Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
Introduction to the Rack System
Note: This guide references our AeroPack, now available as the CargoPack system or as part of our modular Pannier Rack range
What makes a Tailfin Rack unique?
The key differences between a traditional bolt-on rack and a Tailfin Pannier Rack are the way it attaches to the bike, the connections between the Rack and luggage and, last but not least, the aesthetics.
A standard rack typically requires dedicated mounting points to be fitted to the bike frame and isn’t compatible (without rudimentary adapters) with bike frames without the relevant threaded eyelets. A Tailfin Rack doesn’t require specialist mounting points to fit your bike as it uses the rear axle to mount. This makes it compatible with far more bikes, including lightweight road bikes and full-suspension mountain bikes. This means you can use your favourite bike for your daily commute or next bikepacking adventure – not something possible with traditional rack setups.
On top of the increased compatibility due to our mounting methods, a Tailfin Rack also features a quick-release design allowing it to be easily fitted and removed within seconds. This quick-release design uses tool-free mechanisms that provide the same level of attachment security as you would get with a bolt-on style rack.
Another advantage of a Tailfin Rack is that it has been designed to work in conjunction with a complete range of dedicated luggage, creating an entire bike luggage ‘ecosystem’. This symbiotic approach, rather than using separate, individual products, means that all the bags connect perfectly to the Rack. All our bags use dedicated mechanical mountings, ensuring a completely secure and rattle-free fit.
Finally, a Tailfin Rack has very distinctive aesthetics compared to a traditional rack. Consisting of the unique rear Arch and detachable top stay, it is far removed from the shape most people associate with a rear rack. This provides a more sympathetic outline that works well with all bikes, including high-end, sleek aero road bikes.
Video Complete Guide
What to choose, how to fit
The four Rack options
Our lightest Rack with the cleanest aesthetics for carrying smaller loads.
Carbon vs Alloy
This is purely down to weight and cost. The Carbon Rack is just as strong as the Alloy version (just ask our racers doing 2000+ km off-road MTB races).
The easiest way to decide which is better for you is to weigh up how much you wish to spend on the setup, and how much of a factor weight is to your objectives.
Bigger budget, high weight concerns = Carbon
Medium budget, low weight concerns = Alloy
The other main difference between Carbon and Alloy Racks is the triple bosses, which are on the Alloy version but not the Carbon. These allow you to run Cargo Cages with Cage Packs or water bottle cages, further expanding your carrying capacity.
Non-Pannier and Pannier-Mount Versions
We also offer a range of Pannier bags, specially designed to fit our Racks & Rear Systems, using our X-Clamp technology to offer a secure, robust, and rattle-free ride.
When selecting the options for your Rack, you’ll be asked to choose whether or not your Arch will have pannier mounts. It is not possible to add these onto the Arch later, so it’s important to decide now whether you’re going to want to use side panniers with your Tailfin setup in the future. The non-pannier version of the Arch is the sleekest and slimmest version, whilst the pannier-mount version allows you to carry more, using pannier bags.
Top Stay Length – Long or Short?
The Top Stay is the horizontal bar that connects your seat post to the rest of the Rack, and is made from the same material (Carbon or Alloy, depending on which you chose). Both Top Stays will work with almost all bikes, but to get your ride dialed in properly it’s always best to take some time to decide.
The long Top Stay has been designed to allow the Trunk Top Bag to sit further back from the saddle. On small bikes, or those with the saddle set quite far back, this will allow easier access to the bag as well as allowing you to utilise more of the bag’s volume-carrying capabilities.
The long Top Stay is 50mm longer than the short and we would recommend it for riders with bike frames <58cm, bikes with a dropper post installed, or with less than 100mm of visible seat post.
For help choosing the right size, look at the guide.
Why use a Rack over an AeroPack?
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 trunk Top Bag and side Pannier Bag*, including fitting side pannier bags from other manufacturers**.
As the bags can be rapidly removed, 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. We recommend using a Tailfin Rack for road and light gravel use.
*when opting for the pannier mount version
**using optional Third Party Pannier Adapters (sold separately)
Fitting to your bike
Our Racks are designed to fit 99% of bikes on the market – whether that’s road, touring, gravel, hardtails, or even full-suspension mountain bikes.
We do this by offering a variety of ways to mount to your bike, so our systems even fit bikes without rack mounting points:
For a more detailed explanation of mounting options for your bike, read our Guide on mounting your Rack or CargoPack.
Whilst all mounting options will work well, we would always recommend Axle Mounting (Option 1) as it provides the most robust and weight-bearing mount. If you’re unsure on your axle type, use our Axle Finder Tool.
Please see this Video Guide for properly attaching the Seat Post Connector.
