You may be fortunate enough to own a few different bikes, or perhaps you’ve recently switched bikes – so what about your Tailfin kit?

Note: This guide references our AeroPack, now available as the CargoPack system or as part of our modular Pannier Rack range

The good news is that all our Rear Systems are designed to fit 99% of bikes on the market, so switching should not be an issue. Below are some example scenarios;

I’m switching from a bike with QR axles to one with a Thru Axle

Disc brakes now dominate the bike industry, and any new bike is likely to feature these. The majority of disc brake bikes use a 12mm diameter Thru-Axle, so you will require a new Tailfin Thru-Axle to continue using your Rack, CargoPack or SpeedPack.

Use our Axle Guide to find out which axle is required for your bike and simply install the new version when it arrives.

I’m switching from one bike with a Thru Axle to another

You may already have a Tailfin Thru-Axle from your original order. Unfortunately, this does not guarantee you can continue using the same axle on your new bike. The bike industry has not agreed on a single axle standard, so different bikes may use axles with different thread pitches (put simply, the pitch of a thread is the distance between two threads on an axle). Some manufacturers use the same pitch on all their bikes, some choose different pitches on different models, and some change the pitch on the same bike from one year to the next!

If you screw in the wrong axle on your bike, you risk damaging the axle and your bike’s frame too. For this reason, you should check your new bike using our Axle Finder and order a new axle if required. The Axle Finder will also let you know if your new bike might need additional adapters to make everything work.

If you have several bikes that use a Thru Axle, then our Universal Thru Axle is a great option. It includes the four most common thread pitches used on bikes, and with this one axle, you can switch the ends to use it between bikes.

If your new bike is designed with the new Universal Derailleur Hangar (UDH) specification, then you’ll also require one of our Universal Thru Axle (using the 1.0mm thread) and SRAM UDH/Transmission Adaptors. If your bike uses a non-SRAM UDH, then you’ll need to purchase this official SRAM UDH part, too, to fit your Thru Axle.

I’m switching from rack mounts to a bike without. What should I order?

Many bikepacking frames feature rack mounts for carrying luggage, but most road and MTB frames do not. If you originally purchased a Tailfin Rear System and fitted it to the frame using the rack mounts (bolting directly to the frame) or Frame Mount Adaptors, but now have a new bike without this mounting option, you can simply purchase a set of Fast Release Dropouts and relevant Tailfin Single Thru Axle or Universal Thru Axle. Attach the Fast Release Dropouts to your existing arch and install the new axle on your bike. You can now fit your Rack, CargoPack or SpeedPack.

You can read more on our Thru Axle Complete Guide, too.

I’m switching from Thru Axle mounting to frame mounting. What do I need?

Some bikes do not have the option for axle mounting. This is why we offer frame mounting. You can directly frame-mount the system to your frame, or use Frame Mount Adaptors. The advantage of using these is that when used together with Fast-Release Dropouts, your Rear Systems remain quick-release.

See our video guides to help with fitting and assembly below: