Topeak MTX Beam Rack E Type

The Topeak MTX Beam Rack E Type is a robust, affordable and simple solution if you need extra carrying capacity on your bike and aren't able to fit a standard rack.

It's quick and easy to attach to your seatpost and offers a 9kg load capacity. That may not match the 25kg maximum load that I have on my touring panniers, but it makes this a viable option for commuting and longer day rides. Used in conjunction with a bar bag and frame bag, this could easily be part of a luggage setup for lightweight bikepacking adventures and credit-card touring. Check out our guide to the best bikepacking bags for ideas.

The quick-release (QR) system means it attaches to your bike in seconds. It comes with two different sized shims to ensure a snug fit on a range of seatpost sizes.

When it's securely fastened, you simply slide your chosen Topeak MTX bag onto the QuickTrack rails until the plastic locking system clicks into place. The rail-and-lock combination will ensure your luggage stays where it should, no matter how hard you ride or how rough the terrain.

> 15 easy ways to carry stuff on your bike

There are three different MTX Beamrack options depending on the size of your bike, so it's worth selecting carefully. The A Type is designed for smaller frames, the V Type for larger bikes, and this E Type for medium frames.

There is also the option of a more affordable MTX Beamrack EX for £46.99 but it's limited to a lighter 7kg load capacity.

Fitting the rack

Out of the box, the E Type feels well engineered and suitably robust. Its two different shims fit into separate 'triangle' and 'circle' fittings, and it comes with a large rear reflector that can be swapped out for one of two light fittings.

There are two bungee straps that run the length of the rack that could feasibly secure a medium sized roll bag or small daypack. That might be useful for short journeys, but won't offer you the stability and security of Topeak's own proprietary luggage with its QuickTrack locking system.

The company says: "QuickTrack is an ingeniously simple attachment system which allows our TrunkBags to interface securely to an MTX or RX rack. Simply slide your TrunkBag forward in the track until it locks in place. Push the release button and your TrunkBag slides off the track and goes with you."

And this brings us neatly to problem number one. Buy this rack and you are locked into the Topeak luggage range. That isn't a massive problem, because the company produces excellent kit, but it should be a consideration before you commit.

I paired this one with an MTX Trunk Drybag (full review to come) that offers 12L of storage, some handy side pockets and, most importantly for this review, a shoulder strap.

My first test ride came on a morning commute on my old Specialized Langster. I am happy to leave the bike locked outside a station, but with the QR clamp, I wasn't going to leave this rack attached to the bike. It's just too easy to remove, and it possibly has a higher street value than my battered fixie.

So I simply unclamped it with the bag still in place and used the shoulder strap to carry both onto the train, doing my best not to wallop it into fellow commuters. On the way home, it wasn't so easy to attach to the bike with a loaded bag already in place but it was satisfying to have the rear light already where it needed to be.

Topeak suggests this rack is a good option for commuting, but then you need to select your luggage wisely. If you carry a laptop or anything substantial for work you would need to buy something with sufficient capacity, such as the MTS Trunkbag DXP.

And if you do this, you probably need to invest in an additional pair of MTX Dual Side Frame pannier supports, another £32.99, although they are available for less if you hunt around.

I quickly stopped using this on my commutes and switched back to a rucksack, for all the reasons outlined above. But I was keen to test it on longer days out.

Longer distance day rides

I used a similar Topeak system in 2015, when I was tackling my first two-day ride. I had a Trek road bike that had no available rack mounts and I needed to carry enough kit for a 600km route. I used it with a Topeak trunk bag with side panniers and it performed brilliantly.

Switching the new MTX Beam Rack E Type to my audax bike, it was clear that a different seatpost required a little more tightening. As I descended my first hill, centrifugal force saw me emerge from a tight corner with the rack at a 30-degree angle. So I had to stop and tighten the bolt more than I had realised.

And on this bike, the QR clamp started to rub against the inside of my thigh and needed a bit of fettling to get it into a better position.

When I got to my first stop, I struggled to open the clasp on my bag, as it was positioned right under the saddle and there was little hope of getting my fingers in the right place to unlock. So I ended up having to slide the bag back on the rack's rails and then click it back into place when I'd found what I needed. It was a bit of a faff, but not a deal-breaker.

I alternate between 56cm and 58cm bikes and would probably have found this easier with a V-Type rack designed for larger frames. But one of the joys of having a QR system like this is that you can easily swap it between bikes. And in my house, it has been used by everyone in the family, from my wife's commuter to teenagers' mountain and road bikes. We found that it worked well on a good range of frame sizes.

And I couldn't fault the stability and comfort that comes with this carrying system. When you've got it tightened and in place, it really doesn't move. There's no wobble when you're out of the saddle and hauling yourself up a hill. You don't hear any rattling or vibrations – everything stays exactly where it should be. I'd happily shift to this as my regular luggage system for longer days out and multi-day rides.

Value for money

I originally thought that buying Topeak's rack system was an expensive way to get a rear carrier. Compared with the Carradice Bagman (£42) support and 9L Carradice Super C Audax (£78) combination that I normally use, paired with the trunk bag on review (£84.99) it does come out slightly more, but the Ortlieb Quick Rack that Suvi reviewed on off.road.cc – which she thought was an 'excellent temporary option for carrying a decent amount of cargo' – costs £100. It isn't as quick to set up as the Topeak, though it does allow you to fit panniers.

Competition at the prestige end comes in the form of a Tailfin Alloy Rack, with prices starting at £140. When Mike reviewed it for off.road.cc he said it was the 'last word in being adaptable, light, fast and practical'. The decision here comes down to your aspirations and the state of your bank account.

But the Topeak does struggle to compete in terms of value for money when you compare it with the Elops Seat Post Pannier Rack 500 that costs just £24.99 and scored 9 in our recent review. When Simon reviewed it, he found that this system worked with a host of panniers and trunk bags, and it even comes with detachable side frame pannier supports. Honestly, if I was going to invest my money anywhere it would probably be with the Elops setup, though the Topeak might still be a better buy if you value the ability to switch quickly and easily between bikes.

For a more cost-effective approach, you could buy a rear saddlebag like the Zefal Z Adventure R11 that I reviewed last year, for £67.99.

Conclusion

While I don't think the MTX Beam Rack is ideal for commuting, it's a great choice if you need occasional carrying capacity on a range of bikes that don't have scope for standard rack and pannier setups. It's also worth considering if you want a rack that allows you to carry kit for bigger days out – for credit-card touring, audaxes and bikepacking adventures. It's solid, stable, easy to use and can unlock a world of more adventurous riding.

Just remember that you need to add on the price of a Topeak bag and potentially the MTX Dual Side Frame pannier supports if you opt for one of the larger bags with collapsible side panniers.

> Best bike pannier bags and pannier racks

> Cycling luggage for beginners

Verdict

Good easy-to-fit option that opens up more adventurous riding to people who can't fit standard racks