Opinion on Topeak Racks and Trunks
 

I would like to hear from anyone who has/is using these products. I need to get my commute gear off my back, and I'm looking at a rack and trunk bag setup. I like what I see with the Topeak, as the bags seem pretty good, decent space in the main compartment for my lunch and pocket gear, and then I can stow my clothes in one of the paniers. That leaves me with the other panier incase I stop at the store on the way home for a few groceries. I also like their rail latch system, so I can grab the bag and take it to the locker room when I get to work, and into the store if I stop etc.

The specific items I'm looking at are the
MTX Trunkbag EXP
and the
Explorer Tubular Rack

I use the same bag, but I have the base MTX Explorer rack. Works fine for me - I load my laptop (in a sleeve) in one of the panniers, clothes in the other, lunch, patch kit and other miscellaneous stuff in the main compartment.

Only problem I have is: when I am not using the panniers, and the bag is not loaded, it can rattle a bit in the rails. Easily solved by sliding in a piece of paper under the bag when I'm latching it to the rack.

I've had the Topeak MTX DX bag (no panniers)
& Explorer rack for ~3 years / 12K miles now.

I like the quality and think both are a great value.
I'd buy both again without hesitation.

I can fit shoes, jeans, shirt, & under clothes
in the main compartment with no problem.
Lunch in there too might be a problem,
depending on what it is, but there's the bungee
on top for that case.

In one outside pocket I keep my tools, tube, patch
kit, etc. The other contains the battery pack for my
rear light, spare cells for front lights, & the alternate
lenses for my sun glasses. I keep my cell phone,
wallet, & other misc. stuff in the top compartment.

This is a fair amount of weight up high, affecting
the center of gravity, but I'd rather deal with
that than the bulk of panniers hanging in the wind.
I've had no real issues with it, but it is something
to be aware of.

Racks in General .. They're OK , if you use it enough to break it, just get another one..
You are not on Tour, but commuting ..

Still have a 30 year old aluminum Blackburn rack in service..

I've got the Topeak MTX rack as well, along with their mid-size bag that locks into the MTX rail. I like it, although I almost never fold down the panniers out of the bag. I've never had a problem with the bag coming unlocked while biking, although it can make a soft rattle at times if you've got almost nothing in the bag and it's very light.

I actually also have a set of Arkell Shopper panniers that I use about 2/3 of the time instead of the lock-in MTX bag. Really, really like those panniers...love the easy-on easy-off camlock handle system, etc.

That is almost exactly, point-for-point, what I was going to say, right down to the rattle when not loaded. I keep my clothes in the main pocket though.

I also recently broke the clip on my PDW Radbot while removing the bag. The light was mounted to the rear of the rack via a Planet Bike rack mount. Also, the disc version has very bulky attachment points. I had to file down a couple of corners to get them to play nice with my frame.

Overall, it's a very nice system.

I really like the Topeak rack system. I have the Explorer rack with a bag similar to the one in the OP and a beam rack I use on my mountain bike with a smaller bag.

I like the Topeak Super Tourist rack with the lower side rails.

I had considered the MTX bag/pannier setup, but what I've found is that I vary my load depending on the season, and 70% of the time only have a pannier on one side. If I had the MTX system, I'd have empty bags most of the time, so have stuck with my separate pannier format.
The mounting system on the MTX is pretty cool, but in my playing around with it (when considering a purchase) it seemed a bit flimsier and sat higher overall than dedicated panniers.

Most panniers have a quick-latch type system that allows easy installation and removal.

Topeak racks are good. Of their line, I have used and really liked the Super Tourist with the lower side rails.

I have the quick release MTX rack and a couple of trunk bags. I also have an Arkel pannier "bug bag".
I mount the rack on my carbon fiber "good" bike, had to swap the c/f seatpost out for alloy.
The pannier is nice, but I didn't like how a single pannier swayed when I had to climb a hill standing on the pedals. The trunk bag also seemed to have less wind resistance which I notice on fast descents. Both are easy to fasten onto the rack or carry off the bike with a shoulder strap clipped on.
I use the small trunk bag for light touring rides to hold any extra layers of clothes or small shopping purchases, sunblock, wallet, cable/lock.
The larger trunk bag or panniers are for commuting to work to hold my work clothes, towel, toiletries, etc.
I also use a saddle bag for the spare tube, repair kit, emergency powerbar, extra blinkie/battery.
I was suprised that the bike I bought for utility/trainer/commuter purposes can't use the same beamrack. The seatpost diameter is too big for the quick release clamp. I'll have to see if I can mount a compatible Topeak rack permanently so I can still use my Topeak trunk bags with the quick-click clamping.

