Introduction

With the desire to get out on some bigger adventures, including winter bikepacking trips, upgrading from a traditional seat pack was something that needed to happen sooner than later. Having bikepacked upwards of 10,000km using various seat packs, I was well aware of their limitations and wanted something that could carry more gear, while also being versatile enough for adventures both short and long. The need to unpack the entire seat pack every time I required access was also starting to get to me. As my tent only fit into the seatpack, it was always a struggle to access other items once the bag was packed.

When the AeroPack was first released through Kickstarter in 2016, word quickly spread about this new minimalist rear rack with an integrated bag. As bikepacking was just starting to gain in popularity, it wasn't too long before people started to look for alternative means of carrying gear while out adventuring.

Choosing between the AeroPack and the AP Rack Top Bag was a pretty tough decision. The racer in me really wanted the lightest possible setup, while the adventurer in me really appreciated the versatility of the AP Rack Top Bag. Ultimately, I opted to sacrifice a little bit in regard to weight, so as to have the versatility of a removable bag that would allow me to adjust my setup based on the needs of the adventure.

While I have been fortunate to have Tailfin sponsor the podcast and send me various bags to use, I have done my utmost to keep this gear review as free of bias as possible.

Tailfin Cycling: Technical Bikepacking Equipment

Tailfin Cycling quietly began life in 2016, when Nick Broadbent used Kickstarter to crowdfund an idea for a rack with an integrated bag. The new rack system, dubbed "The Tailfin" was a carbon fiber rack that would integrate directly with a bag, so as to remove unnecessary material, while also creating something that was practical for everyday use. As a keen bike commuter, Nick was tired of having to install and remove bike racks every time he wanted to get out on a proper ride. He also didn't like the look of a touring rack on his carbon road bike, and decided to create something that would complement the lines of a carbon road bike, be easy to install and remove, while also being completely waterproof. As a result of its overwhelming success, Tailfin expanded operations and created a brand that has become synonymous with quality.

In the years since launching the AeroPack, Tailfin has taken an innovative approach to creating various other bike bags and accessories. Not only have they created 100% waterproof products, but they have also re-designed their products from the ground up, in order to create an ecosystem of products that don't just complement one another, but also integrate seamlessly together.

First Glance

When I picked up the AP Rack Top Bag out of the box, I was impressed with how light the whole things was, especially considering there is an aluminum frame inside the base of the bag. Upon opening the box, you immediately notice that the hardware is not installed on the bag and that a little DIY will be necessary. This isn't a very big deal as the hardware comes in a bag and the installation process is relatively simple, only requiring a T25 torx to install the hook and the bracket that contains the stainless-steel retention pins. If you aren't installing any additional accessories such as the light mount, it'll only take a few minutes to have it ready to go.

Design and Construction

The AP Rack Top Bag is cleverly designed to provide a high degree of stability with the ability to attach and remove the rack in a matter of seconds. Built around an aluminum frame, the bag uses a mix of nylon and Hypalon laminate, welded together using ultrasonic welding to create a bag that is 100% waterproof. The internal frame creates structural rigidity while also enabling more efficient load carrying.

The AP Rack Top Bag works with both the carbon and alloy versions of their rack, using the CNC-machined 6061-T6 aluminum allow fittings together with the stainless-steel pins to create an extremely strong, rattle-free connection. The bag is designed with a roll-top that can carry up to 18 liters of gear, with a load of up to 9kg. One side of the bag includes a shallow stash pocket, perfect for items that require quick access, such as a mini-pump, wallet, multi-tool, or whatever you may need. The other side provides an access pocket to allow you easy access to the bag, without the need to unroll the top. The bag also includes two removeable straps that can be used to cinch down the bag or to attach additional gear to the top of the bike

The rear of the bag also includes two fabric loops for mounting clip-style lights. Due to the internal frame, the bag's rigidity helps keep the lights position fairly well. There is also an optional light mount that can be purchased, which, when mounted to the bottom of the bag, allows you to use a seat post light that would otherwise be obscured by the bag.

