Bikepacking - a viable alternative to racks & panniers

I’m not really sure. It just annoys me. I always want stack height minimised (on everything) and Tailfin’s seems slightly excessive.

I guess it looks a little less neat but I don't see how else you're gonna get straps in there without reducing bag volume or losing the padding or something. I might get one and give it a go and see how I find it compared to my trusty (unlike GLS staff) Gas Tank.

I've owned the zippered gastank for a while and earlier this year bought the biggest flip top Tailfin one. Much as I like my Revelate gear, there's no competition - the Tailfin is absolutely rock solid without anything round the steerer due to the V-mounts on the underside. Welded seams so it's completely rainproof and the magnetic catch means it's super easy to get stuff in and out one-handed, while riding along. I also have one of their downtube bags for spares, same mounting system and it's great.
I've lent the Gastank to a friend but I won't be asking for it back anytime soon!

Has it scratched/swirled your paint at all? Wondering if I should still helitape.

No, the V shaped mounts and the straps are both rubber/tpu so they don't mark the surfaces they're on. Can't say the same about the normal velcro type!
I guess it could happen if you were riding somewhere with really abrasive gritty dirt that might get underneath, but the fact that the bags don't move around at all makes me think it's unlikely.

Apidura also made a mag one I’ve had for while, in the racing range they did. Looks more like the revelate but a bit more lightweight. Wielded seams have always held out the rain and good for one handed access. Does need the stem strap so doesn’t sound as locked in as the tailfin though

https://youtu.be/EQilemP3NuM?si=ajlPCKHLznQYZG4d

just brilliant

Interesting. Now I wonder if I should be looking at the mag closure one or the zip one?

straps are both rubber/tpu so they don't mark the surfaces they're on

Do you ride off-road? Because dust and crap often gets under everything and it'll eventually rub paint no matter what mounting system it's using. I normally heli tape stuff as a matter of course though the rate I go through bikes I think maybe I should stop bothering.

Ive found that crap doesnt seem to get in between the frame and rubber bits, seems to seal things out pretty well, tightened up they dont move.
and ive got one of each, can prob jam a bit more into the strap closure one as it stretches out a bit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFVbS454nu8

Thanks I'll add it to the ever-growing content 'todo' list :)

I like the look of the apidura zip one, because it has a cable port to run power from a battery pack inside it to my phone which I use for navigation

#nogarmin

Do you ride off-road?<

Yes, most of the time, on gravel and dirt roads around Oslo. Your soil types may vary.
I don't have any carbon bikes, so I can't comment on whether there might be issues on that front! My steel genesis was already a bit scuffed from velcro straps but the Tailfin certainly hasn't made it any worse.

I like the look of the apidura zip one, because it has a cable port <

The tailfins have that too, it's a nice feature.

Here it is

https://www.jaypetervary.com/shop

1 Attachment

Where is the sail stowed?

LOL I was trying to come up with a sail joke, but no need now tyvm

Mag can come open, it shouldn't but it can. So if only use mag with stuff that I could afford to loose.

I definitely don't want to lose anything. I use that space for electronics and health and some tools, it's not just a bag of food.

It's not just a magnet, there is also a hook too that's under tension

Exactly, the Tailfin doesn't open, it naturally wants to close, so unless you used it on the seat tube (even here would probably be fine), nothing is going to jump out.

those who have a tailfin top tube bag, what sizes do you have?

It's a shame not to be able to to see them in a shop to get a sense of how big they are, what they can fit in...

This is how I’d categorise them:

0.8 = everyday top tube bag
1.1 = big day out/touring/bikepacking. Still surprisingly large.
1.5 = Massive. You’d need MTB Q factor to fit it between your legs.

Here's a good idea of what you can fit in the 1.1 and 1.5 flips...

https://bikepacking.com/gear/tailfin-top-tube-packs-review/

I have the 1.1 flip, I filled it and shook it around and upside down, it didn't open. Out of the saddle it catches my knees occasionally.