rack/trunk bag Trek or Topeak?
Nate Nagel
trunk bag for it. Apparently Trek trunk bags will snap right on, they
call it the "interchange" system. Reviews online seem to indicate that
the similar Topeak system is better and I can buy a small Topeak bag and
matching rack for about the same price as just the Trek bag. Opinions?
nate
--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel
landotter
> I have a Bontrager rack on my bike and have been considering getting a
> trunk bag for it. Apparently Trek trunk bags will snap right on, they
> call it the "interchange" system. Reviews online seem to indicate that
> the similar Topeak system is better and I can buy a small Topeak bag and
> matching rack for about the same price as just the Trek bag. Opinions?
>
made and priced. I like how their racks have an integrated mount for a
tail lamp.
Andre Jute
I wouldn't tie myself into a proprietary system where a bag works only
with racks from the same source, and racks work w only ith bags from
the same maker. Sooner or later someone will think you're a captive
market and rip you.
That said, I have an elderly Trek racktop bag that has served very
well indeed, though so it should, having cost a lot of money to start
with. In its sixth year it can be mistaken for new. It is true that a
small section of stiching on a side pocket came undone, but it is the
pocket in which I keep my tools, which once were an entire Draper
Toolroll and still weigh a clunk despite the kit being optimized over
the year. It took my wife only a few minutes to restitch the section.
It's well thought out as well as well made. The main part is
expandable by a zip-out extension, and divisible by padded dividers on
velcro strips. The side pockets are big enough to be useful but not as
naff as mini-panniers. It looks good, no visible plastic; the outside
is foam-padded so it doesn't sag even when one carries, as I do, the
major weight in the outside small pockets to leave the main space free
for a jacket or shopping or whatever. Water-resistant rather than
water-proof, but the design is such that water runs over the flaps and
off, rather than standing to sink in, and all seams are taped; the
inside of my bag has never been wet.
Unfortunately, this exemplary bag is long since out of production. I
describe it at some length because people who made a good bag once
probably will again...
Nothing against Topeak; I like a lot of their gear, have quite a bit
of it, and the main tool I carry in my Trek racktop bag is a Topeak
Tool Bar.
Andre Jute
A little inaccuracy sometimes saves tons of explanation. --H.H.Munro
("Saki")(1870-1916)
Visit Jute on Amps at http://members.lycos.co.uk/fiultra/
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containing vital gems of wisdom"
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Nate Nagel
> On Aug 16, 9:14 pm, Nate Nagel <njna...@roosters.net> wrote:
>> I have a Bontrager rack on my bike and have been considering getting a
>> trunk bag for it. Apparently Trek trunk bags will snap right on, they
>> call it the "interchange" system. Reviews online seem to indicate that
>> the similar Topeak system is better and I can buy a small Topeak bag and
>> matching rack for about the same price as just the Trek bag. Opinions?
>>
>> nate
>>
>> --
>> replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.http://members.cox.net/njnagel
>
> I wouldn't tie myself into a proprietary system where a bag works only
> with racks from the same source, and racks work w only ith bags from
> the same maker. Sooner or later someone will think you're a captive
> market and rip you.
right. AFAICT the Trek bags will work on non-"interchange" racks with
the use of Velcro straps. I can't tell whether the Topeak bags will
work with anything other than their racks. The few complaints about
either that I've found seem to be that the Trek bags can sometimes come
loose from the rack when it is only clipped in by the proprietary
hardware. I can envision this as it appears to be just a hook at front
and rear sized to fit two tubes spaced a certain distance apart. The
Topeak system is a dovetail that runs the length of the rack and looks a
heck of a lot more secure. However, like I said, I didn't notice
whether or not they would strap to any other rack by more conventional
means. (might have to stop back by LBS or REI and see if I can inspect
the merchandise in person...)
I don't particularly have anything against either company, but the LBS
guy that I was chatting with did say he far preferred the Topeak system
and I know he wasn't just saying that because I saw him ride up to open
the store this AM and he did in fact have a Topeak trunk bag on his
ride. He didn't run down the Trek system at all, it was when I got home
and started to "do my research" that I found the complaints about the
Trek bags coming undone (a few, granted, but that's a few more than I
saw about the Topeak system.)
