Topeak Rain Cover for MTX TrunkBags EX & DX or EXP & DXP

This review combines 3 Topeak products: The Topeak Explorer Bike Rack, the Topeak MTX Trunk Bag EXP Bicycle Trunk Bag with Rigid Molded Panels, and the Topeak MTX Trunk Bag EXP & DXP Bicycle Trunk Bag Rain Cover.I would give each of these products 5 stars on their own, but I am reviewing them together because I thoroughly recommend them as a set.The rack is rock solid. Several reviewers mentioned the need to bend the arms to fit their bikes, which nearly put me off. I am so glad I took the chance, as absolutely no bending was necessary on my Trek 7.2 FX. Easy to install, and allows you to use the Topeak range of slide-on products.The trunk bag really is superb. I much prefer putting stuff on a rack than in a backpack, as I hate getting sweaty back and having to carry around a wet back pack afterwards. But so often when attaching items with bungees, they are pain to put on, and then you spend the whole journey looking behind you to see if everything is still there. With this setup, it slides onto the rack in about half a second, and feels absolutely secure.The side panels fold completely away when not needed into zip-up compartments, which is fantastic. The main compartment is not too big, but carries everything you would normally need to take with you to work. When transporting clothes, laptop, shoes etc, you need to use the side panels. It is deceptively cavernous when fully utilized. Sometimes I only realize how much stuff I've put in there when I take it off the bike to carry it. Luckily they include a shoulder strap for those occasions.The waterproof cover fits like a glove whether you have both side panels out, or just one, or neither of them. And it folds up into it's own, integrated pouch, which fits perfectly into the mesh compartment on top of the Trunk bag, so it's always there when you need it.All in all, this package makes my commute to work completely hassle-free and I am very glad I bought all three items. Fantastic work, Topeak.

Good product for keeping your trunk bag dry in wet weather, just so you know, that the silver side is the outside of the cover, as I have found out.

This cover could stand to be a little longer for the side panniers. Biked the C&O Towpath over the course of 6 days. Things I liked - it did keep my bag dry. Things I didn't like - we had full pannier bags and while it covered the trunk well, it was a tight fit on the side panniers. Could stand a little more length to wrap under the panniers - with all of the pulling though - nothing ripped. Kept the mud off my bag with the exception of the undersides as another reviewer pointed out. I did not have fenders - my husband did and his cover didn't have the mud on it that mine had. All in all, a good item for the money - just wish it was slightly longer for the panniers when stuffed to the brim.

Used some Vaude panniers for close to 18 years, until the plastic latches gradually disintegrated, and this Topeak product was the replacement. Good stuff! Would have made the switch long ago had I been aware of how well the MTX Trunk Bag EXP works.Here's the deal: I'm a year round commuter in Central Oregon. Temps down to subzero occasionally, snow and ice fairly often in the winter (I run studded tires December to April), with 50-60 degree temperature shifts in 8 hours not unusual even in the summer. Meaning that I have to pack a fair amount of clothing to be ready to adapt. One side of the panniers holds all my rain/cold weather gear. The other I reserve for my work clothes. The top bag holds tools, spare tubes, tire changing kit, lock, wallet, lunch, cell phone.I like mating this with the Topeak rack, as with one push of a button the entire assembly slides off, so that I can carry it in to the office with me. Slides right back on at the end of the day. So far (a few months of use), no zipper problems, no glitches, no complaints whatsoever. I do 90 minutes of riding/day on my commute, on rough and pot-holed roads: nothing has shaken loose.The optional rain cover...I was afraid it would be a cheap gimmick. It's not. Slips on in seconds, works flawlessly, folds up into a tiny packet for stowing. I actually use it on snow and/or rain days, and am quite happy with it.

The Topeak MTX Trunk Bag is only moderately water-resistant, which makes this shell a must. I was not certain how water "proof" it would be... I chose this rig for my bikepacking trip as the current selection of dry bags that can go on a bike without a rack are very limited in carrying capacity. Regardless of the shell not completely covering the bags, I did not have any issues with water intrusion during the 2 short rain storms I rode through. Unfortunately, I cannot speak for how this will hold up in a deluge; the material itself is entirely water proof, so water from above wouldn't be a problem. Rather, because this cover fits over bags installed on a rack, I think the weak points would be where the trunk back mates with the rack in front, and potentially from road gunk splashing up from the rear wheel below the rack. Otherwise, the material was easy to use, and seems hardy.

When I needed it to cover my truck bag with the two extended outer panniers opened, this rain cover didn't work at all in covering the whole entire truck and opened panniers.

So.. the color is not yellow.. I figured it would be changed by now..I live in NM and have not had occasion to use it even though it is the "monsoon season".It's the color, man!Gerry