Complete Guide to Rack Bags

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Introduction to Rack Bags

Racks and bags for the ultimate racing and bikepacking adventures or simple day-to-day commutes. Beautiful, lightweight, and easy to use. Rack bags are the product category which includes all bags that attach to our Rear Systems; the Tailfin Rack and AeroPack.

The Complete Video Guide to Rack Bags

The AP20 Trunk Top Bag

AP20 – what is it?

The AP20 Trunk Top Bag is designed to work seamlessly with our Carbon and Alloy Racks. While some companies only design bags and others only design Racks, we do both – this results in a bag that fits securely in seconds.

What are the features?

Like all our bags it is 100% waterproof, made from a mix of hypalon and ripstop nylon. This means, no matter what the weather, your kit will be dry when you get to your office or campsite. As the name implies the AP20 has a 20 litre capacity, take a look at our packing guide for an idea of how much you can carry in it. The large roll top opening also ensures the bag is easy to pack and access – no more stuffing kit into a small seatpack. Twin compression straps also help to hold everything in place as well as providing extra carrying capacity on top.

The AP20 has an additional side pocket for storing essentials whilst on the other side a weatherproof zip allows access into the main compartment for grabbing items without needing to open the bag fully (handy when the rain starts and you need to put a jacket on). We’ve also included reflective lines(?) On the rear of the pack and slots for clip-on rear lights too.

How much can I carry?

The Top Bag has a 20L capacity and can carry up to 9kg (on-road riding). See our Packing Guide for an idea of what’s possible to fit inside the bag.

22L Panniers – UD and SL

What is the 22L UD Pannier?

Compatible with our Racks and AeroPacks, the UD Pannier is the perfect companion for the long distance traveller, everyday commuter or the rider that places durability over any weight saving.

How much can it carry?

The pannier has a 22L capacity and can carry up to 9kg (on-road riding). See our Packing Guide for an idea of what’s possible to fit inside the bag.

Ultra Durable vs Super Light – what’s the difference?

The UD22 Ultra Durable Pannier Bag has the same 22 litre capacity and opening system as the SL22 Pannier, but is made from a thicker rubberised material and also has additional reinforcing on the outer edges to shrug off scrapes. It shares the same internal alloy frame and is also capable of carrying a 17” laptop. Like the SL22, the UD22 also ships with an additional, removable inner pocket and spacers to fit third party racks.

The UD22 Pannier is 100% waterproof, with all seams welded to keep the contents dry. We’ve included reflective stripes on the sides to aid with visibility and slots for a clip-on light too. In 2021 we updated the panniers to include an air-release valve and this allows you to expel air as you pack to reduce the bag’s volume.

As with our other panniers we use our tried and tested X-Clamp to fit the bag in seconds. Once closed the clamp ensures a rattle-free ride, no matter what the terrain.

The SL22 Super Light Pannier Bag is ideal for road riders and fast tourers looking for additional storage while not wanting to compromise on speed. The connections on the back of the pannier are designed to work with our Racks & AeroPacks.

If you’re unsure which 22L pannier is best for you, see the product comparison guide.

Which features do the bags share?

The bag shares many of the same design features as the UD22 with a large weatherproof roll-top opening and a 22-litre capacity. Side-mounted buckles and compression straps help to decrease volume and keep things streamlined with a featureless outer face. It might be stripped down in terms of weight (it weighs 120 grams less than the UD22 bag) but is still capable of carrying a 17” laptop and also includes a removable inner pocket.

The SL22 Pannier is 100% waterproof, with all seams welded to keep the contents dry. We’ve included reflective stripes on the sides to aid with visibility and slots for a clip-on light too. In 2021 we updated the panniers to include an air-release valve and this allows you to expel air as you pack to reduce the bag’s volume.

As with our other panniers we use our tried and tested X-Clamp to fit the bag in seconds. Once closed the clamp ensures a rattle-free ride, no matter what the terrain.

The pannier has a 22L capacity and can carry up to 9kg (on-road riding). See our Packing Guide for an idea of what’s possible to fit inside the bag.

5L / 10L Mini Panniers

What are Mini Panniers?

The Mini Panniers are a perfect addition to any Rack or AeroPack setup for bikepackers who want to carry some extra kit, but don’t need the capacity of our 22L bags. They are available in 5L and 10L sizes.

Core Features

The Mini Panniers use the same precision-engineered X-Clamp that is seen on our larger 22L Panniers. The clamp is designed to work perfectly with our Racks and AeroPacks and ensures a rock-solid connection with zero noise or rattles. Fitting the panniers is intuitive and takes a matter of seconds – all this means more time enjoying the ride and less time worrying about your kit. We also include spacers to use the panniers with other brands of racks.

As with all our bags, the Mini Panniers are 100% waterproof with all seams welded to prevent any water ingress. This means you can travel with them no matter the weather and be confident your kit will be dry inside when you finish the day’s ride.

When bikepacking some riders want to fit as much kit as possible into their bags and others want to carry extra items too. For this reason all Mini Panniers include two pairs of T-Hooks which offer additional packing options for your rides. Either compress the bag smaller by using T-Hooks vertically on the sides of the bag or carry extra items by fitting them horizontally. Carry the T-Hooks with you on your ride and you’ll be ready for any eventuality.

For an in-depth look at the Mini Panniers, see our blog post here

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