Lightweight touring rack | Tailfin? Other alternatives?

[Firmo]

I'm looking to start combining touring with remote working, so I think that using a pannier is going to be the best option.

I'd like a rack that I could switch between my road bike and the gravel bike, and for this process to be as quick and easy as possible.

What are the options? Is there anything better (more convenient, lighter, more versatile, easier to install) than a Tailfin Carbon Rack?

[riderdown]

I have the aeroe pannier rack, it's great, works well on my mtb's and transfers with not too much faff, seems bullet proof

It is however hefty, and not and instant switch over, not sure whether i would be happy fitting on a lightweight carbon frame

[PaulB2]

An ortlieb quick rack might work for you - you’d just need a set of adapters for each bike and then switching over is painless according to all the reviews

[rudedog]

I'm interested in hearing more on the logistics of integrating touring and remote working - how are you going to make that work?

[rivers]

I have a Tailfin Aeropack, though the aluminium version and a selection of their panniers bags. It is hands down the best investment I've made for my bike. I use it daily for commuting, plus on trips throughout the year. And it's a doddle to swap between bikes.

[Firmo]

What type of bike do you use this on?
What was the total spend for the rack and bag/s?
If you have a photo of the setup, could you share it?

I have a Tailfin Aeropack, though the aluminium version and a selection of their panniers bags. It is hands down the best investment I've made for my bike. I use it daily for commuting, plus on trips throughout the year. And it's a doddle to swap between bikes.

[Firmo]

I live in Málaga so the weather is decent pretty much all year round. I often rent out my apartment for short periods, which then pays for me to travel and rent other places in different locations, but while I am away, I often miss having the bike.

So I was thinking of taking regular 'breaks' where I disappear on the bike. Accommodation in interior Spain is very cheap so I could rent accommodation as I go, work from cafes, and occasionally camp out. Finding a balance between work and touring could be a challenge, so I suppose I'd set an unambitious goal to spend 3-4 hours on the bike each day, depending on volume of work and daylight hours.

I'm interested in hearing more on the logistics of integrating touring and remote working - how are you going to make that work?

[Firmo]

Thanks. I remember looking at this rack before. The difference in price between this and the Tailfin makes it more appealing. I see they have the Quick Rack Light as well, which could work well too.

An ortlieb quick rack might work for you - you’d just need a set of adapters for each bike and then switching over is painless according to all the reviews

[rivers]

What type of bike do you use this on?
What was the total spend for the rack and bag/s?
If you have a photo of the setup, could you share it?

I have a Tailfin Aeropack, though the aluminium version and a selection of their panniers bags. It is hands down the best investment I've made for my bike. I use it daily for commuting, plus on trips throughout the year. And it's a doddle to swap between bikes.

I use it regularly on my Orro Terra C for commuting and bikepacking, my road bike for commuting, and I've even stuck it on my TT bike when I head straight from work to a mid-week TT (taking it off the bike and swapping out for the normal axle pre-race of course). I'll stick some photos on Google drive and post a link
I bought everything at separate times and most of my bags were gifts from family, but all in for the aeropack, 2 x 22 litre UD panniers, 2 x 10 litre, and 2 x 5 litre, you're looking around £850. But for the aeropack and 2 x 22 litre, you're looking at around £550

[rivers]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Chy95BUzuGyqt2z29

I'll get a few more once I'm home

[Firmo]

Nice setup. Not cheap though, eh!?
Thanks for the info and photos, much appreciated.

What type of bike do you use this on?
What was the total spend for the rack and bag/s?
If you have a photo of the setup, could you share it?

I have a Tailfin Aeropack, though the aluminium version and a selection of their panniers bags. It is hands down the best investment I've made for my bike. I use it daily for commuting, plus on trips throughout the year. And it's a doddle to swap between bikes.

