Estimated reading time: 10 minutes
Introduction – What Is A Tailfin Rear System?
Tailfin Rear Systems refer to a Top Bag + rack combination, and the perfect starting point for the type of adventure that requires carrying gear. You can choose between a Rack, CargoPack and a SpeedPack system, which can be Fixed or Removable. The Carbon Pannier Rack is a quick-release, sleek, light and fast rear rack. The Alloy Journey Pannier Rack is a quick-release, foldable rear rack which fits any bike and carries everything. The CargoPack Bag is made to go far and loaded, the SpeedPack Bag for going fast and light. We’ll go into more detail below.
Like a seat pack, only better? The truth is, seat packs suit plenty of people for a variety of reasons, but for us, there were always limitations to strapping a bike bag to your seatpost with velcro. So, we looked at what was out there and smoothed out the inherent and reported issues: swaying on the bike, access to your gear, mounting, abrasion issues, and more, to create a solid, stable, and light accessory.
Both CargoPack and SpeedPack bags comprise a waterproof frame bag with a rigid base, connected to the seatpost with a clamp and stabilised by connection to the bike axle or cycle rack mounts to your bike with a rigid Arch. Their capacities are 18L (CargoPack) and 10L (SpeedPack) internal storage, with 3L of external mesh pockets – perfect for stashing goodies.
Complete Video Guides
Fixed vs Removable Systems
Our Rear Systems mount on a custom-made Quick-Release axle or Thru Axle with mounting points. The axles, together with our Racks and/or bags, form a stable tripod between the ends of the bike axle and the seat post. It is this unique setup that gives the Tailfin Rear Systems its ride performance and a stable platform to accompany you on your rides.
Whilst traditional seat packs offer advantages in weight savings, they fall short in almost all other areas. The core benefits of our Rear Systems are as follows:
- No rattle or sway behind you – creating a stable, forget-it’s-there ride
- Engineered connections won’t damage or rub your frame or seat post (even if it’s carbon)
- Optional pannier mounts allow you to add panniers for bigger trips
- Dropper-post friendly – the Speed Connect seatpost connector requires only 30mm of available seatpost
- Carbon or Alloy options available
The Removable system comprises a Rack and a Bag combination. You can choose between carbon or alloy and have a Rack Top Bag or side Pannier Bags – or both! The Rack has a top stay/top deck attached to an arch. Our Racks are available with or without pannier mounts. On the top stay/top deck, you can mount our removable CargoPack or SpeedPack Rack Top Bags. On the alloy Journey Rack, you can mount your own items to the top deck, within the weight limits.
The alloy Journey Pannier Rack can be ridden off-road with a Rack Top Bag and Panniers. The carbon Pannier Pack is only rated to be ridden off-road with side panniers.
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 systems suit all riding types and are compatible with all bikes that fit our systems. Both of these systems are available with or without pannier mounts, too, and are lighter than the Rack systems.
What To Choose, How To Fit
CargoPack, SpeedPack, or Rack?
If you plan to take your bikepacking off-road a lot of the time, we would recommend a fixed CargoPack or a SpeedPack, as it’s the simplest of our rear systems. It has a less intricate mounting system than a Tailfin Pannier Rack and Rack Top Bag combo, which makes it lighter and provides complete reliance when off-road. As an additional benefit, as the bag is an integral part of the structure, noise and rattle are eliminated when really pushing the boundaries of where you can explore.
The alloy Journey Pannier Rack also suits off-road riding and is the recommended system if you want your Top Bag to be removable.
If weight is also a great concern for you, for instance, 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 choose the carbon SpeedPack.
Pannier Rack: Made for modularity
Add and remove Panniers, Cargo Cages, mounts, either of our Rack Top Bags, you name it – there’s a rack option for you. Ideal for riders who want to use their setup for commuting, touring, utility, and everything in between.
- Carbon Pannier Rack: Side Panniers and Rack Top Bags
- Alloy Journey Rack: Side Panniers, Cargo Cages, Rack Top Bags and third-party items on the top deck.
CargoPack: Made to go far and loaded
Ideal for long-distance adventures, commutes or bikepacking trips where carrying capacity and durability are key. Our top-opening bike bag has a cavernous entrance and generous 18L capacity, plus two 1.5L expandable external stretch-mesh pockets.
SpeedPack: Made to go fast and light
Tailored for performance-focused riders who want to travel light without compromising efficient load carrying, stability or handling. Rear-opening bags for ultimate stuffing and minimal weight. Capacity of 10L, plus a large external 3L stretch-mesh pocket.
Right: Removable CargoPack Rack Top Bag on Alloy Journey Rack
Right: Removable SpeedPack Rack Top Bag on Alloy Journey Rack
Which Version Is Best For Me?
Carbon or Alloy?
This is purely down to weight, cost, and aesthetics. The carbon is just as strong as the alloy version (just ask our racers doing 2000+ km off-road MTB races), but slightly less versatile if you choose the Removable Pannier Rack version.
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 upon your objectives.
Bigger budget, high weight concerns = carbon
Medium budget, low weight concerns = alloy
The other main difference between the carbon and alloy is the bosses on the side of the arch. These are only available 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 4 sizes of side Pannier bags, specially designed to fit our Rear Systems, using our X-Clamp technology to offer a secure, robust, and rattle-free ride. We have a full comparison guide for our panniers.
When selecting the options for your Tailfin Rear System, you’ll be asked to choose whether or not you want pannier mounts. It is not possible to add these onto the arch later, so it’s important to decide when you place your order 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 lightest version, whilst the pannier-mount version allows you to carry more, using pannier bags.
You can also fit our Third-Party Pannier Adaptors to your pannier mounts to carry your own third-party panniers.
The Alloy Journey Pannier Rack can also fit third-party panniers to the rails of the top deck, but whilst using a Tailfin CargoPack/Speedpack, you cannot attach Third-party panniers to the top deck due to potential interference. This is only possible when using the Third-Party Pannier Adaptors on the pannier mounts.
What Options Do I Have As A Small Rider?
There are many options for small bike frame sizes or low saddle heights.
For your Carbon Pannier Rack configuration, we’d recommend choosing the XS-L bike size, as this allows better access to the rear bag and increased volume-carrying capability.
The Alloy Journey Pannier Rack includes two fit link connectors (one is angle-adjustable), meaning you can choose/fit them to achieve the best fit.
The CargoPack comes with a long seatpost connector as standard, to fit all bike sizes.
The SpeedPack has 3 different lengths of FitLink connectors, 30, 60 and 90mm in length, which are all adjustable up to +/- 50º of vertical alignment.
Fitting to your bike
Our Rear Systems 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 rear rack and bike bag systems even fit bikes without rack mounting points:
For a more detailed explanation of mounting options for your bike, read our Mounting Guide.
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 of your axle type, use our Axle Finder to find out what axle is required for your bike.
Please see this Video Guide on 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. Read more about modularity on our Modularity Guide.
Repairability and other details
Repairability
The other distinct advantage of the systems being completely modular is that damage to one part of the system doesn’t mean the end of your Rear System, as each component can be replaced easily. Our Rear Systems are guaranteed for between 2 and 5 years for equipment failures/defects, but in theory, they should last a lifetime of use.
Most individual parts for Tailfin Rear Systems can be found and purchased on our Spares Page. For any warranty issues, though, please see our Warranty Page.
Which Additional Products Can I Use On A Rear System?
If you can’t find what you need here, you can always contact our friendly Customer Service team.
