Ever since their massively successful Kickstarter campaign, Tailfin has been putting the final touches on their AeroPack system. As Tailfin founder and engineer Nick Broadbent puts it, “With the AeroPack, our aim was to take the idea of a traditional seat pack and make it better. We looked at what was out there and smoothed out the inherent and reported issues: swaying on the bike, access to your gear, mounting, abrasion issues and more, to create a solid, stable and light accessory.”
That has all led to the production version of the rack/bag that is now available for purchase. Compared to other ways to carry your gear on self-supported adventures, the AeroPack has a few unique advantages. For starters, since the AeroPack is mounted to the bike with its integrated rack system, the bag won’t sway like standard seat packs. The mount is compatible with standard rack mounts or quick release or thru axle frames and can even be used with full suspension mountain bikes.
Also, since it attaches low on the seat post, dropper posts still have some functionality – though how much looks to depend on the length of your dropper and how far back the AeroPack sits in relation to the saddle.
Another claimed advantage of the system is its aerodynamics. During testing, Tailfin found their AeroPack to be equal to or better than any other saddle bag in terms of aerodynamics. They also found a major difference in aerodynamics when running a seat pack only vs. running handlebar bags as well. Apparently, most handlebar bags will result in a 10-20W aero penalty thanks to the additional drag up front.
Offered in two versions, the AeroPack S is meant to be used only as a seat pack with a 20L capacity and weight limit of 9kg. Claimed weight for the full system is 690g – 860g depending on the material and the mounting type.
The AeroPack X uses the same seat pack, but adds the ability to mount their pannier bags to the sides for additional storage. Claimed weight for the X is 750g – 960g depending on the material and mounting type
Both versions are available with aluminum or carbon rack supports, for a total of four separate options. The same rack improvements are also available in the new X & S series racks, which are not integrated into the bag like the AeroPack. These racks are designed for use with their AeroPack Trunk Top Bag which is a bit heavier than the integrated AeroPack models, but allows you to quickly disconnect the bag from the rack.
Pricing starts at $220 for the AeroPack S alloy, and goes up from there depending on the setup and included bags. Changes from the prototype include a more modular design that will allow you to replace fewer parts if you ever manage to break the rack in a crash. Each is available now.
