Audax Luggage was: Re: DNF rate

[ravenbait]

Incidentally one of the bags that really impressd me was a racktop bag on a Tailfin rack. Easy to open, easy to close, everything accessible and nothing falling out when it was open; seemed to tick all the boxes (not that I am in the market for one!)

I quite liked the look of them too, but they are very expensive! I'm struggling to find a saddlebag that fits, so have been investigating and was surprised to see that they are also not actually that light. I think something like a tubus fly lightweight rack with a generic zip up dry bag might be a much cheaper alternative (not quite as good, I admit, but might be worth an experiment)

FWIW, I have both. The Tailfin is a whole other thing. The AP20 trunk bag might be heavier than my trusty old Carradice, but it's just... Better. In all sorts of ways. It weighs a bit more because of the frame within the bag that allows it to fix immovably to the Tailfin rack, which weighs almost nothing. Certainly less than even the Tortec Ultralight, which I've got on my fixie. I suppose I could weigh the Tortec and the Carradice for comparison with the Tailfin if anyone is super interested, but I'm really impressed with it. (I have <100mm of seat post showing on my Hurricane, so limited options for luggage.)

Also, the ability to take the Tailfin off in about 10s (assuming you don't have the security screws in place) is a bonus. Means you can swap it between bikes really easily, even if they don't have rack mounts.

The bag also has a side pocket and a side access zip, so if you are organised with your packing, you don't necessarily need to open the whole thing. I find it much easier to pack in an organised way than the Carradice, and obviously the way it mounts is far, far superior to faffing about with 4 velcro straps or a bungee. I can't imagine being able to pack a standard rolltop dry bag the way you can the Tailfin trunk bag. I don't know if you can get dry bags that open on the long side).

Sam

[chrisbainbridge]

Totally agree. Tailfin are just superb.

[jdsnape]

FWIW, I have both. The Tailfin is a whole other thing. <snipped>

Thanks - it does sound like it ticks all the boxes for what I'd want...now just to persuade myself it's worth the cash

[quixoticgeek]

FWIW, I have both. The Tailfin is a whole other thing. <snipped>

Thanks - it does sound like it ticks all the boxes for what I'd want...now just to persuade myself it's worth the cash

It is.

I have the aluminium tailfin aerobag. It's brilliant. I can't recommend it enough. I killed a Ortlieb bikepacking saddle bag with it being worn on the bottom of the bag by the tire.

Weight wise it's apparently 894g, vs 456g, for the ortlieb bag I killed. But it's more than worth it for the fact I don't have to worry about it dragging on the wheel.

My version has the 3 mounts for cages, but doesn't have the pannier mounts. I have cages on these, and it dramatically increases the versatility of it.

J

[Can’t swim won’t tri]

FWIW, I have both. The Tailfin is a whole other thing. <snipped>

Thanks - it does sound like it ticks all the boxes for what I'd want...now just to persuade myself it's worth the cash

It is.

I have the aluminium tailfin aerobag. It's brilliant. I can't recommend it enough. I killed a Ortlieb bikepacking saddle bag with it being worn on the bottom of the bag by the tire.

At risk of dragging us further off topic (it’s the internet, and we’re 14 pages in…) - for Tailfin users - how does it work in the event of a puncture?  How much faff does it add to the rear wheel removal process? And does this vary by mounting type (there seems to be 2 different axle fixing options, unless I’m misunderstanding the website)?

[quixoticgeek]

At risk of dragging us further off topic (it’s the internet, and we’re 14 pages in…) - for Tailfin users - how does it work in the event of a puncture?  How much faff does it add to the rear wheel removal process? And does this vary by mounting type (there seems to be 2 different axle fixing options, unless I’m misunderstanding the website)?

I have mine mounted to the frame rather than axle. So makes no difference.

However given it takes near seconds to remove. It's not a problem even if it was needed to remove it every time you get a flat.

J

[chrisbainbridge]

The axle mounting has 2 systems. One is just a clip and the other has a screw with a specialist head. The ordinary clip would take a couple of seconds to remove.

[grams]

The tail fin bag is about the same size as the Vaude trunk bag I have that mounts solely to the seatpost. The rack seems superfluous unless you’ve got a non-standard seatpost.

[quixoticgeek]

The tail fin bag is about the same size as the Vaude trunk bag I have that mounts solely to the seatpost. The rack seems superfluous unless you’ve got a non-standard seatpost.

Or not enough space between saddle and wheel...

J

[ElyDave]

Or want to carry other stuff on the rack

[John Stonebridge]

I'm another that's interested in the Tailfin.  Currently compromising with carradice stuff all of which has some drawback or other. 

Any intelligence on the reliability / nature of the frame mounting option for the rack?   

[quixoticgeek]

I'm another that's interested in the Tailfin.  Currently compromising with carradice stuff all of which has some drawback or other. 

Any intelligence on the reliability / nature of the frame mounting option for the rack?

I've done something like 10000km with mine. No problems with the mount at all. Be aware that if you take it on and off a lot, there is a small plastic bushing on the clip that is attached to the tailfin. This plastic bushing can fall off. I now carry a spare set in my tools bag (they weigh nothing). But when mine did fall off, I just used insulation tape to pad the mount until I got home.

