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Topeak Explorer MTX Rack
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Topeak Explorer MTX Rack

Item # 697821

$32.00

Item qualifies for annual
REI Member Refund (typically 10%)

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With an integrated top plate, this rack allows quick mounting of specialty Topeak trunk bags.

  • QuickTrack™ mounting system allows easy and secure attachment to Topeak MTX-series trunk bags; just slide it on and it locks in place
  • 6061-T6 aluminum construction with 6061-T6 aluminum bracket, hollow aluminum tubes and stainless-steel hardware make it strong and lightweight
  • Integrated top fender offers protection from splashes
  • One size fits all frames

Imported.

Item 697821

Topeak Explorer MTX Rack Specs

Specification

Description

Average weight590 grams
MaterialAluminum 6061-T6

Topeak Explorer MTX Rack Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Topeak Explorer MTX Rack
 
4.0

(based on 29 reviews)

93%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Lightweight (21)
  • Durable (18)
  • Easy to use (12)
  • Versatile (10)
  • Adjustable (5)

Cons

  • Hard to install (3)
  • Hard to install or use (3)

Best Uses

  • Commuting (14)
  • Road bikes (11)
  • Mountain bikes (8)
  • Long rides (5)
  • City bikes (4)
  • Reviewer Profile:
  • Avid cyclist (12), Casual adventurer (11), Office professional (3)
  • Primary use:
  • Personal (6)

Reviewed by 29 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-10

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Nov

18

2008

(5 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

 
1.0

Not universal

By oldsurfdude

from Portland, Oregon

About Me Casual/ Recreational

Site Member

Pros

    Cons

    • Tough to Install

    Best Uses

    • Commuting

    Comments about Topeak Explorer MTX Rack:

    This rack did not fit my wife's cruiser. It is not really a universal fit. Check your frame before purchase.

    • Gift:
    • No

    (5 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

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    Oct

    21

    2008

    (5 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

     
    5.0

    Excellent engineering

    By PeterMVNelson

    from Aloha, Oregon

    About Me Retired

    Site Member

    Pros

    • Adjustable
    • Easy to install
    • Lightweight
    • Rugged

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Mountain Bikes
      • Road Bikes

      Comments about Topeak Explorer MTX Rack:

      Several prior reviewers said "difficult to install"
      It took me longer to find the tools and sort the parts than to install. Product is well designed. Four of the bolt holes were already on the bike and the STAINLESS screws fit perfectly.
      Note: you will need two sizes of metric hex keys and an 8 mm wrench for the nuts.

      Service and delivery comments:

      Delivery took longer than usual. Rack was shipped from East coast to Oregon. Worth the wait.

      • Primary use:
      • Personal

      Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

      (5 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

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      Dec

      17

      2008

      (4 of 12 customers found this review helpful)

       
      2.0

      not completely universal

      By toucan sam

      from Winston Salem, NC

      About Me Casual/ Recreational

      Site Member

      Pros

      • Durable
      • Lightweight

      Cons

      • Tough to Install

      Best Uses

        Comments about Topeak Explorer MTX Rack:

        I can take a car apart and put it back together again. But I could not mount this so called "universal" bike stand to my bike without fabricating a special bracket. My bike does not have mounting holes for such a rack. Some bikes do have frame mounted or brazed fittings for such a thing, and this rack would work fine. I am going to attack my problem with a different rack. I am going to say NO on the recommendation only to those who have bikes that were not designed to accept aftermarket racks.

        • Gift:
        • No

        Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

        (4 of 12 customers found this review helpful)

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        Sep

        14

        2007

        (4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

         
        5.0

        Great product!

        By Cyclist Nick

        from Alexandria, VA

        About Me Avid Cyclist, Long-distance commuter

        Pros

        • Accepts rear lights
        • Durable
        • Lightweight
        • Versatile

        Cons

          Best Uses

          • City Biking
          • Commuting
          • Mountain Biking

          Comments about Topeak Explorer MTX Rack:

          I have this rack in conjunction with a Topeak MTX bag, and it is excellent. It beats wearing a backpack on a 20-mile commute! Very lightweight, secure mounting, and it has a bracket on the back for a rear light. Said bracket is meant for a Topeak light, but I have a Blackburn Mars 3.0 that fits perfectly.

          More useful if you also have one of Topeak's MTX quick-release bags, but solid even without. Definitely a buy.

          Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

          (4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

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          May

          9

          2009

          (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

           
          4.0

          Works Great - After Installation

          By Gordo Tri-Sport

          from Cleveland, OH

          About Me Casual/ Recreational

          Pros

          • Easy to Use
          • Versatile

          Cons

            Best Uses

            • Commuting

            Comments about Topeak Explorer MTX Rack:

            I installed this on my wife's bike the other week. After reading another review here, it became clear that the connecting rods should be bent to get the rack to fit. After getting the picture everything was easy. The rack fits great. Just remember - it's OK to bend the rods.

