Topeak MTX BeamRack Bicycle Rear Rack

This rack is very well built but the little rubber gaskets are extremely hard to install. I used a little WD40 to help the process and discovered that if you get the gaskets lined up and at least partially in place you can use the rack’s seat post adjustment lever to get them properly seated. But it takes time and patience!
The design could a a bit tweaked to make it easier to install the gaskets, but once they’re in the rack is very sturdy and worth the bruised knuckles and sore fingers. The slight upward angled design fits perfectly on my Trek 7200 Multitrack bike.

I have the Topeak rack for two years now and I did use it twice a week during this period, so good value for money.
The issue with the product is that the locking mechanism does degrade over time and mine start getting loose during ride earlier this week and when I tried to close it it fell on my rear wheel and took me down.
I think this isn’t the most secured rack out there and I’m going to get a more secured device since I learned my lesson in a painful way.

I received the rack yesterday and took it on a 53 mile ride today. The rack worked out well: it did not rotate on the seat post, and it held the DX Trunk Bag perfectly. The Type E beam rack is the right size for a Specialized “medium” frame size; it should work as well on similarly sized frames from other manufacturers also. I have mine all the way down on the seat post, and there is ample clearance below the rack for the rear tire.

While attaching this to my bike and taking it on a test ride last night, I discovered that when my left leg was at rest, the quick release lever was rubbing the inside of my thigh. While pedaling it was fine, but I worried that if I made frequent stops, it would start chafing. I could feel the other side slightly as well. I tried raising the rack higher, but that made no difference–it just rubbed at a higher point. I moved my seat slightly forward, and that did not help much either. What I do now is point the quick release lever almost straight up. It is not ideal, but since I do not want a permanently installed rack, this will do fine for now. There must be some other way they could design this system so it might not rub so much.

I will admit, however, that after having taken it on a 53 mile ride, I never noticed the clamp, but I was also pedaling most of the time. During the ride, the rack never shifted once. I did not have the bag loaded too heavily, but the rack felt very secure.

Getting that quick release lever closed is a chore, especially the first couple of times you use it. The rubber shims needed to be “set” properly. What I did was put some light oil on the underside of the quick release lever where it hits the cap it tightens against, and that helps slightly. Still, if you want your rack to stay put, you really need to crank down on that. I don’t see how an allen wrench can help, as with mine, the quick release lever rotates if you try to turn the bolt with the wrench.

Despite those little issues it is a well made rack, and the DX bag snaps in nicely. It is stronger than it looks, but do not exceed its weight limit. And use it only on a metal seat post–I could see it crushing a carbon fiber post easily.

I had one of these years ago and it was great… Just got this new one and it awesome as well. Be sure you understand that there are 3 types of this Beam Rack… the A style, the V style and the E style each are different for different uses.

La fixation sur le tube de selle téléscopique ne tient pas suffisamment.

Perfect Fit!
Thank you Topeak for this rack. I converted my road bike into fitness bike and this rack perfectly meets my needs for caring light weight either some groceries or yoga mat, beach towels and etc. It is extremely easy to install. I used thinner pads for my sit post size. It is light weight and of course match any of Topeack bags. The securing rope is easy to remove and use to secure things.
See pictures of my bike with the rack installed.

Had to order this rack as I needed the tire clearance for the rear wheel. Very sturdy and easy to switch from one bike to another. The matching bag fits really well and can withstand lots of bumps on a long commute.