I highly reccomend the topeak MTX line.


I like trunk bags/pannier combos vs standard panniers. I was using another brand trunk bag (Lezyne) and was very annoyed by the multiple straps involved with securing the bag. I decided to try the Topeak rail system to solve this problem. I've been running the Explorer rack and DXP bag for about 2 months now and have been happy every day since.


The rail system works very well. It's a breeze to get the bag on and off. It feels very secure and the rack itself is well built.


Another thing I like about the Topek fold out panniers vs other brands is how their bags are attached. The last brand I used was sort of a trunk bag that happened to have fold out panniers, where as the Topeak has pannier bags that happen to fold away (if that makes any since). Basically, they are better panniers.


Go for it! You won't be sorry.

I have the exact setup you are considering and LOVE it. my only gripe is that it isn't inherently waterproof, so you need to buy a cover for it. but that's a minor issue. wonderful, wonderful system that can look small if you just have a little to carry but can expand to carry TONS of stuff.

You really can't go wrong with the Topeak racks, I have had zero problems with all of mine.

That is my exact same set-up and it works great for me.

It holds up to light rain. For heavy rain, I just put my stuff in plastic bags. I'm cheap :) I'd rather not spend $25 for a cover.

I have an MTX explorer rack and one of the medium trunk bags with fold out "panniers". They are great and the trunk bag was my first commuting bag but I graduated to true panniers fairly quickly and never looked back.

The pannier (usually just one) keeps the weight lower and seem more usable and versatile. I'm sure some of it is also because the true panniers look a bit more "real" and classic in my mind. It hasn't crossed my mind to break out the Topeak bag in a long time.

If you're using the beam rack, you are supposed to use the side frames so the panniers don't go into the wheels.

http://www.topeak.com/products/Racks/MTXDualSideFrame

Some good feedback, thanks everyone. Sounds like I can't go wrong with this setup for my first commuting rack/pack system. Now I just need to get them ordered.

Good value for money.

Klickfix do an adapter for normal open frame-top rear racks (eg Blackburn EX) that converts them to a quick-release fitting for rack-top bags.
How does the MTX rail system work as a normal rear rack, eg for strapping oversized loads?

I am using the Topeak carbon beam rack http://www.topeak.com/products/Racks/RXBeamRackCarbon with this bag to go with it. http://www.topeak.com/products/Bags/RXTrunkBagDXP

I have it on a carbon alien post and I switched out the steel bolts for titanium in the clamp. Although they and the shop advise against it it works perfect. I only carry the 15lb limit on it which can be a combo of lunch, clothes and multiple other things since the bag expands. I have been using this for two years and I factored it out to be lighter then common components on most bikes. Plus I got rid of the backpack!

I have their DXP bag, the strap mounted version. As handy as their proprietary system looks, I was happy with my Blackburn rack that was already on the bike and like being able to use the trunk bag on any bike. Takes < 1 minute to mount it.

I really like the bag, very well thought out. I often carry my camera in it, and it had a lot of padding to protect it. One thing I also like is the tapered slope at the front, which leaves room for my cable lock under the seat rails.

The panniers are huge, but being the fold-up type, they don't hold their shape well when loaded and items within often float to the bottom. If you are not needing the full panniers, you can slip some narrow items into the side pouches with them. I keep the carrying strap in one of them and my camera strap in the other.

This is the setup I have, had rack and bag for a couple of years or so, like it a lot.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=286686

Looks great Curly. What are those things on your handlebars? Handwarmers?

I'm really looking forward to getting rid of the backpack. Even in the morning commute with it being chily out, my back is all sweaty from that thing. And after the ride home with a 20F increase from mornings, my back is soaked. That's the big thing driving me to get rack and bag, is to ditch the backpack.
Just not sure how best to handle hydration. Use a bottle in the holder on the frame, or get a small, Camelbak that's just the blatter. I'm just thinking that will still leave my back sweaty, especially come summer.

I've used the Explorer rack for about 5 years, and would buy that rack if I was going to do it over again to get the lower rails.