Tailfin trunk rack

Talk about anything.

Moderators: Bearbonesnorm, Taylor, Chew

Post Reply
Supernova
Posts: 50
Joined: Wed Aug 12, 2020 8:32 pm

Tailfin trunk rack

Post by Supernova »

I’ve been looking at weight saving areas on my bike and I think one of these might be a good replacement for the heavy fat bike rack on my Longitude.

Anyone use one? Is it up to off road riding? The s3 rack with eyelets looks interesting.
redefined_cycles
Posts: 9282
Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2016 8:19 am
Location: Dewsbury, West Yorkshire

Re: Tailfin trunk rack

Post by redefined_cycles »

Hi Supernova... Most on here will have more informed opinions but from what I saw of the Tailfin...

Really doubt its made for anything more than lightweight lugging on smooth roads....
User avatar
Dyffers
Posts: 872
Joined: Mon Jan 16, 2012 4:10 pm
Location: Darkest Dorset

Re: Tailfin trunk rack

Post by Dyffers »

Screenshot_20200803-070155-01.jpeg
(114.49 KiB) Downloaded 576 times
Not for off road riding certainly.
User avatar
benp1
Posts: 4051
Joined: Sat Dec 07, 2013 7:36 pm
Location: South Downs

Re: Tailfin trunk rack

Post by benp1 »

Cass Gilbert is using one in Mexico, must have taken a fair bit of abuse there

edit - there are carbon and alloy versions of those support legs
User avatar
voodoo_simon
Posts: 4036
Joined: Fri Apr 26, 2013 9:05 pm

Re: Tailfin trunk rack

Post by voodoo_simon »

Cass' bike

Image

Never used one, so can't comment!
Lazarus
Posts: 3597
Joined: Fri Aug 30, 2013 10:49 am

Re: Tailfin trunk rack

Post by Lazarus »

As a Genesis Longitude owner I am not sure weight saving and this bike should be in the same sentence
I would start with a new frame and wheels if i wanted to reduce it weight

I think I have carbon bars and post,thomson stem and an XTR crankset on mine and its unlikely to be sub 30 lb [ does have suspension forks to mind].

Not used that rack but again not sure why you want to both add a rack and save weight Easiest way is dont fit a rack :wink:
Supernova
Posts: 50
Joined: Wed Aug 12, 2020 8:32 pm

Re: Tailfin trunk rack

Post by Supernova »

It was the Cass Gilbert thing on bikepacking.com that made me think of it.

I like the indestructibleness of my Longitude, so weight savings need to come from elsewhere, hence the rack replacement. Sometimes you need a rack for big trips with lots of kit. I’m planning to do the Iceland Divide so my normal bikepacking bags aren’t going to be big enough.
User avatar
Alpinum
Posts: 2600
Joined: Thu Mar 06, 2014 5:38 pm

Re: Tailfin trunk rack

Post by Alpinum »

Andy Cox (@doubletrackfanatic & @europeandividetrail on IG) has been using one for 1 year (I know because he sent it to my house to install it) and is very happy with it. Thousands and thousands of km's on various terrain, still going strong. I'm not sure, but think he's using the alloy version.

He raved about the ease of packing.
It seems well thought through.
Supernova wrote: Mon Sep 07, 2020 8:57 pm I’m planning to do the Iceland Divide
Send me a DM if you fancy some detailed info on Iceland. E.g. for more interesting route choices just after Nyidalur ;-).
I've done 5 traverses of the interior and call myself an expert :geek:
:???:
:oops:
:wink:
jameso
Posts: 5035
Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2012 1:48 pm

Re: Tailfin trunk rack

Post by jameso »

Jay Petervary, Cass Gilbert and Andy Cox won't be easy on kit, all use them. Amazes me that people question this rack but happily use carbon forks :) (not you Supernova, but some online)
(edit, just read Alpinum's post that it may be the Al version Andy uses. Edit 2, Cass Gilbert's is the Al version. But Jay Petervary does use the carbon version)
Last edited by jameso on Tue Sep 08, 2020 12:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Supernova
Posts: 50
Joined: Wed Aug 12, 2020 8:32 pm

Re: Tailfin trunk rack

Post by Supernova »

Alpinum wrote: Mon Sep 07, 2020 9:38 pm Send me a DM if you fancy some detailed info on Iceland. E.g. for more interesting route choices just after Nyidalur ;-).
I've done 5 traverses of the interior and call myself an expert :geek:
:???:
:oops:
:wink:
I haven’t done much route planning yet (this is a project for next summer, Covid permitting), but it’s definitely good to know someone who’s done this before and is willing to answer my stupid questions!
User avatar
Alpinum
Posts: 2600
Joined: Thu Mar 06, 2014 5:38 pm

Re: Tailfin trunk rack

Post by Alpinum »

Supernova wrote: Tue Sep 08, 2020 6:43 am is a project for next summer
Suggestion:
For a say three weeks trip, it's best to go mid August to beginning of September.
Less snowmelt, chances for northern lights, lower river fords and amazing colours of the dwarf birches and polar willows.

