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Bikepack Adventures
When Tailfin first sent me the newly released Handlebar Bag, I was pretty stoked to mount it on my gravel bike and take off on some adventures. Unfortunately, I was in the process of building up a new gravel bike and wouldn't get the chance to use it anytime soon. So, I decided to lend it out to a couple people in my bikepacking community over the summer so that they could put it to use on their own adventures. Enter Joanna and Serge.
The Tailfin Bar Bag System is a premium, waterproof handlebar bag designed for stability, versatility, and ease of use. Built with high-end materials like welded Hypalon and 210D Ripstop nylon, it features a secure quick-release mount compatible with aerobars, dual roll-top closures for balanced packing, and front pockets for easy access. Real-world testing by multiple riders highlighted its solid performance across gravel, singletrack, and long-distance touring. While it may not fit all setups due to clearance issues, especially with certain aerobars, it’s a standout option for riders seeking durable, thoughtfully engineered bikepacking gear.
One of my long-term goals at Bikepack Adventures is to build a gear library — an evolving collection of bikepacking bags I can lend out to fellow adventurers. It’s especially important to me to support those who are new to the sport and might not yet have the gear they need to get started. If sharing my equipment helps someone get out on their first trip, I’m all in. While the library is still in its early stages, I’ve been stoked to lend out bags to friends who are curious to try something new. Joanna, for instance, was looking to update her setup, so I offered her the bar bag to test out. As for Serge, I was helping him convert his bike to drop bars and knew he was keen to experiment with aerobars, so I lent him the bag so he could try out a new way of packing the front of his bike.
Tailfin Cycling began quietly in 2016 when founder Nick Broadbent launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund his vision for a sleek, integrated rack-and-bag system. The original product, dubbed The Tailfin, was a carbon fiber rack designed to eliminate excess material by integrating directly with a waterproof bag. As a passionate bike commuter, Nick was frustrated by the hassle of installing and removing traditional racks every time he wanted to ride unencumbered. He also disliked the bulky aesthetic of touring racks on his carbon road bike and set out to create something that was lightweight, visually streamlined, easy to mount and remove, and fully weatherproof.
The success of that initial campaign laid the foundation for Tailfin’s evolution into a premium brand known for technical bikepacking equipment. Their flagship AeroPack system redefined rear storage by combining the stability of a rack with the flexibility of a seat pack. Since then, Tailfin has expanded its lineup to include top tube bags, frame bags, cargo cages, and bar bags—all engineered with obsessive attention to detail and built from high-end materials like 210D Hypalon and Ripstop Nylon.
What sets Tailfin apart is its commitment to creating a fully integrated ecosystem. Their patented V-Mount system and Mag-Lock closures offer unmatched stability and ease of use, while the modular design allows riders to mix and match components without compromising fit or function. Every product is 100% waterproof, rigorously tested in real-world conditions, and designed to withstand the demands of long-distance touring, gravel grinding, and mountain biking.
Tailfin’s gear isn’t just functional—it’s elegant, durable, and purpose-built for riders who demand performance without compromise.
by Joanna Rechberger
Over the summer, I got the chance to borrow the Tailfin Handlebar Bag from Chris’s lending library. Having learned about Tailfin from one of the employees at Bushtukah and then seeing countless bikepackers using Tailfin products all over my Instagram, I really wanted to see what the fuss was about. It seemed like it would be part of the perfect setup for some longer adventures I had planned — including the Log Driver’s Waltz, a 400/800 km bikepacking event here in Ontario.
Before the event, I took the bag out for a test ride around Wakefield on my Trek Checkpoint SL7, just to get a feel for it. Right away, I was impressed by how solid and stable it felt on the handlebars. Even on bumpy roads, it didn’t sway or rattle at all. The mounting system is really clever — it locks in so securely yet still comes off easily when you need to remove the bag.
The bag itself feels premium, with a clean design and excellent build quality. The welded Hypalon/210D Ripstop nylon construction makes the bag fully waterproof when the roll-top is closed correctly. I also liked the attachment options — the system allows mounts for a GPS device, light, bell, or GoPro, which is really handy when you’re trying to keep your cockpit tidy.
When I packed it for the Wakefield ride, I took my Z-Pack two-person tent, my Black Diamond hiking poles, a Ziploc of electrolyte powder, my phone and a power bank. Even with that load, the bag held firm, felt balanced, and didn’t interfere with my hand positions or feel front-heavy. What a winning piece of gear, I thought...