Modularity
A unique feature of Tailfin products is modularity. Components have been designed to be replaceable and can be swapped over. So if you purchase an Alloy Rack and panniers for your commuting and then want to save weight for an upcoming ultra-distance road race, it’s possible to buy a Carbon Arch and Top Stay on their own and swap these over in a matter of minutes, ready for the start line.
Alternatively, if you wanted to swap your Rack out to become an AeroPack, you can do so by purchasing a Top Bag and AeroPack Connector Part, then simply remove your Top Stay, and now you have 2 separate set-ups to choose from.
Repairability and other details
Repairability
The other distinct advantage of being completely modular is that damage to one part of the system doesn’t mean the end of your Rack, as each component can be replaced easily. Our Racks are guaranteed for 5 years for equipment failures/defects, but in theory, they should last a lifetime of use.
All individual parts for Rack systems can be found and purchased on our Spares Page.
Which accessories can I use with a Tailfin Rack?
Further information
For another deep dive into the Rack and Top Trunk Bag system, check out off-road.cc’s review.
If you can’t find what you need here, you can always contact our friendly Customer Service team.
Rack FAQs
The Pannier Rack is a rack which can fit on your bike. With the Rack, you have the option to add a removable CargoPack or SpeedPack Top Bag and Panniers (this can be done during configuration of your rack order or separately on its own product page at a later date, too). The fixed CargoPack is an integrated seat pack, meaning that the bag and arch are connected together. For some riders, these differences are important; for others, less so. The Rack is slightly heavier overall but allows more flexibility by offering a removable Top Bag, meaning you can leave just the Rack fitted to the bike. The fixed CargoPack and SpeedPack systems are lighter and have a simpler design. For more info, read our blog.
We only recommend using the Rack system for road and light gravel. For all disciplines (including MTB) and riding rougher trails, we recommend you choose the fixed CargoPack or SpeedPack instead. They both use the same rear arch and attach to the bike in the same way as the rack. The fixed bags fit directly to the arch, have fewer components, and are more durable.
Yes, our Racks work with road and gravel bike suspension systems such as Trek’s IsoSpeed and Cannondale’s Kingpin suspension systems.
Both alloy and carbon racks have been tested to the same standards and are capable of carrying a maximum of 27kg (road use only). The carbon Rack has been designed to be strong, and we have historically seen close-to-zero failures due to impact. The main differences between the Alloy and Carbon versions of the Rack are weight, price, and aesthetics. You can check out our comparison blog for more information.
It is possible to mount a seat-post light to the Rack, just as you would your regular seat post, but it may rub the Rack finish after heavy use. The removable CargoPack Top Bags have loops on the rear of the bag made for certain clip-on lights, or we offer an Adjustable Light Mount, and a Fixed Light Mount, which fits to the 64mm spaced bolts on the base of the removable CargoPack Top Bag to allow you to mount your rear light directly to the pack. Unfortunately, it is not possible to use these light mounts with the removable SpeedPack due to a lack of mounting points on the bag.
We don’t recommend carrying your laptop in your CargoPack Top Bag due to the shape of the bag. We have a range of Panniers well-suited to carrying your laptop instead.
This depends on the type of riding you’re doing now and your plans for the future. If the majority of your trips are short overnighters, then you probably may not require panniers. If you’re planning some bigger adventures, commute often, or want the option to carry up to 27kg in the future, then we recommend the pannier mounts, as these cannot be added after (you would require a new arch available on our Spares Page). With our Pannier Adaptors, you can also carry other brands of panniers.
Yes, all Cargo Cages fit the alloy arch only, even if it has pannier mounts, although you cannot use the panniers if the cargo cages are fitted, though.
You can only mount the Varia to the CargoPack Top Bag. To do this, you will need the Adjustable Light Mount, and fit this to the underside of the CargoPack Top Bag. For the most secure fit, we recommend ordering the Garmin Seat Rail Kit separately too. The Tailfin Adjustable Light Mount has a GoPro fitting, so you can use it in conjunction with the Garmin kit to attach the Garmin Varia Radar to it.
The CargoPack is an 18L bag featuring 1.5L external mesh side pockets, 1 central TPU strap over the middle of the bag, and the option to roll the bag to clip together in the centre, or down the sides (V2 – Jan 2026+ only) using provided T-hook straps. The SpeedPack is a 10L bag featuring a 3L external mesh pocket over the top of the bag. It rolls close at the rear of the pack, allowing you to clip it down the sides with provided T-hook straps, or closed in on itself like a standard dry bag.
We offer spares for much of the Pannier Rack, including a Rebuild Kit, and these can be found on our Spares Page. For warranty queries, please submit a warranty form.
Still have questions? Get in touch with our amazing customer support team now.
