Tailfin Aeropack users - axle query

ah, I just found a note on their website suggesting no issues to use it instead of the regular axle, without any luggage, so all good.

I leave it in, but you've got to remember to screw it out the right way or it'll disassemble!

Sorry, I can't help you with the question, but, have a question instead. Mrs Yak currently does the odd bikepack race every now and then with a  standard saddlebag. Long thing, fixed to seatpost and saddle rails with straps/ roll top/ compression - standard thing.

But it wags around a bit and after every trip/race I get told it knocks confidence on technical descents. The Tailfin set up looks better. So is it? Can you descend well and everything feels rock solid? Are you running a dropper too? 

thanks.

Tailfin stuff is rock solid, incredibly well made but super expensive. I've come to prefer a Alpkit BigPapa saddle back with an Exorail holding it in place, works well, feels solid and is very easy to get on and off. You could use it easily with a dropper.

Thanks. The exorail looks good and might work with the current POD saddle pack. Might need some additional webbing added for a fixed slot to slide the exorail in - not sure. Will have a look.

No problem leaving the tailfin axle in. I do for short periods but tend to swap it back after a trip. I have the universal one with is impressive and will fit every single through axle bike in the garage, it's the sort of thing a bike shop could stock that would just about anyone who needs one in a hurry.  And if they made a front one I'm sure that would save a fair few rides/holidays by riders who have left theirs behind! 

@yak

They are rock solid and mine has put up with plenty of spirited rocky descents on gravel and MTB.  It would fit a dropper as long as the collar is high enough for the seatpost strap, however it's not guaranteed you will be able to drop the post much even with the extended seatpost clamp.  I swap to a rigid post and when I want to access the bag I normally release the seatpost clamp, slide it up and reclamp so the bag isn't under the saddle.

Because it's all proprietary parts I do carry a few spares for it including the short post clamp as I did manage to bend the long one slightly.

PS Bikes with a UDH hanger will need the tailfin one so the axle can pass through it

thanks all, will leave in for the trip duration, bags or no bags.

test pack, need to squash it down a bit ! I do have the bar bag also but don’t need all that space for upcoming trip so a fullish aero pack and a top tube bag 

I usually tend to take mine out if I’m not using the bag for a long time.

Tailfin stuff is rock solid, incredibly well made but super expensive

I’d class it as stuff I begrudge paying the price for  but after using it always makes me happy to have done.

Its just really nice stuff and tbh something that isn’t used is expensive if you actually use it all the time and get the full use out of it  and enjoyment it’s not 🙂

Did you get the extended seatpost thing, that moves it back a  bit further.

I've had mine a few years and the Tailfin axle has stayed in that whole time I think, except when the bike went in a box for a trip to the Pyrenees when I took the original axle. No issues. 

Did you get the extended seatpost thing, that moves it back a  bit further

yes, it's on in that picture, combination of short legs, 54cm frame and an ISM saddle which has quite a bit at the rear.  I can ride it ok as in the picture, just can't get over the back if on techy descents, which are not on the plan next week. 

I may unload it a bit, I'm loathe to put the Tailfin bar bag on as on 2 of the 5 days we will be riding without luggage and I'd have the frame mount still bolted to the bars, which would annoy me, plus I'd only be popping a few clothes and some light evening VivoBarefoots into it, so don't need all the space. I do have a Evoc Stage 6 backpack that i could take to put some of the light bulky stuff in and make the Aeropack a bit more compact, I'd not need the backpack on the 2 luggage free days, will have a play..

the Tailfin axle has stayed in that whole time I think, except when the bike went in a box for a trip to the Pyrenees when I took the original axle. No issues. 

great, thanks.

I prefer to have the seatpost clamp as low as possible, and don't put much stuff in the front of the pack. That allows it to sit tucked in below the seat. That does make access a bit trickier... resolved by undoing the front clamp and sitting the pack on the rear tyre if needed.

^^^ thanks, I was following their online tips for small frames where they say mount the clamp high on seatpost to make access easier, but it does then mean it sticks up quite a bit, so may give that a try - any pics @stanley ?

Here goes...  

Not the best pictures, and not a particularly fully loaded Aeropack... but I sort of aim to make it a wedge shape. Large frames btw.

^^ brill, looks good 🙂

I love the Tailfin kit but my one disappointment is that the Aeropack doesn't fit well under the saddle of either of my bikes, even with the extended seat post connector. This means I can't properly fill the pack. I guess the frame geometry affects this, with a steeper seat tube giving a better fit.

With regards the axle, I remove it after each trip as it fits both my gravel bike and hardtail mtb so is ready to be fitted to either bike.

^^^ looks good, yes, exactly same restriction I have.  I don't really like the look of it sitting up high above the saddle, and for full bikepacking I'd split the contents between the Aeropack and the bar bag. Next week is 4 nights away and staying in Youth Hostels so travelling fairly light, so I think I may end up with a small backpack and a compacted Aeropack, rather than a half empty bar bag.

Don’t really fill mine right up 🙂

^^^ looks far better than mine !

I think one of the most underrated cheap usefull things is a bottle bag on the back of your bars  as it makes a great place to store nibbles or on a hot day a cold coke/water/beer got from a garage, the ones I use also close up nicely on the top so you can store stuff you want to quickly get to without it bouncing out.

Thanks all for the tips, ready to head off for a few days tomorrow, last nights test fit here, have since raised the bar bag a bit more from the front wheel.

With the Aeropack, does the seat post clamp mark the post much ? I haven’t put protection on it and their website says it’s fine with carbon posts, but I could put a few wraps of black insulating tape on the post under the clamp.

mines been in for two years! occasionally when the rack isn't fitted I walk into it when pushing the bike but other than that it's been trouble free

That was good to watch, thanks rocketdog 👍 

Posted by: iainc

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That was good to watch, thanks rocketdog 👍 

welcome