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Panniers: a guide to help you decide between the four panniers in our range.
Tailfin Panniers come in four sizes: 5L, 10L, 16L and 22L. They are designed to work as part of a wider system, not just as standalone bags. Paired with a CargoPack or SpeedPack, you can carry up to 27kg and 62L of kit in total; enough to get you across a continent, which plenty of Tailfin riders have done.
With us since we launched the first T1 Rack at the beginning, the 22L Panniers have undergone some small changes over the years, but remain one of the favourites among our customers.
5L and 10L Mini Panniers
The smaller 5L and 10L Mini Panniers are neat and versatile. They are the ideal choice when you want to travel light, thanks to their slim profile. They provide a little extra wiggle-room when it comes to packing space, when you don’t have enough kit to fill a larger Pannier. Shoes, jackets and cooking gear are good examples of these, as they can often be bulky and take up valuable space but are not necessarily heavy. The Mini Panniers are particularly popular for riders heading off-road, tackling single-track and gravel roads without budging.
Not only can they be used on the rear Rack, CargoPack and SpeedPack Systems, but they can be converted to Fork Packs, using our Conversion Kits too. It goes both ways, making them in keeping with our modular designs, which is a feature across many of our products.
Both the 5L and 10L Mini Panniers have a max weight limit of 8kg on-road and 4kg off-road.
16L and 22L Panniers
Our larger 16L and 22L Panniers are for the tourers, adventurers and commuters alike. There is often crossover in this community of Tailfin riders. Both of these sizes feature an optional Laptop Holster and Carry Strap, allowing your Pannier to serve the weekly shop or be your carry-on luggage when flying.
The 16L Laptop Holster can fit laptops up to 14 inches (230mm max width). The 22L Pannier Laptop Holster fits laptops up to 17 inches (320mm max width). We always advise you to carry your laptop in a protective case, too.
They share many of the same design features, but the 16L Panniers are more tapered towards the base of the bag. Both have a large weatherproof roll-top opening. They share a similar internal alloy frame design and the same hardware.
Equipped with an air valve, these Panniers are easily compressible, making the dreaded morning packing routine a bit easier.
Both the 16L and 22L Panniers have a maximum weight limit of 9kg for road riding and 4.5kg for off-road.
What do they share in common?
Most of the components shared by the bags are similar; for example, the same style of internal alloy frame and X-Clamp system are shared by all panniers. The X-Clamp provides a rock-solid attachment to the rack, resulting in a rattle-free ride over any terrain. The lower hooks are strong and flexible to keep your pannier secure and quiet.
The Pannier X-Clamp and Lower Hooks (5/10L) (16/22L) are also available as spares if you wish to replace them. Each Pannier comes with a set of Third Party Rack Inserts to fit it to a range of racks. Side-mounted buckles and T-Hook compression straps help to decrease volume and keep things streamlined with a featureless outer face.
Not only are the panniers secure, but they’re also quick to fit, taking seconds to attach so you can start your day’s ride without the hassle of complex attachment systems. We also include inserts to fit the panniers to third-party racks, and the Mini Panniers feature an angle-adjustable lower hook, ensuring the best fit.
All our panniers are made with a combination of 100% waterproof hypalon and ripstop nylon and are high-frequency, ultrasonically welded together. This ensures no water (or air) can get through those gaps. Whether you’re going to work or heading off for the weekend, your kit will remain dry.
How your pannier closes is your choice. They roll down from the top (2-rolls minimum to ensure waterproofing). Using the included T-Hook straps, you can clip them down the sides. Alternatively, clip the bags in on themselves, like you would a classic dry bag.
Style of riding
If you’re more likely to head out for short trips, overnighters, or just want to travel as light as possible, we would recommend the Mini Panniers. If you’re commuting, touring, or generally just need more space, then our larger Panniers would be an ideal choice.
With four bag sizes available, choose the one that matches the amount of kit you want to take. No one wants to be riding a bumpy track, hearing all of their cutlery clattering about in their bags.
