Review of Topeak MTX Trunk Bag DXP

Topeak MTX Trunk Bag DXP
By: Topeak Average Rating: 4.5 Total Reviews: 17
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Great Bag!!

On: 2008-07-16

I have only had this bag for a few weeks but it seems to have everything I need. The shoulder strap works great for taking the bag into the store. Lots of storage room in the main compartment and the way the layers on the top zip open to store things like maps or a wallet works really well for me. It slides on and off the rack really easily and I dont notice the weight of the bag at all (until its full of groceries of course). I purchased this bag from Modern Bike and had a good experience. Arrived in just a few days and was packaged nicely. I would have given this bag a 5 had the panniers been just a tad bit bigger. I think all of these Topeak bags look a lot larger in the pictures. Something for people who are looking for a really big bag to think about. For a joy rider and grocery getter like me, its just a really great bag!

Be Aware of "Bike Some Where"

On: 2008-07-08

THIS REVIEW IS NOT OF THE PRODUCT BUT OF THE VENDOR; BIKESOMEWHERE.

The product is great for extended weekend trips.

I have an overseas military APO address and we normally receive stuff from Amazon within 10 days, 7 days on average. We ordered on the 16th of June, with "IN STOCK" and the statement shipment should be delivered by 30 June. On 16 June we ordered a bunch of other things from other shops within Amazon. This in order to plan a 4th of July weekend trip. All other things came in the week of 23 July, in plenty of time for our 3 July departure. Everything except our order from BIKESOMEWHERE. On 30 June I received an email from BIKESOMEWHERE stating one item in our order was shipped on 30 June. I called the shop. I was told our whole order was shipped on 27 June. Needless to say, on 3 July, the order had not been delivered. So instead of two bags priced $65 each, I had to go downtown, on the German economy. There the bags were 80 EURO each, and with the exchange rate as bad as it is, each bag cost me in excess of $120....

Caveat emptor... specifically to this vendor... If you need it in a month, go with the cheap price...

dwp

MUCH bigger than the EXP. Looks much better in person.

On: 2008-06-30

I bought the EXP initially and it just wasnt large enough. On paper its only 200 cu inches bigger, but in real life it seems at least 50% bigger. This is probably as big a bag as most bikes can accomodate height wise and the panniers are fairly big. Very nice bag at a great price.

Very Practical

On: 2008-05-31

Ive had this bag for about a month now. I am very impressed! This bag has allowed me to do so much more with my bike. When I dont have a whole lot to carry the main compartment works just fine. Many times I find myself at the store or at work with more items than usual to carry, when this happens, I just unzip the paniers on the side and/or unzip the extender and it gives me plenty of more room.

Another big plus for me was the quick release mechanism. If you buy this bag I highly recommend that you get the Topeak QR Beam Rack MTX with it. No more messing with chords or veclro straps! It is so easy to just "slide, click and be on your way"!

My biggest concern before I bought this was if it could carry a notebook. A 2-inch 3 ring binder can fit very nicely in the paniers but not in the main compartment.

Overall, it is a well thought out design and it is very durable. Since I have had this bag, it has made my bike so much more functional and I find myself riding my bike much more.

Very large storage in a well made bag

On: 2008-05-15

Im very happy with this trunk bag from Topeak. Ive previously owned a trunk which was nice for most things, but I wanted more storage capacity books or groceries or anything else. Im truly amazed at how much storage space this bag has. I was able to fit a large 3" ring binder which was quite stuffed in one of the panniers without a problem. I can fit kids library books (you know those oversized ones) in the panniers as well. The expansion in the main truck also allowed me to fit a full gallon jug of milk in along with my bike lock, some tools and other junk.

By far the best feature is the ability for this bag to expand to store more stuff, and then compact to a small size when you dont need the extra space.

If you get a Topeak rack with the quick release system that work fantastically, holding it securely but easily allowing you to remove it. However, it also have four long Velcro straps for standard bike racks.

About the only negative I have is that the main trunk does not have any dividers or pockets on the inside to help organize things.

Pros: Well made, solid, very spacious, expands and contracts as needed
Cons: Main truck needs organization spots, no outside mesh pockets

Great Bag But Could Be Larger

On: 2008-04-25

This is a great trunk bag with ingeniously designed side panniers that fold up into the side pouches when not needed. Good for short commuting or day trips. Very roomy trunk -- height can be instantly expanded by simply unzipping a zipper designed for this purpose. This bag clips on instantly to compatible bike racks such as the Topeak Explorer Bike Rack.

