Tailfin Top Tube Pack £55

Tailfin, the British bikepacking brand best known for its innovative Aeropack, has entered the crowded market of top tube bags with five different models.

You choose between zip or flip-lid, with the zippered option coming in three different sizes (0.8, 1.1 and 1.5 litres) and the flip-lid in two (1.1 and 1.5 litres).

Tailfin recommends the largest 1.5 size is best used on mountain bikes rather than road or gravel. Meanwhile, the smallest size is expressly for those who have issues with knee rub.

Tailfin has tapered all the sizes so that they’re slimmer at the point where your knees are closest, but maximise volume at the steerer tube end. There’s also a vertical taper so that they’re narrower at the top. I did end up catching my knees occasionally with the 1.1 size I was using, but less than with some others of a similar capacity.

There are two schools of thought when it comes to closure: a zip can be more prone to water ingress than a flip or roll. But zips are easier to use and don’t leave excess material to flap, especially if you’re trying to grab something on the move.

Tailfin’s zip is rated as fully waterproof (I couldn’t test this during my riding in Morocco). The action was smooth and easy to operate and it comes with a choice of toggles for stealthy or more visible options.

The attachment system is impressive. Tailfin has ported over the design from its Down Tube Packs, which consists of a rubberised attachment point secured by cargo straps. Given that the system can hold a couple of kilos against a fork leg without slipping or leaving a mark, the demands of a top tube bag are easily accommodated.

This means there’s no need for a front strap around the steerer tube – and also means that when the bars are turned in low-speed manoeuvres, the top tube bag isn’t pulled out of alignment.

The bags can also be bolted to the top tube if your bike has bosses.

Inside is a shock absorbing insole to help protect your phone or charger pack as well as to deaden rattling noise. To the side is one mesh organiser pouch.

At £55 for the 1.1 zip version, Tailfin is in line with competitor premium products but there are features which are unique to Tailfin and the details really have been sweated.

RATING

★★★★★