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Cheap trunk bags?

Old 07-12-19, 01:46 PM
  #1  
riverdrifter
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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!
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Old 07-12-19, 03:50 PM
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philbob57
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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.

Last edited by philbob57; 07-12-19 at 03:56 PM.
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Old 07-12-19, 07:11 PM
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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.
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Old 07-12-19, 08:53 PM
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gnappi
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Originally Posted by philbob57
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.

>>SNIP<<
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.
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Old 07-12-19, 09:46 PM
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Bill in VA
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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.
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Old 07-13-19, 02:27 AM
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livedarklions
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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
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Old 07-13-19, 06:45 AM
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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.
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Old 07-13-19, 07:02 AM
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Paul Barnard
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I have this one. It has served me well for nearly a year.

https://www.amazon.com/Lixada-Bicycl...22-spons&psc=1
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Old 07-13-19, 09:33 AM
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no motor?
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Originally Posted by Bill in VA
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.
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.
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Old 07-13-19, 10:40 AM
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mtnbud
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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.
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Old 07-13-19, 11:36 AM
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Originally Posted by livedarklions
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
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.
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Old 07-13-19, 02:57 PM
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https://www.ebay.com/p/Axiom-Seymour...air/2093728321

Rixen and Kaul mounting system is much better than any velcro system
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Old 07-13-19, 06:58 PM
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Digger Goreman
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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.

Last edited by Digger Goreman; 07-13-19 at 07:00 PM. Reason: left out word and misspelling
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Old 07-14-19, 08:10 AM
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Originally Posted by no motor?
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.
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
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Old 07-14-19, 12:59 PM
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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.

Last edited by washer62; 07-14-19 at 01:05 PM. Reason: More info
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Old 07-14-19, 01:22 PM
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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.
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Old 07-15-19, 10:28 AM
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Originally Posted by wphamilton
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
https://www.kansascyclist.com/img/misc/NashbarTrunk1.jpg is the one I mentioned.
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Old 07-15-19, 02:10 PM
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My cheap Roswheel trunk bag works great, if you don't mind it being a bit floppy.
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Old 07-30-19, 06:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Baboo
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 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.
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Old 08-01-19, 10:47 AM
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Originally Posted by Korina
My cheap Roswheel trunk bag works great, if you don't mind it being a bit floppy.
Oh yeah. On a different rack where I can attach it properly, it stays up fine as long as the load is balanced.
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Old 08-01-19, 12:06 PM
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This is what I'm using.

So far so good!
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Old 08-02-19, 04:40 AM
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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.
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Old 08-02-19, 09:31 AM
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I have a Garneau Profile R16, can't remember what I paid but it has held up very well.
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Old 08-04-19, 05:56 AM
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Originally Posted by Bill in VA
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.
I like that one too, this is the bigger version. It is still included in the Performance catalog at $42.



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


Last edited by BobG; 08-04-19 at 06:25 AM.
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Old 08-04-19, 06:20 AM
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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.
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