Tailfin kickstarter
 

Pretty cool new Kickstarter project out there called the Tailfin. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...ref=nav_search

I like the concept, and like how quick it is to take on/off. Fully funded in 4 days. I don't often get excited about kickstarter projects, but this one speaks to me, as I would love to use my Synapse for more than just the local Fred rides.

I like everything except the seat post clamp. That looks like it could damage a post. Improve that (2 piece hinged clamp maybe?) and it would be tempting.

That's what I was thinking, too. Hopefully some people do reviews of it when it is delivered. It has some great potential!

Too late. Rackless is the way to go nowadays. Dozens of options, including my favorite, Revelate Designs Terrapin. Cheaper, lighter, better, faster.

https://www.revelatedesigns.com/inde...-bags/Terrapin

Yes, it's difficult to tell if the clamp has the padding one would expect a seat post clamp to have, and if the clamp can be secured with a torque wrench (just got my first one - for the carbon fiber seat post on my bike).

If those issues are properly addressed, this could be an improvement over attaching a seat bag, as seat bags are entirely supported by the seat post while the Tailfin distributes some of the weight to the bottom of the frame.

Too bad it doesn't have a bit more of a deck instead of just the boom. With a minimalist deck, it could support a load on top, and not require panniers to be useful. A bit of deck would also act as a fender; the skinny boom, not so much.

I like the tailfin. I hope it succeeds.

I like it! There are a couple things I might have liked better but they're not crucial. I wouldn't worry about the seat post clamp, it doesn't load up in that direction very much. I don't understand why it needs a quick disconnect, what does it hurt to leave it there? The bags to seem a bit high and aft to me but maybe that's because it's being shown on short racy bikes.

It seems neat but a very expensive solution to an already solved problem with more conventional racks.

Looks good but for commuting I still want top-loading luggage

Will it accommodate a cat litter bucket? :D

I've seen complaints about certain model road bikes "fish-tail" when a rack is installed and loaded with a pannier or two. This presumably solves the problem.

I'm sure the ultralight weight compared to conventional racks is a selling point to some as well.

^Probably...but having an ultra light carbon fiber rack for a carbon fiber road bike often does not equal a kitty litter bucket users as the target user. But it did mention it will accommodate many different panniers. I guess with the kitty litter route, you could design it to make it work with just about anything. If it floats your boat, go for it!

I was making sport. If I bought one of these, it would look really silly on a pair of CX bikes with rack mounts.

If I had $350 burning a hole in my pocket, I'd probably go for it for my carbon bike. Apart from my Brooks, and occasionally putting the Carradice on, I don't really want to weigh down my Fred Sled, esp with a conventional rack I couldn't take off when not planning to use the bike for that purpose. I see it as a great solution to someone who maybe doesn't want to buy a dedicated commuter, or touring bike to be able to use their roadbike for the occassional light tour or for commuting purposes, easily taking it back to "stock" for the local club ride

I figured you were...but hey, kitty litter boxes are nothing if not versatile.

I figured that's why you were interested enough in it to start the thread. ;)

I almost bought a rack on the same day I bought my Renegade, then reconsidered my decision when I was invited to hold a rack and feel the weight. I decided to just enjoy the bike without the extra load of a rack, pannier(s), etc. for a while. I was considering the rack not for commuting necessarily but for doing a multi-day touring ride, as my Chrome backpack has proven to be sufficient for commuting. I still have my Uptown 8 for grocery/shopping duties, as well as nights on the town (meaning, bike locked outside a bar).

Maybe by the time I do get around to doing that multi-day tour on the Renegade, I'll either have the money saved from tax return(s), or there'll be something else like the Tailfin but cheaper out on the market. I do like the quick-release feature, means less of a PITA putting it on and taking it off. The quick-release appeals to me precisely because I'd be looking to use the rack for touring rather than commuting, so it's not an every day usage.

I don't see how it would... I've had head shake / tank slapper / shimmy / etc. under the usual conditions for it (coasting no-hands, high back load) on several bikes.

I don't see either, which is why I'm content to wait for reports from the field rather than investing right now. They claim no swing or sway - let's see the proof. ;)

$350. I need to get in on this Kickstarter deal. Maybe carbon fiber water bottles at $100 a piece for early adopters, $150 for everyone else.

I've thought for a long time that a quick release rack would be nice. I still haven't put fenders or a rack on my Raleigh International yet because I'm enjoying the light weight, but I'll do it eventually. So I guess I also wish for quick release fenders.

Carbon fiber fenders. So cool on your race bike. $200 per pair for early adopters, $300 for everyone else.

I think in the case of putting a rack and load on a too-light bike, the center of gravity shifts further back, contributing to a deterioration in handling... I can do it on my bikes, but it takes the shorter wheelbase of my SS and about 40+lb to make things wiggle. I can see how it would be undesirable on a carbon fiber road machine.

Good points. A really fast racing machine has a short wheelbase and doesn't handle loads well because it throws off the bike's balance. But this would be nice for my Raleigh International. Not that I represent a big niche.

Nice find. It's exactly what I've been looking for. A substantial but quick release rack. I signed up for one.

It's not a problem for the seat post. With a rack, far and away, the largest portion of the weight is carried by the skewer and vertical stays. The seat post stay is largely to just hold it in place.

J.