British firm Tailfin is quick changing into a revered title in bikepacking circles, producing nicely engineered minimalist tools, that balances sturdiness and functionality with out main weight positive aspects. Crucially their designs additionally ought to work with just about any bike, which is a significant plus for the bikepacking curious.
More and more, Tailfin is creating its personal ecosystem of bikepacking storage options, with new tools interacting seamlessly with the previous, which to my thoughts bears similarities to the method of tech big Apple.
There are positives and negatives to this from a shopper perspective. When it comes to how the package performs collectively it’s onerous to think about something aside from absolutely bespoke baggage set ups which is able to give the identical degree of finesse and performance. That nonetheless comes with a threat of feeling trapped into utilizing one firm to your baggage wants.
Depart these ideas apart although, as we take a look at a spherical up of three of Tailfin’s most up-to-date launches: Mini Panniers 16L, 3L Half Body Bag and their Packing Cubes.
Tailfin Mini Panniers 16L: The Experience
(Picture credit score: Future)
Panniers after an extended interval of neglect appear to be having fun with a resurgence in bikepacking circles. Tailfin’s newest is one other step to creating panniers nice once more.
Panniers make packing simpler, significantly for riders who don’t have the area between rear wheel and saddle for big saddle / seatpost baggage. My driving companion on one journey might solely look on in envy as I effortlessly packed (together with light-weight camp chair) whereas they struggled to squeeze their small bundle right into a stuff sack lashed to their handlebars and seatpost bag.
The air valve definitely helps to take among the sting out of the packing, however you possibly can in all probability do with out it, by giving your panniers a wee hug or squeeze as you shut them.
Utilizing these with Tailfin’s alloy rack was an actual pleasure. The engagement of the clamp’s lever is really satisfying (a bit unhappy to say). Pannier customers might be aware of the shake, rattle and hum of the baggage on tarmac, however not these. It’s match and overlook: silent on tough stuff and a slim profile means undergrowth catching is minimal.
With the trunk bag, the lever was more durable to have interaction, getting caught on the bag. That’s possible because of the angle I had the rack’s stays to keep away from heel strike. Except I used to be on a multi day distant journey or packing my deep winter camp gear, I’d go along with both the trunk bag or panniers. Each is overkill and makes your bike rear heavy, and tougher to deal with on steep technical ascents.
Regardless of lugging a laptop computer alongside the North Downs Means or a full weekend’s tenting package I barely seen the rear weight when driving – and I at all times pack to capability!
(Picture credit score: Future)
For commuters, the laptop computer internal is a worthy funding. It comfortably fitted my 13” display in a padded case, elevating it an inch above the bottom minimising threat when inserting on the bottom. The internal may be very simple to suit and take away with velcro fastenings and comes with a useful zipped compartment for cables – however will wrestle with a big plug.
The compression straps can be utilized to compress the bag like a belt, or as a streamlined manner of closing the bag. I tended to do the latter, which means the “ladder” you possibly can use to repair a rear mild was unavailable. It could be good to see an answer there, as lights on seat stays aren’t simply seen, and a seat submit fitted mild will solely work if you happen to’re not utilizing the trunk bag.
My solely different gripe – if you happen to can name it that – is there isn’t a deal with like on standard panniers to make it simpler transporting it off the bike, equivalent to at transport hubs, campsites, locations of labor and many others. You possibly can after all use the compression straps, or looped closure – it’s simply not as handy.
There’s some preliminary meeting to suit the hook and clamp at level of buy. Nothing sophisticated because it’s only a few turns of the screw, but it surely was sudden given how a lot they value.
Tailfin Mini Panniers 16L: Spec
• Supplies: Hypalon/Ripstop Nylon
• Weight (scales): 573g every together with two compression straps / 709g incl laptop computer holster
• Dimensions at most: 440mm (H) x 260mm (W) x 120mm (D)
• Capability: 16L
• Really helpful load capability: 4kg off-road / 8kg street
• Mounting: X-Clamp 6061 Alu Alloy; mounted hook for rack keep
• Closure: roll-top
• Standout options: rattle free; waterproof; slim profile; air valve
• Extra: 2 x compression straps; spacers to suit non-Tailfin racks
• Worth: £100 per pannier + £20 together with laptop computer holster (not together with Tailfin rack £140 – £235)
Tailfin Body Bag 3L: The Experience
(Picture credit score: Future)
I want I’d had that possibility to check out Tailfin’s body measurers, (digital and analogue) as I’d have sized right down to the two.3L model.
The decrease wedge of the bag was squished by my Nalgene water bottle on the downtube, leading to a wee little bit of knee rubbing after I was out of the saddle. That’s on me although, and I feel if I’d chosen proper I’d nicely have had my first expertise of a body bag that didn’t catch on my shorts.
Regardless of these restrictions, I fitted a good quantity with out straining the zip: a micro flooring pump, instrument roll, sealant, spare internal, snacks, binoculars, toothbrush and paste, and trowel. Apart from a head torch and neck hotter, that’s what I’d normally squeeze into my customized made full body bag.
After all, such packing was a bit like Jenga. The one time I wanted my pump I discovered I needed to take away just about the whole lot – however c’est la vie with bikepacking.
(Picture credit score: Future)
Driving by way of this moist winter and spring of ours, Tailfin’s assurance of waterproofness rings true. I even left my bike zip facet up throughout a very heavy downpour in a single day, and there was no ingress. After all, a bag is just waterproof as long as you don’t open it in moist circumstances…so for an on the go bag I’d at all times advise to pack package that you simply assume will get moist finally.
