Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Fixed or Removable: A Guide To Help You Decide.
Rack, CargoPack or SpeedPack? This is one of the most frequently asked questions we get here at Tailfin. It’s not surprising that the initial answer we give is almost guaranteed to be the same for every inquirer, ‘It depends on many factors, but mainly what you use your bike for‘. While this might seem like a blanket, vague, and all-inclusive ‘answer’, it is meant to get you thinking about what it is you wish to get out of any potential Tailfin purchase. After all, we want you to be completely satisfied that you have chosen the perfect setup to meet your needs.
Fixed Vs Removable – The Key Differences
On the surface, they look very similar. Mainly because they sit at a similar angle, attach in similar ways, and when the CargoPack or SpeedPack Rack Top Bags are mounted, they almost hide the top stay/top deck of the Racks.
The crucial difference lies in how you use the bags. The Removable Systems are comprised of two parts:
- The Racks (made of carbon or alloy), which have a top stay/top deck to complete the structure
- The Rack Top Bags (CargoPack or SpeedPack), which sit on this top platform.
The Rack Top Bags can be mounted and removed from the Rack in a matter of seconds, leaving the rack in situ on your bike.
The Fixed system comprises a CargoPack or SpeedPack bag attached to a carbon or alloy arch. The bags in our fixed systems make up the top part of the ‘rack’, so to speak. These fixed systems have fewer parts, and hence are the lighter option – but you have to take the whole Bag and Arch with you if you want to remove the system from your bike.
Right: Removable CargoPack on the Journey Rack
Right: Removable SpeedPack on the Journey Rack
Fixed or Removable – How To Decide What’s Best For You
Versatility
Do you want a Tailfin system that you can use for everything, from carrying the shopping, commuting to work and also bikepacking?
Yes? A Rack is for you. Choosing a Tailfin Rack system accesses the most versatile combinations we produce. You can choose exactly how you carry your luggage with a rack. As it consists of a base framework, you can opt to fit any combination of Rack Top Bag and side Pannier bag, including fitting Third-Party side pannier bags using our Adaptors.
As the bags can be removed in a matter of seconds, this choice should appeal to those riders who want the convenience of being able to take the bag/s with them when arriving at the office, accommodation or supermarket.
Riding style
Are you buying the system mainly for off-road bikepacking or touring?
Yes? A CargoPack or SpeedPack is for you. The CargoPack is designed to be the simplest and most user-friendly of all Tailfin systems. Think of it as the most stable and secure seatpack-style bag you could ever fit to your bike. It has a less intricate system than Tailfin Rack and Rack Top Bag combos, which makes it lighter and provides complete reliance when off-road. As an additional benefit, because the bag is an integral part of the structure, noise and rattle are eliminated when really pushing the boundaries of where you can explore.
Tarmac vs off-road
Will you be using the system off-road for your adventures?
If your riding keeps mainly to the roads and light gravel, the demands on your bike and luggage-carrying options are significantly different to those imposed if you spend a lot of your time on rough gravel or more serious tracks and trails.
Smooth(ish) surfaces normally provide minimal problems for your choice of setup, meaning all Rear Systems are suitable choices here.
If you plan on venturing off-road via a gravel bike or mountain bike, then one thing to consider is that the CargoPack and SpeedPack’s fully integrated designs and use of fewer component parts are less susceptible to rattling and have fewer dirt-trapping areas than their Rack counterparts.
That being said, the Alloy Journey Pannier Rack is our newest addition to our Rear Systems family and is well-suited to all disciplines. In contrast to the Carbon Pannier Rack, the Journey Rack can be used off-road even with the Removable Rack Top Bag. The round tubes of the top deck rails of the Journey Rack are kinder on the connector parts, ensuring a rattle-free ride.
Capacity needs
How much do you want to carry and how do you want to carry it?
The amount of kit you can carry on your Rear System is dependent on the bag choice and terrain you’ll be riding.
The 18L CargoPack and 22L Panniers give you the highest carrying capacity of 64L for both the Fixed and Removable Rear Systems. This equates to a maximum of 27kg when using the Carbon Pannier Rack and 32kg when using the Alloy Journey Pannier Rack (maximum 12kg on the Top Deck using the Gen 2 CargoPack and 9kg when using the Gen 1 CargoPack).
When running this as a Fixed CargoPack system, the maximum load rating is also 27kg for both carbon and alloy versions. All our weight limits are for road riding and light gravel. When riding off-road, reduce this maximum load rating by 50%.
If you want to use your own bags on the Rack, then choose the Alloy Journey Pannier Rack. You can mount your own bags/items on the Top Deck. The top deck maximum load rating of 12kg (with pannier mounts) and 10kg (without pannier mounts). If you’re mounting third-party panniers directly to the top deck, then stay within the total top deck load limits.
Weight vs versatility
If you plan on undertaking an ultra-distance race, want to do some fast touring on your road bike, or simply want the lightest Tailfin setup we produce, then you need to go for a SpeedPack – it’s smaller 10L capacity means you can take just the essentials, and it is lighter than the heavier CargoPack bag and Rack systems. The SpeedPack is made to go fast and stay light.
Security
Popping into a shop or leaving your bike locked up at the station? We’ve got you covered. Each CargoPack and SpeedPack system allows you to ‘lock’ your system to your bike. For most models, this is done using a Security Torx Set to secure the Fast-Release Dropouts to your axle or Frame Mount Adaptors. For the newer Journey Rack, though, this is done at the seatpost connector with a security screw.
Modularity
If you’ve got this far and you’re still not sure, the good news is that all of our systems are modular – meaning the Fixed and Removable Rear Systems share a lot of the same parts. For an in-depth run-through, you can read our Modularity blog.
If you need extra help or have more questions on compatibility, contact our Customer Service team.
