Topeak

Highest quality from Germany

Since its founding, the Koblenz-based company Topeak has set itself one goal above all: to manufacture practical bike equipment of high quality. The Koblenz-based company's philosophy sees bike riding as a unique experience, from the perfect descent in the summer sun to the makeshift patching of tires in pouring rain.

To optimally support such an experience, the company relies on precisely manufactured bicycle equipment made of the most modern materials. Through this focus, Topeak has managed to establish itself as one of the leading brands worldwide in several sub-sectors of bicycle accessories at once, including:

• Bicycle clothing,
• Bottle cage systems,
• Baskets and bags,
• bike pumps and assembly stands

The luggage rack sector deserves special attention. Here the company comes up with some of the most flexible designs in the entire industry.

All Topeak models are made of high-quality aluminum and thus convince with particular robustness and torsional stiffness. Thanks to the modern material, the weight of the carriers is usually much lower than one would assume at first glance at the solid designs.

Which carrier for MTB?

Mountain bikers, especially those with Fullys, will not be happy with the traditional luggage carrier form, but here due to the frame shape usually prohibits the installation in the traditional way. To get around this problem, Topeak offers so-called Beamrack bike racks. These consist of a luggage carrier with angled carrier bar, which is attached to the seat tube via a quick release at the rear. This ensures a safe distance between tire and carrier at all times.

The attachment of loads to a Topeak luggage carrier is just as easy as the original assembly. The Koblenz-based company has its own fastening system called MTX (RX for road bike luggage carriers in lightweight construction). Via the QuickTrack rail integrated into the luggage carrier, the bags, bottles and baskets also offered by Topeak are simply attached and snapped into place.

Alternatively, however, all Topeak luggage carriers and Beamrack variants for the bike can be subsequently equipped with a corresponding spring flap. The advantage of this mechanism, in which the load placed on the carrier is held in place by a spring-loaded flap, is its great flexibility without the need for specific MTX luggage. However, the positioning of the luggage here wants to be well thought out, because for a completely secure fit without slipping during the ride, the MTX system is clearly superior.

What to consider when choosing a luggage carrier?

Anyone interested in a Topeak carrier should consider the structural conditions of his bike. In addition to the question of whether a Beamrack or a normal carrier is preferred, there is in particular the question of the installed brake. Who has installed a disc brake on the rear wheel, should make sure here either to use a Beamrack, or to install a specially marked as "Disc" variant luggage carrier. These models are manufactured with particularly wide support struts and accordingly leave enough space for common disc brake models.