Tailfin today announces the launch of the Journey Rack (£150/190), its most versatile pannier rack to date and the successor to the company’s long-standing and best-selling Alloy Rack.
The Journey Rack is a modular rear rack system that combines our patented quick-release technology with cargo-carrying utility and everyday durability. Available in two versions: With Pannier Mounts and Without, i.e., Fully Featured or Minimal.
Designed to work across a complete range of bikes, including full suspension MTBs. The rack can be installed or removed in seconds, folds flat for storage or travel, and supports panniers, top bags, cargo cages, or almost anything that can be strapped down.
Unlike minimalist seatpacks or basic bolt-on racks, the Journey Rack is built for riders who want one rack system that works for every ride. from daily commuting to weekend overnighters and long-distance bikepacking adventures.
The new rack replaces Tailfin’s eight-year-old Alloy Rack. While the original system proved the concept of a quick-release axle-mounted cargo rack, the Journey Rack represents a complete redesign informed by nearly a decade of rider feedback and real-world testing.
The Tailfin Journey Rack Quick Hits
- £150 for non-pannier version (includes axle)
- £190 for pannier version (includes axle)
- Available in two versions – with pannier mounts & without
- Top deck: 33 x 10 cm in size
- Fully compatible with all existing Tailfin rack top and side pannier bags
- Triple ‘bosses’ on each side for cages (quad on non-pannier arch)
- Compatible with other brand bags – panniers or boss-mounted
- Features a completely redesigned Fast Release Dropouts and Seatpost Connector
- Angle adjustable Fit Link front connector for best fit on all bikes (two versions supplied) – adjust top deck position relative to saddle height
- Compatible with all styles of bikes, including full-suspension mountain bikes
- Foldable for easier storage and travel
- Optional Light mount system
- Optional available mudguard (Tire clearance reduces to 29 x 2.25”)
- Constructed from durable and light 6061-T6 aluminum alloy
- Pannier version rated up to 32 kg of load (10kg per pannier + 12kg rack top bag)
- Non-pannier version rated up to 22 kg of load (6 kg per quad bosses + 12kg rack top bag)
- Weights: 580g for the non-pannier version, 740 g for the pannier version
- 29 x 2.6” Tire Clearance – New dropouts incoming to increase clearance to 29 x 3.25”
A Real Quick Release Rack
The Journey Rack was designed not just for convenience but also for durability and ease of use on long rides.
One of the most practical benefits is fast wheel removal. Many axle-mounted racks require partial disassembly when removing the rear wheel, but the Journey Rack allows the axle to be removed independently, enabling quick tire changes without detaching rack components.
This makes it one of the fastest rack systems available for puncture repairs or wheel swaps; a small but meaningful advantage during long tours or remote bikepacking trips.
Stronger
The Journey Rack’s signature arch uses a new manufacturing technique that welds a crown directly onto the formed hoop, creating a significantly stronger and more versatile structure than the existing Tailfin Alloy Rack.
Standard ISO luggage carrier testing (ISO11243) requires 100,000 vertical fatigue cycles, but unlike the main bicycle standard (ISO4210), it makes no distinction between road and off-road use. In our experience, that’s not enough for the demands of off-road riding, so we test to three times that figure. The Journey Rack passed at 10kg per side plus 12 kg on top: 32 kg/70 lbs total, a substantial step up from its predecessor.
A fully functional aluminum top deck adds a stronger, more stable platform for cargo and top-mounted bags, while a redesigned internal structure keeps the weight to approximately 740 g.
We’ve also been at pains to tweak the geometry of the new Journey Rack to allow it to sit further back from the saddle, increasing storage space even with low saddle heights. A further key feature of the geometry change sees a shift in the pannier mounts, bringing them further forward to improve weight distribution and handling when fully loaded.
The result is a rack rated up to 32 kg of total load carrying: capable enough for fully loaded touring, yet light enough for bikepacking.
Fully modular and repairable
The Journey Rack uses a fully modular, metal construction. Individual components can be replaced or adjusted, making the rack easier to repair and maintain over time.
The rack is also designed to work with a wide range of luggage systems, not just Tailfin products. Riders can mount:
- Tailfin’s CargoPack and SpeedPack top bags
- Standard panniers from brands such as Ortlieb, Altura, and Vaude, etc.
- Standard dry bags and cargo cage-mounted storage.
This open compatibility allows riders to build setups around their existing gear rather than committing to a single ecosystem.
Designed for versatility
The Journey Rack supports tires up to 29 × 2.6 inches and includes triple-boss mounting points for flexible accessory placement.
Additional features include:
- Adjustable top deck height and angle for saddle clearance
- Integrated light mounting options
- Compatibility with Tailfin’s new mudguard system
- Improved seatpost connector with enhanced grip – utilizing Tailfin’s trusted V Mount system
The rack can be mounted directly to frames with rack eyelets or installed using Tailfin’s adapter system on bikes without mounting points.
Get yours today at Tailfin.