Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
Tailfin 16L Mini Pannier Review: From Bikepacking to Commuting
Filling a gap in their ever-expanding lineup, Tailfin’s latest Mini Pannier offers 16L of rattle-free storage, aiming to provide a Goldilocks size that suits everything from bikepacking trips to grocery runs to laptop-loaded commutes. After spending several months with a pre-production version in the run-up to their launch, Cass reports in with some long-term findings…
PUBLISHED Feb 22, 2024
If you’re the owner of a set of Tailfin panniers, be they the 5, 10, or 22-litre models, you’ll likely have been impressed by the company’s secure and rattle-free attachment system – the X-Clamp, as it’s called. It’s an ingenious design, in which a lever-operated cam provides an over-centred clamping mechanism that not only prohibits the bags from jettisoning off on even the roughest of trails but stops them from sliding forwards and backwards, too. I haven’t come across another quick-release attachment system that can match it, and it’s a pleasure to use. Gently pushing the lever activates the cam, which in turn squeezes the rack tight in a rather satisfying manner!
It’s no surprise, then, that the new Tailfin 16L Mini Panniers use the exact same attachment hardware, along with a CNC machined, 6061-T6 aluminium internal frame similar to those found in its 5 and 10L baby brothers, albeit a bit bigger. Of course, with more metal and more material comes more weight. The 16L Minis, in their most minimal form, tip the kitchen scales at 570g, compared to Tailfin’s 380g 10L Minis. Add in a pair of the T-Hook compression buckles, and we’re up to about 620g per side.
Compared with the ultra-minimal panniers we’ve featured on the site, designed to live permanently on your bike during a bikepacking trip (like Revelate’s 255g Nanos), we’re clearly venturing into a realm of heavier bags. But, considered within the context of easy-to-remove, 100% waterproof all-rounders, this added weight becomes a lot more justifiable, and is close to Ortlieb’s smaller Gravel Pack Panniers, which are 580g each.
On paper, at least, 16L per side would seem to be pretty big for a bikepacking pannier, and perhaps too capacious for some. But in practice, Tailfin’s Mini Panniers can be rolled down and compressed into a surprisingly compact package that suits both short and long-range trips well, even if it’s a little beyond the maximum volume criteria in our Mini Panniers Roundup, which we set at 30L combined. Still, let’s not fall out over 2L!
As for fitting them to our bikes, we ran Tailfin’s minimal and lightweight alloy rack (direct mounted and weighing 591g), allowing full activation of the dropper post on Emma’s size small frame, compared to a seat pack where room is somewhat limited. Most importantly to me, given how tied I am to my laptop, is how perfectly proportioned this pannier is for my 13-inch Macbook Pro thanks to an optional accessory – dubbed the Pannier Holster – that hugs it lovingly in place, even when the bag is empty.
For further protection, the holster hovers its valuable contents some 3cm above the base of the pannier, ensuring the bottom of the laptop is never bumped on the ground, as well as allowing a tapered shape that’s optimised to reduce the chance of heel strike – which you can see in the schematic image above. This alcove also provides a space to stash an extra layer, adding further protection. The Pannier Holster is easily removed for weekend, work-free outings via a velcro tab, includes a zippered pouch for jangly keys or computer cables, and will accommodate a 14-inch laptop or a case that’s up to 35x26x3cm. The holster also has a stretch panel, so it will hold a smaller tablet in place too. In real-world terms, it works perfectly with my Macbook and the simple padded sleeve I store it in.
But what if you haven’t already bought into the Tailfin ecosystem? Like the other Mini panniers in the range, the 16Ls come with a number of plastic spacers (8mm, 10mm, and 12mm) that allow an equally secure and rattle-free fit to tubing diameters that differ from Tailfin’s. It’s worth pointing out that these inserts are cleverly screwed into place, so there’s never any concern that they’ll pop out, as I’ve experienced with some systems.
For instance, they work perfectly with Tumbleweed’s Mini Pannier Rack, with no rattle at all, and well with Old Man Mountain’s Divide too, with the addition of a little padding around the stabilising arm to prevent potential movement. Just note that this arm is held in a fixed position, unlike Ortlieb’s Gravel Pack Panniers, which will limit placement options, and it may be worth bolstering it up with tape for some designs. Tailfin plans to release an adjustable stabilising hook in the near future that can be retrofitted to the 16L Minis, but for now, it may be a little hit and miss – it would be cool if you could run them with a Tubus Duo for a lowrider setup, for instance. Note too that the positioning of the X-Clamp closure is optimised for Tailfin’s angled arch system, so the panniers don’t sit perfectly parallel to the rack and the ground. Still, it’s only a minimally jaunty angle, so I expect it will disturb only the most discerning of pannierphiles! And, whilst Tailfin cannot defy physics, the 16L panniers have a relatively slimline, tapering shape that lends itself well for off-the-bike pushes, compared at least to wider, boxier designs on the market that can catch on your hips.
