At Run Oregon, we embrace all forms of physical activity beyond just running. Many of our bloggers (and likely many of our readers) are multisport athletes. If you are, or aspire to be, a multisport athlete, we’re excited to have you join us in this new journey. Welcome to Bike Oregon!
See all our Bike Oregon features here.
While many of us participate in running races, Andrew competes in a variety of competitive cycling races in the Pacific Northwest.
Topeak MTX Trunkbag EXP
Are you as tired of the early morning, traffic heavy, dark and drenched office commutes as I am already this time of year? With daylight and motivation at a premium, time spent in an endless car queue is a drag. So, I’m taking a stand and switching it up! I’m going to take back those wasted hours each week by getting to point B on my bike.
This doesn’t fix the “early” and definitely not the “drenched” but I feel like a million bucks when I get to the office on two wheels. Bike commuting this time of year, however, isn’t without its challenges. It takes charged lights, waterproof jackets, fenders (if that’s your thing), and most of all a bag that can handle the elements to make sure your laptop and lunch make it through each ride. That’s where Topeak comes to the rescue.
Their top tier bags, packs, and racks provide assurance that I’ll get to my destination with my gear safely stowed and water tight. I’ve been putting the Topeak MTX Trunkbag EXP through the daily grind this Fall and have been really happy with my choice.
The bag itself with the panniers packed in and all zipped up feels very solid. It’s constructed of a rigid foam and upholstered with a tough canvas that I have no doubt will last multiple seasons. The main compartment is a good size for a meal, snacks, change of clothes, and my ride essential safety kit. With the panniers opened up the bag has a total capacity of 16.6L, which is way more than enough for a daily commute.
Loaded up this bag will also be great for some bike packing adventures in the Spring. Beyond the three main compartments, it also has a water bottle holder, bungee tie down strap, reflective elements and places to clip lights or other accessories. A feature I’ve come to really appreciate is its optional shoulder strap to help get to the locker room and my desk.
It’s important to note that this particular model of bag requires a Topeak bike rack with MTX QuickTrack integration. When paired together this bag slides onto the QuickTrack, securely clicks in place, and can be quickly removed without any fuss. The ability to remove the bag so easily is a huge upgrade from unloading everything at the bike parking station and fumbling it into the building in my arms.
Using this setup has been a big improvement to my commutes. It’s a straightforward and effective bag to make sure my gear is cozy and protected each ride. And the ease of integration via the QuickTrack system is a welcomed alternative to a bulky backpack. The peace of mind I get from knowing it’s all safe and secure allows me to better focus on catching the rider 3 blocks ahead of me, dodging those ankle deep puddles, and more importantly figuring out which donut shop I’ll stop at on the way in.
If you’re tired of traffic-heavy, dark, and drenched commutes, I highly recommend switching things up with bike commuting—and the Topeak MTX Trunkbag EXP is the perfect companion for the journey. With 16.6L of water-repellent storage, pop-out panniers, and QuickTrack integration, it keeps your gear secure, dry, and easy to manage. This bag has been a game-changer for my rainy rides, making bike commuting more enjoyable and efficient. Give it a try—you might even look forward to your next commute!
Topeak MTX Trunkbag EXP w/ Explorer Rack $125
Main Design Features:
- 16.6L of total storage
- Water repellent
- Rigid foam construction
- 1 main compartment and 2 pop-out panniers
- Reflective elements
- Shoulder strap, clip-on and hold down points