My only disappointment is that the side panniers are not bigger. They expand outward OK (Ive carried a gallon jug of milk in each side) but I wish they were slightly deeper. To give you an idea of the size and volume of the side panniers, if Topeak had added an extra inch to the height of these, you could fit two gallons of milk in each side pannier, one on top of the other, and still zip them closed.

Turned my bike into something more

On: 2008-02-20

I bike commute and have found that this trunk bag actually adds a new dimmension to what I can do. It provides such a high degree of on-the-fly flexibility that I almost never need to resort to a car in my commute. For instance, on the way home I swung by a grocery store to pick up some things and got carried away. After checking out, I looked down in the shopping cart and saw the bag (it is great that it easily detatches) sitting next to 18 cans, 3 lb of carrots, a box of crackers and wondeered if I would get the bag to swallow it. I deployed the panniers, raised the expansion on the top and still had plenty of room left over. I stuffed my jacket in as well and still had room available for more. After maximizing all the available features, I bet I could have even added a gallon of milk. I didnt leave home that day with this trip planned; the pack just gave me the freedom to do it. I also like that it quickly reduces down to a smaller, more conservative size. It is very well designed and made from good materials. Sure, it does add weight to the bike, but considering the volume it provides, it is relatively very light weight. Although it will work with non-Topeak racks, I would be concerned about how stablely it would attach and how easily it could be removed. This bag has so much carrying capability, that I would not recommend the weight-limited beam racks. Get the Explorer or similar rack. Highly recommended.

After a few months

On: 2008-02-11

Eventually I removed the rack and replaced it with wire pannier/saddlebags simply because when loaded and on the kickstand the weight of the left bag pulled everything to that side causing an imbalance which became noticeable when riding. Keeping my load in the side bag, even secured in the wire baskets caused the center compartment to lose shape and to compress.

After about six weeks (from new) the zippers and stitching began giving way and eventually destroyed the ability to pack the side bags back into the compartments.

I gave up on the system and wound up securing a heavy duty soft sided drink cooler to the wire pannier/saddlebags as a center compartment and sold the Topeak rack on ebay and junked the Topeak trunk bag. The Topeak rack lasted six months, the bag nine months. I do believe if youre carrying lighter weights the system is great, well thought out and very likely satisfactory but I was carrying about 22 pounds in each saddlebag which proved too much for the system.

For week ends

by: Anonymous On: 2008-01-09

With it you can carry all the belongings you need for a short trip, no more than two or three days. Ataches very easily in the Topeak Explorer Bike Rack sliding into it, or you can atach it to diferent racks with the velcro straps.

Having the chance to take out the side bags in order to have more room, also the main compartment expands like 3 o 4 inches

A little heavy but a lof of room also an outside pocket for an extra water bottle.
Reflective stripes and a place to hang a rear red light.

Good construction in general and resistant materials.

Perfect for me

On: 2007-11-29

It has fold-out panniers that can fit a pair of size 14 sneakers and a change of clothes, and its real quick and easy to attach to the Topeak rack. If you could only have one bag for your bike, this should be the one.

Tons of Room - Good Construction

On: 2007-07-14

I bought this in conjunction with the Topeak rack system Topeak Explorer Bicycle Rack with Disc Brake Mounts for my 2007 Specialized Rockhopper. It slides easily on and off the rack and the amount of cargo capacity is amazing. Theres room for two spare mountain bike tubes in the rear pocket, a strap for a clip-on rear light, a top map pocket, and a cavernous main trunk. Unzipping the side pockets yield two large panniers, but Ive never had occasion to use them yet because so far everything Ive needed to carry for my recreational rides has fit in the main trunk. After 6 months and 1000 miles of riding the bag is still in great shape.

Great bag for commuting and touring

On: 2007-03-13

I purchased both the MTX DXP and the Explorist frame from Amazon. Upon receiving the product, I was impressed by the quality and thoughtful planning that went into the bag. I spent a lot of time evaluating bicycle bags and the Topeak meets all of my expectations.

I commute with my bicycle to and from work daily and need to carry my work clothes along with me. I find the quick release mechanism foolproof and solid.

The separate map case section at the top is a wonderful organizing feature. The side pannier pockets are designed in such a way that you actually have even more organization in the sides than you thought possible.

By my estimation, everything was very well thought out on this bag, and it is easy to use and work with.

It is a heavy bag, and not really for competitive bicyclists trying to shave off ounces. Its solid construction makes it great for daily commutes and for riding on rails-to-trails and touring.

The Explorist rack has a very solid feel and goes together quite well. One tip I would give would be to buy and place small rubber washers at the contact points to the frame, and apply threadlocker to the rack attach screws. The result is a very nice rugged and silent fit.

I am very pleased with the product and would highly recommend it to others.

