Rack and Top Bag, the perfect combination.
Carry everything you need for the office or a weekend adventure in the AP Rack Top Bag and have the convenience of rapid removal to take it with you when you arrive.
Fit and remove in seconds
Use the Fast Mount System and your Tailfin Rack can be fitted or removed easily in seconds. The patented system is rock solid and secure meaning there really are no drawbacks.
Easy to use
Reassuringly secure yet requiring zero tools. For simple and rapid attachment and removal.
Real world durability
A Tailfin Alloy Rack is designed with adventure in mind and is a proven and reliable bikepacking partner for many an ultra-distance racer and traveller. Built tough using the highest quality materials, you can rely on your rack to deliver as flawless a performance after thousands of miles as it does when brand new.
X Clamp
Tailfin’s cam-action X Clamp bag mounting mechanism is engineered to provide reliable attachment regardless of terrain ridden and load size carried. Simple one-handed operation eliminates doubt.
Access your gear on the go
The AP Rack Top Bag has a cavernous 18-litre capacity that can be accessed far easier than any other seatpack thanks to its large roll-top opening. It’s also far easier to pack and grab the gear you need compared to traditional rear entry bags.
Stay Organised, Pack Smart.
Packing Cubes designed to simplify the packing process and to maximise the capacity inside the AP Rack Top Bag. Available now.
Specification
Alloy Rack with pannier mounts
Alloy Rack without pannier mounts
Model | ||
---|---|---|
Model
Alloy - with pannier mounts |
Model
Alloy - without pannier mounts |
|
Weight (for fast-release mounting)
643g |
Weight (for fast-release mounting)
542g |
|
Weight (for Direct Mount)
591g |
Weight (for Direct Mount)
487g |
|
Top Bag Dimensions (width)
160mm (rear) / 128mm (front) |
Top Bag Dimensions (width)
160mm (rear) / 128mm (front) |
|
Top Bag Dimensions (length)
430mm |
Top Bag Dimensions (length)
430mm |
|
Top Bag Dimensions (height, unrolled)
420mm (rear) / 380mm (front) |
Top Bag Dimensions (height, unrolled)
420mm (rear) / 380mm (front) |
|
Maximum Load
27kg |
Maximum Load
9kg |
|
Maximum Capacity
64L |
Maximum Capacity
18L |
|
Maximum Top Load (AP20 only)
9kg |
Maximum Top Load (AP20 only)
9kg |
|
Maximum Side Load
9kg (each side) |
Maximum Side Load
1.5kg per rivet nut |
|
Top Bag Capacity
18L |
Top Bag Capacity
18L |
|
Side Bag Capacity
22L (each side) |
Side Bag Capacity
N/A |
* Maximum loads listed for on-road riding. Off-road loads will be lower depending on the severity of the terrain, etc.
** These weights do not include the removable stacking straps (50g) or the removable bag backbone cover (40g)
Fitting FAQs
Click here for Rack setups or here for AeroPacks
Assembly requires a Torx T25 key (found on most multi-tools)
We’ve designed our products to fit the majority of bikes, from road to full-suspension. You can search our Reviews to see if another customer with the same bike is already using this product too. If you’re still unsure, contact our team for help and advice.
26″ Maximum Tyre Width - 4″ / 100mm
27.5″/650B Maximum Tyre Width - 3.5″ / 90mm
29″/700C Maximum Tyre Width - 2.9″ / 75mm
For help choosing your axle, see this page.
For the AeroPack - For riders with small frames or less than 100mm of exposed seatpost, we recommend using the AeroPack Extended Seat Post Connector. This replaces the standard connector and pushes the AeroPack back a further 50mm.
For Racks - We recommend selecting the ‘Long’ Top Stay when ordering your Rack. It offers the same extension as the AeroPack equivalent. For more information and images, click here.