When it came time for the Log Driver’s Waltz, though, I ran into a couple of setup issues. The bag wasn’t compatible with my particular aero bars. More importantly, on my bike, the bag — because of the aero bars — wasn’t clearing the front tire quite as much as I would’ve liked (there wasn’t the recommended 20 mm clearance). After many, many, adjustments to the bars and the bag, I was bummed out and forced to pivot to a different bag set up. And by bag set-up, I mean a dry bag and two Voile straps hehe.
Still, I came away impressed overall. The Tailfin Handlebar Bag feels like a well-designed, sturdy piece of kit — perfect for anyone whose setup offers a bit more clearance. If I ever get a bike without such tight front-end constraints, I’ll be for sure considering my very own Tailfin bag.
By Serge Gouin
You know, that feeling when you hold something that is of high quality for the first time? That is exactly what happened when I got the bags. Chris dropped it off moments before I was leaving for an overnighter to test everything before the BT700. The mounting system is easy to install and adjust and holds the bag to the frame solidly, without any noises or rattling. At the front of the bag, there are a few pockets with dividers and stretchy fabric that keeps your items easy to access. This is where I placed my charging block, my high visibility vest and my headlamp. There is also a zippered pocket where I put my ID and other valuables.
I made a significant amount of changes to my bike this past summer, mainly in an attempt to solve the pain in my wrists following long rides, but also to streamline my bag setup, reduce what I bring and the amount of weight I carry on my loaded bike. Chris suggested I try the Tailfin Handlebar Bag System on my BT700 trip this fall and I jumped at the occasion.
The challenge was to reorganize how I pack everything. Previously, on my handlebar, I was using an old Ortlieb Ultimate Six box to carry my camera, drone, glasses, wallet and Powerbank. When I looked at what I carry, it made sense to put my clothes on the handlebar bag, since I don’t need to access it too often during the day. On that same effort, I reduced the size of my 2 panniers at the back (from 20L to 12.5L each), and now one holds my sleep kit and the other my jackets and extra food.
I liked that the main bag can be opened on either side. What's even better is that the clips attach to the body of the bag itself, with plenty of adjustment to ensure a super snug fit regardless of how much it is filled. It is also a good indicator to show you if your items are well centered/balanced.
In the main compartment I stuffed my hygiene kit, a microfiber towel, 3 tech shirts, 1 pair of shorts, 1 set of bike pants, socks, underwear and a plastic bag for laundry. I could have easily doubled the items and it would have still fit. Be mindful of how wide your handlebars are; the one I am using at the moment are the 47mm Kitchen Sink from Redshift Sports.
Another great feature is the buckle strap at the front that will also make sure everything is secure. I also used it to hold a small tripod, this way it was easily accessible.
It only rained for one day on my bike trip, the last day (no complaints here), so the only thing I can say about water is that the main compartment was dry and the items in the front stretchy pockets will get humid, but since they are easy to reach, they are easy to pull out to air out. The bag kept the dust out for the entire trip and it was easy to wash with dish soap and a rag.
Throughout the 800+ km of the BT700 — a mix of gravel, railtrail, singletrack, rocks, sand, hills, dust and hike-a-bike, the bag performed amazingly well. It is easy to fill, versatile with its pockets, and a breeze to balance so that the load is centered. Whenever we would hit a busy road, I would pull out my yellow vest for safety or access my headlamp if it was dark. It was so stable and solid that it has never been annoying, nor was I worried it would become a problem.
When I was initially looking at the bag online, I felt it was a bit expensive, but as soon as I held it in my hands and mounted it on the bike, I knew I was going to like it. The first few days proved that I wanted one. My normal end of day bikepacking routine is to remove all my bags and panniers from my bike and bring them in my 2 person tent. This allows me to have everything I need with me and to reorganize and pack efficiently in the morning. Since I put my clothes and hygiene items together, I can just take it off and head for a shower or laundry.
While I missed my lunchbox at the front, mostly because I am used to it, I loved the bag and how I managed to even the load overall on the bike. The Tailfin handlebar system is a solid product that makes a lot of sense. It is easy to install and use, whether on a short trip or a longer journey on the road.
Final conclusion: I will be getting one.
One of the things I love most about being part of the bikepacking community is sharing gear with friends. When I first launched the podcast and website, I dreamed that maybe one day I’d be lucky enough to have sponsors. But even as that dream started to take shape, I never felt the need to hoard gear just because I had access to it. Over the past couple of years, I’ve lent out seatposts, suspension stems, and bags to folks in my community, helping them dial in their setups and explore new possibilities. It’s one of the most rewarding parts of being so deeply involved in this space.
