Reviews of Topeak MTX TrunkBag DXP With Expandable Top and Expandable Panniers for MTX Racks

Pros

I am a diabetic, so when I bike I must have food, drink, and a glucometer with me, especially on longer rides. I was hanging plastic bags off the bike (dangerous) or carrying a big backpack (annoying). When I found this online I knew it was the perfect solution. I was not disappointed. It installed quite easily and fits my Liz bike perfectly. There is no chance that it will slide off like velcro strap fasteners can, like I saw on other models. There are pockets for various other items you might need on a ride, water bottle spot, cell phone etc. The panniers have already come in handy when we unexpectedly came across a roadside produce stand on our ride. I love it.

Cons

It wasn't cheap, but you ultimately get what you pay for.

Works well for a week end trip or over night

Pros

I just purchased my second pack. I used the first one for about 20 years — thousands of miles of commuting. I just purchased a second one because the zippers finally gave out on the first. Perfect for riding to/from work, yoga, grocery store, etc. I highly recommend this setup!

Cons

Not really a con, but common sense — be careful on how much you pack into the panniers. You don’t want to carry too much weight. Not good for your seat post or the panniers.

Pros

compact, easy to install on bike rack

Cons

none

Pros

This was my second order from Modern Bike and I can't say enough about my experience with them. Their website is easy to navigate and everything I've ordered so far has arrived quickly and in great shape.

The Topeak trunk bag is a highly versatile design giving you as much bag as you need for different situations. Using the top trunk only for casual riding, workouts, etc keeps things looking streamlined. For a longer haul or commuting, just pull out the spacious panniers and have plenty of room for a laptop computer, lunch, light or enough backpacking gear for a weekend getaway.

Cons

Calling the velcro mounting straps on the DPX bag a "Universal" mount is a big stretch. The design and placement of the straps looks like an afterthought and simply won't secure the bag to carry the kind of loads the bag is capable of without extensive reinforcement using bungees or other methods to hold the bag securely in place. I can't mount the bag on my rack securely enough to even use the top trunk alone, much less the panniers. It's a serious design issue and cause for me to sadly, return the bag. If I didn't already have a rack on my bike, I'd have gone with the MTX (track) Mount as it is a much better option. Unfortunately, the MTX rack adds an extra $45-$50 to the total cost. Topeak needs to really re-engineer the velcro straps or better yet, come up with a truly Universal mount for this otherwise excellent bag.

Pros

I love the capacity along with how it attaches to the bracket. This is my third DPX trunk bag, the first was received a gift from my daughter in 2010. My second is still being used although the zippers are getting worn out.
I commute to work, 10 miles each way almost year around in West Central Wisconsin. This bag allows room for tools, air pump, extra clothes, shoes or picking items up from the store on the way home from work.

Cons

It could be a little more waterproof with the panniers out.

Pros

Solid fabric and zippers; water resistant for sure. Has held up great after 3 months of daily use.
Acts as a fender against water and mud
Looks good—with panniers closed I can walk into a business meeting and no one is distracted
Perfect for commuting and light grocery shopping : holds enough but not too much!

Cons

Bag is unwieldy to carry if panniers are filled.
Rain cover awkward if panniers are not in use.
Main compartment is highly structured and insulated— seems unnecessarily so.
Top handle is awkward: it shouldn’t be used if the bag is unzipped.
Inside lid pocket also awkward; things fall out.

Other Thoughts

Panniers are just the right size for a laptop computer, files, or leeks! To solve the awkward carrying problem I keep a liner bag in each pannier and remove them when walking around, zipping up the panniers.
I wish there was a loop or something to lock the pannier to the bike-nothing serious, just a deterrent for when I run into a shop.

Pros

great bag, sufficient room. Like the track system, holds well.

Cons

none

Pros

Expandable

Cons

none

Pros

-Convenient to have expandable sides. I use them all the time. Very sturdy.
-Expandable top is nice, but they should have different size zippers to keep from getting confused with the opening while riding.
-Stays securely attached to Topeak rack. Quick disconnect system is awesome.

Cons

-Like other reviews, I agree the water bottle holder at the rear is not secure enough. My water bottle has fallen out on bounces as small as sidewalk cracks.
-The side pouches are useless for anything other than a car key or ID unless the panniers are expanded.

Other Thoughts

-Wish they had more colors.

Pros

Large and transportable on and off the bike. I use it for commuting to school/college and find it really helps: 1. to keep the weight off my back while riding by eliminating the backpack I used previously, and 2. the shoulder strap and top handle that can be used to carry the bag with you. It also holds plenty of books in the panniers.

Cons

When the panniers are full it is awkward to carry around to class so I have to go back and forth to my bike to drop off and retrieve books between classes. This also puts my belongings at risk because I have to trust the security at the school is sufficient to keep other hands off of the stuff in my bag.

