Tailfin’s rack systems have been one of the best on the market with innovative quick release axle mounts and various accessories to accommodate any type of rider. The new Tailfin Journey is a more affordable alloy-only version of their bike rack that is part of Tailfin’s simplified rack offerings. The retail price for the Journey rack ranges from $185 to $280 (note, $270 as tested with a QR skewer and panniers) depending on whether you choose to add the pannier mounts and which bike attachment style you choose. Tailfin has taken their patented skewer quick-release and seatpost quick release design to the next level by allowing the entire rack to fold flat for easier storage. The rack has a strong aluminum construction that is rated for 22 – 32 kg (higher with the pannier version) and is compatible with Tailfin’s extensive bag and accessories.
The Tailfin Journey is an affordable and foldable bike rack that utilizes Tailfin’s clever quick release design for storage on the go.
| Retail Price | $185 – $280 ($270 as tested) |
| Rating | 9.4 / 10 |
| Measured Weight (in g) | 740 (pannier version) |
| Likes | + More affordable than previous Tailfin racks + Folding design with quick release mounts make it easy to travel with + Flat top rack surface for carrying any type of gear |
| Dislikes | – Initial setup and determining correct attachment hardware takes a little patience – There is a confusing number of adapters and available accessories to choose from |
| Where to Buy (US) | Tailfin |
UNBOXING
The Tailfin Journey comes in compact Tailfin branded cardboard box that is carefully packed with the rack folded inside it. It’s a very compact design compared to other Tailfin racks which come in a confusing number of boxes. Additional accessories such as skewers or adapters are shipped in smaller boxes.
MOUNTING
To attach the Tailfin Journey rack to a bike you first have to purchase the correct accessories when purchasing the rack as there are several options for both the top and bottom attachment points. Tailfin offers a number of accessories to accommodate everything from QR to thru-axle bike setups. The top portion attaches to the seatpost using a quick release clamp, with an optional extra-long strap for aero seat posts. The front seat post mount uses what Tailfin calls Fit Links which are different length extensions to handle various bike geometries and are designed to flex to allow the rack to be used with full-suspension bikes.
What makes the Tailfin bags unique is the bottom mount point which attaches the fork-like arch portion of the rack directly onto a special axle or directly onto a frame. Tailfin has redesigned the fast release dropouts to make them easier to use with options for QR or thru-axle options. It’s part of Tailfin’s patent for quick release axle mounts and it’s a main feature of the rack compared to lower-capacity removable racks that attach to seat stays with straps or have non-removable bolt-on designs. Tailfin has designed the entire rack to be easy to install and remove, but if you want to prevent theft there is an anti-theft bolt you can add to lock the seatpost clamp in place that blocks the strap release.
FIT & FINISH
Visually, the Tailfin Journey rack looks similar to the existing pannier rack but is simplified to be alloy only. It’s an aluminum alloy construction with a less aggressive fork design along with a pivoting top piece that allows the entire rack to fold flat for storage or transport. The rack has a two piece design with an arch bottom portion and flat top deck portion that bolt together with a pivoting adapter. The rack is fully compatible with existing Tailfin bags and pannier although you would need adapters if you have the integrated SpeedPack or other bag setups. One of the main differences with this alloy rack is that it is more versatile with a flat upper section that lets you carry boxes or other everyday cargo.
It’s a more flexible design that the race-focused integrated back rack setups Tailfin offers that used the bags as structural components and instead has a separate connector that is similar to the previous Tailfin racks. The top portion of the Journey rack additionally has 10mm rails which can be used to attach panniers directly to. With the pannier version of the rack, there are welded 16mm pannier attachments on the rock portion of the rack which helps put the weight lower for more stability. The racks are designed to work with tires up to 29 x 2.6” using the standard axle adapters, with available longer versions to move the entire racks upward for clearance for 29x 3.25” tires.
ON THE ROAD
We’ve had the carbon fiber Tailfin rack with the SpeedPack bag attached to our Specialized Tarmac for almost a year now as substitute for a saddle bag / top tube bag for long weekend rides. it’s been a great experience as even the smaller SpeedPack style bag has more than enough space for food, clothing and gear for single day rides. Swapping over to the Tailfin Journey bag was simple as we already were familiar with the quick release style mounts. As with other Tailfin racks, there is a little bit of assembly required and adjustment to get the angle and position of the rack correct for your bike’s geometry. The instructions are easy to follow and all the hardware feels high quality so it’s a fairly quick task.
Once the Journey rack is adjusted for your bike, it’s quick and easy to install and remove thanks to the quick release attachment points. It’s a very clever and intuitive design that uses a strap on the seatpost and two spring loaded locking pins on the special wider axle. Tailfin’s improved axle attachments make it even simpler as you just pull the pin out to release each side and utilize metal pieces for long term durability. The Journey’s special party trick is the folding design that allows the entire rack to lie nearly flat which is a big plus for storage or travel. We used the bag adapters to convert our previously integrated SpeedPack to use the locking pin design and front tab to attach to the Journey rack. As with the other Tailfin racks, everything feels secure and all the weight is kept low for additional riding stability. Although the design isn’t as attractive as the carbon racks, it still looks premium and has all the versatility you would expect or need from a bike rack.
THE VERDICT
Overall, we found the Tailfin Journey to be a well designed and more affordable rear rack. Tailfin has taken their clever quick-release mount design and created a more user friendly and pocket friendly alloy Journey rack. It’s also designed to fold flat which is a big plus for storage or travel compared to the more bulky multi-piece design of the other Tailfin racks. We were impressed with the build quality and versatility of the Journey rack which is compatible with almost all of Tailfin’s accessories, bags and feature a variety of mounting locations for additional bottle cages or attachments. The only negative we’d point out about the rack is that it takes a bit of patience to purchase the right combination of accessories and mounting adapters for your application. That said, once you have the rack installed the Journey offers an impressive amount of versatility and robustness to satisfy everyone from weekend rides to multi country adventures.
Disclaimer: The product for this review was provided by Tailfin. The views expressed on this website are solely those of the authors and are here to help people make an informed choice before a purchase. The authors or the blog itself does not get any monetary compensation from the product manufacturer or third-party websites/vendor links that are posted here.