The zips are reportedly a customized sourced waterproof model, designed to carry beneath pressure – which is fairly important given how a lot framebags are abused when it comes to their holding capability.
The inflexible construction supplied by two carbon rods and safe fastening meant one handed unzipping and doing up on the go was doable. It’s the little issues that rely, and I additionally preferred the best way the zip heads tucked away into little pockets on the finish as nicely.
My take a look at bike, an Isen, has a reasonably delicate paint job – leaving apart that not being perfect for an off-road centric bike – I used to be happy after I eliminated the bag after a few lengthy hours and days within the mud and dirt of the Surrey Hills, that Tailfin’s assertion of lowering damaging to my bike’s end held true.
One other neat contact is you should utilize the identical two straps for the highest tube bag to connect the body bag, too.
Tailfin’s signature darkish gray will go well with many, however as anybody who is aware of me, I like color. That absence and the boxy nature of the bag which overwhelmed my slender metal tubes meant I might by no means love this bag, however I positively appreciated the eye to element and sturdy development.
Tailfin Body Bag 3L: Spec
• Supplies: 210D Hypalon/ 210D Ripstop Nylon physique; inside carbon body; customized sourced waterproof zip
• Type: Half body bag
• Weight with straps (scales): 273g
• Dimensions: 440mm (L) x 140mm (D) x 64mm (W)
• Capability: 3L
• Mounting: up to date V-Mount system and TPU straps (included 1 x 290mm, 3 x 185mm straps)
• Standout options: Port for cables / hydration system; waterproof; inside pockets; inflexible form
• Worth: £105
Tailfin has launched 9 sizes of body bag to suit bikes from 47cm – 61cm, with a quantity from 1.9L (£95) to a whopping 6.5L (£125). These are made in two types: Half body bag (six sizes: 2.3L, 3L, 3.8L, 4.5L, 5.3L, 6.5L) and Wedge (three sizes: 1.9L, 2.7L, 3.5L)
A welcome contact for these uncertain what bag is finest for you’re each the digital and analogue means to measure your body.
Tailfin Packing Cubes: Within the discipline
(Picture credit score: Future)
Earlier than diving into in my expertise with these baggage, I ought to caveat I solely belief my sleep system and spare garments when tenting in dry baggage.
It doesn’t matter how waterproof the outer bag is. The chance of water ingress on a multi day journey and what it is going to imply for my post-ride expertise will not be price it, whereas in hostile climate circumstances it might nicely show harmful.
That may appear an excessive response, however attempt sleeping in a soaked down sleeping bag when the rain turns to snow and the wind is relentless. I did it as soon as, acquired hyperthermia, and vowed by no means to repeat that have once more.
After all, if you happen to’re not planning on tenting and your stays are indoors, then ignore the above!
These baggage do as you’d anticipate and match neatly into the Tailfin trunk bag.
(Picture credit score: Future)
For testing functions purely, I packed my Alpkit Pipedream 200 sleeping bag, silk liner and Klymit Insulated Static V Lite tenting mat simply into the 6L bag, with a little bit of room to spare. The three.5L labored nicely for storing a choice of merino off-the-bike put on, with the outer pocket housing my Kindle.
I used to be impressed nonetheless by the potential of the two.5L bucket bag (if additionally a little bit aghast on the £28 price ticket). It’s nice for holding your cookware collectively in a single place. I normally bundle the whole lot right into a cotton tote bag to maintain issues in a single place, however the Packing Dice’s draw string means you may hold all of your package collectively, cosy and safe.
Cooking pot (with range and gasoline inside), espresso pot, espresso and mug fitted advantageous – the 5 internal pockets are useful for storing different requirements for campside cookery too eg lighter, tea baggage and many others. That does make for fairly some bulk although of immovable objects, and in tight areas, like most people, you’ll in all probability attempt to match the whole lot in a different way in order to maximise your restricted room anyway.
Conclusion and worth
I’d at all times been Tailfin curious earlier than reviewing this package, and after a few months of onerous use, I can positively see the enchantment.
Its simplicity and practicality speaks to excessive ranges of high quality. That’s backed up by their in-depth analysis and actual life testing into ensuring the package works with no snags. I’ve plenty of respect for that, and aesthetics apart, would fortunately use their panniers and framebags on future adventures.
Whereas the value is excessive, it compares nicely with different opponents. The panniers are solely £5 greater than their nearest competitor Ortlieb 14.5L Gravel Pack (540g https://www.ortlieb.com/uk_en/gravel-pack-ql31+F9986)– assuming you low cost the £140 wanted for the alloy rack. The body bag is on par with the extra bespoke and vibrant Wizard Works Framebagracadabra (£93 – £110) and extra prosaic Ortlieb Body-pack TopTube (£110 – £120)
The Baggage Cubes nonetheless really feel vastly overpriced, particularly compared to what Alpkit presents (from £7.99) whereas relying in your journey dry baggage from corporations like Exped (from £13) might be less expensive and extra sensible.
Given the bashing most bikepacking package will undergo, a 5 yr guarantee may be very welcome. It’s additionally good to notice the 30% low cost in occasion of a crash for a like for like alternative.
The excessive value might be off placing for a lot of, as you may certainly discover cheaper options on the market. However will these gadgets be as sturdy and nicely designed? I feel everyone knows the reply to that…
