Think there isn’t much you could do to improve on the classic cargo cage? Tailfin’s take on the versatilbe bikepacking staple shows that there is always room for improvement. Designed as part of their bikepacking system, the Tailfin Cargo Cage can also be used as a stand alone piece on just about any bike.
To offer a more versatile carrying device, the Tailfin cage includes their ‘Load Chip’ modular design which allows you to remove the lower support of the cage.
That makes the cage compatible with longer items like fishing or tent poles, but still supportive for shorter, heavier items like full water and fuel bottles.
They also slipped a bottle opener into Load Chip, because, you know, beers (or Topo Chico, Mexican Cokes, etc.).
Offered in two lengths, both cages are CNC machined from 7075-T6 aluminum with chamfered edges to protect fragile gear and straps. When it comes to the material and construction, Tailfin Founder and Mechanical engineer Nic Broadbent states, “We wanted to overcome both the material and functional limitations of current cargo cages. Existing cargo cage designs are lacking in many ways: plastic injection molded versions are heavy and can crack, while metal cages have weak points at the welds and, like sheet metal versions, can look crude. The majority are L-shaped so have limited use, are location-specific, and can damage or scuff forks.”
Claimed weights are listed as 56.6g/67.8g (S) and 78.9g/90.2g (L) (without/with Load Chip). The two cages share a 72mm width which allows them to be used on the lower downtube bottle mount location regardless of q-factor.
The lower profile also works well when using as a rear-mounted cage on something like one of the Tailfin racks. If you intend to keep the cages on your bike, you probably won’t always need to run them loaded. So this way, the lower profile is better for riding unloaded with less risk of catching on obstacles.
Rated to carry up to 11lbs on the road or 6.6lbs off-road, the cages are designed around the popular Voile cargo strap, but will work with others as well. Offered only in black, the The Small runs £39 ( €45 / $55) and the Large is priced at £45 ( €50 / $60) .
Specifications:
- Construction: 7075-T6 Aluminium
- Length: 157mm (S), 221mm (L)
- Width: 72mm
- Depth: 16mm
- Weight (Cradle only/with Load Chip): 56.6g/67.8g (S), 78.9g/90.2g (L)
- Color: Tailfin Black
