Tested: Tailfin Half Frame & Top Tube Bag

We take a look at Tailfin’s new frame and top tube bags – do they live up to the hype?

The most technically advanced frame bags in the world? It’s quite a claim that Tailfin makes of their recently released frame bags – but just how advanced can a frame bag possibly be?

There are nine half and wedge bags in the new range, which are designed to cater for all sizes of frames and bottle configurations, and they have a good sizing app to help you choose the right bag, although do also measure manually to be doubly sure.

My own main issue with frame bags is always knee rub when bags are full, and Tailfin has addressed this by creating a welded design from their familiar waterproof nylon fabric, which is supported with a carbon space frame (removable rods) to give it a firm base and flexible but shaped structure.

This combined with their rubber V-mount system (three top and one down tube) and straps do keep the bag firmly in place, and without the chafing you often get with frame bags. There’s a large zipped and stretchy left side pocket (map size) and a full zip right entry to the main compartment, simple enough, and yet extremely well thought out all-round.

In use the bag holds firm, and with almost no bulging when full, and I suffered zero knee rub. There’s also no rattling of pumps or tools against the frame, in fact I hardly notice it’s there.

It’s hard to say yet how it will stand up long-term, but knowing Tailfin’s product excellence, I suspect it will have a very long life. It’s not the absolute lightest or the cheapest high-end frame bag around, and it is not as easily foldable as some, but this is a top-shelf performance bag and is fair bang for your buck.

My only minor niggle were the fiddly detachable inner Velcro pump straps, which is negligible. Hands up, again to Tailfin on this one, it really is as good as they claim.

Top Tube – top bag?

Tailfin released their top tube bags a few months ago in three different sizes and with zip and fast-flip closure options. All bags are fully waterproof and made from the same material as the frame bags. They also have a similar structure to the frame bags, which come from the base frame, a removable insole, and the material welding. Frame attachment is via two V-mounts and straps or direct mount (if you have the frame fittings).

The same straps and V-mount spacings are also used on the frame bags, so you can double up on using the same straps to mount both bags together. This “flexible rigidity” also negates steerer attachment, which is another plus. The bag tested has a single “no-jangle” top zip (as used on the frame bag), which can easily be opened one handed on the go.

In use, the bag holds firm and upright and there seems to be no direct frame contact or chafing.

Tailfin says the bag eliminates knee rub, but for me, there was a very occasional knee rub at first, but I soon compensated for it, although when riding out of the saddle, my inner thighs rubbed on the bag. If I’d done a little more research, I would have gone for the 0.8-litre bag, which has a more extreme taper and lower rise, which should sort this personal rub.

As top tube bags go, this is indeed top-notch, as anticipated, and is of fair value. Overall, knee rub is greatly reduced compared to other bags I’ve used, and if you do suffer a lot of knee rub, go for the smaller option.

Specifications

Half Frame Bag

Capacity tested: 4.5 litre

Weight: 350g with four straps

Material: Hypalon & Diamond Ripstop Nylon, 100 per cent waterproof, with Carbon Space Frame inserts and V-mount fitting (no head or seat tube strapping needed), with a hydration/cable port at the front

Size: 506mm long

Price: AU$218 approx.