Like Tailfin’s other panniers in its Mini range, the Minis are high-frequency welded to be 100% waterproof, using a durable, welded Hypalon for high wear areas, and a 210D Ripstop nylon construction where fabric needs to be easily rolled, with a valve to expunge air. As mentioned, the panniers are completely silent and stable in use, especially when used with one of the company’s racks or Tailfin packs. I’ve run our pre-production set on a number of rides in the UK and Mexico, including a recent 300-kilometre off-road tour, from which most of these photos are drawn. The T-hooks, whilst less necessary for road use, do much to improve stability over more rowdy terrain. Here’s a nice detail: for ease of closure at night, the top pannier buckles can be clipped together, and for added stability when riding, these same buckles can then be cinched down to either side. Two sets of T-hooks are included and can be used in a variety of combinations, though in these photos, I’ve fitted a third to provide additional compression and the possibility of attaching other gear (like a pair of sandals) or allowing wet gear to dry while riding.
The bags are rated to 8kg per side for pavement use and 4kg per side when venturing off-road, irrespective of the rack you’re running. I think 4kg seems rather low, and I expect Tailfin is being conservative with its recommendation, because I’ve certainly loaded them up with more. It does, however, provide a useful reminder to pack thoughtfully for dirt-road touring, given the outboard placement of weight with larger panniers compared to a centrally located framebag, or even Tailfin’s own Aeropack. Depending on your bike’s geometry and frame stiffness, heavy panniers can have a negative impact on handling, occasionally creating a discerning steering wobble. Anecdotally, I’ve found bikes with longer wheelbases more prone to this. Also worth mentioning: as enthusiastic as I am about the X-Clamp attachment system, the hardware is rigid and exposed. To avoid the risk of damaging the ultralight floor of our DFC tent, we tended to store the panniers in the vestibule. Similarly, I wrapped them carefully when placing them within my bike box when flying, so they didn’t risk gauging anything important, unlike more fiddly but softer Voile straps, or even Ortlieb’s plastic mounts. The integrated subframes also add some bulk when they’re empty, compared to the likes of ultra-miminal designs that flat pack more easily.
As for pricing, the Tailfin Mini Panniers are sold separately and cost £100/$125/€120, with the 120g Laptop Holster going for £20/$25/€25. This puts them at $250 for the pair, compared to the likes of Ortlieb’s $195 Gravel Pack Panniers (25L for 2) but on par with Revelate’s smaller Nano Panniers (22L for 2). Still, given their premium quality and Tailfin’s five-year ‘no quibble’ warranty, I’d consider this money well spent.
I should, however, point out that most of my time has been spent using a pre-production set, which differs a little in construction and finish from the final version, which I only recently received. The astute may notice small differences in the photos used in this review (detail shots are the final production version, location shots are the pre-production ones), which is why I’m only considering it a ‘first look’ in terms of durability. Still, if it’s on par with Tailfin’s other panniers, I’ve no reason to doubt that these panniers are in it for the long haul. I’ve also heard from other bikepackers that Tailfin’s customer support is excellent, should any unexpected issues arise on the road.
Pros
- X-Clamp attachment system is completely rattle-free and secure, no matter the terrain that’s unleashed upon on them.
- Sizing suits those who use their bikes for everything, be it shopping, commuting, or bikepacking.
- Attention to detail is excellent, as per all Tailfin products we’ve tried, including the accessories.
- Range of plastic inserts mean these panniers aren’t just for Tailfin’s own ecosystem.
Cons
- More expensive than some similarly-sized panniers on the market.
- Subframe and X-Clamp add bulk during off-the-bike transportation, and the latter should be wrapped if placed in a bike box.
- Potential compatibility issues with some front and rear racks due to fixed stabilising arm, which a future upgrade should resolve.
- Model Tested: Tailfin 16L Mini Panniers
- Weight: 570g each (plus accessories)
- Dimension: 260x440x190mm at the their longest edges, rolling down to 310mm
- Place of Manufacture: China
- Price: £100/$125/€120 each (Laptop Holster £20/$25/€25)
- Manufacturer’s Details: Tailfin
Wrap Up
For anyone who uses their bike for just about everything, be it touring or grocery shopping or riding to work, these one-size-does-most panniers really hit a sweet spot, and they’ve become our most oft-used bags. In terms of sizing for off-road bikepacking specifically, they remain compact enough not to feel unwieldy when rolled down, with ample expandable room for additional food on more remote trips, or cold weather gear in winter. Like every Tailfin product I’ve tried, attention to detail is exemplary, with an attachment system that’s second to none. Fully waterproof, they’re also perfectly proportioned and thoughtfully designed for the safe transportation of laptops and tablets, making them a great option for the year-round bike commuter.
Unless you relish the very lightest of setups or you primarily ride technical singletrack, where reduced volume and hard-nosed gram-saving come into play, I’d consider their extra weight to be a reasonable forfeit to pay. And, whilst the 16L Minis are certainly optimised for the Tailfin ecosystem, they’re compatible with some of our favourite racks with little to no modification, too.
Further Reading
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