I'm not a big fan of massive saddle bags for longer rides/bike packing... they just rattle and swing about!
I've got an aerus tuby lightweight rack on the back of the tripster - this is great as I often ride from Worthing to Brighton with packed panniers...
I'd really like an aero type top mount rack bag for it - almost like a a saddle bag.
Tailfin do a really nice looking one..but it looks like it only mounts to the tailfin racks...
Really I want one like that, but that fits my rack..
Suggestions??
DrP
Topeak MTX packs on a different rack? I have one on the trike and also a Beam Rack for other duties.
Heavyweight dry bag e.g. Alpkit Xtra just strapped to the top of the rack?
I've actually got a tailfin, but have been known to swap it out for a thick dry bag (as @dovebiker suggests) as the tail fin can get in the way of a dropper if you're not careful with packing.
Really I want one like that, but that fits my rack..
The tailfin bike rack is a thing of beauty! You already know the answer! You just need to justify the cost now. 🤣
There's currently a sale on, does that help?
They're lovely but why do literally none of the ultra distance racers use them? All on some kind of saddle bag. Is it the weight gain?
having watched a few Youtube vids today (home with ill bubba) of the Atlas race, and trans Celtic... a LOT of the racers actually DO use them!
DrP
Currently showing as out of stock but I have a Lomo one I use on a front rack. Nice solid bag cinches down and sits solidly on the rack but don't know whether it counts as aero. It definitely isn't aero on the front of my old hack bike!
https://www.lomo.co.uk/acatalog/dry-bike-tail-bag.html#SID=119
@DrP. What sort of capacity do you need?
I use a rack pack and it doesn’t stick out too far IME, but it’s only 7 litres (expandable to 10)
I’m fortunate though in having a few rack choices because the pack above won’t fit on my Tubus Disco because it’s base is far too wide for the Disco’s narrow platform, and so deforms the bag when strapped firmly. I can just about get by with it on my other lightweight rack (an older Alpkit alu model) yet it sits best on the old-skool rack in the pic (although the rack is fairly lightweight it has a wide platform)
Reminded me that my father in law has a Carradice rack pack. It is very practical but more CTC old timers / audax style than sleek modern aero, will do the same job. It lived on his galaxy then another bike and now his ebike and gets used a lot and must be well over 10 years old but still working fine.
https://carradice.co.uk/shop/rackpacks/carradura-rackpack/
I hated my Carradice rackpack. Unless it was near full, it just wobbled all over the place. A wider rack than a Tubus Airy may have helped with this.
Curious, how many watts will this save?
All the watts!
Basically... by aero I mean 'lightweight and minimalist'...
I don't want 25 pockets, and a pair of semi panniers attached to it....
The tailfin one like great... roll top so can sinch down...waterproof... expandable...
Basically like a big saddle pack... just, erm, to sit on a rack.
If it comes down to strapping a drying to the rack, so be it!
DrP
Arkel do a good rack bag.
The MTX racks/paniers are great. Managed for a fair few years commuting with mine, but needed a waterproof cover. Finally switched to Ortlieb's, and the rest is history.
I've got one of these Vaude off-road bags which fixes to a relatively discreet Rixen Kaul klickfix seatpost mount.
I think there are slightly bigger and smaller versions available and possibly ones to go on a conventional rack too if you prefer, it's kind of aero. The best bit (IMO) is that once its removed the bike becomes a normal bike with a small lump on the seatpost not a bike with a chuffing great rack on the back...
Edit:
Here you go, thats what it looks like on a bike:
Actually some watts. A few people have Chung methoded and wind tunneled Bikepacking bags. Normal saddle bags are sort of neutral. Tailfins are a slight aero gain (but at cost of 4-500g of weight).
@continuity I don't doubt there are aero benefits, just wondering how significant
@cookeaa
I actually have one of those on my fixie!!!
Pretty good bit of kit TBH..
nice shape.
I'm going to leave the rack on teh back of the Tripster (as it's lightweight, and I do carry panniers etc from time to time..)
Will keep looking at sugegstions above..
Trouble is, the tubus airy is a pretty slim 'top', so might need to fashion a cradle for it (they do exist..)
I want to do some longer riders (Avenue Vert to paris etc) and want to take stuff, but not panniers...)
DrP
