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With the three packing cubes, Tailfin shows us, with a scheme, 12 liters on website (Shop / accessories & spares / page 2) : 6+3,5+2,5 = 12 liters compressed. Thanks Tailfin !

why not get bike with carrier? And use regular backpack? use bungee cord to strap it on

For a pure road bike it looks like the rack is higher than it needs be and the pack sits higher and further back than ideal. The gap between seatpin and bag is too big for optimum.

Why are you fitting the mounting to the seatpost and not the frame just above the toptube??

Disagree with most of this. The volume - yes, valid. I’ve never had a problem attaching and detaching the axle clips and I’m 61 with arthritis in my hands. You can use the stacking straps to attach tent poles, helmet etc. The useable capacity does depend to some extent on how much seat post you have exposed - the more the better. I run a small frame and, even with the extender piece, it does need careful packing, lower at the front. As for taking the “whole unit” into a hotel, what’s the issue? Fold up the arch, fasten it to the bag with one of the stacking straps and carry the bag using the top fold as a handle. This guy just hasn’t put in the effort to understand the system. He hasn’t even assembled it correctly as the arch is back to front.😂

Roy hodgson soundalike

More R&D required

On a road bike, saddle bags would probably be preferable. They put the weight at a lower center of gravity, provide more volume and cost much less. There are adapters for traditional racks that allow you to attach it right to the axle, if you have no mounts (see Axiom bags). The other thing I like about light weight aluminium is that you can strap anything to it. But if you don't like the aero losses of saddle bags (how much could it be at 25 km/hr?) a compression bag or a trunk bag costing maybe $50 (one eighth of a Tailfin) and some Voilé straps are all it takes.

Little tip: Compress your sleeping bag and down jacket and you'll fit twice as much in the aeropack.

AGREED!!! I made the same video years ago about tubeless, and how bad it is for road cycling.

So refreshing to have an honest review on youtube

Is it really true that the volume is 15 liter instead of 20? I'm planning a 4week trip through Spain and Portugal and absolutely need 20 liter!

I don’t know if you realise, but you have fitted the rear arch back to front. You can tell because of the steep angle of the pannier mounts

The big thing with the capacity is that it is not easy to compress items in the aeropack. Your seat bag will be quite a bit smaller physically, but it’s easy to stuff things in nice and tight with an end opening bag like that. The top opening tailfin doesn’t really allow much compression of your gear. I don’t think the volume is wrong, it’s just hard to make good use of it

great honest review, thank you. Yeah considering the premium price the lack of accessories is pretty bad. This is meant for bike packing and to not include the back light adaptor as a base is kinda weird and dishonest from them. Especially since they charge 20 bucks for that piece of metal if you want to buy it.

What size is your bike? Wondering about the extension you added for the seat post mount. Thanks

and you can clamp lower on the seatpost

THX. You have to use a compression pack for your sleeping bag and your down jacket.

Great review. I hope Tailfin sees this and considers improving on this pack with at least some of your suggestions. One tip for removing the rack, as I had the same issue as you with cold fingers and the tiny release pin. First, squeeze the tip of the latch part, at the front of the axle, against the stay and THEN pull the pin. It makes it so much easier to pull the pin back and release the latch.

Overpriced system

Very good overview! I agree with you on the "22 l marketing volume" and also on the form factor. But I also decided against a normal seatpack and got the tailfin. Yes, the price is hefty, but it is worth it for me, as I can use it on a road bike and a full suspension MTB. I did a three-week tour through the Highlands with the full sus without any issues - the tailfin worked superbly!

Hi, I did about a third of your distance with my Tailfin behind my back. I do strongly agree with your comment on the form factor, that could be optimized. I do, however, use it a lot for commuting as well, and to have a straight bag really helps with stuff such as notebooks and so. Where I disagree is the difficulties with the unmounting, which never caused an issue for me. I would recommend to go for the top stay though, so you don't have to fully remove it every time, but can just clip in your bag onto the rack. But overall, good review, thanks a lot for sharing

You can't stuff things like in a seat pack so try pre stuffing your down things to fit more in. Attaching it further down your seatpost with the shorter attachment will help with another 2 of your complaints - reducing the gap and raising your rear light.

Surprised you did not get the version that has the removable bag while the rack remains???

Very good overview, thanks for sharing! I have a Tubus Vega rear rack and now look for a good bag to put onto. The Vega is not much heavier than the Al Tailfin rack, but more stable, can not be stolen so easily and is more versatile I think. Just trying to find one or different sized bags (for different use cases) to match. I even thought about buying the AP20 trunk bag from Tailfin and strapping that to the Vega. But when I hear your experience I think a simple drybag might be as good or even better?

Totally valid and useful feedback, since I'm looking to get one myself, thanks for that. Regarding the saddle taking up some of the bag space, couldn't you lower the attachment point a bit on the seat tube so the bag gets more under it. But I agree, I've seen that same problem on other bikes also. Also, does the pannier mount interfere with the mounting bolts? Could you for example attach a tailfin cargo cage without the pannier mount being in the way? To me it looks as if they interfere with each other because they are so close. Thanks again and great review!