallish bungee cord cargo net to secure items to the top of the bag/pannier rack.

I also have a Yakima Big Tow trailer that came with a tote that they called the Big Tote. It has a handle that wraps around the frame. To that I've added two bungee cords that are joined together. To secure items that won't fit within the tote. I also have a plastic storage container that I would also use the bungee cords to secure it.