Cheap trunk bags?
 

I'm looking for a cheap trunk bag for commuting, errands, etc. Doesn't need to be very big. I've looked at about a dozen on Amazon (under $30) and they all have complaints of the velcro attachment straps are too short. I definitely do not have a narrow rack. Mine is the Bontrager Back rack Deluxe, its 5 1/2" inches wide. Does anyone know of a cheap trunk bag? Thanks!

I used trunk bags for a few years until a few weeks ago, when I finally gave in to my reduced flexibility. For some reason, I can mount my bike easily, but I have some trouble getting my leg over the trunk bag when dismounting. I've started using Banjo Bros's Medium Handlebar bag, and I really like and recommend it. (Bontrager and J and D make similar bags, but IMO the Banjo Bros bag is better and cost roughly 30% less.)

I've used 2 cheap trunk bags. The first was https://www.ebay.com/itm/TopSun-Rosw...IAAOSwrHhc6GCA. It's OK if you really need to save money, but even though I'm on a fixed income, after half a season, I thought something more solid was worth the cost. The foam in particular is very soft. It's wider than my rack, and it sagged on the sides.

The 2nd was https://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FRR-B - this is a substantial, durable bag, IMO. For $11 more, though, I wish I had gotten this: https://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FRRPE - the cord on the top of the bag would have been useful.

If you're willing and able to spend more than $50, you've got many more options, of course.

We use that Jandd Economy bag on our tandem. It’s very nice, sturdily made and very solid on the rack with no flopping about. Given how long you will use a good bag, the cost bump seems fairly trivial, but it’s your money.

I have pretty much the same one... same comments :-). It's used as a tackle box and I just leave it attached for all my rides with short bungee cords.

ebay # 153444499663

It's serviceable and since my mtn bike is diminutive in height, I have no problem mounting over it.

I use the Transit. It Used to be sold at performance bike. Well-made but very inexpensive under $30. I do not know if it survived the performance bike bankruptcy.

It's more expensive than you are asking, but I find this bag so adaptable that it does the functions of at least two bags: https://www.amazon.com/Banjo-Brother.../dp/B01J4RHOIK

Like another poster I have difficulty swinging my leg over a trunk rack. What I use instead is a small waterproof pannier attached to the left side, this doesn’t seem to pose a problem mounting and dismounting. I don’t notice the imbalance when riding and it can hold all the stuff I need, along with a seat pack for tools and such. I have also used handlebar bags and they work well too but won’t hold as much as a pannier.
I used to use rack packs but the several I had always sagged or leaned left or right and the fastening system never worked well.

I have this one. It has served me well for nearly a year.

https://www.amazon.com/Lixada-Bicycl...22-spons&psc=1

I liked the Nashbar version even better. I'm on my second one, and hope it lasts for a long time like the first did.

My performance bag had finally wore out after 20 years and I picked up this one: https://www.amazon.com/UPGRADE-OCT-1...eb_14258431011 It's been working well so far.

I'll 'second' this one. I have a similar 'Transit' model from the old Performance Bike Shop line, its wearing out, so bought the Banjo Brothers model and its well worth the extra $$$. And the top straps are great for carrying stuff, too (I've used it for a small sleeping bag). FWIW: I use both of them to do 'credit card' tours. Using both I'm good for about 5 nights on the road. I used to use a set of front panniers (REI's old 'Novara' brand from the mid-1990s), but those wore out.

https://www.ebay.com/p/Axiom-Seymour...air/2093728321

Rixen and Kaul mounting system is much better than any velcro system

Craigslist is your cheap friend!!! I see (and bought) good rack and bag sets all the time. My pleasure to have found a Topeak Explorer rack, plus bag (sans panniers) for 50 USD. Lately seen the same, in other cities, for even less. Topeak has a dove-tail system that locks the bag in without straps. Years later, again on Craigslist, found a pair of Axiom Storm-Front rear panniers (out of production, but very well maintained) for 25 USD. With the Topeak I could roll my work clothes and carry along with a few incidentals. Nowadays it just depends on season and needs. Somewhere in the mix, added a Topeak medium under seat bag for tools and tubes.

I don't know which one you mean but this one has worked great for me. It was more of a splurge than "cheap" from my perspective, but cheaper than some I guess.

https://www.nashbar.com/delta-top-tr...ms2000/p335720

Walmart is your friend
 

Soft sided six pack cooler from Walmart. $7 I bought a soft one with a removable hard plastic liner. Torch heat a nail to melt holes through liner (don't try to drill hard plastic, it will crack) , use an ice pick to punch a corresponding hole through shell and bolt it to the rack. Use big fender washers on the inside of cooler. Mine latest version has been on for almost 6 years. no problems. Liner will hold it's shape when empty.
. Cheap and dirty. When you are sic of it, toss it.

For the longest time, I was searching for the perfect rack trunk. But they were always too small for what I needed to carry, like changes of clothes, lunch, laptop and repair kit for comuting to work.

I tried duffel backs but I just didn't like the bungee cord method because you'd have to undo it just take out a jacket or something. I wanted to look for bags that already had side loops so they could strapped or bungeed down without interfering with any zippers. Nobody makes bags like that. Even mounting a knap sack was cumbersome because the shoulder straps would dangle all over the place.

Finally, I settled for the Arkel combination pannier/backpack. It's a pannier that's big enough for all the things I needed to carry and when you take it off the bike, you unzip to take the backpack shoulder straps out. It even has a loose pocket to carry your helmet.

http://www.kansascyclist.com/img/misc/NashbarTrunk1.jpg is the one I mentioned.

My cheap Roswheel trunk bag works great, if you don't mind it being a bit floppy.

I have this issue to a degree also. That was why the Transit is nice for me as it was only about 4" tall and not rigid. I mainly use it to carry a windbreaker, a spare waterbottle if it is too hot to wear a small backpack, and sometimes a pair of Crocs (if near the beach or water) and a snack bar or 2.

Many riders might think it is actually too small, but for my riding it works.

Oh yeah. On a different rack where I can attach it properly, it stays up fine as long as the load is balanced.

This is what I'm using.

So far so good!

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8012681c62.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...bbf74dd11f.jpg
Speaking of cheap this is what i got yesterday. No Luc Skywalker here, but managed to use today the Force Large bag packing inside a quarter of water mellon plus a mid size Mellon -total of 7+kg on the rack of my grocery getter. A nice bonus are the expandable side pockets , so far all good.

I have a Garneau Profile R16, can't remember what I paid but it has held up very well.

I like that one too, this is the bigger version. It is still included in the Performance catalog at $42.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...80c3ebf01e.jpg

I also have the smaller 4" high version that Bill refers to for light duty...

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...87a996a3d0.jpg

I've seen used camera bags that look about the right size and shape at the thrift stores.

You'd need to figure out a good way to attach, especially if you wish it to be easily removable.