Did I get the wrong trunk bag?
 

I just bought this Topeak Trunk Bag today http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ZKHN50 and this rack http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FIE3WI.

I stumbled across this trunk bag tonight though (didn't see it earlier): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ZKATZG

Given that it's only $20 more, it seems like a way better deal. It looks like it has sturdier panels and the pull-out pannier looks really nice. Does anyone have any experience with either of these bags? My main use is commuting, but I'd like to use them for light shopping as well. I'd need to fit a pair of pants, a shirt, (maybe) shoes, and some disc golf discs, and have room left over for other things I might decide to put in there later.

See if you can cancel your order.

I'd pick the EXP too, for that price.

That was my first piece of bike luggage...I used it for about a week before I really started to hate it (the one with the unfolding panniers). The way the bag interfaces with the rack is very smart and quick, but that's about where my praises stop. It's not so much that it's a terrible bag more than if you need to carry it off the bike when full, it's basically a nightmare. In my experience the bag, while on the rack was nifty. The trunk bag had lots of space for carrying basically anything a commuter would need plus a bit extra for a small bundle of groceries, change of clothes etc in the panniers if needed. But if you need to carry the loaded bag off of the bike for more than a few minutes, forget about it. The shoulder strap it comes with is minimal and very uncomfortable (has one of those soft rubber/plastic grippy things that are supposed to keep it on your shoulder). Also then walking around with the panniers down, they bounce around and hit you because they are basically free to flop back and forth when not confined to the rear rack. If you have no need to carry your things off the bike then I guess the bag is a good idea.

For my personal setup, in case you were curious, after having a few years of bike commuting under my belt I've found the perfect combination of rack luggage that works for me (of course it may not work for everyone). My daily tag-a-long is the Ortlieb Vario Backpack/Pannier. I'm a student and need to carry books, laptop and the like to school with me on a daily basis. The Ortlieb Vario allows me to carry it on my bike for the ride and then once at school convert to what is actually the most comfortable day pack I've ever had (thanks to the rigid back panel). Then I have two other luggage items that come with depending on what I'm doing that day. I use the Ortlieb Trunk Bag of I need to bring some extra clothes or a lunch. And if I need even more space for shopping etc., I use one of those fold-up shopping panniers. As you can imagine, when I'm carrying all three items it probably looks cumbersome, but the heaviest part of the load is always in my backpack (where it's easiest to carry) and then the trunk bag is slung over my shoulder and the shopping bag in one hand or the other. Even with all of this, I still prefer this setup to the Topeak trunk bag because it's separable and much easier to carry.

Some links to the items I'm talking about:

http://www.bikebagshop.com/ortlieb-v...er-p-1720.html
http://www.bikebagshop.com/ortlieb-t...ag-p-1746.html
http://www.rei.com/product/825299/no...e-bike-pannier

For the last one (the shopping bag) I actually swapped out the rixen+kaul hooks for the ortlieb quick release type (in case you couldn't tell, I like Ortlieb's designs...a lot).

Can't comment on carrying the bag off the bike as I have no need to do that. The MTX system works fine, and I do take the bag off for pleasure rides. I have the model that the top expands, as well as the fold down panniers (DXP? maybe). Its a bit more money, but I really like it. Most of the time the main compartment, sometimes expanded, will carry what I need. The panniers are great if you pick up something unexpected when shopping. Also good if you need to wear a jacket on the morning ride to work, but not on the ride home.
http://www.modernbike.com/itemgroup.asp?IGPK=2126176145
You may be able to find a better deal. I just wanted to show the model.

Thanks for the help, guys. I don't think carrying it often will be an issue with me. I'll probably be grabbing it and taking it to and from my desk at work, and maybe in and out of my garage (into the house), which should be the extent of travel I'd experience with it. Downwinded, I really like that setup. I'll have to see if I can find a good deal on that one. My saddle bag has a similar feature and I love it (the expansion).

I can't cancel my order, but it's Amazon. Easy to return. :)

I have both the EX and the EXP. Only use the EX on pleasure rides, with essential tool/repair kit + some snacks. I use the EXP to ride to work, but now wish I'd have gotten the DXP, as it obviously has the most storage space overall. I enjoy them both, but knowing what I know now, the DXP would have been the only one I should have gotten, period. So far I've had decent luck with the EXP's fold-out panniers, and outside of the ride to work I don't carry the bag off the bike, so I don't use the shoulder strap or have a hard time setting it down on a level surface. The panniers seem to be durable enough, and with an elastic band on the end of each one, you can tether the panniers' lower ends onto the rack's down-tubing.