First Ride

Prior to using the AP Rack Top Bag I had only ever used drybags strapped onto the top of my rack with Voile straps. Not being a fan of stuffing bags from the end, particularly sleeping bags, I was pretty stoked to get the chance to test out the performance of this top-loading, waterproof bag. Having built a reputation for creating high-quality gear, it was immediately noticeable, when out on my first ride, just how much this was true. The stainless-steel pins are spring-loaded so as to keep the bag securely connected to the rack, creating a connection so secure that there is no movement or sound whatsoever. Bag removal is very quick, only requiring the user to pull on the two spring-loaded pins to have the bag disconnect from the rack. Initially I thought this would be the weak point, but as you will read further down, this was not the case.

My first adventure with the AP Top Rack Bag was a 150km winter gravel ride, during which I carried a full winter sleep system. Not only was I able to fit my -18-degree Celsius sleeping quilt into the bag, but I was also able to stuff in my winter puffy jacket. Even when wearing winter gloves, the bag was easy to access and even easier to pack. My next big journey was the Canadian Shield XL, a 1150km mountain bikepacking route through Quebec's Laurentian Mountains. On this 1-week adventure, I packed the Rack Top Bag with my sleeping bag, air mattress, freeze-dried food, bike pump and more. Throughout the ride, the bag was put to the test on multiple occasions. The Canadian Shield XL is peppered with single-track, some of which is pretty rough. Not only did the bag never fall off, but it also never made any of the squeaking and creaking noises that are commonly experienced with bags attached to regular racks.

The bag's integrated frame helps the bag keep its shape. This is particularly noticeable when the bike is laid down, as the bag doesn't show any noticeable sag. The stainless-steel, spring-loaded pins, keep the bag locked onto the rack, even on the roughest trails. After 8 days of gravel, rail trail, single track and unmaintained roads, I arrived at home with the bag looking as good as new. In all the time using the bag, I've only had it fall off once, and that was a result of human error, having not made sure the pins are properly locked in place and just assuming they were. Luckily, I was moving at a slow pace and no damage was caused.

The two cinch-straps are perfect for compressing the contents of the bag and to keep everything secure when riding over rough terrain. For those less gnarly adventures where you don't want the hassle of extra straps, they are easily removed. However, the cinch straps really start to shine when you need to strap something to the top of your bag. I've used these straps on several occasions to attach my tent to the top of the bag and on other occasions to strap down wet rain gear.

The one complaint I have with the bag is that depending how the bag was packed, I found that the front-most strap would slide forward off the front of the bag. While there was no risk of it getting caught on something while riding, it was annoying when it happened. A quick workaround I discovered was to cross the two straps, connecting the front strap to the rear buckle and vice-versa, proving to be an effective solution.

The AP Rack Top Bag's proprietary design also means that it will only work with the Tailfin Pannier Rack, which must be purchased separately. This can make for quite an expensive setup, as the starting price for the rack and bag combo is $505 CAD ($380 USD). Deciding to include pannier mounts, different mounting hardware for the rack, or upgrading to the carbon rack, all drive the price upwards. The equivalent setup with rack and top bag of equally high quality, such as the Old Man Mountain Elkhorn rack and Juniper Trunk bag, starts at $293 USD, which can also be upgraded with the burlier Divide rack, fit kits, etc. While a Tailfin setup is more expensive than a traditional saddle bag, there is a lot to be said about the quality of product that Tailfin has created, not to mention the incredible amount of stability provided.

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Final Thoughts

After nearly a year of use, I have really come to appreciate all the work that has gone into the design and construction of the Tailfin AP Rack Top Bag. It connects seamlessly with the Tailfin Pannier Rack, providing a stable platform for packing many of your bulkiest items, while keeping everything dry even during the worst weather. The real beauty in using the AT Rack Top Bag is the versatility it provides over a traditional seat pack, allowing for the user to attach Tailfin panniers of various sizes when necessary, with the provided option of removing the Rack Top Bag when not needed. While the initial cost of the setup is high, this is certainly a premium product that will last you years of heavy-duty use and comes with a 5-year warranty.