Stable, waterproof & versatile: test ride with the Tailfin Half Frame Bag

Note: At my request, Tailfin provided me with a frame bag for the test. So that's advertising.

When it comes to bags for Bikepacking, it’s easy to talk about Tailfin. They have been gaining in popularity for some time now, not least among performance-orientated Bikepacking fans. After the AeroPack, with which they were able to breathe new life into the old concept of the pannier rack, and the Top Tube Pack, which in my opinion is currently one of the best top tube bags on the market, a few months ago they also introduced frame bags.

And to a remarkable extent: the range includes a total of 9 frame bags, 3 of which are “wedge” versions and 6 of which are frame bags. Wedge means shorter bags that do not take up the entire top tube and are wedge-shaped, tapering more narrowly towards the rear. They then offer more space for bottles that are attached to the seat tube. The other frame bags are half-frame bags.

The Wedge Frame Bags are available in the size:

• 1,9L
• 2,7L
• 3,5L
  

The Half Frame Bags are available in the following sizes:

• 2,3L
• 3L
• 3,8L
• 4,5L
• 5,3L
• 6,5L

And it has to be said right away: the Tailfin frame bags are primarily designed for gravel bikes and road bikes. Here they fit perfectly into the frame triangle.

I received this information from Tailfin after I realised that the shape of the frame bags didn’t really fit my two MTBs (Salsa Fargo and Nordest Sardinha). It seems that full-frame bags are planned for MTBs, but these are still to come.

I was able to determine this with the interactive tool that can be found on the Tailfin website and which helps to find the correct and suitable frame bag size. You upload a photo of your bike according to certain parameters and can then click through the bags and adapt them to your frame. The tool also tells you immediately whether the photo fits or not.

Mounting

I chose the 3.8 litre half-frame bag for myself. It fits well, even if it doesn’t go all the way to the front of the triangle due to the MTB frame construction.

And it can be combined very well and very easily with the top tube bag. This is a feature that I would like to point out. Anyone who has ever fitted a frame bag and a top tube bag knows how fiddly it can sometimes be.

Especially if you can’t fasten the top tube bag with screws, the fastening straps and the frame bag can very quickly get in each other’s way and vice versa. One solution to avoid this is to bring the straps for the top tube and frame bag together and only use one for both. I have already tried this on a few bags and was not satisfied. Either the frame bag was tight or the top tube bag was tight. But rarely both equally well.

Tailfin has now solved this quite well and the frame bags can be easily combined with the top tube bags. The frame bags have wide rubber straps – known as V-mounts – through which the Tailfin rubber straps can be easily passed, allowing both bags to be strapped on easily and, above all, securely. Thanks to the rubberised bottom attachments of the top tube and the rubberised flaps of the frame bags, both hold very firmly to the frame and don’t wobble, even off-road. That is remarkable.

I connected both bags for this test and rode a total of more than 600 kilometres on both bikes. However, I will move the top tube bag more to the front and use an extra strap for it.

Waterproofness

Like all Tailfin bags, the frame bag is also made from 210D Hypalon. This is obviously a nylon material that is also used for inflatable boats. Tailfin also classifies the bags as waterproof. Whether this is actually the case usually depends on the quality of the zip. I know from Ortlieb that the zip is usually the most expensive part of a waterproof bag, as this is where the stress and challenge is greatest.

I rode the frame bag in the rain and also sprayed it with water to test it. I could not detect any water penetration. However, Tailfin points out that waterproofness is only guaranteed if the zip is fully closed and the carriage is under the cover. I wouldn’t submerge the bag under water, though, as it has a covered opening at the front for a water hose or cable. No water can get in there when it rains, but it can get in when submerged in water.

Stability of shape

I particularly like the fact that the bag retains its shape. Tailfin uses carbon rails to give the bag its shape. However, the bag is flexible at the front and rear ends and can therefore be given a little more space depending on the load or can be pressed in accordingly. The bags also taper slightly towards the bottom. This design also means that the frame bag does not interfere with pedalling and touch the legs. I can confirm this from practical experience. This can certainly happen with other frame bags if they become too bulky when loaded or move sideways due to a less than optimal attachment.

The dimensions are:

• Length top 48.5 cm, centre 49.5 cm, bottom 36 cm
• Height at widest point 16 cm, 5.6 cm at the front, 10 cm at the back
• Width at the front 6.5 cm, at the back 5.5 cm
• Depth at the back 5.5 cm at the top, 6 cm at the bottom
• Front depth 6.5 cm at the top, 7.3 cm at the bottom
• V-mount length 6 cm, width 2.5 cm

Speaking of mounting: the position of the mounting lugs on the frame bags is fixed, which can sometimes be suboptimal. However, this is the compromise you have to make if you want a bag that is very secure and can be easily combined with the top tube bag.

Inside, the frame bag offers a few more features: the larger compartment with zip is located on the drive side. There is also a small extra pocket and Velcro fasteners for attaching an air pump or spare spokes.

On the non-drive side, the compartment is narrower and has a small additional pocket. This is more suitable for flat items such as a wallet, bars or a flat power bank.

Conclusion

I make no secret of the fact that I am already a Tailfin fanboy. I think the Brits are doing a pretty good and creative job of putting a new spin on seemingly well-developed products such as pannier racks, top tube bags and now also frame bags.

The top tube bag is my current first choice anyway and I hope that they will soon bring a long version onto the market.

The Tailfin frame bag also has the potential to be a permanent fixture on my bike. Above all, the fixed and wobble-free combination of frame bag and top tube bag is unique. And thanks to the carbon rails, it doesn’t bulge even when fully loaded and doesn’t move when riding.

At 3.8 litres, it also offers plenty of space and also leaves room for bottles in the frame triangle. This is relevant for me because I don’t want to attach a bottle cage to the fork with a suspension fork and therefore need an alternative place. With the Nordest, I can still attach them to the rear stays, but that’s not ideal either.

If I do need more transport space in the frame triangle, I either use the customised frame bag from Gramm on the Fargo or the one from 7Roads on the Nordest. If waterproofness is very important, then I’ll use the Ortlieb frame bag.

But I’m curious to see what frame bags Tailfin will offer for MTBs. But looking at the latest Instagram post from Fizik with Quinda, I’m already looking forward to all the Tailfin news (the second picture):

Two things to consider though if you want to go for Tailfin:

• Weight

According to the manufacturer, the Tailfin Half Frame Bag with 3.8 litres weighs 332g with the fastening straps; weighed 307g (with 2 straps). It’s not the lightest bag, but you get the advantages described above. It therefore weighs >100g more than the comparable Cyclite Frame Bag Large or the Ortlieb Frame Pack. The dimensional stability and the material obviously mean more weight.

• Price

The price for the 3.8 litre version is 130 euros. Like the other Tailfin bags, this is also in the upper price segment. Comparable with the Cyclite frame bag, which costs 140 euros.

Comparison with frame bags from other manufacturers

Others about the Tailfin frame bags

• Off Road.cc: “Tailfin Frame Bag review”
• GrandFondo Cycling (GER): “The Lab: Tailfin Frame Bag – Lots of frame bag, little wobble?”
• Gravel Club (GER): “Tailfin Frame Bags”