Today, innovative bikepacking accessory brand Tailfin launches an all-new, affordable alloy Journey Rack.
Replacing Tailfin’s popular, eight-year-old Alloy Rack, the new Journey Rack is a more modular rear rack system that Tailfin says is “more durable, versatile, and more compatible”. Plus, it’s the most affordable adventure rack in their lineup, at about half the price of their carbon racks…
Tailfin Journey affordable modular rear bikepacking and adventure rack
The new design uses a patented axle-mounting system that attaches through the rear wheel rather than the bike frame. This reduces stress on frame mounts and allows compatibility across a wider range of bike types, frame designs, and frame materials.
That includes full-suspension mountain bikes, gravel, road, and touring bikes. The rack’s tri-pivot geometry lets the rack move with suspension compression, maintaining stability during suspended off-road rides.
Two Versions
The Journey Rack comes in two versions:
- One option has pannier mounts is for use with, well, panniers.
- And the other is a more minimalist version for use without panniers.
Both can be installed or removed in seconds using a quick-release mechanism that requires no tools.
A cool new feature is that when the Journey Rack is not in use, it folds flat for long-term storage, packing, or travel without the need for a rear rack. It also has the ability support many different cargo options, like the aforementioned panniers, top bags, cargo cages, or simply strapped-down gear. This makes it more than ready for your daily commute, weekend trips, or some proper long-distance bikepacking adventures.
The Journey Rack’s redesign incorporates nearly a decade of rider feedback and testing from the original Alloy Rack.
Key improvements include a stronger top deck, redesigned quick-release dropouts, more versatile mounting options, and an updated anodized finish.
Tailfin says that every major component has been re-engineered to create what they describe as a complete evolution of their rack system.
Tailfin Journey Rack – Retail & Detail
Pricing: £150 / $205 / €180 for non-pannier version, including rear thru-axle
£190 / $260 / €230 for pannier version, including rear thru-axle
- Journey Rack is constructed from durable and light 6061-T6 aluminum alloy
- universal fit on all styles of bikes, including full-suspension mountain bikes
- max 29 x 2.6” tire clearance (new dropouts soon will increase clearance to 29 x 3.25”)
- black anodized finish for durability
- 2 versions available: with pannier mounts & without
- 33cm long x 10cm wide robust, functional top deck
- 3x triple ‘bosses’ on each side for Anything-style cages (4-pack of bosses on non-pannier arch)
- completely redesigned Fast Release Dropouts and new stronger and easier to use Seatpost Connector
- angle-adjustable Fit Link front connector for best fit on all bikes (two versions supplied) adjusts top deck position relative to saddle height
- fully compatible with all existing Tailfin rack top and side pannier bags
- compatible with other brand bags: panniers or boss mounted
- foldable for easier storage and travel
- optional light mount system
- optional mudguard available (reduces tire clearance to 29 x 2.25”)
- pannier version rated up to 32kg of load (10kg per pannier + 12kg rack top bag)
- non-pannier version rated up to 22kg of load (6kg per quad bosses + 12kg rack top bag)
- claimed weights: 580g for non-pannier version, 740g for pannier version
Tailfin’s new Journey Rack addresses some familiar challenges in the rack category by combining rapid attachment and removal with universal bike compatibility.