J

[John Stonebridge]

I'm another that's interested in the Tailfin.  Currently compromising with carradice stuff all of which has some drawback or other. 

Any intelligence on the reliability / nature of the frame mounting option for the rack?

I've done something like 10000km with mine. No problems with the mount at all. Be aware that if you take it on and off a lot, there is a small plastic bushing on the clip that is attached to the tailfin. This plastic bushing can fall off. I now carry a spare set in my tools bag (they weigh nothing). But when mine did fall off, I just used insulation tape to pad the mount until I got home.

J

very helpful J ta

[Can’t swim won’t tri]

At risk of dragging us further off topic (it’s the internet, and we’re 14 pages in…) - for Tailfin users - how does it work in the event of a puncture?  How much faff does it add to the rear wheel removal process? And does this vary by mounting type (there seems to be 2 different axle fixing options, unless I’m misunderstanding the website)?

I have mine mounted to the frame rather than axle. So makes no difference.

However given it takes near seconds to remove. It's not a problem even if it was needed to remove it every time you get a flat.

J

Thanks, and to @chrisbainbridge as well.

[Peter]

Is it possible to get this fin stuff separated from this thread?  It's of incredibly marginal relevance to the total, though it may well be helpful and interesting to those who find it helpful and interesting.

[Peter]

Thanks, mods.!

[Paul H]

An alternative to Tailfin, if the objective is something easily attached and removed, is the newish Ortlieb Quick.  No carbon version, but the aluminium one is a comparable weight at a fraction of the price. 
https://www.ortlieb.com/en_us/quick-rack+F78104

[ravenbait]

The Quick Rack looks so similar it's almost as if they copied the design!

That said, the Tailfin has a higher weight rating, if that matters, and I'm not sure if the Ortlieb will handle short seat posts as well. Tailfin do a special long version to enable it to be used with <100mm seat post and dropper posts.

I started off using frame mounts on mine, but moved to using the axle mount to give the trunk bag more space. It looks a lot better and packs easier, but if you have more seatpost than I do it wouldn't matter. I have to say, Tailfin's customer service is second to none. I have been incredibly impressed with the whole experience.



Sam

[howdee]

Looks like a PX Hurricane. I have one in small frame.
I can confirm that the Ortlieb Quick Rack doesn't fit it! The Hurricane's rack bosses are positioned on the seat stays, which puts them on an angle. The Quick Rack doesn't like these.

I wanted to avoid the cost of a tailfin and thought I'd found the ideal solution with the Quick Rack

I may have to just bite the bullet on the tailfin and keep the Quick Rack as an ornament.

[ravenbait]

That is a PX Hurricane. It's a medium. I am just below the nominal minimum height for the medium, but I have a long reach for my height. Hence not having much seatpost.

I did start out with it mounted on the frame, and it worked. It was just a bit cramped where the bag sits under the saddle.



I prefer it on the axle, though. The angles are better, especially as I have the long version.

Sam

(I still need to chop off the excess from my aerobars!)

[howdee]

Looks much better on the axle.

What tailfin equipment would I need to order to look like yours?

[D.A.L.E.]

Interesting. Everyone I know who has one IRL has spent more time getting bits replaced than using it. Still fancy one mind.

[ravenbait]

Looks much better on the axle.

What tailfin equipment would I need to order to look like yours?

That one's a carbon rack with pannier mounts and an AP20 trunk, because I wanted to be able to remove the bag from the rack. You could order the alloy one, or even look at the aeropack, which I think is lighter, although you can't remove the bag. I do regret a tiny amount not getting the alloy -- the cage bosses would have added functionality. You can decide whether you need the long one or not depending on how much seat post you have showing, or if you ever want to use a dropper post. Short seat post/dropper needs the long arm version.

You'll also need the Universal thru axle, because of the hoods over the dropouts. Assuming you have the same pitch as me, which you'd like to think is the case, the configuration is M12x1.75, with the large flat 8mm spacer on the non-drive side. The wide extender is not necessary. That rig gives just enough space either side of the dropout hoods for the rack to sit neatly inside the outermost flanges of the mounts.

Dan will sort you out if you need any more advice.

Sam

[quixoticgeek]

Interesting. Everyone I know who has one IRL has spent more time getting bits replaced than using it. Still fancy one mind.

The only part I've had replaced in the last 10Mm is the bush on the quick release, and that's mostly my fault.

Mine look like this btw:



It's mounted to the rack mounts on the bike, with the quick release mounts.

The cages on the back are great, definitely recommend. I have a tailfin large cargo cage on each side. Plus a pair of bottle cages (https://www.specialized.com/us/en/zee-cage-ii--left/p/171461?color=274188-171461&searchText=43020-2101 one right, one left). I fit the two items to one set of cage mounts via wolftooth BRAD fittings (https://www.wolftoothcomponents.com/collections/b-rad-system).

On underside at the back I have another small cargocage mounted via https://www.tailfin.cc/product/spares/accessories-accessories/ap-mount/?v=79cba1185463

I use it to locate a spare outer tyre. I installed it for Ruska (1000km of Arctic cycling without access to a bike shop). I also have the bike light mount that goes in the same place, but I never installed it.

J

[Wycombewheeler]

It's mounted to the rack mounts on the bike, with the quick release mounts.

So the frame mount option on the website is for fixing to traditional pannier rack mounts on the frame?