With a minimalist approach and a compact, lightweight 20 L rucksack you can get away with soft bags only, should you fancy to throw in some single tracks.
Last time I went (2019) my girlfriend and I followed double tracks, went rucksack free, had a large tent and some other luxury items and used Tubus Vega racks (since we have them on our everyday/offroad touring bikes anyways).

Depending on speed and route choices, food for 3 - 6 days is a must when traversing the highlands (except if you stick strictly to the Kjolur, which I wouldn't recommend).
Supernova
Posts: 50
Joined: Wed Aug 12, 2020 8:32 pm

Re: Tailfin trunk rack

Post by Supernova »

Good advice.

I was also think late August / early September for just those reasons. I have been several times before, from June to Sept. but not on a bike.

I’m super cautious about having a bomb proof tent in places that can have severe weather, having learnt that lesson the hard way over the years. I definitely don’t want a rucksack so dry bags or very small panniers on a lightweight rack is the way I think I’ll go. I was planning for 8 or 9 days self supported north to south (or vice versa) because it’ll be a work trip as well taking pictures and that inevitably takes time.

Would be interested to hear if anyone has any tips or experience with practical arrangements like flying to Akureyri with bikes, storing bike boxes or bags, arranging buses etc.
pb2
Posts: 40
Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2012 12:07 pm
Location: Industrial waste lands of the North West

Re: Tailfin trunk rack

Post by pb2 »

I have the carbon one fitted to my Tripster, I only have limited mileage with it so far but I have overfilled it and gone at speed over as much rough stuff as you can on 42mm tyres and so far,so good. I used it on the recent WRT and it was wonderful, I intend to get a lot more miles in and will update this thread in due course.
lune ranger
Posts: 2380
Joined: Thu Dec 15, 2016 7:52 pm
Location: Peoples Republic of Devon

Re: Tailfin trunk rack

Post by lune ranger »

Thread resurrection....

How have you got on with the Tailfin?
Does anyone else have one now?
There are quite a few reasons building that are making me think that one would be a good idea.
I’m pondering the S3 - alu version with separate trunk bag which could do me for commuting and bikepacking and I could go back to using a suspension seat post - not a popular item but I really like them.
If you are going through hell, keep going.
WSC
User avatar
numplumz
Posts: 394
Joined: Fri Jul 15, 2011 8:43 pm
Location: Kettering
Contact:

Re: Tailfin trunk rack

Post by numplumz »

I've had a Tailfin rack from the very beginning and have added the trunkpack. It's been abused, battered, used off road and overloaded on mixed terrain tours to Italy and Spain on several bikes (one of its strengths) I like how I can ride to a race or site and then fully remove it quickly if I want to. With just the trunkpack on you just forget it's there and it has been 100% waterproof. The closure straps are very annoying requiring you to open 4 buckles to get in so I tend to stash overnight stuff in there. When you do open it it's easy to rummage around in though. Adding a cargo net round it is useful for stuffing in clothes and big food for quick access though.

I got treated a bit crap by Tailfin and wanted to hate this at times, but i can't. It's my go to luggage and I've used for about 15k miles and if it broke I'd get another.

Interesting how any mention of the Tailfin brings up that photo from GBduro where it looks seriously overloaded with panniers off road, which most wouldn't use, and no doubt took a big heavy side hit on falling over. Not sure you would buy this just to save weight, it's strength is it's convenience and top waterproofing. An alternative is a Tubus TI rack and the excellent cheap Lomo rack pack but it won't be as convenient in use.

One other thing is that you can't just remove it to use as a bag as the metal/carbon work comes with it. As you just chuck stuff into it loose because it's so fully waterproof it may be an issue to some of you had to gather it all up. Mine with the original rack clips off in seconds to take away but you just have to be careful not to damage the mounting hardware as you thrown it around.
The old git in the yellow socks
rudedog
Posts: 628
Joined: Sun Sep 04, 2011 9:00 pm
Location: Lothian

Re: Tailfin trunk rack

Post by rudedog »

Wowsers they aren't cheap :shock:
User avatar
GregMay
Posts: 3806
Joined: Tue Apr 21, 2015 12:57 pm
Location: Calderdale
Contact:

Re: Tailfin trunk rack

Post by GregMay »

The ones I've seen have been bombproof. I've considered one for when I get the child seat off the back of my commuter and I can finally stop riding to work with a bag and bike seat sans child.
Image
User avatar
Specialist Hoprocker
Posts: 320
Joined: Sat Sep 30, 2017 9:31 am
Location: Deepest Darkest Surrey

Re: Tailfin trunk rack

Post by Specialist Hoprocker »

Dunno how much a Tailfin weighs but my Topeak QR Beam rack is 600g and cost me a tenner 2nd hand.

So long as you don't actually want to put panniers on it, it's very sturdy for a big old drybag with a couple of straps.

Edit: Just checked and bloody hell they're light!
Post Reply