Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I've got the MTX DXP bag, and Explorer rack combo, and was quite pleased with both. The rack was reasonably easy to install, came with decent instructions, and is quite solid. Also has a nice spot to place your tail light on the rear of it, which actually makes it more visible than when it's mounted to your seat post. I should mention, when installing to an aluminum frame, be careful. The screws are steel, and if your frame is aluminum like mine, it can be quite easy to crossthread the bolt holes if your not careful. A good way to prevent this is to lube the threads of the screw before installing. It will then prevent dragging when hand tightening, and keep you from having to use a hex wrench until it's time to put some torque on it. If it's not going in smooth, you'll want to make sure your not starting a cross thread before tightening, or else you'll find yourself at the bike shop trying to get aluminum rethreaded. Not an easy task for even the best cycling mechanic to do, I can tell you.
The bag though! I was a bit worried site unseen that it was going to look on my bike like I was hauling a black nylon refrigerator around. It's not that big, and looks quite nice on my bike. The rack system and integrated quick lock are great. Not only is it easy to get on and off the rack, but the REAL reason it's such a good system is that most bags, unless stuffed full, will list or flop to one side or the other. Can be a real pain in the arse. This one is rigid, and stays put, empty or full. It's been mentioned that the bag is heavy; well, if your putting this on your 16lbs. race bike, your a tard. It's not heavy at all for what it is, although it gives the illusion of being heavy, as it puts your bikes center of gravity off from what you may be used to (read, tail heavy). I can fit a 2 liter of soda in one of the panniers, a newspaper without folding it, a 10 lbs. bag of ice (it's a stretch, but you can fit it, just not able to zip it up), or similar large, heavy items of that sort. The main compartment isn't exactly big, but it will hold clothes, breakfast, lunch, dinner, minor camping supplies, and you can mount a sleeping bag to the top of it. Perfect size bag for 2-3 day excursion.
I use mine primarily for commuting, and that quick run to the store. You can load it with a surprising amount of stuff, and it is VERY stable. It takes a bit more than you might be used to in order to get your bike up to speed, but once your going, you don't even notice the weight. I've had no problem with my feet clearing the panniers, either standing, or sitting, and I have a fairly small bicycle frame, w/ 175mm cranks. So if anyone would of had a problem with this design, I would have, and I have tons of clearance. Can't say much about the rain proofness (word?) of this bag, as I've yet to ride it for a long period of time in heavy rain, but I have read that 1 hour in heavy rain, stuff inside is still dry. More than that, and I'd get a rain cover.
I would recommend this to anyone looking for a decent bag for commuting or light touring (the bag is quite tough, just not super huge, the only reason I say 'light touring'). It's large without being huge, it is probably the most stable bag system out there, and is quite well made. I don't have any complaints about the bag, really, save one: I would have liked to see more external pockets on this bag, for things like keys, carbogel, tubes, tools, etc... but it does have a smaller top compartment for just such things, which works just as well. The panniers are the best integrated design I have ever seen. Just simply awesome, they fold out super easy, and are a breeze to zip back up (no origami, they just flip up, zip up, and their gone). They seem quite stout to boot, and as I mentioned, they are completely out of the way.
Hope this helps, if you were thinking about getting this, but weren't sure, just be aware of what your getting. Yes, it will ad weight to your bike (duh). No, you can't put $150 work of groceries in it. But yes, it's stable, strong, and you can certainly put $50 worth of groceries in it, no sweat. Once you're used to it, you won't imagine how you used that stupid backpack for so long.
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Topeak MTX Trunk Bag DX with Side PanniersMade of 2520/840 denier, insulated main compartment, MTX rack compatible.
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