Topeak Model DXP Trunkbag Review

Face it; biking to work, school or running errands straight up rocks! But you know what does not, arriving at your destination with a soggy spot on your back from a poorly ventilated backpack.

Wearing a loaded backpack also tends to cause a lot of unneeded stress on my lower back. This is where I started the search for an alternative to carrying my stuff on my back. The one that most suited my needs was a type of pannier system. After a solid month of internet searches, and posting questions on forum walls I chose a model by Topeak: the DXP Trunkbag.

This heavy duty constructed bag has two side zippers that open to unveil panniers on each side, a true bonus for when you are out and find yourself picking up more than you planned, or when you just need to bring a lot of stuff to wherever you are going.

The capacity is 22.6 liters. This size has proven to be more than enough for me, even on days when I am hauling my laptop, power cord, coffee, school book, pad of paper and a snack. In fact, with such a load I can still make my way to the library and pick up a few of my reserved items as well. The size is great.

See how easily the shoulder strap can be put so that it does not have to be removed

As mentioned earlier it is a bummer carrying a large load on your back, and you are often limited to how much you can carry based on the weight. Never fear with this item, the only limiting factor to how much it can carry is the rack strength!

Attaching the DXP to a rack is so easy and convenient that anyone could do it without worrying about the ability of your lashing skills:

The attached rail on the bottom of the bag simply slides into the corresponding slot on the Topeak rack, and;

Then clips securely into place, making attachment pretty worry free.

I have been using this combo for three solid weeks of daily commuting and I have yet to notice any wobble at all. Once you clip this in it is there to stay, what a great idea.

The bag comes with a shoulder strap (which I leave attached to the unit for ease of use) as well as a movable internal dividing wall (mine is placed in the left of the image). The divider is great to keep items from moving around inside the bag. 

I bought the additional rain cover, which I have not had to use yet, but when I do I will update this.

The DXP on my Schwinn Trailway Commuter

I have nothing bad to say about this unit as of three weeks in. I am very happy with my purchase. Some reviewers say that they hit their feet on the panniers when they are extended, but I have not had this problem yet, if you have such a problem there is a good chance that a slight adjustment in the position of the the rack will remedy the situation.

Before using this system I used the Osprey Momentum backpack, but my load for school was getting heavier and heavier, I sweat too much and there was no room to pick anything extra after class. This trunk/ pannier set-up is definitely the way to go, now I can take supplier for class, extras to study and still have room for after/ pre class errands.

If you have any questions please ask, I will happily answer them as quick as I can.

Burn carbs not oil!
-J

Hot weather is great and all but...

I am done with it. I would much rather hike with the sound of crisp leaves underfoot and the faint wisp of wood smoke in the air that to constantly clomp through soggy humid trails with the thick smell of vehicle exhaust lingering for what seems like ever.

Michigan's Summer month's have two distinct characteristics: they are intense, but short-lived. While in recent years the warm weather has persisted until late September, the nighttime temps still dip to a tolerable range.

Everyone says that they love Summer, however you cannot deny that you equally love seeing that first turned leaf, or the first time you put on a jacket and actually need it, and how about those chilly rainy Sundays that seem to go for days; you cannot help but curl up, grab a book or movie and just enjoy those days.

I have been thinking of cooler times lately as I feel that they bring out the true scholar in me. Maybe it is just that I am programmed to associate school with the Fall, and thus my internal workings can feel the need to absorb knowledge that is coming around the corner. Lets hope that I can harness this scholarly feeling earlier than usual this year as I am now engaged in a year-round program.

Despite not enjoying this heavy weather, I am making the most of it; I am studying outside, leaving the windows open, smelling the fresh-cut grass, taking walks with Chelsea Marie, and enjoying seeing the exponential growth of my beloved plants. So the summer is not all bad :)

I will continue to look for the extraordinary in the everyday!

In other news the 2 mile challenge continues today; gonna rack up another 9 miles with my trip to school and back. If I am feeling ambitious I will also post a review of my new bike bag later on!

Chills me right out!

Stay cool friends.

-J

A little something to start the week

I have answered the call, I have accepted the challenge! The http://2milechallenge.com/ that is!

Clif bar (makers of delicious and nutritious snacks) will be awarding $100,000 in grants to non-profits that focus on educating and keeping people safe during smart commutes.

The challenge centers on the data that most of our trips are in the range of two miles or less, and by making these by bike we will not only reduce the amount of toxic material that we release onto the Earth, but we will also become healthier.

This is a great cause, and if you you have been biking for your short trips you should sign up and start logging your miles! If you have not been biking, but you have been thinking about it, this is a great reason to take that next step. Your actions will make a difference in so many ways. Please take the time to sign up.

And if your commute is simply too long or dangerous to make it by bike, then follow me at my profile: http://2milechallenge.com/profile/randomstream 

Give this a shot!

Have a great week.

-J

Practice Video Post: a quick trip.

On my way into Ann Arbor yesterday I decided to tackle the hill on Geddes, below you can see the video of how quick I got going by the end of it. Aside from a passing ambulance it was not too bad!

Enjoy my first video post:

The video is a little shaky, I am currently working on a better way to work it with less vibration, maybe I will mount it to my helmet, or try to find a gorilla pod, something to dampen the vibrations.

If you have any suggestions on how to mount it or any settings to change as far a video capturing go that would be great. I have an Olympus Stylus tough 8010HD.

More videos to come, Chelsea is going to roll up her sleeves and make a compilation with music and all of that jazz! Look for it soon.

-J

Pier fishing with "little" success

As a wrap up to last weekend's fun Chels and I made a trip to our favorite Lake Michigan beach: Portage Point.

This place holds many special memories and offers, what I believe to be, one of the most beautiful spots to access the big lake.

It was a blustery day for early June, but in an effort to do all that we wanted to do, nature be damned, we cast our lines regardless of conditions.

I was unsuccessful on the North Pier (we should have opted for the deeper water offered from the South Pier, next time) however Chelsea managed to reel in this whopper:

Tech Sweatshirts in June, Love Michigan!

Onekama's North and South Piers

Cryptic Messages on the porta-pottie walls.

-J

New Vehicle: All Decked Out.

I just wanted to share a few shots with you of my new commuter in all of its glory.

The bike is a Schwinn Trailway. The rack/ mounting system are Topeak MTX Series, and the Trunk/ Panniers are Topeak MTX Series DXP model.

So far I am very happy with the set-up. I have a few adjustments and reinforcements that I will be making to the panniers, and then everything will be set. I am still looking for some canvas thread for those though.

Slacking off this weekend

Weekdays are for serious things, meetings, studies, 9-5 commitments and things of that matter. Weekends however, are for fun, and doing whatever you want, or nothing at all!

Last weekend I decided to finally put my haberdashery of a slack-lining kit to the test.

It is nothing more than 40' or so of 1" orange webbing. It's not one of the professional kits, but I didn't really want to dump to much money into a kit before I found out if I liked it.

After watching videos of some guys just hopping on the line and spinning around I thought I was ready for action!

Boy was I wrong. This is a skill that will require some dedicated practice, but it is definitely an activity that I could really get into. The nice thing about it is that it is simple, gives your core a nice workout, does not take up too much space and keeps you outdoors!

We had it out at our bonfire and it was a great time, both for those who tried it and for those who watched us wipe out!

More practice is required, but I welcome it!

After I play around a little more I would like to get a real set up with a 4:1 mechanical advantage, some carpeting for the tree and anchors, but I am taking this one step at a time.

-J