What is the difference between this rack and the Topeak Explorer Bike Rack? If I want to go with the Topeak MTX Trunk Bag, which one is better?
1939670
i'm not sure of what the explorer rack looks like, but i do know that if you have disk brakes this is the one you need. i am a mechanical designer by trade designing ruggedized military items, and when i rode my bike to work, my boss and co-workers were impressed with the strength and stability of the rack. i think all of their bags have the same mounting track so they are universal between racks
990508
I am not know of the other rack but probably not since a rail system is used on the mtx
1939981
I returned mine. Too small and look cheap. You can find some leather bags at a swap meet that would look much nicer on that bike
2168627
mine came with a stem mount, but if your bike has a carbon fork, it is likely that the stem cap you have is actually a structural component and you can't replace it with the topeak's stem cap mount. carbon fork means needing the bar mount (which also works fine) that comes with the drybag, not the ridecase. My LBS (where I bought the case) was nice enough to just swap out the mount for me.
926996
If you are going to use this bag you totally need a Topeak rack. I think one of the guys at work has a Novara, and the track is slightly wider.
2224995
Any bike rack that will fit on a luggage rack will work. Yakima has several. So does Thule. It's just personal preference. Mine are inexpensive ones off of Overstock. As long as they will mount on a cars luggage rack you're fine. Hope that helps
1492429
I've ridden with the bag for 3300K mounted on a Trek EX8 full suspension and have had no problems though I've only taken it off road on slightly hilly nature park trails. Lots of roots to bounce over and the unit has never come loose. The rack is substantial and the locking mechanism has worked very well so far. I have their handlebar bag, too, and have no complaints regarding it either. The locking mechanisms are secure and easy to release. Torque the rack to the post to 6 Newtons, and you'll have no worries. I've had several different rack over the years, and this is the best particularly for a full suspension bike. Hope this helps. I've ridden with the bag for 3300K mounted on a Trek EX8 full suspension and have had no problems though I've only taken it off road on slightly hilly nature park trails. Lots of roots to bounce over and the unit has never come loose. The rack is substantial and the locking mechanism has worked very well so far. I have their handlebar bag, too, and have no complaints regarding it either. The locking mechanisms are secure and easy to release. Torque the rack to the post to 6 Newtons, and you'll have no worries. I've had several different rack over the years, and this is the best particularly... » Read More I've ridden with the bag for 3300K mounted on a Trek EX8 full suspension and have had no problems though I've only taken it off road on slightly hilly nature park trails. Lots of roots to bounce over and the unit has never come loose. The rack is substantial and the locking mechanism has worked very well so far. I have their handlebar bag, too, and have no complaints regarding it either. The locking mechanisms are secure and easy to release. Torque the rack to the post to 6 Newtons, and you'll have no worries. I've had several different rack over the years, and this is the best particularly for a full suspension bike. Hope this helps. « Show Less
1633968
I only have the trunk bag but it has its own slide mount right in the middle of the rack, HD Ibera touring rack for discs, and there is room on side of rack for additional side bags, waiting on special on Ortliebs at Western bike works, saw pair for about $130+ for pr, Amazons vendors more expensive.
1300325
You can use any rack out there, there are no racks made specifically for this trunk. I mounted the trunk mounting plate to the rear seat cowling on my YZF750R and it worked just fine.
2117698
I own a KTM 990 Adventure and the bags fit just fine on my bike using the hard bag mounts. The bags are weathertight and light. Hard bags are more secure.
626430
Topeak also makes a rack that fastens in the pre-threaded holes on the bike frame near the rear wheel hub. Reply back if you have any questions and I'll get you a link to the other type of rack
1362047
i'm a geezer, so my experience may be outdated. i have two racks, one on my touring bike and the other on my grocery/town bike. i did use a rack trunk on one trip, but i didn't like the way stuff shifted around. my sleeping bag fits very well on the front rack ( i secure with cutup inner tubes), freeing up a pannier. on my grocery bike, i tried small panniers once, but didn't need that much room. i use the front rack for things like a gallon of milk or toilet paper (12 pack rides fine). once installed, i have had no problems with either rack.
1040203
The short answer is NO. It will only work as designed on Topeak racks also designed to accept the MTX style quick-change accessories.
951947
I have the topeak explorer rack and they fit that. I am almost certain that these panniers will fit any rack though
2163669
I put my on a 2008 Scion XB. What I found when I went to the Hollywood site was that they had an extensive list of cars that the Over-the-Top Bike Rack fits. I have used mine now for several months both locally and on a trip of over 1,500 miles and the rack is excellent. Its well build the straps hold the bike in place, its easy to get a bike on and off and the rack is easy to install and remove. If your car is on the list of cars that they say it will work on I believe it will work. Since I have installed mine I have noticed bike racks on cars and most of them are not build close to the quality level that the Hollywood is. Hope this helps Elenor I put my on a 2008 Scion XB. What I found when I went to the Hollywood site was that they had an extensive list of cars that the Over-the-Top Bike Rack fits. I have used mine now for several months both locally and on a trip of over 1,500 miles and the rack is excellent. Its well build the straps hold the bike in place, its easy to get a bike on and off and the rack is easy to install and remove. If your car is on the list of cars that they say it will work on I believe it will work. Since I have installed mine I have noticed bike racks on cars and most of them are not build close to the... » Read More I put my on a 2008 Scion XB. What I found when I went to the Hollywood site was that they had an extensive list of cars that the Over-the-Top Bike Rack fits. I have used mine now for several months both locally and on a trip of over 1,500 miles and the rack is excellent. Its well build the straps hold the bike in place, its easy to get a bike on and off and the rack is easy to install and remove. If your car is on the list of cars that they say it will work on I believe it will work. Since I have installed mine I have noticed bike racks on cars and most of them are not build close to the quality level that the Hollywood is. Hope this helps Elenor « Show Less
2120618
Any standard rack should do(that is made for panniers). You just need to trim or tuck the straps in standard fashion. No problem. I use them on a 26" mountain and a 700c with no problems
345784
Not with the Explorer, but my wife's bike has the Topeak Super Tourist and it works quite well with that. I can't imagine a problem with any rack though.