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No rack mounts? No problem.
When you think of a bike rack, the first that comes to mind is probably a piece of bent metal screwed directly onto a bike frame. For a long time, this meant only some bikes were capable of fitting racks and if you wanted to go bikepacking or commute on a bike without these you were limited to a seatpack which swayed over rough terrain and was 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. For this reason, we’ve designed equipment that can transform a standard road bike or even a full-suspension bike into something ready for adventure. Simply put; no rack mounts? No problem.
How does it work?
Rather than relying on rack mounts (which not all bikes have), our Racks and AeroPacks 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). Simply remove the original axle and replace it with the new Tailfin version – the Rack then connects to this. For a deep-dive look at our axles, click here.
Once the axle is installed, it takes seconds to fit the Rack or AeroPack. Indeed, many of our customers leave the Tailfin axle installed all the time to speed things up further.
What about carbon frames?
An added benefit of using our axles is that the weight of your kit is spread through your rear wheel, rather than focused on one part of the bike – be that rack mounts for a traditional rack or saddle rails in the case of seatpacks. This means you can carry up to 27kg on a carbon road bike that would otherwise struggle to carry any luggage at all. It’s also the reason why we recommend fitting the Rack or AeroPack to our axles as the best option of all (not all frame mounting points can carry the same type of load and some are only intended for mudguards).
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 Rack or AeroPack – attaching in three places; either side of the axle and also to the seatpost. If you’ve experienced the tell-tale swaying of a seatpack, you’ll be glad to know this is eliminated with Tailfin Racks and AeroPacks.
How can I check my bike?
If you’re not sure if you can fit our products to your bike, contact our team or check our Reviews section to find other riders with the same bike. We have a guide to determine which axle is required too.