Now that the idea has been put in my head that I can attach/detach a bag
from my bike with only pushing a button/releasing a single hook/
whatever, and then carry it with me into the house/office/store/whatever
I've been thinking "yeah, that's a cool feature. I want that."
So I guess if anyone knows the answers to the below that would help:
1) can I use the Topeak bags on non-Topeak racks if I have to? (that
is, is there some kind of provision for non-proprietary attachment?)
2) any comments on comparative durability of Trek and Topeak bags? or
are they about a wash?
thanks
landotter
[jutesnip]
> 1) can I use the Topeak bags on non-Topeak racks if I have to? (that
> is, is there some kind of provision for non-proprietary attachment?)
There should be velcro straps for this. However, IMHO, the chance of
needing this feature is teeny. The proprietary quick connect is super
neat. If I didn't already have some smaller swing-over European
panniers--I'd look into the system myself.
The racks fit any pannier.
> 2) any comments on comparative durability of Trek and Topeak bags? or
> are they about a wash?
Topeak bags are nicely made with Cordura. That said, all bags wear. i
just stitched up a pannier that was coming apart. No big deal.
Tell ya what, Iike the Topeak racks so much, that I'd probably still
have my Brodie disc brake bike if they were available back then--the
only solution I found locally was a terrible Axiom. Topeak builds the
sweetest disc rack for the $$. Not that you have discs. They also are
the only domestic company to have both light mounts on all their
racks, and a rat trap option (something I find Euro-geeky, think
Pletscher).
Andre Jute
Not. N-O-T. My Trek bag has two velcro straps and in theory it takes
only a moment to remove but I never carry it with me. If someone nabs
it with my tools and emergency phone, I'll just buy new ones. I can't
be bothered to attach the strap, and you can't ride with a strap
dangling in the spokes or you Isadora yourself (Americans will
probably call it "Duncanizing"). In six months I've taken that racktop
bag off twice, once for repairs to the stitching, once to measure the
rack underneath for the leather panniers I'm making.
My handlebar bag, an Agu, has a quick release but I don't carry even
that one with me. In fact, now that I think of it, my Basil Cardiff
rackside basket just lifts up off the rack, very conveniently -- but I
don't carry that into stores with me either, preferring to carry stuff
in my hands out to the bike.
Let's see you light globe flash again:
> Now that the idea has been put in my head that I can attach/detach a bag
> from my bike with only pushing a button/releasing a single hook/
> whatever, and then carry it with me into the house/office/store/whatever
> I've been thinking "yeah, that's a cool feature. I want that."
Let me plant another idea in your mind: a racktop back can be a hard
case. The case itself is usually lockable lockable, and most hard
cases have very convenient and lockable releases. Or you could buy a
surplus ex-milltary ammunition box in the right shape, paint it to
match your bike, glue and rivet on some doublesided strips of velcro,
and bingo, Ortlieb on the cheap.
I looked into a racktop box called Sunny on sale in Germany but
instead bought a hardside pannier (rackside, not racktop) called a
Tour Box from Ortlieb. This was a mistake as Ortlieb's Tour Box
doesn't appear to be good for anything I do, though it might be less
inconvenient for someone who actually tours. I shoulda bought the
racktop Sunny instead, or the smaller Tresor Gerda, or even the very
small Ortlieb rack*top* hard box.
On the other hand, I'm not so sure any hard box will be quite as
convenient as the Trek bag with its zippers and its four separate
compartments (including one for spare keys in which I also keep the
Presta-auto valve adaptor) and the adaptability/expandability of its
main compartment.
> So I guess if anyone knows the answers to the below that would help:
>
> 1) can I use the Topeak bags on non-Topeak racks if I have to? (that
> is, is there some kind of provision for non-proprietary attachment?)
> 2) any comments on comparative durability of Trek and Topeak bags? or
> are they about a wash?
>
> thanks
>
> nate
>
> --
> replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.http://members.cox.net/njnagel
Can't help you, sorry. I don't have Topeak bags, and my Trek bag is
obsolete, not what you'll be buying. My Trek bag appears to be first
class quality, very durable, but then my use isn't exactly the
ultimate test.
Andre Jute
Visit Jute on Bicycles at
http://www.audio-talk.co.uk/fiultra/BICYCLE%20%26%20CYCLING.html
RonSonic
>On Aug 16, 9:14�pm, Nate Nagel <njna...@roosters.net> wrote:
>> I have a Bontrager rack on my bike and have been considering getting a
>> trunk bag for it. �Apparently Trek trunk bags will snap right on, they
>> call it the "interchange" system. �Reviews online seem to indicate that
>> the similar Topeak system is better and I can buy a small Topeak bag and
>> matching rack for about the same price as just the Trek bag. �Opinions?
>>
>> nate
>>
>> --
>> replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.http://members.cox.net/njnagel
>
>I wouldn't tie myself into a proprietary system where a bag works only
>with racks from the same source, and racks work w only ith bags from
>the same maker. Sooner or later someone will think you're a captive
>market and rip you.
The good news is that all of the systems I've seen that have matching bag and
rack have been designed so that this is a bonus feature. The Topeak rack, which
I'm presently considering will work just fine with any other bag strapped on,
just is very convenient with the matching article.
--
Oh damn. There's that annoying blog. Again. http://dumbbikeblog.blogspot.com
Bernhard Agthe
Nate Nagel wrote:
> I have a Bontrager rack on my bike and have been considering getting a
> trunk bag for it. Apparently Trek trunk bags will snap right on, they
> call it the "interchange" system. Reviews online seem to indicate that
> the similar Topeak system is better and I can buy a small Topeak bag and
> matching rack for about the same price as just the Trek bag. Opinions?
Just to put in a third option - while it's not strictly a "rack top" -
what about regular Ortlieb bags - they come in pairs but can be used
single, they're absolutely waterproof (without extra cover or cape) and
they have a very practical "one-strap" attachment which can be adjusted
to fit about any rack. Just make sure your rack is strong enough to keep
two full bags from swaying ;-)
Ciao...
PS: don't worry about unevenly distributed load when you carry just one
bag and your shopping got out-of-hand - it still rides better than an
overloaded top bag ;-)
PPS: Actually the Ortlieb bags can take up to ten 1.5Liter bottles and
still have room for your repair kit and small stuff ;-) Each one. By
then it would be good to get a pair of (front) lowrider bags - just to
balance the bike, which allows for (at least) four more bottles per side
;-) That's 28 bottles, or 42 kg!
Andre Jute
> PPS: Actually the Ortlieb bags can take up to ten 1.5Liter bottles and
> still have room for your repair kit and small stuff ;-) Each one. By
> then it would be good to get a pair of (front) lowrider bags - just to
> balance the bike, which allows for (at least) four more bottles per side
> ;-) That's 28 bottles, or 42 kg!
Where did you get such a good price on bulk wine? -- Andre Jute
landotter
> PS: don't worry about unevenly distributed load when you carry just one
> bag and your shopping got out-of-hand - it still rides better than an
> overloaded top bag ;-)
Switch sides occasionally if you use a leather saddle, or it can wear
in unevenly. I've seen two examples of this in the last month.
Nate Nagel
heh, who do you think I am? a Brooks saddle on my bike would look kinda
like leather seats in a Hyundai. Plus given the "love 'em or hate 'em"
reputation of them combined with Murphy's law, if I bought one, I would
likely find that I'm in the "hate 'em" category.
But back on topic, I did stop by REI on my way home today (it just so
happened to be next door to a store the girlie was at, so I stopped by
and we looked at crap together) and they had the Topeak bags in stock.
Looks like they *only* work with the Topeak racks, in that there is no
other attachment hardware besides the slide-in track thing.
However, given the fact that they are available at at least two local
stores, unlike the Trek stuff, and the fact that the rack looks
otherwise darn near identical to the one that I already have (and
wouldn't preclude the use of universal accessories) I am tempted to go
that route if I can just 100% verify that the rack will fit like the one
that I have (a simple measurement with a tape measure should
confirm/deny) as the Topeak bag plus rack is within a couple of bucks of
the price of the comparable Trek bag that fits the rack that I already have.
Yes, I know, Ortleib or Carradice would be nice, but massive overkill
for my uses/budget. Sort of like Andre's comments on the LHT - sure,
who wouldn't like a lugged steel touring frame, but when a well spec'd
welded frame will do the same job for 1/2 the price or less, and cycling
is only a small part of one's budget, sacrifices have to be made (from
my perspective - obvously AJ has different priorities. And if that
weren't the case, there'd only be three or four different bikes on the
market, yes?)