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Perform these checks to ensure a safe ride with your Tailfin kit.
Note: This guide references our CargoPack, formerly known as the AeroPack – part of our modular Pannier Rack and Rear Systems range.
You wouldn’t leave the house without checking your brakes or pumping up your tyres, right? The same should go for your Tailfin gear. These simple pre-ride checks will only take a few minutes of your time, but are essential to keep your gear secure and avoid any unnecessary issues during your ride.
Along with giving your bike the usual once-over, we recommend performing these checks on your Tailfin Pannier Rack, CargoPack or SpeedPack before every ride.
Pre-ride checks: every ride
1. Check your Seat Post Connector
With the seatpost connector aligned with the seatpost, connect the strap and ensure the strap tab is engaged; select the tab that provides a snug and secure fit. Avoid over-tightening the strap; the design of our Pannier Rack, CargoPack and SpeedPack is so stable that it doesn’t require the front connector to be done up too tightly, unlike a traditional seat pack. Push the lever and ensure the clamp is locked.
See our quick guide on how to correctly attach the Seat Post Connector.
2. Make sure your Dropouts are safe
Align the arch and check that the dropouts are positioned correctly on your axle. Ensure both sets of bushings are in good condition and correctly seated in the dropouts. Once aligned, close the dropouts and ensure that both pins are engaged and secure.
3. Ensure the Rack Top Bag is connected safely
Insert the bag nose under the Top Stay/top deck and align the rear connector pins with the Arch connector. Push the connector into place and release, ensuring the pins are fully engaged (you shouldn’t have any of the pins left showing). You can check that the bag is correctly seated by lifting the bike from the rear of the bag
4. Check the Top Bag closure and compression straps
Roll the bag from the middle of the bag and avoid unnecessary twisting of the rear and front strap buckles. In order to remain waterproof, the bag must be rolled closed 2-3 times. Check that both the direct access and stash pocket are zipped shut.
For the central compression straps, ensure the buckles are clipped together correctly and that any external cargo is cinched down. If you are travelling light or it’s going to be wet, we recommend crossing the compression straps to create an ‘X’ when looking down at the pack. This will prevent the straps from sliding during your ride.
Pre-ride checks: before a big trip
1. Check all bolts and screws
All Tailfin products now use Torx and Hex bolts, which are also common on most multi-tools. It’s important to check that all bolts are tightened correctly and that you follow the correct torque settings for each product (torque recommendations are available in our assembly guides). All of our bolts are supplied with pre-applied thread lock, preventing them from loosening over time. However, if your commute to work rattles your fillings out or you decide to cross a continent, we do recommend re-applying a thread locker such as Loctite 243 to prevent any parts from coming loose during your trip.
2. Take a test ride
Your bike has once again got you through yet another miserable few months of riding, and now you’ve dusted off your kit, ready to complete that 400k Audax, epic overnighter or ultra-distance race like the Highland 550. With this in mind, chances are it may have been some time since you’ve loaded up the bike and used your kit. If this is the case, we recommend packing your bike with everything you plan to carry and taking a test ride. This will allow you to identify any potential issues and get them sorted before your trip.
Tailfin Care
Modular design
Due to the modular design of our products, the good news is that all parts can easily be replaced or repaired. Before an upcoming trip, we recommend checking all parts for wear or damage. You can update your kit pre-trip, or you can choose to carry spare parts on longer rides. All spare parts are available on our Spares Page.
Care Replacement Service
You have spent months planning, packing and repacking, and you are finally going to be pedalling off into the unknown. Sadly, even the most prepared rider can have the worst happen to them and experience a failure or problem with their bike or kit. Fear not! If you have any problems with your Tailfin kit during your trip, contact our Customer Service team, and we will do our best to get you back riding as quickly as possible. If an issue is not fixable roadside, we will be on hand to provide expert advice and support. It’s not unknown for us to ship spares to hotels and random addresses in the most far-flung of places.
Warranty
Tailfin believes in making high-quality products that you can absolutely trust. For that reason, we guarantee all our products against manufacturing defects for several years from the date of purchase (please see our Warranty Page for more info). If your product fails due to a manufacturing defect, we will repair the product where possible and replace it when not.
Damage/Crash Replacement Policy
Sadly, no warranty within the cycling industry will completely protect you from damage caused by crashes, accidents or other mishaps. But if you are unfortunate enough to suffer a crash, we want to help you get back on the bike. If your Tailfin kit is damaged due to a crash, we will arrange a 30% discount for you on like-for-like replacement parts.
