Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
A bike without eyelets? No problem.
Note: This guide references our CargoPack, formerly known as the AeroPack – part of our modular Pannier Rack and Rear Systems range.
When you think of a bike rack, the first thing that comes to mind is probably a piece of bent metal screwed directly onto a bike frame. For a long time, pannier racks only fitted certain bikes, leaving riders without mounting eyelets stuck with a seat pack as their only option. These often sway when you’re out of the saddle, over rough terrain, and are a hassle to pack.
At Tailfin, we think you should be able to tour, commute, or go bikepacking on any bike you want, without compromising on performance or damaging the bike. For this reason, we’ve designed equipment that can enable a standard road bike without eyelets or even a full-suspension bike into a bike ready for adventure. Simply put, no mounting eyelets? No problem.
How does it work?
Rather than relying on rack mounting eyelets (which not all bikes have), our Pannier Racks, CargoPack and SpeedPack connect to our precision-engineered rear axles. If your bike has a removable axle, you should have no issues using our Racks – that includes TT bikes and tandems (yes, we’ve fitted to both). To do this, remove the bike’s original QR or Thru Axle and replace it with the new Tailfin one – the Pannier Racks, CargoPack and SpeedPack, then connect to this. See this complete guide to our axles for more information. We also have a Complete Guide to our Rear Systems for more information on our Pannier Racks, CargoPack and SpeedPack.
Once the Tailfin axle is installed, it takes seconds to fit the Pannier Racks, CargoPack or SpeedPack. Indeed, many of our customers leave the axle installed all the time so they can mount and go – speeding up any mounting process. This is perfect for commuters and bikepackers alike!
What about carbon frames?
Our axles distribute your kit’s weight mostly through the rear wheel, not the frame – sparing your rack mounts or saddle rails from taking the load. This means you can carry up to 27kg (up to 32kg* for the Journey Pannier Rack*) on a carbon road bike that would otherwise struggle to carry any luggage at all, as they often come without mounting eyelets. Some bikes feature mounts to carry mudguards/fenders, which are not suitable for racks. This is another reason we recommend axle mounting above the other mounting options.
Not only does the Tailfin axle allow riders to transform their bike for bikepacking and commuting, but it also creates an incredibly stable attachment point for the Pannier Racks, CargoPack and SpeedPack – attaching in three places: either side of the axle and also to the seatpost. As a result, there is no sway when out of the saddle or on rough terrain, which you may experience with a traditional seat pack.
*32kg for the Journey Rack with Pannier Mounts only (12kg on the top deck, and 9kg on each side pannier mount).
How can I check my bike?
If you’re not sure if you can fit our products to your bike, which doesn’t have mounting eyelets, we have a useful Axle Finder Guide, which tells you which axle (and any required adaptors) that your bike needs to fit our Pannier Racks, CargoPack and SpeedPack. You can also contact us for more help, if needed, too.
