Tailfin Rack and Aeropack bike packing system: a review

[@MrGrenadeMcBoom]

Tailfin makes a long top stay for us short folks that get the whole bag behind the saddle in order allow you to get more in it without having to worry about the saddle height.

[@TheVorst]

Hi Julian, what is missing in your review is the optional longer extender. It cost 10 Euro extra. It helps to put the bag more backwards, so your bag would not be stuck tied under your saddle. I would say, it could kill 90% of your complains about the AeroPack.

[@davidburgess741]

I've got the traditional bike touring setup. It's easy to just use one 40 liter pannier. Ortlieb handlebar bags have an excellent mount and good security. I can go up to 4 panniers and a Bob trailer. Thus equipped, it rides like a freight train! I've got it, don't need bike packing. Slick tires also don't jam up with sticky mud between mud guards, a tradeoff.

[@MikeSmith-qu5ew]

Thanks, I travel in town with a bag attached to the back of the set, seems to work but less stuff. I used to use a seat post attachment and skewer attachment to put on a light metal rack that attached to the skewer area the same way. Two top attachments to the seat post, and two also at the skewer. That seemed to work fine but now I just get lighter things in town so the bag on the back of the seat is fine. Yet for your bike ride the choice you made is much better for you were taking more stuff. I also use tape to protect the carbon frame. The problem with the metal rack for me was the seat post attachment,its a seat post clamp that only is on the post with two connections for rack. The carbon needed to be protected from the metal attachment carbon seat post clamps would be better.

[@nickgoogle4525]

Very good review, thanks a lot. I was thinking about just buying the bag and attaching it to a Tubus Vega rack, but maybe that is not a good idea and I just should use a normal dry bag. What I like about the AP20 bag is that you have a solid base and easily can access the bag, while it is mounted on the bike.

[@atopdesigner]

Good informative and balanced video. I've watched Tailfin since its launch and it certainly does something that no one else does. The racks look great - the bag to me looks like a compromise where it's wedged under the saddle, which means you can't open it without taking it off. The side zips are blocked by the cross straps. The traditional pannier rack still has a lot going for it.

[@JulianHutchings]

Good points Tim , which I missed!

[@atopdesigner]

@@JulianHutchings Interesting that all the publicity photos show the bag sitting with plenty of room under the saddle (ie with next to nothing in it), I'll take a Tortec rack and a 15l waterproof Lomo bag for (£65 for both) any day!

[@ajn2370]

I can get mine open without taking it off the bike. It doesn't look as if Julian would be able to in this case though.

[@andrew87C]

you have the short length attachment piece to the seat post. They do a longer version which moves the bag back and looks like you need that. The long attachment piece is recommended for small frames as there is not much space under the seat

[@Flintynicknacks]

I’ve only ever used the side zip as a sort of ‘valve’- open a smidge, squash down, zip up. I made an extender with £4.99 worth of drilled steel thingys. I did slightly resent having to do it though- given the cost!!

[@jasboehlke]

Thankfully they have security screws vs quick release, adds a bit of security but I will definitely secure bike through rack when bike packing.

[@PaulBrown-rb7vb]

Great wee video mate. I will be trying this out myself as the weather improves.👍🏻

[@michaelbattin6717]

very well done! thank you.....when you talked about the negatives you mention size but forgot to mention the extension that are offered. With that said you really helped me in my decision.

[@YuriyKulikov]

Thank you for this review. Very thorough and it helped me a lot to make up my mind about the Aeropack.

[@glencunningham5400]

I've been planning on getting a Tailfin setup. They now have the option of pannier mounts in both the carbon and Al alloy versions. And they now have an extended top stay option to put the bag further back if you have a problem with it wedged under the seat. I'm getting a new bike and have to see how much space is there between the seat and frame, but they generally recommend the extended rack for people with smaller frames or a drop post that prevents the rack from being mounted down further. Many bikes have more sloped top tubes than your steel framed bike, so they may have a longer length of exposed seat post to attach the rack to and have a bit more room. I am also concerned with how easy it is to steal the removable bag (they have non-removable ones that are integrated with the frame). But then I realize that most alternatives such as panniers or backpacking saddlebags are pretty quick to remove too. I suppose if I were concerned about a particular location I could just pop the bag off and bring it in the cafe or store.

[@MK-rn2hm]

I am still in shock that you went to France when you had clearly said you weren’t going anywhere when you were testing your backpacking gear. I will do the same to you.

[@JulianHutchings]

English humour MK.

[@fontpartners1695]

Thank you very much for a nice review. Much appreciated!

[@mortifer07]

Hi what's the maximum total height this big can be when it is fully folded and safely close to stay waterproof ? I'm planing to use to carry my laptop, but not sure it will be enough height... Thank you very much :-)

[@richardhudson2552]

These guys would appear to have a wonderfull product. We live in NZ and went to website to purchase. The prices were in $NZ and we were then charged in $Aus. When we complained no acknowledgement or apology. We cancelled the transaction and were refunded 3.5% less than we paid. Beware the FX rates charged are extortionate.

[@micks61]

A good review, and highlighted a couple of drawbacks that other KZbinrists failed to mention. I still like the whole idea though, and although a bit pricey, would buy a Tailfin set up if I needed one. It just seems a lot better for bikepacking than those socking great bags that hang off your seat post and sway about like a caravan in a crosswind. Only thing I was left wondering after watching your review was rear light accommodation, something I wish bag manufacturers would pay more attention to! Oh, by the way... the bike needs a good clean Mr Hutchings - standards man, standards!

[@JulianHutchings]

You're right Mick - I actually meant to mention about the light fitting, but forgot. There isn't one, although you can buy something to fit a light. You can also buy an extension if your saddle is too low. Frankly, I think they should be included - I dislike the idea of buying something, and then having to buy something extra to make it work properly. It's like buying a suit and then paying extra to have it altered.

[@micks61]

@@JulianHutchings Well I wouldn't know about buying a suit! But yes, it should be basic stuff really for the designers to consider - if the bag is going to slide under the seat then low seats need to be accommodated, and likewise rear lights, most of which seem to be seat post mounted these days, so a mounting point on the bag, or rack, would seem to be an important requirement. Spending more to do these things, or bodging something yourself, really shouldn't be necessary.

[@tiger2too18]

“Good quality stuff is never going to be cheap”. Completely agree, this should last 10 + years etc. For shopping use the panniers as well as the top bag.

[@ilFreg]

Hello Julian, thanks for. your review. Do you think this rack can be mount on a vintage racing bike?

[@JulianHutchings]

Don’t see why not - there are 3 fixings: at the seatpost and then to the axles or mudguard fixings.

[@n22pdf]

Great review Julian.. some very useful info :)

[@atopdesigner]

How would you rate the Secan against the Definition in terms of comfort on the road? I have a Def 1, increasingly tempted by a Secan.

[@JulianHutchings]

Good question - the Secan is more comfortable but the Definition is lighter and sportier. I was actually thinking of selling my Secan because I have an Orbea Terra which is a carbon gravel bike. The Secan is a bit overkill for what I use it for; the current version has mounts on the front fork which mine doesn't.

[@atopdesigner]

@@JulianHutchings I've ordered a Redshift stem to try - cheaper than a new bike, for now anyway!

[@markcowen9538]

Good review and interesting product. But can’t really see the benefits of this over a traditional rack system at half the price. Seems like more of an aesthetic thing, or for bikes lacking traditional fixing points, unlike your rather nice steel stead.

[@Robutube1]

Did Tailfin ever get in touch with you regarding the issues you highlighted in this very fair review?

[@JulianHutchings]

No

[@juanandresparis5420]

A nice Bag

[@petercallaghan4718]

Thanks for entertaining videos. Sorry to be a smarty pants, but why not place the camera on a tripod and then you have “hands” (as Max Bygraves used to serenade us with)? Or buy a Moulton bike, with front and rear racks and dedicated bags and full suspension (I don’t work for them or do bicycle touring).

[@fisharefriends598]

It looks nice but def not a budget option

[@kasperpaisa4245]

It's overpriced