Topeak Trunk Bag (MTX DXP)

On: 2007-03-11

Ive had one of these for years - its practically indestructible. The quick on/off feature is nice but you have to buy a matching Topeak rack for each bike you use it on or take time to switch the rack along with the bag every time you change bikes. I move mine between several bikes that have standard Mt. racks ,so I removed the "quick-bean" section. I just secure the bag to each Mr. rack using its Velcro straps. That takes around 30 seconds, the bag never comes off, I avoid carrying around maybe an extra 1/2 lb of unnecessary hardware and I get a (very) little bit of extra space in the main compartment. If you plan to use this bag on only one bike, dont already have a rack on that bike and don;t mind a few extra grams, the matching quick on/off rack may work well enough. However, I recommend against the kind that attaches quickly to only the seat post. I have a friend who uses one of those and it never seems to quite remain in position when the trunk bag is loaded.

This bag (MTX-DXP) is sturdy and HUGE. It even has an extra drink bottle holder and a place to clip in a rear light. Keep the stuff you want to get to during your ride in the top section (or better yet, in a handlebar bag), open the expander section and panniers, and theres plenty of room for grocery shopping or even a trip several days in length, especially if you arent camping.

All this room does come at a price. The bag weights a couple of lbs, so you may not want to keep it on your bag all the time. A smaller, lighter bag might serve better for everyday use. Also, make sure you have enough heel clearance for the generous panniers and a rack big enough for the trunk when all the expander pockets are filled.

Topeak Trunk Bag (MTX DXP)

On: 2007-03-10

Ive had one of these for years - its practically indestructible. The quick on/off feature is nice but you have to buy a matching Topeak rack for each bike you use it on or take time to switch the rack along with the bag every time you change bikes. I move mine between several bikes that have standard Mt. racks ,so I removed the "quick-bean" section. I just secure the bag to each Mr. rack using its Velcro straps. That takes around 30 seconds, the bag never comes off, I avoid carrying around maybe an extra 1/2 lb of unnecessary hardware and I get a (very) little bit of extra space in the main compartment. If you plan to use this bag on only one bike, dont already have a rack on that bike and don;t mind a few extra grams, the matching quick on/off rack may work well enough. However, I recommend against the kind that attaches quickly to only the seat post. I have a friend who uses one of those and it never seems to quite remain in position when the trunk bag is loaded.

This bag (MTX-DXP) is sturdy and HUGE. It even has an extra drink bottle holder and a place to clip in a rear light. Keep the stuff you want to get to during your ride in the top section (or better yet, in a handlebar bag), open the expander section and panniers, and theres plenty of room for grocery shopping or even a trip several days in length, especially if you arent camping.

All this room does come at a price. The bag weights a couple of lbs, so you may not want to keep it on your bag all the time. A smaller, lighter bag might serve better for everyday use. Also, make sure you have enough heel clearance for the generous panniers and a rack big enough for the trunk when all the expander pockets are filled.

Does it all

On: 2007-02-16

Ive 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 its 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 its time to put some torque on it. If its not going in smooth, youll want to make sure your not starting a cross thread before tightening, or else youll 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. Its 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 its 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. Its been mentioned that the bag is heavy; well, if your putting this on your 16lbs. race bike, your a tard. Its 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 (its 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 isnt 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 dont even notice the weight. Ive 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. Cant say much about the rain proofness (word?) of this bag, as Ive 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 Id 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). Its large without being huge, it is probably the most stable bag system out there, and is quite well made. I dont 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 werent sure, just be aware of what your getting. Yes, it will ad weight to your bike (duh). No, you cant put $150 work of groceries in it. But yes, its stable, strong, and you can certainly put $50 worth of groceries in it, no sweat. Once youre used to it, you wont imagine how you used that stupid backpack for so long.

Does the job

On: 2007-01-16

This bag is much heavier than I was expecting but the track lock system works great and I can get everything in it I need to for commuting to work.

Love this item

by: Anonymous On: 2007-01-05

I just love the bag. I also have the interchangeable basket. I use them both all the time.
They are so well made and easy to use.

Love this item

by: Anonymous On: 2007-01-04

I just love the bag. I also have the interchangeable basket. I use them both all the time.
They are so well made and easy to use.

Good Function and Value

On: 2006-12-02

The Topeak MTX Trunk Bag DXP works well for my work commute. It holds all items securely and keeps items dry even in rain. I would recommend for work commutes or day long rides.

Good Function and Value

On: 2006-12-01

The Topeak MTX Trunk Bag DXP works well for my work commute. It holds all items securely and keeps items dry even in rain. I would recommend for work commutes or day long rides.