Other Thoughts

A backpack that locks in would be better, and/or detachable panniers.

Pros

compact and expands to hold a lot
good construction

Cons

none

Other Thoughts

I got this bag for light touring and for the spring and fall rides where I want to bring a some extra clothing incase it gets cold or starts raining. Most of the time I use it like a trunk bag and fold up the panniers.

Very pleased with my new bag!! Is very roomy and I love the expandable side pockets. Ordered the rain cover also, haven't had to use it yet, but it fits over the bag nicely.

Pros

Just what I need --great storage space --great price--

Modern Bike Service is exceptional !

Cons

None

Pros

many

Cons

few

Other Thoughts

make it in colors

and put more pockets on the inside of the bag

Pros

Good quality, holds ample storage. Yes, I would buy again and recommend.

Cons

Cannot lock bags

Pros

Well built. Works fine.

Gives you panniers when needy - else a very good trunkbag.

As with all Topeak trunkbags - easy on - easy off bike.

Highly recommended!

Cons

None

Pros

Clean lines, good stitching, easy to attach/detach. Having the panniers fold down from the side zip compartments makes it streamlined when not needed and roomy when needed. A great product.

Cons

While the lock-in is secure, there is some play between the rail that attaches the bag to the rack--a couple of wedge-shaped rubber pads securely attached to the underside of the back of the bag would eliminate this rattle. The rattle is minimal, but the riders behind thought the attachment was loose and were concerned the bag was about to come loose. It was securely attached--but it is nice to eliminate the rattle.

Other Thoughts

Overall a great "get". Does exactly what I need it to do.

Pros

This is a very well made rack bag with several intuitive features. Couple this with a Topeak Rack and you are good to go. Panniers are roomy but easily stowed.

Cons

Can be utilized with other rack brands but due to the mtx channel design better couple with Topeak rack.

Pros

Large capacity for rack trunk
Fold-down paniers convenient for extra capacity
Fits any rack
Manufacturer has been good about replacing the bag when failures occurred

Cons

Zipper teeth are small and easily jam (one failed within the first year)
Had one under-rack strap rip out, now one of the front straps has torn
Bag had to be replaced twice under warranty in the first two years
Straps under the rack don't hold the bag as tight as other trunk bags I have used

Other Thoughts

Topeak makes some decent gear (I have a couple of their air pumps at home and would buy those again), but this bag is definitely a disappointment. I went with this bag because I was having trouble finding a trunk bag with similar size capacity. Now I'm wishing I went with a different brand.

Manufacturer has been good about sending a replacement when failures occurred. The fact that it's been replaced twice in two years, though, is a problem in my opinion.

Pros

Huge capacity, grocery to yard sales, library to outback trips. Safely totes my camera, computer, tennis rackets, rain gear. The expandable top gets occasional use on bulky items when I don't care to use the panniers. Continuous use for about 5 years with no discernible wear. Cleaning (we ride in the dirt a lot) means popping it off and hosing it down and out. No problem.

Cons

Can't use the tail-end bottle pouch anywhere but absolutely smooth streets... and then don't jump a curb.

Other Thoughts

Obviously would recommend it, and the size, too, as there is no downside to having the largest bag except a couple bucks.

Pros

Very usefull. Hard construction. Many space & expandable. I greatly recommand it.

Cons

None

Pros

Flexible storage with the drop down paneers which are big enough and rugged enough to fit a large laptop. Main pocket also has an expansion zipper. SUPER easy to put bag on and take off when locking in public.

Cons

Just need to be careful about sliding it on. I've slipped it on and clicked it in place only to realize the slotted slide was not actually engaged. Minor difficult in mounting a light.

Pros

Great quality and flexability

Cons

None

Other Thoughts

I am a year round commuter and this is the perfect bag for me. Holds all my clothes for work and still has space for picking up after all the human pigs that travel the same route

Pros

Love this bag. Just the right size, stable side walls, so doesn't scrunch. Easy to access interior. It is divided in half by a divider which can be removed. Convenient outside elastic pocket on back. Cord on top to stash coat or other soft thing. Very stable on the rack. Never slips sideways. Panniers are very handy, just the right size to stow extra large items that don't fit in the bag. They attach to wheel so they don't bump about while riding. Zippers work well and it has help up well over the 4 years I have used it. I do not ride much in the rain, so can't attest to how it holds up in the rain.

Cons

none

I started using this rack bag for shopping the Farmer's Market when I met a guy touring cross country with a BOB trailer, front pannier setup and THIS BAG for a rear pannier.

It's been on my '86 Klein MTB since I bought it 5 years ago. The signs of wear are negligible.

Pros

It's spacious. It slides onto the rack easily. You can carry a water bottle on the back of the bag.

Cons

You may need to adjust your rack if you plan to use it fully expanded. It might hit the underside of the seat when fully expanded. I've seen this with other expandable bags too.