As a beginner setup, the Topeak combo has served me well for over a year now...there's no contest between these and a nice set of Ortlieb's...Ortliebs cost more because they're just plain better, but at the point of starting out, I'd say you did just fine in your purchase, and feel free to return the EX for a refund and pay just a little extra for the EXP model.

It's confusing. Topeak makes several variations on the same bag, or perhaps there are different models of the same bags from different years floating around. Add to that that I think they have or had two separate quick release track systems and that some bags can be bought with no quick release system.

The one you linked still does not seem to be the biggest one because it does not have an expanding trunk area. That's a feature I enjoy because while I love the option of the fold out panniers, I do find that I prefer it if I can get everything into the main trunk area. But I do like having as much storage potential as possible, and I do occasionally make use of both the fold out panniers and the expanding trunk. If it's more storage you want, take some time and make sure you get the largest bag possible.

But the Topeak bag does have some heft to it. I'm surprised how much lighter my bike feels when I ride it without the bag. For that reason, you may also enjoy a smaller bag for times when that's all you need. If your budget allows, you may find that you have use for both bags. Right now I either have a giant bag or no bag at all. Somehow even though I carefully consider whether or not I might need it on every trip, there are many times that I leave the bag at home and find myself wishing for it. Perhaps a smaller bag would solve that problem by giving me a lighter weight insurance policy for trips where I don't plan on carrying anything home but end up with unexpected baggage.

I have the strap mounted version of the larger bag and like it a lot. Mostly I chose it because it was a good choice for carrying my camera safely. I don't use the fold out panniers a lot, but they are nice to have once in a while. I'd probably prefer the one with smaller panniers, but Topeak doesn't make all models in a strap version. My multi-tool and flat repair items go in the pocket on the back, leaving the inside available for other things. Even zipped up, I can put some small items in the sides.

It is quite large, even with everything zipped up, but it does hold a lot.

Had another look and you are correct. Mine has the expanding top and the bottle pocket on the back. this is the one I have. I got mine from Nashbar on sale for $69.

http://www.amazon.com/Topeak-MTX-Tru.../dp/B003UWLQEY

Click the Size dropdown and select the bottom one in the list. Is this the DXP? Based on what I can tell, the specs look the same, and it says it has the fold out panniers and expandable top.

For $79, that's ridiculously cheap. It says $125 list so I assume that's the DXP, but I'll wait to pull the trigger until someone can confirm.

EDIT: Oh, and to be clear, I DO want to have the MTX style bag, not the straps.

Judging from the photos, no. The DXP also has the bottle pocket on the rear. I think that one is the EXP, comparing the photos to what Topeak shows on their site.

With the panniers folded up, the space inside the main compartment is a little tight, so DXP with the expanding top adds a lot of capacity. I can usually fit clothes, washcloth, towel and lunch in the main compartment and saddle bag in the rear pocket without using the panniers. Extra clothes, a laptop, or a folded dress shirt will go in the panniers as needed, usually just one side. Shoes and belt stay at work.

Does anyone know if you really need the Topeak rack or if those bags will work with any generic rack? That looks much better then my current bags, I think I need them!

You need the special rack unless you buy the strap mounted version, like I did. They only make two models with the strap mount, however. The DXP and the EX. http://topeak.com/products/TrunkBagsStrap

That's what I thought initially, but I think those pics are for the first item in the dropdown only. The description (for the 2nd item) says it has the panniers and the expanding top like the DXP, along with the bottle holder, and the dimensions listed match those on Topeak's site for the DXP.

I guess I could just order it and see if it's as advertised. Amazon doesn't always have the right pics, but they do have a lax return policy.

EDIT: Added it to cart. Item description changes to this:[h=4]Topeak MTX Trunk Bag DXP Bicycle Trunk Bag with Rigid Molded Panels[/h]
Sounds good to me. :)

You know if they haven't shipped your order yet you can cancel it, right? :D

And fyi, you probably already realized this, but the Topeak site lists out all of their bag choices -
http://topeak.com/products/TrunkBags%20MTX

n+1 applies to rack trunks too. if one gets soaked you can use the other.

Yes it does. I've had my eye on this nice looking trunk bag for a while:

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=320346
http://store.electrabike.com/eSource..._/_804040.aspx

Yes, of course. :) They shipped it yesterday though.

One could argue that, but I'm not big enough into cycling yet to justify the expense. Maybe later down the line when the obsession hits?


I ended up ordering the DXP one. Should be pretty excellent for what I need, and I'll return the EX.

That's a nice looking bag.