            • Gift:
            • No

            Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

            (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

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            Feb

            18

            2009

            (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

             
            5.0

            Tough performer

            By mark h.

            from SE Michigan

            About Me Avid Cyclist

            Site Member

            Pros

            • Durable
            • Easy to Use
            • Lightweight
            • Versatile

            Cons

              Best Uses

              • Commuting
              • Long Rides
              • Mountain Bikes
              • Road Bikes

              Comments about Topeak Explorer MTX Rack:

              I purchased and installed this rack on my Fisher Marlin for the 2008 Michigander Bike tour this past July. I use it in combo with one of the mating MTX bags. Installation was simple (the Marlin has the appropriate braze-ons for the brackets). The rack is light and sturdy. When purchased, I imagined I'd use it just for the tour, then go back to my seat bag for my normal riding. I liked it so much, it stayed the back of the bike permanently. It has banged and bumped with me since, all over the roughest MTB trails in SE Michigan. No problems, check the screws once in a while, that's it. It is starting to show just a little wear, though, in the tracks where the mating bag slides to attach. I attribute that to the rough and dirty conditions I put it through. The bummer is I've upgrade to disc brakes now and the main mounting struts wont clear the caliper, so now I must purchase the more expensive version which fits disc brake bikes. If your bike has discs, be aware of this and purchase the right version.

              • Gift:
              • No

              Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

              (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

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              Jun

              11

              2008

              (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

               
              4.0

              pretty good

              By bfrombmore

              from Seaside, CA

              About Me Casual/ Recreational

              Site Member

              Pros

              • Durable
              • Stable

              Cons

              • Hard to Install or Use

              Best Uses

              • Mountain Bikes
              • Road Bikes

              Comments about Topeak Explorer MTX Rack:

              I use this rack for my daily school commute. It was a pain to install but well worth it. I use it with the MKX bag and the slide and snap on feature is awesome.

              Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

              (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

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              May

              15

              2008

              (3 of 8 customers found this review helpful)

               
              1.0

              Does NOT fit all frames

              By dreamgirl

              from Boston, MA

              About Me Casual/ Recreational

              Pros

                Cons

                  Best Uses

                    Comments about Topeak Explorer MTX Rack:

                    I am so disappointed in this rack. I bought a brand new Cannondale Comfort Feminine 4 bike last month and just tried to install this rack on it. There is just no way to do it; it simply does not line up with the mounting holes near the center of the rear wheel because the mounting bracket is too thick. "Fits all frames" is a false advertisement for this product.

                    Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

                    (3 of 8 customers found this review helpful)

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                    Dec

                    7

                    2007

                    (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

                     
                    4.0

                    Pretty good...

                    By JasonC

                    from Milwaukee, WI

                    About Me Avid Cyclist

                    Site Member

                    Pros

                    • Durable
                    • Easy to Use
                    • Lightweight
                    • Stable

                    Cons

                    • Hard to Install or Use

                    Best Uses

                    • Road Bikes

                    Comments about Topeak Explorer MTX Rack:

                    This is a solid rack. I use it with a Topeak bag which makes it that much better. For some reason I found it took a little more effort to install than expected, but it was manageable. One problem I had is with the tail light clip. I figured I could clip on my Blackburn Mars 3.0 light, but that fell off after less than 4 miles. The only other problem is with how it fits on my Trek Pilot 1.0. The bag butts up about 1cm too close to my seat. The end result is the top of the bag hits the seat and gets pushed back a little bit.

                    Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

                    (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

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                    Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

                    Jul

                    14

                    2009

                    (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

                     
                    4.0

                    Great Rack!

                    By Daddy Dan

                    from San Clemente, CA

                    About Me Avid Cyclist

                    Site Member

                    Pros

                    • Durable
                    • Easy to Use
                    • Lightweight
                    • Versatile

                    Cons

                      Best Uses

                      • Commuting

                      Comments about Topeak Explorer MTX Rack:

                      This rack gets the job done. I attach a Topeak MTX Office Bag to the rack and commute 12 miles roundtrip to/from work. Looking forward to buying another Topeak MTX bag for weekend use. The bike shop had to install a custom piece to attach the rack to my seat post otherwise this component is a 5.

                      • Gift:
                      • No

                      Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

                      Images shared by Daddy Dan

                      Ready to roll!

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                      Tags: Using Product, Picture of Product

                      (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

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                      Displaying reviews 1-10

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