Yes! We genuinely believe “the best bike packing bike is the bike you already own” therefore it was important that all our rack / AeroPack systems could be used with full suspension bikes. For the best experience, we recommend the AeroPack setup for full suspension bikes though. Using a unique articulated design each pivot contains replaceable plain bushings which allow it to adjust position as the suspension compresses. They will also work with road and gravel bike suspension systems such as Trek’s IsoSpeed and Cannondale’s Kingpin Suspension.
See this blog for further tips on fitting Tailfin products to full suspension bikes.
Yes, the quick-release seatpost connector is compatible with all seat posts- including dropper, carbon, and aero. An extra-long seat post strap is included with all shipments for deep-aero seatposts.
All our racks come with 3 choices of mounting option:
- Axle + Fast Release Dropouts - we ship you a rear axle to swap out on your bike, the rack then affixes to this axle in seconds, allowing it to be mounted or removed in seconds.
- Frame Mounts + Fast-Release Dropouts - we ship you mounts which screw into the frame eyelets on your frame, the rack then affixes to this mount in seconds, allowing it to be mounted or removed in seconds.
- Direct Mount - with this option, you screw the rack directly to your frame via the frame eyelets on your bike. This option is not fast-release, and will need to be unscrewed from frame when mounting or removing.
We have a comprehensive guide to the different options here.
Yes, all Tailfin Racks and AeroPacks come with security screws that allow you to lock to your axle, or frame mounts, depending on your chosen mounting option.
Yes, but you will need to add the 3rd party pannier adaptors to your order
To see more of our frequently asked questions follow this link.
Alloy Rack FAQs
The AeroPack is an integrated seat pack, meaning that the top bag and arch are connected together. With the Carbon and Alloy Racks, the top bag is detachable. For some riders this is an important difference, for others, it is not. The AeroPack is lighter for the weight-conscious rider and has a more simplistic design - which is sometimes preferential on longer trips. For more info, read this.
Both alloy and carbon racks have been tested to the same standards and are capable of carrying a maximum of 27kg. 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.
It is possible to mount a seat-post strip light to the Rack, just as you would your regular seat post, but may rub the Rack finish after heavy use. The AP20 top bag has loops made for certain clip-on lights, or we offer Seatpost mounted light mounts, and regular rack mounted light mounts, which affixes to the AP20 to allow you to mount your rear light directly to the pack.
Yes, the Top Bag can carry up to a 13" laptop, with the only limiting factor being the amount of available seatpost space. If your saddle is low then you will have less space available to fit the laptop and in this case, it may be best to use a side pannier instead. You can pack it vertically (providing there is space as mentioned), or horizontally. If packing vertically you'll want some items on either side of the laptop to keep it stable over any rough terrain.
For the best fit we recommend using the 16L Mini Pannier and Laptop Holster
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 won’t need side panniers, likewise if you're riding mainly singletrack. If you’re planning some big adventures, commute often, or want the option to carry up to 27kg in the future, then we recommend the pannier mounted model as you can attach Tailfin Panniers to increase capacity. With our Pannier Adaptors, you can also carry other brands of panniers.
Top tip: Try searching for your bike make/model below to find others using this product on your bike.
I'm happy to share my impressions of the delivery of the Aloy Rack and Top Bag. The ordering process went smoothly. The delivery was complete and very well packaged in cardboard boxes. Assembly was extremely easy; everything fit very well, and not a single screw was missing. After a few months of use, I can't yet comment on durability, but the parts look very robust, and I'm very satisfied with their functionality. This rack system is one of the most expensive, but I would choose it again.
Having recently purchased an alloy Tailfin pannier rack I noticed that one of the small lugs that you use to remove it from the mount had fallen off. I contacted them to request they sent another out and to inform me how much it would cost. Within 5 minutes they’d responded to say the lug should be welded on and there was clearly a manufacturing issue and that they would send out replacement parts. The replacements arrived the following day without charge. Very refreshing to have a company who were immediately prepared to say it was their issue and resolve the issue quickly.
I purchased the rack after my previous bike (which also had a Tailfin rack) was stolen. I had no hesitation about buying another Tailfin rack for the replacement bike as it worked really well and looks good too.
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