cannonman

How compatible is the Topeak Explorer rack and add-on baskets from Wald, Sunlite, etc.? I've seen some reports that Topeak system only works with Topeak products, but others say that certain baskets do work with it.

Any insight e is appreciated. I'd like to buy a rack that is fairly flexible and do not want to throw good money after bad.

Thanks.

Grim

99% of other products will work fine on the explorer rack unless they have a proprietary rack they are designed to work with. I use Novara panniers on mine all the time and they fit perfect.
The issue isn't other products working on the the rack its the Topeak bags not working on other racks because of the proprietary slide track mounting system.

Most trunk bags have a strap at all four corners that wrap the outside rail. They as well as panniers that hang on the rail will work fine on the explorer.

cannonman

Awesome. That's just what I needed to know.

Thanks, Grim!

PaulRivers

Yeah, I own one - ditto.

cannonman

Two votes are better than one. Rack has been ordered.

Thanks, guys.

Grim

You will be happy with it. I have the Explorer on two of my bikes and the Super Tourist on the third (the ST will let you use the MTX trunk bags with regular panniers at the same time. .

Rock solid racks at a good price and look good. Plus the track serves as an effective fender if you don't have actual fenders.
Get a Planet Bike Super flash to hang on the back. Works perfect with the rack.

cannonman

Good to hear about the SuperFlash. I already have one and ordered the bracket to attach to the back of the rack. Hard to tell from the online images if it will fit exactly, but that's why drills were invented.

Grim

My Topeak racks came with a compatible bracket for the super flash.

cannonman

Hmm.. Didn't notice if it did or didn't when I ordered it. No worries, either way.

Thanks, guys. Can't wait to get this stuff in and put it on.

cannonman

Got the rack in and put it on. Piece of cake. The only way for me to get it perfectly level is to drill out a bit of the spacer in the support arms so I can move the arms forward just a little, but it's good enough for government work. You have to put a level on it to notice it so I won't complain. I do like the rack. Nice and sturdy.

Thanks again for the advice, guys. Really appreciate it.

Sundance89

I have that EXACT set up. Zip tie the Wald 582 baskets to the Topeak rack... it's much better, easier, and stronger. (75 pound rated ties)

Sundance89

Also, completely no interference with a Topeak quick release bag. That tracks in the middle and the zip ties are on the sides.

Sundance89

oops sorry... one more thing. There is only one drawback to this set up with the Topeak Explorer and that is that the support arms come down to a point. So you are limited as to how much surface area there is on the bottom of the rack to attach the bottom portion of the Wald to. With the bottom portion unsupported, it will flex a little bit under heavy loads (even though the Wald is rigid).

I got another rack that I use with three support arms that are spread out - the rear support arm goes straight down, then curves, allowing me to have a lot of surface area for bracing the bottom of the Wald basket up to.

Scott

cannonman

I got this for my rack. I won't have it on all the time - only when needed. My wife and I are taking the bikes on vacation and will be using the bikes 90% of the time for transportation. If we need to pick up a few things at the grocery store, the basket will be the ticket.

This basket is cool because it quickly clips on and off and has spring loaded arms inside to hold stuff inside. The handle is very sturdy, unlike the Topeak basket.

Sundance89

I tend to think in terms of grocery bags. I want something specific to their size so that I can just drop it in and go. Down the road you might want to get a front rack for the basket you have now, and in addition, get 2 Wald 582's for the rear. Now you're talkin. And as you know, the 582's fold up and are out of the way when you don't need them. I actually have two 582's on the back, and one 582 mounted on a front rack with my grocery getter.

Scott

idiotekniQues

a friend just got the botrager rear rack with a clip in bontrager rack bag. i am very impressed so far.

cannonman

Scott, this is only for vacation. I don't intend to use it for anything over quick trips for small items. Good info about the Wald baskets. If the need ever comes up, I'll definitely check them out.

Grim

Topeak has a basket with a foot to work on the rack and if you have a REI near you it is on sale for $25.99.
https://www.rei.com/product/780119

They also have what they call a trolley .
https://www.rei.com/product/797997

cannonman

Thanks, Grim. I actually looked at the Topeak basket before I ordered the Sunlite basket. The Topeak one was so cheap and flimsy that it was crazy. The handle started to bend with a no more than a couple pounds in it. Lots of bad reviews, too. The trolley looks kind of cool, but is a little overkill at the moment. Maybe in the future if my needs change, but it's good to know that that thing exists.

Here's the link to the Sunlite basket. It's more expensive than the Topeak, but it's twice the basket, too.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ef=oss_product

Thanks!

I_bRAD

If you're using generic accessories, why bother with the topeak rack? The main advantage to the topeak are the accessories. The stuff you've listed would bolt onto a $15 rack.

cannonman

$15 racks aren't as sturdy and can't hold as much weight - that's why they're $15. Even if my needs at the moment don't dictate the need to use other Topeak attachments, they might in the future and I don't like to double spend my money. Topeak has a lot of bags and attachments that I could end up using in the future and this rack gives me those options - even if their basket is a piece of junk.

Grim

You have me curious. How does the sunlite attach?

I_bRAD

The topeak accessories are good, and the basket is pretty good too for what it costs, but a $15 rack well installed will carry more than you think. I've regularly loaded one with 50-75lbs.

cannonman

Spring clips under the basket that grab each side of the rack. You can see one of the clips (or at least where you grab it to pull it out) on the bottom left of the image. The basket also sits flat when not attached the to rack. The Topeak basket won't sit flat and wobbles around.

CCrew

I have a Explorer rack, and an MTX bag. But I also have Trek Interchange panniers that work on the rack with and without the MTX bag.

-R