I use it regularly on my Orro Terra C for commuting and bikepacking, my road bike for commuting, and I've even stuck it on my TT bike when I head straight from work to a mid-week TT (taking it off the bike and swapping out for the normal axle pre-race of course). I'll stick some photos on Google drive and post a link
I bought everything at separate times and most of my bags were gifts from family, but all in for the aeropack, 2 x 22 litre UD panniers, 2 x 10 litre, and 2 x 5 litre, you're looking around £850. But for the aeropack and 2 x 22 litre, you're looking at around £550

[BridlewayBimbler]

I have an Ortleib Quick Rack on my gravel bike.
I use a 10 litre Gill Race Team waterproof bag secured with Rok Straps.
I think the total cost for everything was about 100 quid or thereabouts?
You can find a pic of the setup on my Bivvy a Month for January 2024

[ton]

back in the day i used to use a Tubus Fly stainless steel rack. very light and very strong.
a only secured via 3 bolts. so less than 2 minutes to swap between bikes.

https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m5b0s79p481 ... nnier-Rack

[yourguitarhero]

Tortec ultra lite works well for me.
Easy to fit, robust enough for anything my bike can do off road (with 38mm tyres).
Can take panniers and the platform is big enough to put bags on top.

They're less than £30, so not a big expenditure to try it out.

Would recommend Ortlieb gravel panniers too. They are more expensive though!

[Lemming]

I'm looking to start combining touring with remote working, so I think that using a pannier is going to be the best option.

I'd like a rack that I could switch between my road bike and the gravel bike, and for this process to be as quick and easy as possible.

What are the options? Is there anything better (more convenient, lighter, more versatile, easier to install) than a Tailfin Carbon Rack?

What did you go for in the end ?

I'm just looking for one now

[due]

Not sure on the ETA but Ortlieb are releasing an axle mount kit for their quick racks ala Tailfin (but still a fraction of the price):
https://bikepacking.com/gear/2024-eurob ... ts-part-1/

[redefined_cycles]

Right, with all due respect to the original poster. I'm sick to the teeth of seeing and hearing of Tailfin bags. Tailwind this and Tailfin that...

I'm buying one

Which to go for, the zipper version of the toptube bag or the snap closure. Also, is the zipper version a YKK zip or some cheap rubbish like (I think and according to Valerio and me checking on my) Apidura zips.

From what I can see/read, the zipper version is lighter but the snap closure might be more robust against the elements.

Firms, btw... Have you considered the rigid Revelate Design seatpack. I love mine and never looked back. Plus, it keeps you from overpacking and thus keeps the centre of gravity nice and various areas of the bike utilised for packs.

Handlebar harness by Salsa (the rigid one, I forget the name) or Revelate. Maybe an Egress waterproof pocket to attach to the harness there. A great big top tube bag like the Tailfin, again (hopefully) waterproof.

A full frame bag like the Revelate but in the max size that'll fit your frame. Them big YKK (no8 I think) zippers and stretchy material around them, allow them to be stuffed to the brim. Maybe a tiny collapsible backpack to allow storage of temporary items like food/water etc. Sea2Summit can collapse down to a small apple but I have the Osprey version which does similar

Maybe if you bike has underframe downtube holes then an extra cargo item there like the Apidura waterproof bags.. etc etc

https://www.bikemonger.co.uk/revelate-d ... 0926-p.asp

https://www.tradeinn.com/trekkinn/en/se ... 692c7b8b5f

https://www.osprey.com/gb/osprey-ultral ... f-pack-s23

https://www.bikemonger.co.uk/salsa-exp- ... 3289-p.asp

Maybe one day I might go Tailfin pannier type racks but the weight/strength just seems a bit of a liability for serious off-grid type touring. One of the lads I know broke his of which TF sent him a replacement part. Probably user error in trying to snap a closure without holding it taut first.

[Valerio]

I love it when one asks a specific question and gets recommendations for something completely different

I have a tailfin alloy aeropack as well as other bags from tailfin including their panniers.
I used to use a traditional rear rack on my commuter.
I now use a Ortlieb Quick rack on my new commuter which i use with an ortlieb pannier.

The only reason why i bought the Ortlieb is because it's significantly cheaper than the Tailfin system and if my bike gets stolen i dont want to lose the tailfin as well.
At the same time i wanted something that could easily come off the bike for unloaded rides.

If you're doing remote touring (and I assume, carrying significant amount of kit) i wouldnt buy the tailfin carbon arch but rather the alloy version.
I heard of failures of the tailfin system but I'd say these could happen with any lightweight system.
I can't see the Ortlieb being more robust than the tailfin.
On the ortlieb you're relying on a single bolt on each side, with tailfin you're using a thru axle which is better imho. The attachment on the rack side might be a bit more solid on the ortlieb.

The Tailfin is a greater investment but I'd say worth it in my opinion and you can re-sell it in no time if you don't like it.

Quality of panniers seem to be equal IMHO.